Unit Request: Aztek/Mesoamerican Swordsman

[ShiroKobbure]

oh then I secound it

 

[Sword_Of_Geddon]

I go with Four as well, although the Obsidian weapons are cool and have a unique look, the look of Kal-El's sword concept art looks like it could be a possible sword evolution of the Macana. If you look at where swords came from, they evolved from the Axe and Knife, both of which the Aztecs and Mayans possessed. As the Aztecs gained skill in sword-smithing, the cermonial/milititary obsidian knifes would be the first to go iron, then longer knifes, and evidently swords, would evolve from there. The curvy design of Kal-el's drawing isn't that far off in my mind.

Thankyou for doing this unit Utahjazz.

 

[utahjazz7]

Okay, four it is then. Here's a preview of the completed model. I hope everyone likes it because I don't like making changes once I think something's complete. I tried to stay as close to the concept art as possible. One notable exception would be the footwear. I decided to go with sandals. Also there are no tiny feathers hanging from the right arm band. Other than that, it should be good.

 

[ShiroKobbure]

i like it ^ ^

 

[RedAlert]

At long last it is being made! Thank you very much for doing this, utahjazz. It looks great so far, I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[ShiroKobbure]

can you make the coat more feather like and thicker? if not it doesnt matter im just curious

 

[utahjazz7]

The problem with giving the coat a feathered appearance is that it won't appear at civ-scale. In my opinion, it's especially difficult to give details to things that are dark gray.

Thicker's pretty much not doable at this point, sorry.

 

[Sword_Of_Geddon]

A few feathers on the shoulders would add some character, but its not really that important.

 

[ShiroKobbure]

yeah i think on the small civ size the small details wont be important. I think on the attack he should grab the sword with both hands and come down hard. haha but that was the image i had in my mind when i draw the concept art

 

[Rob (R8XFT)]

How could you go with sandals and no feathers on the armbands??

Only joking, the preview looks great - this unit is bound to be used in Anno Domini !

 

[Sword_Of_Geddon]

Thats right, you've moved away from a Ancient Medittarean/Great Lost Civilizations type mod right Rob?

 

[Rob (R8XFT)]

It sure is right. This chap would be more than welcome in the makeover.

 

[Kal-el]

looks great. looking forward to adding another great unit from you to RaR.

 

[Sword_Of_Geddon]

I'm glad my campaign to have this unit made worked out in the end. Units for small pet projects are not as likely to get made as units with popular support it seems. Thankfully you have a appreciation for Mesoamerica Utahjazz.

 

[Master Kodama]

It's being made! Excellent! Thank you utahjazz7!

I have to say, however, for reasons of historical precedent and accuracy, he SHOULD have long sleaves and leggings -- like the other Aztec units that you've made -- because, as I explained in an earlier post, the Aztecs always went into battle fully covered to reduce the likelihood of injury. You'd be hard pressed to find an accurate depiction of and Aztec melee fighter who ran around so very bare.

I'm not too keen on the cross-guard on the sword (I would leave it out altogether), but that is a lesser concern, though it does, as the saying goes, urk my 'tater.

 

[utahjazz7]

Yeah, I remember your post earlier in the thread about them going into battle fully clothed. But, I just tried to follow the concept art . . . I'm innocent; Shiro made me do it!

 

[ShiroKobbure]

http://www.sdsu.edu/mascot/Final-Aztec-Warrior_smaller.jpg
http://www.michtoy.com/MTSCnewSite/figures_kits_folder/bijato/1031.jpg
http://www.balagan.org.uk/war/1492/mexico/images/codex_mendoza_rank3_with_captive.jpg
http://st.aidans.co.uk/pix/purpleclass/aztec1small.jpg
http://www.dbaol.com/armies/army_105_figure_1.htm

its not an aztec unit its a central american (aztec, maya olmec ect. Im also going to use it for the incas too) what if unit
whats a cross-guard?

 

[ShiroKobbure]

maybe you could just change the color of his skin from the neck down to white to make a simple clothed conversion

but I really like it the way it is now

 

[Steel General]

whats a cross-guard?

The cross-guard is the part of the sword between the blade and the hilt, it is perpendicular to the blade/hilt thus making a cross shape (i.e. crossguard)

 

[Master Kodama]

Hey, don't get me wrong, Shiro, (or utah), I like the unit very much. He just looks very... exposed, particularly in that side view. I think he should have short sleeves from a quilted tunic/jerkin. The Aztecs weren't big on running around naked; in fact they were scandalized by those who did and thought them uncouth barbarians. Aztec society was pretty damn Puritanical. The idea that New World peoples all ran around naked is fairly exaggerated. Look at Northwestern and Andean peoples for some examples of well- and fully-dressed American peoples.

The cross-guard is the part of the sword between the blade and the hilt, it is perpendicular to the blade/hilt thus making a cross shape (i.e. crossguard)

Yes, that's right. Cross-guards were to protect the hand of the wielder, particularly in the instance of sword-clashing. But, since you really don't want to clash obsidian edged-blades (a lot of shattering glass and pain), Aztec "swords" (macuahuitl) didn't have cross-guards. Now, they theoretically could have developed them, but I argue that their sword-fighting style(s) would develop from macuahuitl fighting styles, along different lines than European sword arts that probably wouldn't involve much sword-clashing, at least earlier on in the Iron Age, and would probably be more heavy on the shield for blocking than the blade.

So that's the long winded explanation as to why I think the sword should dispense with any hand guard. Not that it matters much.