| Colgacilioi (Caledonian Swordsmen) | |
|---|---|
![[defaults to 250]px](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/europabarbarorum/images/6/68/EB2_Caledonian_Swordsmen.png/revision/latest?cb=20160109162646) Colgacilioi (Caledonian Swordsmen) | |
|
Primary Weapon |
|
|
Defence |
|
|
Recruitment |
|
|
Mental |
|
|
Other |
|
The Colgacilioi are Kaledonoi short swordsmen. Shorn of armour they are nevertheless a terrifying foe, and will put up a stern fight against all those who oppose them.
Description[]
It is said that, just as the man who wields it carries a soul within him, so does the sword. Born of the forge, aged in battle and cast into the fires upon the end of its days, it spends its life at home in the scabbard or in the hands of its master performing its bloody work. To wield a sword is to be a member of the Colgacilioi, men held in high regard for the swords they hold in their hands. Such men are the first in the line of battle, the first to face the foe and smell his polluting stench. Shorn of armour they place their faith in the gods and the iron within their grip. A small shield and a sharp blade is all these men need to defend their homes and bring glory to their names.
Historically Tacitus, in his description of the Battle of Mons Graupius, describes how the Kaledonoi used huge swords, however this is not supported by the archaeological evidence. Unlike in the south of Britain, where sword types showed parallel developments with those of Gaul towards the end of the Europa Barbarorum II time period, those in northern Britain remained short as they had in earlier periods of the Iron Age. In the area which would become southern Scotland and the Borders, swords appear in the archaeological record in the 1st centuries BC and AD (although they were probably in use during the preceding centuries but simply did not enter the archaeological record). Such swords are not local products, but instead belong to a tradition of swords from Yorkshire, and may indicate high status contacts and exchanges between these two regions. One such example, from the Romani fort at Newstead, dates to between AD80 and 100 and may have been used by an auxiliary soldier. Other sword related items, such as a scabbard from Bargany House in Ayrshire, point instead to connections with communities in Ireland. Evidence for swords in this part of the world is also attested to in the form of a hoard from at Carlingwark Loch in Kirkcudbrightshire containing fragments of mail and sword tips (both indigenous and Romani).
Usage[]
These ferocious rely only in their shields and their skill in defense as their armor seeing as they wear no armor at all. But these men are excellent swordsmen and can cut through light and medium infantry, especially when flanking them. Missiles can cut them to pieces however and they have no defense against heavy cavalry.