Blemmyes

Blemmyes
"Fear makes a home in our enemies' hearts. Our arrows will be next."

The Blemmyes are an African faction in Africa Rising.
 * Hellenophiles - Moderate diplomatic bonus with all Hellenic factions
 * Treasure of Solomon - +100% wealth to industry
 * Feared - Major diplomatic penalty with all African and Punic factions [+20% Charge]

Faction information
The Blemmyes faction starts out hated by all of its neighbors, with weak garrisons and city defenses. The best defense will be a good offense, and the tribal traditions of the faction will provide you with the tools you need to play aggressively; upgrading buildings quickly and expanding recruitment limits. However, the Blemmyes lack the higher-level city buildings of the other African factions and the bonuses that go with them due to their semi-nomadic way of life. Egypt bars the path north, but past Egypt, in the wider world, the Blemmyes are not feared nor hated - they're hardly even known. Egypt, as friend or foe, is the gateway to prosperity for the Blemmyes.

The Blemmyes excel at recruiting large numbers of tribal warriors in a short period time; a force they can support with a core of professional expensive professional soldiers. Blemmyes forces are largely unarmored, relying on speed and numbers to deliver them to victory. They lack the diverse rosters of their African neighbors, and upkeep for the iron-bare Blemmyes forces is staggering; expansion can lessen the burden as trade contacts are made and iron deposits found.

History
The Blemmyes were exceptional archers in the Nubian tradition, firing poisoned arrows with devastating speed and accuracy. The Persians once said that their arrows would blot out the sun, but the Blemmyes aptitude with the bow put them to flight and shame. The Greek historian Strabo recorded them as a peaceful nomadic people, but later records indicate that the Blemmyes had either a pre-existing warrior tradition, or they developed one.

They were regarded as highly dangerous, prone to invasions and raids; Rome paid tribute in gold to them at several points in its history. Despite their nomadic origin, they did not lack for civilization or knowledge of it; their leaders used Hellenized Roman titles, reigning over much of modern Sudan and maintaining a number of cities with architectural influences that reflected their position in the center of the known world. Nubia, Greece, Rome, and Egypt all left their mark on the Blemmyes.

They lived in an area accused by the Libyans of having great, acephalous creatures who roamed the jungles. Because of this, their name has become a term for a mythological race of headless men with faces on their chests who guard the lost treasures of King Solomon.

Unique Units

 * Sudanic Warriors
 * Thureophoroi
 * Headless Men

Unique Buildings

 * Seasonal Camp
 * Meeting Place
 * Camp City
 * Transhumance


 * Open Air Market
 * Ironmonger
 * Iron Importer


 * Wine Cellar
 * Wine Seller
 * Wine Exporter
 * Foreign Contact
 * Farmers' Market


 * Tribal Stele
 * Headhunter's Stele
 * Slave Post