World Conquest Online

[Choice made, roll commencing... Batavi Warriors]

[Batavi Warriors - Grade B+ (Can be upgraded)]

Above the double doors, the picture of a long sword crossed over a horse appeared. There was then a slight shake as a stables appeared beside the Warriors Hall, similar to that of the Horse Archers.

[The Batavi were an ancient Germanic Tribe from the Batavian Region, along the Rhine River. They were known as the most fearsome and bravest of all tribes on the European peninsula during the late Roman Republic and early Roman Imperial timeframes. They were an excellent all round Warrior, who fought with long heavy swords and shields, and were adept horse riders.

They often participated in wars with fellow Germanic Tribes, Celtic and Gaul Tribes, as well as being employed by the Roman’s. Where as most Civilisations paid Rome tax in goods and money, the Batavi’s paid with Men and Arms, as they were so renowned for their strength and skill in war.

There most notorious skill was the ability to swim across wide, turbulent rivers with both weapon and horse, whilst maintaining formation. The were often employed in surprise attacks, able to ambush enemy forces by swimming across rivers and travelling over difficult territory to attack from undefended positions.

Their skill, bravery and strength led them to eventually become the personal Guard to the Emperor of Rome during the Julio-Claudian Period, as well as part of the the Cavalry detachment of the Praetorian Guard, known as the Emperors Horse Guard.]

The Batavi Tribesmen sounded like impressive Warriors, and they could bolster Subutai’s ranks from a Cavalry perspective. Dom also felt that they could have some use with the Navy that would be based on the River, but something was troubling him about them.

"Is it that bad?" Subutai asked, looking at Dom’s face that was in deep thought.

"Not at all, I think you will be happy." Dom replied honestly. "We have the Warriors from a Germanic Tribe called the Batavi. They are a strong shock troop that are on horseback. They are strong swimmers and their horses are also used to the water. They are also ideal for ambushes, and we now have a strong physical cavalry as well as the Horse Archers who attack from afar."

"Then why the face?" Subutai questioned, a grin appearing on his face at the thought of new Cavalry units.

"I just feel like I remember the name." Dom stated.

"What did the information say?" Lucius asked, also thinking he recognised the name.

"The information says that they fought alongside the Romans, as well as against Gaul’s and other Germanic Tribes." Dom replied, "They also eventually became the Emperors personal Guard and the Cavalry of the Praetorian Guard."

"Maybe Septimius mentioned them?" Subutai stated, as it made sense the Praetorian Centurion would have the best intel on them, "Shall we spawn them and find out?"

"Yes let’s do that." Dom agreed, but first he needed to check the stats.

[Batavi Germanic Cavalry - Cavalry Warriors Hall

Hall Grade - S

Hall Level - 1

Spawn Rate - 6 Batavi Germanic Cavalry per day

Spawn Type -

Batavi Germanic Cavalry, Medium Armour, Batavian Horse - Grade B+

Upgrade Options - Senior Cavalry Commander or Modernisation Tactics]

Dom was interested to see what the Batavian Horses looked like, as he already had the Red Hare Horses and the Steppe Horses. Part of him thought about what he could do if he swapped the Red Hare’s for the Batavian Horses, but the information had explained that the Horses were trained for the water crossing specialism. Just as Dom was going to spawn troops he suddenly received another notification.

[Detected Senior Cavalry Commander - Grade S Hero Subutai. Upgrading Cavalry Warriors Hall....Upgrade Complete]

"System show stats!" Dom exclaimed, remembering a similar situation when the Sarmatian Female Horse Archers Warriors Hall had been spawned. He wondered if something similar would happen if to the Legionaries Hall if he received a higher grade Roman General, as both Lucius and Crassus were not at the level to prompt a response from the system.

[Batavi Germanic Cavalry - Cavalry Warriors Hall

Hall Grade - S

Hall Level - 1

Spawn Rate - 6 Batavi Germanic Cavalry per day, 1 Emperors Guard per day

Spawn Type -

Batavi Germanic Cavalry, Medium Armour, Batavian Horse - Grade A

Batavi Emperors Guard, Heavy Armour, Batavian Horse - Grade S

Upgrades:

Batavian Horses - Peak Horses (The best of the Batavian Horses are supplied)

Improved Weapons - Swords are made from more robust materials with better grips, maintaining their sharpness for longer.

Upgrade Options - Modernisation Tactics]

Dom was shocked and impressed to see that an Emperors Guard would spawn daily, the Germanic Guard of the Roman Emperors from the early day of Imperial Rome during the Julio-Claudian period were known as one of the strongest and most loyal guards in history. They would fight to the death against any enemy or ally to defend their Emperor and unlike some of the Praetorian Guards, they were known to be unbribable.

"System spawn the Batavi Warriors please!" Dom requested.

The doors opened wide, with seven tall and muscular men appearing, each of them leading out a tall and strong looking black horse that were almost as tall and muscular as the Red Hare Horses. Six of the warriors wore armour, with fur coats that covered their shoulders. In their arms were a long single handed sword as well as a oval shaped shield. Most of them had long black beards that matched their black hair. The Seventh Warrior was even taller than the others and loosely held a two handed sword in his hand, his shield strapped upon his back.

One of them walked forwards, a long scar stretched down his face from his eyebrow to his lower jaw, whilst his black beard was filled with streaks of grey and white. He towered over Dom, Subutai and Lucius, but was not as tall as the one with the two handed sword. He clenched his fist and banged it on his chest, before bowing his head in greeting.

"My name is Chariovalda, the leader of Batavi Warriors that are joining you here." He announced proudly, "We will fight for your honour and will never retreat from a foe."

"Welcome Chariovalda!" Dom replied, "I am Lazarus, and this is Riverside. Beside me is the Mayor Lucius as well as our Chief Commander Subutai."

"Your horses are impressive." Subutai commented, "I prefer mine more agile, but I can imagine yours causing chaos when charging in to an enemy formation."

"They are terrifying in a charge." The tallest one replied, he was almost a head higher than the leader Chariovalda and would probably be the tallest person in Riverside now. His armour was also thicker and more similar to that of the Legionaries. "Especially if they are not expecting us. They are excellent Swimmers and I doubt there is another horse like them."

"I think one of our Commanders, Gan Ning, will get along with you well." Lucius commented.

"Then I look forward to meeting him." Chariovalda smiled, before pointing at the tallest Batavi Warrior who had mentioned the horses. "Actumerus here is not part of my unit, but has had the honour to protect the Emperors. He is from our Emperors Germanic Guard."

"I did, but coming here does sound much more fun." Actumerus laughed loudly, "The Emperor’s treat us well, but it’s a simple life. I hope there are good women here, I do need a wife, but not one of those fancy Roman women, I want a proper woman who can wrestle with me."

"There is nothing wrong with fancy Roman women!" Lucius countered feigning fake hurt.

"I apologise for his manner." Chariovalda replied with a laugh.

"It is fine, please make yourselves at home for now, and I will have our Defensive Commander Xun Yan take you for a tour later and get you settled. I will also have him introduce you to the other Unit leaders." Dom stated, before turning to Actumerus, "Today is a day of celebration, so I hope you find someone."

Actumerus grinned and Dom realised that if this Warrior was to become his Guard as well as the Hoplite Gregorios, he would get little chance to rest his brain. He decided he needed to speak with Subutai and Xun You on how to maximise the usage of these new unit types. He felt that the Germanic Emperors Guard could become his Commanders personal guards as they received more and more of them. This would allow the Forbidden Guard to be the City Defenders and an Elite Unit.

Whilst they were talking, Dom noticed that Centurion Percennius, originally from the Legio I Germanica was outside his Warriors Hall. He was stood talking with some of his own newly spawned Legionaries. Dom called him over so that he could keep Chariovalda and the new Batavi Warriors company whilst they waited for Xun Yan to arrive from his current responsibilities.

"Good Morning Percennius, this is Chariovalda, the leader of the first group of the Batavi Warriors that are joining us here in Riverside." Dom explained, whilst introducing the new Warriors. However Dom was surprised by Percennius’ reply.

"Batavi?" Percennius asked, a thrown of disappointment on his face as it slowly paled.

"I was happy to see our Roman brothers, but I am not surprised they are unhappy to see us." Chariovalda replied as if he expected the response.

"Why is that?" Dom asked Chariovalda.

"They have always looked down on those who are not from Rome." Chariovalda stated with a frustrated laugh. "That’s why the Emperor’s Guard were made from the best of us, it intimidating the Roman’s."

"Who was Emperor when you left?" Percennius asked politely, throwing off Chariovalda’s statement and not treating the Germanic Warrior with disrespect.

"Claudius." Chariovalda replied confused by the question, but automatically as he was used to Roman Centurions asking him questions and him having to respond to them quickly.

"That’s a relief then." Percennius stated, the colour returning to his cheek. He then put his hand out in greeting to Chariovalda. "I am Centurion Percennius, welcome to Riverside, we are glad to have you here."

Confused, Chariovalda shook Percennius’ hand, a smile returning to it when he realised that Percennius wasn’t the type of person he suspected him to be. Dom felt relieved that the introduction had gone well in the end, after what he felt was about to erupt in to a strange situation. He did however want to get to the bottom of why Percennius had acted the way he had, as he didn’t want issues to appear in the future.

"Where are you from Percennius?" Chariovalda asked politely, trying to get friendly with the Legionary.

"I am from the Legio I Germanica, however we are unfortunately outnumbered here by our brothers from the Ninth Legion." Percennius laughed, trying to break the tension he caused.

"The Ninth Hispania?" Chariovalda replied happily, "I have fought alongside them in Britannia, they are an excellent Legion."

"I believe the majority of the Legionaries here from the Ninth are from before the time Claudius was Emperor." Percennius explained, "It can get confusing, we have some Celebration’s today, but I am happy to introduce you to the other Centurions later."

"That would be great, I look forward to meeting them!" Chariovalda replied happily, "And Celebrations suit my style very well."

"Chariovalda, are those Celts?" Actumerus exclaimed with a laugh as he saw some of the Celtic Mercenaries walk past, their muscular torso’s now tanned from the warm sun that had covered Riverside for the last few days. The Mercenaries were helping some of the Tongpai Residents nearby move to move in to some temporary housing that had been built closer to the River.

"They look like them, their tattoos are recognisable." Chariovalda replied happily, "These celebrations are going to be fun."

"They are Mercenaries that have been helping us recently." Dom interrupted, "Their Captain Cunomoltus was injured in fighting recently, but we do hope that they decide to stay permanently."

"I am sure we can persuade them." Actumerus laughed, his muscles flexing.

"I am looking forward to seeing that!" Subutai joked, a clear happy expression on his face at these new arrivals power, he finally had a powerful frontal Cavalry.

"Those Horse Archers look impressive as well." Chariovalda said seriously as he saw Banas and some of hers Archers ride past towards the gate of the Inner Wall. Actumerus was about to say something, but was shutdown by Subutai’s response.

"They are, if you both had a full unit and fought against each other, you would all be destroyed before you ever had chance to reach them." Subutai replied seriously. Chariovalda looked to Percennius for his opinion, as he trusted the Roman Centurion would have a better understanding, but didn’t respond when Percennius nodded his head.

"We need to continue, but we look forwards to seeing you at the celebrations later." Lucius stated, interrupting the conversation and signalling for Dom and Subutai. Dom felt that times in Riverside wouldn’t be as relaxing as they once were with the arrival of these Batavi Warriors. He turned away and headed towards the Heroes Hall, deciding he would spawn there before meeting up with Meritamen and seeing the beginning of the Celebrations.