Hey! Our second update in a week, giving you another preview of what's to come in the impending release of Insularis Draco's most stable, most polished and most visually striking version and to remind you that if you think we deserve to considered, you could vote for us in the Mod of the Year competition (I mean, we all know we won't win that one but if you think we deserve support, click on the red banner :P) <3
PythagoreanBeans and I set out to create a visual tone for the Germanic units that is true to the factions' colour themes (because we want to bring visual variation that has style and is readable as a feature of an ultimately unrealistic videogame :)) and yet showed as much intra-unit variation and differentiation as possible. We landed on these designs, of which I personally am very very proud. See the designs below and expect to see some explanation for each one: we really thought them through. Even though some of our choices may be speculative they're all grounded in history and with immersion and roleplay in mind!
Alaman Wigmanna (Champions) wearing East-Germanic and Steppe influence armour and clothing elements in their green-gold-wine colour theme style. We gave the continental germanic units a combination of Pillbox Hats and bare heads, some even sporting the famous Suebian knot! The Alamans sometimes wear horizontally striped tunics, something which may be historic OR something which originated with tabletop models, who knows :P
Visigothic Saiones cavalry, the ultra-heavy elite of Gothic warriorhood. These men have Eastern-inspired lamellar helmets which they presumably picked up from the Steppe neighbours before migrating westward in the early 5th century. The Goths specifically have clothing which references both eastern (some kaftans) and Roman (some tunica manicata) influences.
Alaman Truhtinos, noble spearmen. These guys sport mainly Spangenhelms, with a couple of Fernpass helmets mixed in. These helmets are typical for Continental Germanic warriors, from Saxony to Aquitania.
The River-Franks or Ripuarians, with their brown-red, blue and green colour motif, and their typical Francisca throwing axes.
Two types of Ripuarians spearmen: the lower tier but fierce Youths and the defensive and better equipped 'Sperumanna' which means (you guessed it) 'Spearmen'
The River-Franks' elite infantry: the Hrepa-Weriendan (Riverbank Wardens). Alongside the Alamans, the Ripuarians are the most 'typically Germanic' faction, where outside influences are less evident in their clothing, weapons choice and equipment styles.
Now the the East: the Thuringians were probably a mix of North Germanic, High Germanic and East-Germanic speaking peoples who lived on a stretch of modern day Germany from the Harz-mountains to the Elbe. They had considerable Hunnic influence in their early days to we decided to give them horse-hide shields, Lamellar helmets for their elites (who intermarried with Huns) and more of a horse and bow-focused roster. You can also see Steppe-style Kaftans on their unarmoured troops.
Gikiosan Bugamanna (Chosen Composite Bowmen)
Like all Germanic factions, the Thuringians have very low tier troops which sometimes even go into battle barefoot and raggedy clothes. Having a shield is more essential and thus worth all your limited funds, I guess :P
Like the Visigoth elite, the Thuringians proudly display their Eastern cultural influences such as lamellar, kaftans, horsemanship, etc...
The Federate Visigoths show their Roman influence by fighting in tight formation and carrying the Arhvazna (a war-dart similar to the Plumbata) into battle.
Speaking of federates: we also have specific Foederati shield textures for Roman-owned Germanic units. These units also carry unique flags displaying their Federate status.
On the other side of Gaul: the Salian Franks with their noble, axe-throwing melee cavalry, the Thegnaskara. The Salians may be seen wearing the typically Roman decorated Tunica Manicata, spangenhelms and Roman inspired variations on the ridge helm.
Frankish cavalry is rare and often poorly equipped. The odd off-white Tunica Manicata may be spotted amongst these less armoured troops.
A mix of mid and high tier troops of the Salian army of Merovech coming to the aid of Flavius Aetius on the Catalaunian Fields. They have come with all their best equipment, noble, farmer and freeman alike. Whether these men are fit to face the Huns is another matter entirely.
Call me a heretic but I like my medieval 2 mods looking sharp. You are killing it with the new models!