<?xml version="1.0" ?><?encoding UTF-16?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="../xsl/unit.xsl"?><unit><full_name>celtic skirmisher balroae</full_name><dictionary>celtic_skirmisher_balroae</dictionary><category>infantry</category><class>missile</class><voice_type>General_1</voice_type><soldier><name>celtic_infantry_gaeroas_balroae</name><soldiers>50</soldiers><extras>0</extras><mass>1.05</mass></soldier><mount_effect>chariot +4, elephant -1, horse -1</mount_effect><attributes>sea_faring, hide_improved_forest, very_hardy, mercenary_unit, hide_long_grass</attributes><formation><side_spacing>1.4</side_spacing><front_spacing>1.8</front_spacing><loose_side_spacing>2.4</loose_side_spacing><loose_front_spacing>3.2</loose_front_spacing><ranks>6</ranks><formations>square</formations></formation><stat_health><hit_points>1</hit_points><animal_hit_points>1</animal_hit_points></stat_health><stat_pri><attack>5</attack><charge>6</charge><missile_type>javelin</missile_type><range>57.8</range><ammo>6</ammo><weapon_type>thrown</weapon_type><tech_type>simple</tech_type><dammage_type>piercing</dammage_type><sound>spear</sound><min_delay>10</min_delay><lethality>1</lethality></stat_pri><stat_pri_attr>thrown</stat_pri_attr><stat_sec><attack>15</attack><charge>6</charge><missile_type>no</missile_type><range>0</range><ammo>0</ammo><weapon_type>melee</weapon_type><tech_type>simple</tech_type><dammage_type>piercing</dammage_type><sound>spear</sound><min_delay>0</min_delay><lethality>0.13</lethality></stat_sec><stat_sec_attr>light_spear</stat_sec_attr><stat_pri_armour><armour>1</armour><def_skill>12</def_skill><shield>2</shield><sound>flesh</sound></stat_pri_armour><stat_sec_armour><armour>0</armour><def_skill>0</def_skill><sound>flesh</sound></stat_sec_armour><stat_heat>1</stat_heat><stat_ground><scrub>0</scrub><sand>0</sand><forest>2</forest><snow>0</snow></stat_ground><stat_mental><morale>12</morale><discipline>impetuous</discipline><training>untrained</training></stat_mental><stat_fire_delay>0</stat_fire_delay><stat_food>60, 300</stat_food><stat_cost><turns>1</turns><cost>1236</cost><upkeep>309</upkeep><upgrade_weapon>62</upgrade_weapon><upgrade_armour>47</upgrade_armour><custom_battle>1236</custom_battle></stat_cost><ownership>britons, gauls, scythia, germans, romans_julii, romans_brutii, romans_scipii, numidia, macedon, thrace, greek_cities, egypt, carthage, spain, seleucid, dacia, pontus, parthia, armenia, slave, saba</ownership><description><name>Balroae (Caledonian Skirmishers)</name><short>Balroae are very hardy and brave; their lifestyle demands it. They fight with spears and javelins and they may prove more useful if incorporated into the army of a commander who can make use of their skills.</short><long>Impetuous
Very Hardy
Expert at Hiding in Forests

The Caledonians are a fierce people on the edge of the world. Beyond Caledonia stretches a great, empty ocean, and Caledonia itself is home to a rather isolated people. They are seemingly relics of a former era of Celtic history, they do not have great deals of iron, and so do not produce many swords. They instead fight with more practical weapons, spears, javelins, and slings. Balroae (Bal-ro-ee; "Strong Men") are a vast number of men, of many ages and varying levels of experience. Seemingly fearless, and wild, their bodies are tattooed in esoteric spiral designs, their hair is spiked and red, and they are remarkably fearsome. They are very hardy and brave; their lifestyle demands it. Alone, a disciplined army would destroy them, but if incorporated into a more tactics minded commander of the more advanced Britons, they may prove more useful.

Historically, the Caledonians were never conquered by the Romans, despite Romans successfully defeating them in numerous engagements. The small amount of iron available to them was only enough to produce swords for the most wealthy or greatest of champions. Even bronze armor was a luxury. The Caledonians did not have much cavalry, or any chariots, they only had their own fierce nature as their greatest weapon. Any chariots were likely imported from Hibernian tribes, or Britons fleeing Roman rule, and any cavalry was really just these men mounted on ponies. They were a true relic of a bygone period, still fighting without much in the way of tactics beyond ambushing and mad rushes at their enemies. These people would exist for a long time, until invading Gaels, Germans, Normans, and Norsemen would eventually conquer and assimilate them.</long></description></unit>