Pictone Neitos (Pictone "Painted" Swordsmen)

Pictone Neitos (Pictone "Painted" Swordsmen)
Pictone Neitos (Pictone "Painted" Swordsmen)
Primary Weapon	Type: spear Attack: 6 Charge: 8 Lethality: 1 Range: 47.3 Ammo: 2 Attributes: Thrown before charge, Thrown missile
Secondary Weapon	Type: sword Attack: 13 Charge: 8 Lethality: 0.225
Defence	Armour: 1 Shield: 3 Skill: 15
Recruitment	Soldiers: 30 Cost: 2681 Upkeep: 670 Turns: 1
Mental	Morale: 17 Discipline: impetuous Training: highly_trained
Other	Hit Points: 1 Mass: 1.15 Attributes: Can board ships, Improved hiding in forest, Frightens infantry, Very Hardy Formation: square Side/Back spacing: 0.85/1.2 Mount effects: elephant -4 Ownership: Aedui, Arverni, Casse

The Pictone Neitos (Pek-tone Nee-yet-os; "Painted Soldiers") are cultic warriors of Teutatis, from the Pictone tribe in Lemovician territory.

Description

The Pictone Neitos (Pek-tone Nee-yet-os; "Painted Soldiers") are cultic warriors of Teutatis, from the Pictone tribe in Lemovician territory. They are particular amongst Gauls in that they still paint themselves; a practice since defunct amongst most Gallic tribes on the continent, otherwise mostly maintained only by the Belgic and Gallic tribes in Britain; the others who paint themselves aren't generally Gauls. They are braver for their devotion, and use large heavy shields expertly to deflect incoming blows and catch arrows and javelins. Their higher morale makes them more useful than their peers from other tribes at holding gaps and opening up holes in the enemy line. Their charge is powerful and augmented by javelins to soften the target.

Historically, the Pictones painted themselves ritually with boar designs, and fought painted as such. They would encircle a totemic shrine to Teutatis while painted during their religious ceremonies. During certain festivals, the normal red dyes would be replaced with blood of various enemies in devotion to the tribal god. In other respects, they were the same as most Celtic warriors, and fought in the same manner as other Celts. Gauls had at one time more commonly painted themselves, but this fell out of commonality. Steadily it was practiced by fewer groups, until it was almost totally isolated to a handful of tribes and cults, and to individual warriors. The Pictone cult to Teutatis was strong enough to outlast this social change, and the tribe was even known for the fact that they still painted themselves, as Pictone means "Painted Men"; a testament to how out-of-date the practice was, that it became the defining factor of the tribe.

Usage

These good light-infantry can be used to assault and flank the enemy lines with their swords or attack from their rear and add to their ability to terrify enemy units due to their presence and force a mass rout. They can also be used as good line infantry due to their shields and disciplined formation. Only their lack of armor and small AOR is an issue but otherwise they are welcome addition to any barbarian army.

Pictone Neitos AOR