This box set contains twelve multi-part plastic 28mm Turcopoles, engineered by Fireforge Games for the Deus Vult (“God Wills It”) series. Molded in high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) gray plastic, these figures represent the essential light cavalry and mounted archers of the Military Orders and Crusader states. The kit is fully modular, featuring a vast array of weaponry including bows, lances, and shields to allow for extensive unit customization in historical systems like SAGA or fantasy systems such as Warhammer: The Old World.
Inside the Box:
-
12 Mounted Figures: Multi-part plastic light cavalry with dynamic posing options.
-
3 Turcopole Frames: Specialized sprues containing 12 torsos and a high density of head and weapon options.
-
4 Byzantine Horse Frames: 12 unbarded horses in varying gallop and charging stances.
-
Technical Spares: A broad selection of modular arms with bows, lances, swords, and varied shield types.
-
Basing: Includes 12 rectangular 25mm x 50mm plastic bases.
Historical Background:
During the Crusades, Turcopoles (from the Greek tourkopouloi, "sons of Turks") were locally recruited light cavalry employed by the Byzantine Empire and the Crusader states. Often serving as mounted archers, they were vital for scouting and skirmishing against fast-moving Saracen forces. The importance of these auxiliaries led to the creation of the high-ranking title Turcopolier within the Knights Templar and the Order of St John, designating officers responsible for coastal defenses.
Kit Tips:
-
Basing Strategy: The included 25mm x 50mm bases are the standard footprint for "Rank and Flank" light cavalry; their narrow profile allows these scouts to be deployed in loose skirmish formations or tight ranks.
-
Sub-Assembly Advantage: For the highest quality finish, assemble the unbarded horses and the riders as separate sub-assemblies; this ensures easy access to the inner legs and the intricate textures of the padded armor.
-
Skirmisher Customization: With separate bows and lances on the sprues, you can build a historically accurate 50/50 split of archers and lancers to reflect the versatile role Turcopoles played on the battlefield.
-
Seamless Bonding: Utilize a thin liquid plastic cement to create a chemical weld between parts, ensuring that the slender bows and lances remain securely attached during gameplay.
Military Orders Color Palette
-
The Tunic (The Skirmisher): Unlike the heavy knights, Turcopoles often wore locally influenced tunics; use earthy Browns, Sands, or muted Blues to reflect their auxiliary status.
-
The Padded Armor (The Buff): Use a light Tan or Off-White for the gambesons, followed by a dark wash to define the vertical stitching detail on the Fireforge sculpts.
-
Weaponry (Wood & Steel): Apply a wood-grain Brown for the bows and lances, with a bright Steel for the arrowheads and spear tips.
