Airiya (Iranian-type faction)

[Cuyo Quiz]

I have wondered why something with the Near Eastern-inspired factions was wrong and i just remembered... i never thought they would be using pants.

I must say that i feel very connected to the Airiya, mostly because i would like some warriors in robes and also because thinking of the Immortals makes me mushy. If anyone hasn't noticed, i support the robes .

Although sapparas worked differently, it would still be a (blade) attack, OTOH, i wonder if we can have our Kardakes or someone else with one of those.

Now... how about my spread on making the Kardakes into two trees?, we could have the Kardakes as the lvl0 troopers, and then another unit as the branching lvl1 generic trooper. Add robe clothing and maybe sapparas, and we could all be happy campers enjoying all the influences combining into one faction.

[turin]

I have wondered why something with the Near Eastern-inspired factions was wrong and i just remembered... i never thought they would be using pants.

But, IIRC, near easterners do wear pants. It is middle easterners who don't.

I must say that i feel very connected to the Airiya, mostly because i would like some warriors in robes and also because thinking of the Immortals makes me mushy. If anyone hasn't noticed, i support the robes .

The idea of robes sounds good... I might make graphics for these guys next... these, or the dardans.

Now... how about my spread on making the Kardakes into two trees?, we could have the Kardakes as the lvl0 troopers, and then another unit as the branching lvl1 generic trooper. Add robe clothing and maybe sapparas, and we could all be happy campers enjoying all the influences combining into one faction.

I shall not allow it!

[K3lba]

Rather than call it a Iranian faction, about Middle-Eastern type faction? Since Iranians are really big on Islam and a lot of middle-easterners are not...Just incorporate the Mid-East culture

[turin]

Because the resident middle-easterner faction is the Kedari. These are more Persian (so, before islam) anyway.

[Anyar]

Rather than call it a Iranian faction, about Middle-Eastern type faction? Since Iranians are really big on Islam and a lot of middle-easterners are not...Just incorporate the Mid-East culture

This faction is based on the period before islam more than after(the Achaemenid/Parthian/Sassanid dynasties)

[Temuchin Khan]

Something definately should be added from Assyrians though, as they were one of the best if not the best ancient semitic empire.

Well, I suppose an Assyrian faction could look something like this:

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Assyrian Shieldsman -> Assyrian Guardian -> Assyrian Stalwart -- 6 ft shield; has steadfast; gives defensive bonus to adjacent friendly units; weak or no attacks

Assyrian Spearman -> Assyrian Hardy Spearman -> Assyrian Elite Spearman -- spear (first strike), sappara, normal-size shield
                  -> Assyrian Royal Guard -> Assyrian Elite Royal Guard -- spear, mace(?)

Assyrian Slinger -> Assyrian Adept Slinger -> Assyrian Elite Slinger -- sling, no shield

Assyrian Archer -- bow, dagger, no shield
                -> Assyrian Heavy Archer -> Assyrian Elite Heavy Archer -- gains sword, helmet, armor, not as fast
                -> Assyrian Light Archer -> Assyrian Elite Light Archer -- gains marksmanship, speed

Assyrian Horseman -- spear and bow
                  -> Assyrian Heavy Horseman -> Assyrian Elite Heavy Horseman -- spear and bow; gains first strike (on both weapons?)
                  -> Rab Shaqê -> Turtânu -- gains leadership

Assyrians would move and fight effectively in many types of terrain: plains, hills, swamp, shallow water*, and sand. This alone should make them very frightening.

Unfortunately, we would never be able to reflect one of the Assyrian army's great strengths in Wesnoth: siege engines.

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*Historically, Assyrian soldiers were issued individual inflatable rafts made from animal bladders.

[K3lba]

Considering that times were much more primitive when the Middle-East was the dominant geographic area, about a unit that has no attack but has the leadership bonus of enhancing surroundign units (if this is possible)? Such as a tribal drummer or something...If anyone has played Warcraft 3, I mean something like the Kodo Beast

[Temuchin Khan]

I have wondered why something with the Near Eastern-inspired factions was wrong and i just remembered... i never thought they would be using pants.

And if the Kedari were based only on the Arabs, I would be thinking seriously about asking turin to redo them. However, since we based them on the Turks as well, I think it is acceptable to have the Kedari wear pants.

Still, Airiya should definitely have robes.

[Temuchin Khan]

Maybe Persians and Assyrians should be combined into an Iranian/Iraqi faction:

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Airiyan Horse Archer -> Airiyan Horse Archer Elect -> Airiyan Horse Archer Elite

Airiyan Heavy Horse -> Airiyan Heavy Horse Elect -> Airiyan Heavy Horse Elite
                    -> Airiyan Peer -> Airiyan Noble -> Airiyan Lord

Magauuan -> Magauuan Healer -> Magauuan Elder
         -> Magauuan of the Holy Flame -> Magauuan of Ahura's Flame

                -> Mosuli Guardian -> Mosuli Stalwart
Mosuli Spearman -> Mosuli Hardy Spearman -> Mosuli Elite Spearman
                -> Immortal -> Immortal Champion

Mosuli Archer -> Mosuli Heavy Archer -> Mosuli Elite Heavy Archer
              -> Mosuli Light Archer -> Mosuli Elite Light Archer

Mosuli Slinger -> Mosuli Adept Slinger -> Mosuli Elite Slinger

The Assyrians could be called "Mosuli", I guess, given that some Assyrian websites say that the contemporary city of Mosul was once one of the important cities of the Assyrian Empire.

Or maybe people would prefer option #2:

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Airiyan Horse Archer -> Airiyan Horse Archer Elect -> Airiyan Horse Archer Elite

Airiyan Heavy Horse -> Airiyan Heavy Horse Elect -> Airiyan Heavy Horse Elite
                    -> Airiyan Peer -> Airiyan Noble -> Airiyan Lord

Magauuan -> Magauuan Healer -> Magauuan Elder
         -> Magauuan of the Holy Flame -> Magauuan of Ahura's Flame

                -> Mosuli Guardian -> Mosuli Stalwart
Mosuli Spearman -> Mosuli Hardy Spearman -> Mosuli Elite Spearman
                -> Immortal -> Immortal Champion

Kardakes -> Adept Kardakes -> Kardakes

Mosuli Slinger -> Mosuli Adept Slinger -> Mosuli Elite Slinger

[Temuchin Khan]

Or option #3, which could become my favorite:

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Airiyan Horse Archer -> Airiyan Horse Archer Elect -> Airiyan Horse Archer Elite -- bow, no melee, Parthian Shot special ability

Airiyan Heavy Horse -> Airiyan Heavy Horse Elect -> Airiyan Heavy Horse Elite -- sword & javelin
                    -> Airiyan Peer -> Airiyan Noble -> Airiyan Lord -- has leadership

Magauuan -> Magauuan Healer -> Magauuan Elder -- holy & cures
         -> Magauuan of the Holy Flame -> Magauuan of Ahura's Flame -- fire attack

                                         -> Immortal -- spear & bow
Mosuli Spearman -> Mosuli Hardy Spearman -> Mosuli Elite Spearman -- heavy infantry with spear
                -> Mosuli Guardian -> Mosuli Stalwart -- has steadfast; gives adjacent friendly units defensive bonus; weak melee attack, no ranged

Kardakes -> Adept Kardakes -> Elite Kardakes -- light infantry/javelineer

Mosuli Ranger -> Mosuli Adept Ranger -> Mosuli Elite Ranger -- bow & sling; weak melee attack; gains marksman on both ranged attacks at level 2.

So, would a combined Persian/Assyrian faction work?

[Anyar]

Looks good. However, I don't think the Immortal should come off of the Mosuli, as they were only Medes and Persians of noble descent.

[Temuchin Khan]

Looks good. However, I don't think the Immortal should come off of the Mosuli, as they were only Medes and Persians of noble descent.

I know, that bothers me, too. But how can we justify not branching them off the spearman line, given that they were basically elite spearmen with bows?

[Anyar]

Without the immortal, there are 25 total units in the faction, which seems like it would be enough. If it needs to be in, some units could probably be swapped, or it could come off of the Kardakes.

[Cuyo Quiz]

Looks good. However, I don't think the Immortal should come off of the Mosuli, as they were only Medes and Persians of noble descent.

Exactly the reason of my "favored spread", but now, to the current problem. We are basically looking at having 3 lines, and, from some points, 3 types of units, being specials (like Immortal and patis/Guardian line), support (like Kardakes, Slingers, Archers), and soldiers.

Bet you see where am i going with this:

-Special units tree, featuring Immortals and patis, since the patis was basically a defensive unit, it would assimilate the Guardian's steadfast. This should be our persian tree, as cavalry and leadership seem to be the persian part of the merging, it would be fitting. Only problem is the first unit name.

-Basic soldiers tree, featuring the Mosuli Spearmen, branches may be welcome too.

-Support tree, here is where it gets icky, since we have Slingers, Kardakes, Archers to fill in. I would prefer something Mosuli rather then Airiyia here. Cans omeone get me a fiiting name and tree here, please ?.

[Temuchin Khan]

Well then, here's option #4:

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Airiya Horse Archer -> Airiya Horse Archer Elect -> Airiya Horse Archer Elite -- bow, no melee, Parthian Shot special ability

Airiya Heavy Horse -> Airiya Heavy Horse Elect -> Airiya Heavy Horse Elite -- sword & javelin
                   -> Airiya Peer -> Airiya Noble -> Airiya Lord -- has leadership

Magauuan -> Magauuan Healer -> Magauuan Elder -- holy & cures
         -> Magauuan of the Holy Flame -> Magauuan of Ahura's Flame -- fire attack

Airiya Footman -> Airiya Adept Footman -> Airiya Elite Footman -- heavy infantry with spear
                                       -> Airiya Immortal -- heavy infantry with spear & bow

Mosuli Shieldsman -> Mosuli Guardian -> Mosuli Stalwart -- has steadfast; gives adjacent friendly units defensive bonus; weak melee attack, no ranged

Kardakes -> Adept Kardakes -> Elite Kardakes -- light infantry/javelineer

Mosuli Ranger -> Mosuli Adept Ranger -> Mosuli Elite Ranger -- bow & sling; weak melee attack; gains marksman on both ranged attacks at level 2.

And option #5, which would scrap the immortals:

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Airiya Horse Archer -> Airiya Horse Archer Elect -> Airiya Horse Archer Elite -- bow, no melee, Parthian Shot special ability

Airiya Heavy Horse -> Airiya Heavy Horse Elect -> Airiya Heavy Horse Elite -- sword & javelin
                   -> Airiya Peer -> Airiya Noble -> Airiya Lord -- has leadership

Magauuan -> Magauuan Healer -> Magauuan Elder -- holy & cures
         -> Magauuan of the Holy Flame -> Magauuan of Ahura's Flame -- fire attack

Mosuli Spearman -> Mosuli Hardy Spearman -> Mosuli Elite Spearman -- heavy infantry with spear
                -> Mosuli Guardian -> Mosuli Stalwart -- has steadfast; gives adjacent friendly units defensive bonus; weak melee attack, no ranged

Kardakes -> Adept Kardakes -> Elite Kardakes -- light infantry/javelineer

Mosuli Ranger -> Mosuli Adept Ranger -> Mosuli Elite Ranger -- bow & sling; weak melee attack; gains marksman on both ranged attacks at level 2.

Which of these options looks better?