The Spanish in the Philippines
Army Lists for 'Hordes of the Things'
by Serge Gilette
On Saturday March 17th, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan landed near Samar in a newly discovered archipelago wichi would be later named the Philippines. After befriending two local Datu (chiefs) he was sent by them on a raid on Mactan island were he was killed during a fight on the beach by Lapu Lapu the local chief. This was the start of a century of warfare between Spaniards and the different Philipino tribes.
Visayan Warriors
Also known as pintados by Spaniards. The warriors are armed with the kampilan, a long sword forked at the tip, or the kiwo kiwo, the wavy kris, the bankaw (bamboo spear) and wear for protection a barote made of woven thick-braided abaca or bark cord and the kalasag (a long shield). Their bodies are covered with tattoos and ritual scars.
|
Datu |
Hero general |
1 @ 4AP |
The chief of the village (Personalities like Lapu Lapu, Rajah Kolambu) |
|
Karaduun |
Hero |
1 @ 4AP |
The hero whose exploits are recorded in oral tales, "kandu" heavily tattooed |
|
Ginhabit |
Magician |
1 @ 4AP |
The sorcerer using black magic like hokhok (killing by breathing or touching with the fingers) or like haykay (piercing somebody through by pointing a finger at him from a distance) |
|
Mandirigma |
Warband |
5 @ 2AP |
The warriors |
|
Balatik |
Lurker |
1 @ 1AP |
Ballista hidden in woods and used usually for boar hunting |
|
Yawa, Ogima |
Lurkers |
1 @1AP |
Generic demon and demon with the hind quarter of a beast |
Stronghold : " ilihan " a group of fortified houses on hign poles, sometimes up to 15meters high or a group of small raiding boat set ashore on the beach.
Alternatives :
Replace the magician by two blades (elite warrior), replace the two lurkers by two hordes (young warriors), replace the Ginhabit by 4 hordes (young warriors)
Spanish Army
Wearing steel armour and helmet, carrying a spear, rapier and dagger, and arquebus.
|
Captain |
Blade general |
1 @4AP |
The chief of the armed force_(Magellan, Legaspi, Villalobos,...) |
|
Friar |
Priest |
1 @ 4AP |
The friar sent to evangelise the "indios" |
|
Soldiers |
Spear |
4 @ 2AP |
The regular soldiers |
|
Arquebusteros |
Shooter |
4 @ 2AP |
Arquebus wielders |
Stronghold : a spanish fort as in Manilla or a boat set ashore on the beach.
Alternatives :
Replace 2 shooters by 2 warbands (visayans warriors joining the raid), replace 2 shooters by an artillery and one horde (young warriors of visayans allies)
These two armies can be confronted also with chinese pirates (Limahong attack the spaniard with nearly 4000 pirates !)