Unit Request- More Accurate Berserkir
- Thread starter Grandmaster
- Start date
Redking
Prince
A popular theory. It's sometimes referred to as 'ergot beer'. Some don't subscribe to it.
Ergot is also theorized as the root of some of the activities prompting witchcraft hysteria and persecution.
Personally, I think it was induced through a combo of narcotics, ritual, and a plain simple culture of war.
Ergot is also theorized as the root of some of the activities prompting witchcraft hysteria and persecution.
Personally, I think it was induced through a combo of narcotics, ritual, and a plain simple culture of war.
utahjazz7
Deity
Hey, I'm working on a model for this unit. Now that I'm done with the other units I was working on, I can work solely on this one. What do we need here? This is what I have read so far . . . two axes.
I don't have a bear-skin for him to wear, but I do have an animal headdress. I think it's a wolf's head. I also have light axes that look like they could be used with one hand. Is there anything else?
Again, I want to get started on the unit somewhat soon. If I have to, I'll just make it as best as I can--it's normally what I do anyway.
Oh, pictures might be nice.
I don't have a bear-skin for him to wear, but I do have an animal headdress. I think it's a wolf's head. I also have light axes that look like they could be used with one hand. Is there anything else?
Again, I want to get started on the unit somewhat soon. If I have to, I'll just make it as best as I can--it's normally what I do anyway.
Oh, pictures might be nice.Redking
Prince
On wolf and bear skins:
"Such dresses are mentioned in some Sagas, without there being any supernatural qualities attached to them. For instance, in the Njála there is mention of a man i geitheðni, in goatskin dress. Much in the same way do we hear of Harold Harfagr having in his company a band of berserkir, who were all dressed in wolf-skins, ulfheðnir, and this expression, wolf-skin coated, is met with as a man's name. Thus in the Holmverja Saga, there is mention of a Björn, "son of Ulfheðin, wolfskin coat, son of Ulfhamr, wolf-shaped, son of Ulf, wolf, son of Ulfhamr, wolf-shaped, who could change forms."
But the most conclusive passage is in the Vatnsdæla Saga, and is as follows:--"Those berserkir who were called ulfheðnir, had got wolf-skins over their mail coats" (c. xvi.) In like manner the word berserkr, used of a man possessed of superhuman powers, and subject. to accesses of diabolical fury, was originally applied to one of those doughty champions who went about in bear-sarks, or habits made of bear-skin over their armour. I am well aware that Björn Halldorson's derivation of berserkr, bare of sark, or destitute of clothing, has been hitherto generally received, but Sveibjörn {p. 37} Egilsson, an indisputable authority, rejects this derivation as untenable, and substitutes for it that which I have adopted."
... from this site
http://www.sacred-texts.com/goth/bow/bow05.htm
Wolf is fine. The stock swordsman in the game always looked like a german berserk to me.
Also from that site:
"they gnawed at their shield rims, and are said to have sometimes bitten them through, and as they rushed into conflict they yelped as dogs or howled as wolves."
Suggesting they often used shields. And perhaps a cool victory flic would be a howl.
Personally, I think the sword is the most likely weapon to be used by a far ranging viking warrior, including one who "berserks". But, of course, wolf garb, a blonde beard, and a sword and shield give you... the stock swordsman. I had entertained making that unit the berserk and the berserk would then become the huskarl.
So for variety, if you're intent on remaking this unit, a one-hand axe (or two) is a good option.
Maybe give your Berserkir red hair for a bit of difference???
Maybe a sword in one hand and an axe in the other, so he looks like he's a real dedicated and versatile butcher??? You could include two attack.flc's.
Whatever you do, I'm sure some people will love combining your unit, the PTW berserker, and the stock swordsman into a multiunit warband. I don't intend to use multiunits for irregulars, but that would look cool.
Good luck.
BTW, if you want to expand the game a bit further, a less romantic, but more practical Viking unit might be a Hersir: the original, land-owning, warrior-chiefs who ventured across Europe for plunder and conquest from the 8th century, before the Jarls and Kings took over the game. They had that generic "Viking" look: conical hat, chain armor with long skirt, long-hafted axe with moderate head, and bound wood shield (basically looking like a Norman foot soldier with a round, rather than kite, shield).
I'd also love to see a Frankish warrior with throwing axe (the converted AoE unit is highly inaccurate, IMO).
"Such dresses are mentioned in some Sagas, without there being any supernatural qualities attached to them. For instance, in the Njála there is mention of a man i geitheðni, in goatskin dress. Much in the same way do we hear of Harold Harfagr having in his company a band of berserkir, who were all dressed in wolf-skins, ulfheðnir, and this expression, wolf-skin coated, is met with as a man's name. Thus in the Holmverja Saga, there is mention of a Björn, "son of Ulfheðin, wolfskin coat, son of Ulfhamr, wolf-shaped, son of Ulf, wolf, son of Ulfhamr, wolf-shaped, who could change forms."
But the most conclusive passage is in the Vatnsdæla Saga, and is as follows:--"Those berserkir who were called ulfheðnir, had got wolf-skins over their mail coats" (c. xvi.) In like manner the word berserkr, used of a man possessed of superhuman powers, and subject. to accesses of diabolical fury, was originally applied to one of those doughty champions who went about in bear-sarks, or habits made of bear-skin over their armour. I am well aware that Björn Halldorson's derivation of berserkr, bare of sark, or destitute of clothing, has been hitherto generally received, but Sveibjörn {p. 37} Egilsson, an indisputable authority, rejects this derivation as untenable, and substitutes for it that which I have adopted."
... from this site
http://www.sacred-texts.com/goth/bow/bow05.htm
Wolf is fine. The stock swordsman in the game always looked like a german berserk to me.
Also from that site:
"they gnawed at their shield rims, and are said to have sometimes bitten them through, and as they rushed into conflict they yelped as dogs or howled as wolves."
Suggesting they often used shields. And perhaps a cool victory flic would be a howl.
Personally, I think the sword is the most likely weapon to be used by a far ranging viking warrior, including one who "berserks". But, of course, wolf garb, a blonde beard, and a sword and shield give you... the stock swordsman. I had entertained making that unit the berserk and the berserk would then become the huskarl.
So for variety, if you're intent on remaking this unit, a one-hand axe (or two) is a good option.
Maybe give your Berserkir red hair for a bit of difference???
Maybe a sword in one hand and an axe in the other, so he looks like he's a real dedicated and versatile butcher??? You could include two attack.flc's.
Whatever you do, I'm sure some people will love combining your unit, the PTW berserker, and the stock swordsman into a multiunit warband. I don't intend to use multiunits for irregulars, but that would look cool.
Good luck.
BTW, if you want to expand the game a bit further, a less romantic, but more practical Viking unit might be a Hersir: the original, land-owning, warrior-chiefs who ventured across Europe for plunder and conquest from the 8th century, before the Jarls and Kings took over the game. They had that generic "Viking" look: conical hat, chain armor with long skirt, long-hafted axe with moderate head, and bound wood shield (basically looking like a Norman foot soldier with a round, rather than kite, shield).
I'd also love to see a Frankish warrior with throwing axe (the converted AoE unit is highly inaccurate, IMO).
Redking
Prince
Some ridiculously fantasist stuff from Todd MacFarlen (Spawn guy)...
http://www.spawn.com/features/series22/images/berserker.photo.01.jpg
and another...
http://www.spawn.com/features/series22/images/raider.photo.01.jpg
Diecast models of weapons...
http://www.toy-soldiers.ca/andrea/s8-a10.jpg
Viking axes...
http://www.gonorway.no/go/scandinavian_heritage/images/axebig.gif
http://www.globaleffects.com/Rental/Props/Weapons/Period/Axes/BeardedAxeh.JPG
How an axe is properly wielded...
http://www.hurstwic.org/members/combat/pix/axe_spar.jpg
http://www.spawn.com/features/series22/images/berserker.photo.01.jpg
and another...
http://www.spawn.com/features/series22/images/raider.photo.01.jpg
Diecast models of weapons...
http://www.toy-soldiers.ca/andrea/s8-a10.jpg
Viking axes...
http://www.gonorway.no/go/scandinavian_heritage/images/axebig.gif
http://www.globaleffects.com/Rental/Props/Weapons/Period/Axes/BeardedAxeh.JPG
How an axe is properly wielded...
http://www.hurstwic.org/members/combat/pix/axe_spar.jpg
utahjazz7
Deity
Sorry, I'm not having much luck with this model. The project is officially, indefinately on-hold. I might try picking it back up, but I may not.
utahjazz7
Deity
Well, something went wrong with my model. The limbs aren't moving properly, and I can't figue out how to fix it. Instead I'm making an African Infantry unit--something I want for a change.
unfairlane
Warlord
Sorry but this is pure bs. First of all; there has never been any viking warriours called berserkers. On the other hand, wery highly skilled viking warriours were known to prefer to fight without their armour on, this made them lighter, faster and they could fight for a longer period without getting out of stamina. They were fighting "bare", in their serk only. Weapon: sword, simular to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FsfV5A6ktk
Aside from
astonishing "thread necromancy," I believe you are mistaken: IIRC, "berserk" is a corruption of the Early English "(To put on a) bear's sark" i.e. a "bear's skin," obviously implying something other than a furry coat. The "typical" BS is of course the ubiquity of horned helms, and weapons (paucity of iron) were most often short axes.Now, Merry Christmas To All And To All A Good Night!
-Oz
