Right now this mod is in the proposal stage, but since I have experimented with Blender recently, when summer comes I might actually start making some models and textures for the units. Before then, I will soon post concept art that I have drawn myself.
The Nubians
The Nubian civilization in what is now Sudan is perhaps the most ancient civilization in Africa, with the earliest settlements in the region dating as far back as 8200 BC. Among the innovations pioneered by the Nubian culture were the first African pottery, the domestication of cattle, and the institution of sacral or divine kingship which would spread throughout the continent, including Egypt to the north. The Nubians were closely related ethnically to their Egyptian neighbors and always shared some cultural characteristics, but the two peoples frequently fought and conquered each other, vying for control over the Nile Valley. Ultimately the Nubian civilization outlasted Egypt, thriving while its old rival languished under the rule of European and Middle Eastern foreigners. However, it in turn would collapse around 400 AD, possibly due to a combination of foreign pressures and environmental degradation.
The Nubian civilization in Glest is characterized by superior gold- and stone-mining, fast and agile but poorly armored military units, and effective healers.
Nubian Units
Villager: The Nubians' humble gatherer unit. Much more effective at harvesting stone and gold than wood and food, as the Nubians were both prolific builders and goldsmiths.
Goat: A cheap food source. The breed of goats herded by the Nubians, distinguished by its large and pendulous ears, survives to this day, although it has since been hybridized with English breeds and is now known as the Anglo-Nubian goat.
Cow: More expensive than the goat, but provides much more meat. The breeds of cattle herded throughout Africa may have been first domesticated in the Nubian region. Cattle played a prominent role in both early Egyptian and Nubian economies, serving as symbols of wealth, and were sometimes even deified into gods such as Hathor and Apis. The bones of sacrificed cattle have been found in abundance near human graves at the Nubian settlement of Kerma.
Napatan Spearman: This is the basic melee warrior, a spear-thrusting guy with a cowhide shield for protection. Poor armor but very fleet of foot. Napata was the capital of Nubia between 750 and 590 BC; the so-called 25th dynasty of Egyptian history, during which Nubian kings such as Shabaka and Taharqa ruled Egypt, was based in Napata.
Setjau Archer: The Nubians were so renown for their proficiency at archery that the Egyptians sometimes called their country Ta Seti ("Land of the Bow") and hired Nubian archers as mercenaries. The Setjau archer is weak against melee units up close but has superior range and speed to the archers of other civilizations.
Medjay Raider: This horseman is the fastest of the Nubian warriors. The Medjay were originally a nomadic ethnic group living in northeastern Nubia, but they were such effective fighters that the Egyptians would call their own policemen "Medjay" as an honor. In addition to their archery, the Nubians were also envied for their horse husbandry. The Nubians so loved horses that the Nubian king Piye recorded how angry he was to find an Egyptian stable with poorly treated horses. Herds of horses were buried with dead Nubian kings to accompany them into the afterlife.
Kentake: The most lethal Nubian melee infantry, this is an agile female warrior armed with two khopesh blades (curved swords). The Kentake unit is named in honor of several Nubian warrior queens who led their soldiers into battle. One legend claimed that a Nubian Kentake was able to scare off an invading Alexander the Great, whereas another account describes a confrontation between a later Kentake and the Roman Empire.
Meroitic Elephant: Slow-moving and expensive but powerful heavy cavalry and siege weapon that is effective against buildings in addition to human soldiers. Meroe in southern Nubia was the kingdom's capital between 590 BC and 400 AD; one structure that is interpreted as a stable for war elephants has been uncovered there, corroborating legends of Nubian Kentakes riding elephants into battle.
Priest of Amun: A priest wearing a leopardskin around his torso, this is the healer unit for the Nubians. He is very effective at his healing job but can do nothing else. Amun was a supreme creator deity in both Egyptian and Nubian religions and was perhaps the most important god in the Nubian pantheon.
Nubian Buildings
Palace: The Nubians' central structure, this stores resources and produces Villagers and Kentakes.
Paddock: Produces Goats and Cows.
Fortress: Military structure that produces Napatan Spearmen, Setjau Archers, Medjay Raiders, and Meroitic Elephants. Also functions as a defensive structure that can shoot arrows at both ground and air units.
Blacksmith: Upgrades weapons and armor. The Nubian city of Meroe was a major center of iron production from 590 BC to 400 AD.
Temple of Amun: Produces Priests of Amun.
Nubian Upgrades
Piye's Stables: Allows the production of Medjay Raiders and Meroitic Elephants. Researched at the Fortress.
Apedemak's Wrath: Named for the Nubian lion-headed warrior god, this technology increases military units' attack. Researched at
the Blacksmith.
Mistress of Meroe: Allows the production of Kentakes at the Palace. Researched at the Palace.
Boon of the Nile: Improves Villagers' food- and wood-gathering. Researched at the Palace.
Cowhide Tanning: Improves military units' armor. Researched at the Blacksmith.
Desert Storm: Speeds up military units. Researched at the Blacksmith.
Medicine: Improves Priests of Amun's healing. Researched at the Temple.
Napatan Architecture: Increases buildings' hitpoints. Researched at the Temple.
Concept Art
[img]http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/154/4/b/nubiankentake_by_brandonspilcher-d526fa5.jpg[/img]Kentake
[img]http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/154/a/c/nubianarcher_by_brandonspilcher-d525f2l.jpg[/img]Setjau Archer
