Cook Island Legends
An Army List for 'Hordes of the Things'
By David Brown
Here are some Pacific ideas. Taken from the book Cook Island Legends, retold (and illustrated) by Jon Jonassen 1981, pub. The Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific.
|
Warband general @ 2AP |
(Tribal chief) |
1 |
|
Warband @ 2AP |
(Tribesmen) |
11 |
Alternatives: Hero or Hero general @ 4AP, Water Lurker @ 1AP (Canoe-borne raiding party, or Momoke), Lurker @ 1AP (Katikatia), Behemoth @ 4AP (Tamangori the Giant), Shooters @ 2AP (Massed rock-throwing tribesmen), Sneaker @ 3AP (Night-sighted youth), Magician @ 4AP (Fire-inventing elder), Hordes @ 1AP (Massed cowed or incompetent warriors)
Momoke are white-skinned water spirit people.
Katikatia is a child-eating, warrior killing (her front teeth grow to six inches long and her nails sharpened) old lady that lives in a cave.
Tamangori is a human and native rat- eating giant with his hair in a bun.
Massed rock throwers discomfort the enemy at a battle in Makiukiu.
Tribesmen are drawn in grass skirts, kilts, loincloths or broad-leaf kilts. Some warriors have a necklace of large leaves, head-dresses or topknot, many have extensive tattoos. One leader has a multi-coloured feathered headdress while other warriors wear what look like fibre hats or helmets.
One group of warriors has adzes and slings and is considered barbarous by a group armed with spears and clubs, one warrior is drawn with a spear and a long round-top, flat-bottom shield.
Many of the adventuring warriors could be classed as a Hero. Gods are paeyed to and answer in strange ways but do not seem to interact directly with humans.
I have no idea if the items above are unique to the Cook Islands (a few Tahitian characters are mentioned) or if they appear in other Polynesian myths.