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Short description

The champions of all Belgae, armed as richly as nobles, but fighting much better, help take the lead in planting the Belgic battle standards over all Belgae lands.

Description

The champions of all the Belgae tribesmen, armed as richly as nobles, but fighting much better, help take the lead in planting the Belgic battle standards all over all enemy lands. Unmistakable in battle, the enemy that does not have the best armour or training will surely buckle under their furious charge and the melee that would immediately follow. Gleaming silver helmets cause them to stand out in a sword fight. They proudly wear their best and most impressive armour in battle. As with other Gallic shields, their shield is every bit as strong and reinforced with a standard metal boss for added life of the shield. The forges of the Belgae's own armour and weapon smiths have created the popular Celtic sword, and the chainmail that the champions wear is on par with what nobility would dress into on the eve of war. This affords the champion a complete suit of mail that will help save his life as they are often in the thickest areas of the battle line. Having these men nearby can inspire lesser troops and the young fighters with the bravery that is needed to become a champion in the future.

Often accused of being glory seekers and nothing else, the Champions of the Belgae are composed of every fit warrior of the tribes that attained personal glory through combat and achieved outstanding success in war. They can be seen out front in a battle line, taunting, boasting of their action and the noble doings of their ancestors to unnerve the opposition. Champions are not born, however, they are definitely made, and in the Belgic warrior society every professional fighter would wish for this status. Only the chieftain or commander might have more experience and reputation than they. Some of them are following the dictates of Gallic war gods, such as Camulos, and bringing the heads of their enemies and captured slaves directly to those altars. Others are talented fighters, giving much time to sparing, duelling, and swordplay. All have seen action against other Belgix tribes at one time or another in raids and wars. As a champion, each and every warrior has attained a notorious reputation, and they are seldom in agreement over much, except that when battle is near, these men will put aside their differences and concentrate on the fight ahead.

The champion features a rather lesser-known helmet found in France in Normandy's Louviers Forest. Dated from sometime in the 1st century B.C. It is forged in one piece in the shape of a hat with a conical point (original boss missing), a flat inclined rim with rounded beading around the periphery, reinforced with riveted sheet-iron protection over the forehead with oval cut-outs arched like eyebrows, attached strongly curved cheek flaps with an ornamental boss in the centre and with a riveted ring for the chin straps.