Sweboz & Lugiones unit descriptions

Ðugunþiz (Germanic Retainers)

In the dark forests of Germania, a man's worth is measured not by the size of his war-chest, but the size of his war-band; the heireðaz, or hird, being the group of loyal followers sword to protect him, in return for ale, plunder, and fame. Fierce and hardy men, they live by the fruits of their weapons, which they suffice with but one kind - a spear, albeit several of them. Þremja, they call it, and with it they are equally adept at striking at a distance or close quarters. With this they unleash a terrible hail of death, a prelude to the fierce struggle to come when the timbers are shivered, and the battle is joined at close hand.

For these fine fighters, there is little to look forward to but the song and glory of war, though they may yet rise along with their chief. They eagerly follow their headman into the breach, for it is a dishonor to not match his valor in battle, as much as it is for him to not be the most valorous of them all. Lest their lord-friend be taken, spear-tip and iron, they fight to the last, and will fall in the line gladly should the same happen to him, for there is no greater disgrace than to survive the chief in battle.

Jugunþiz (Germanic Skirmishers) - "Youth"



Not yet "proven" in battle, these young men, aspiring to be full members of the tribe, seek glory and recognition from their kin in the thick of battle. As of yet untested by the hell of close combat, they are screening and picketing duties, and are equipped appropriately for the job. They would be the first ones to initiate the fight, by letting fly the first missiles to probe the enemy line for weaknesses and create a gap where the war-band might punch through.

In addition to their battlefield roles, such light infantry are invaluable raiders, their light equipment making it easy to raid the herds and farms of their enemies. No doubt this would be something that would prove their worth just as well, as bringing home an enemy's sheep would be infinitely more valuable to the tribe than an enemy's head.

NOTE: Given the almost identical function and equipment of the West Baltic and Germanic skirmishers, we have decided to incorporate them into the same unit.