>> Which of the other Sun Dome Temples fields nude teams >> (bronzed, oiled, and carrying *big* shields) for Shield >> Push,
> Not the Sartar temple, I don't think.
I agree. We'd have noticed by now. I was thinking of one of the Provincial ones, up Vanch way, perhaps?
> But you don't have to be Sun Domers to play
> Shield-push, it's a pretty obvious game for any
> military unit that uses big shields and close
> formation.
Well, yes, but it's funnier if Solanthos thinks he's found an ideal opponent -- Yelmalion Sun Domers from South Peloria, sharing the traditions of his people, fortuitously stationed nearby in Prax, and keen for a "friendly" against the locals...
...and keeps thinking this right up until they strip off before the match!
> I suspect they'd need some sort of mythic significance
> to the lack of armour.
That's easy if they're Yelmalions, Jane: they're emulating geases (and therefore doing something Sacred). The significance of rubbing olive-oil all over I shall leave to the casual reader to explain...
> You military types out there: what's the chances of a
> military unit that relies on Big Shields and close
> formation also discouraging the use of armour?
This is sport, not war. Look at some Greek vases for inspiration. IIRC, some poor Greeks would fight as hoplites with Big Shields but not much armour underneath... can't recall a reference right now.
http://www.hoplon.bravepages.com/images/hoplon-1.jpg http://www.ac-creteil.fr/lettres/pedagogie/langesanc/louvre/hoplite2.jpg (Helmet, shield, greaves... nowt else)
http://www.astarte.com.au/images/hoplite.jpg http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/Sterile/Images/hoplite.jpg (Helmet, shield... nowt else above the waist)
> Can we get the Alkothi into this?
Too scary. And they don't do "friendlies".
> Would the standard Orlanti "shield wall" ever be
> organised enough for Shield Push to be a relevant
> game, or are they always looser formation?
I dare say the Yelmalions *should* win, except when the Orlanthi cheat. (Just like the Three Contests of Orlanth and Yelm, really). Shield walls can be pretty robust -- look at Hastings! -- but the game's not an Orlanthi one, IMO.
Cheers, Nick
Powered by hypermail
