Rare Units

Praetorians – the iconic guards of important figures, usually the Legatus. In fact, when fighting in the same unit, the character provides some Leadership bonuses. Nothing too different from Hammerers, Phoenix Guard, Black Guard or the Lizardmen Temple Guard. We get the idea: bodyguards for the big shots.

Frumentarii – with Halflings, it’s easy to draw some anachronistic connections to frumentum (grain) imagining them as granary sentinels or protectors of supply lines. That said, much like their historical Roman counterparts, they serve as secret police and spies, making them perfect infiltrators, maybe with paired weapons. It fits well, especially since Halflings have a racial aptitude for stealth (when they so choose). I was torn between referencing the Arcani of Rome during the Britannia campaigns, but for now I chose to focus on the Frumentarii instead.

Sisters of Sorania – and so we come to the heavy cavalry…heavy & religious cavalry, very Warhammer in spirit. They are cultists (I imagine them as female, something akin to Vestals or Valkyries) mounted atop Hirpinian Wolves. Obviously, some kind of prayers or even the presence of Level 1 Wizards within their ranks.

Palintonon – the XXL version of the ballista. Comparable to a Bretonnian Field Trebuchet, but clearly inspired by Roman engineering. Nothing overly complex, the oversized war machine among the Rare choices.

Gladiator Giant – in a world where everyone is taller than you and with a very natural case of Napoleon syndrome, including a Giant makes sense. Typically, it is the Goliath Venator who fills the arenas. Not exactly a Slave Giant as in the Ogre Kingdoms, but something in between: bound to forced labour within the Iron Pot. These creatures are circus beasts in times of peace, yet invaluable colossi in times of war!

Golden Goose – rather than a dragon, the army fields something far more malicious: the largest golden-feathered goose imaginable and with all the savagery of the Realm of Khorne itself. I like the reference to the fables of Aesop and the Brothers Grimm, as well as the alternative name Goosezilla (probably too much lol). The possibility of multiple heads could be an upgrade…maybe (too much again).