| “ | Each night I have the same two visions. One of a field of wheat stalks swaying in the wind... another of bright burning flames, trampling horse hooves, and loud screams. | ” |
| —Common quote | ||
Ataulf (c. 370 - August 15, 415 A.D.), also spelled Athaulf, is an infantry hero with a unique sprite. He is based on the eponymous king of the Visigoths who succeeded his brother-in-law Alaric in 411.
He is available in the Scenario Editor. As a hero, Ataulf is immune to conversion, can regenerate over time, and has a golden glow around him.
Campaign appearances[]
Alaric[]
- The Giant Falls: Ataulf leads the western Gothic army set on sacking Rome. He will begin the assault after being informed by Alaric's messengers to begin. He is controlled by player B in the co-op version of the same scenario.
He also serves as the campaign narrator.
Victors and Vanquished[]
- Gaiseric: Gaiseric is a renamed Ataulf. He and his brother Gunderic are leading the Vandals west across the Danube on their journey across western Europe to Africa.
- Ragnar: Hrørek is a renamed Ataulf. He leads a Viking force in Frisia and will join Ragnar when discovered, fulfilling The Tale of Hrørek of Dorestad saga.
The Forgotten[]
In The Forgotten, Athaulf[sic] is an allied faction that can be taken over by the player in the second, third, and fourth scenarios:
- In Legionaries on the Horizon!, Athaulf is represented by a renamed Aethelfirth in Alaric's initial camp. He is a must-survive unit who can be taken to the allied player "Athaulf's Forces", in the southeastern corner of the map, to take control of them.
- In Emperor of the West, Athaulf is represented by capturable Gaia units and a town in the center of the map, but does not appear as his own unit or player.
- In The Sack of Rome, Athaulf is an allied player attacking the walls of Rome from the west, while Alaric (not under the player's control) attacks from the east. After sending a Courier to Athaulf, the player gains control of his forces, buildings, and eventually of Athaulf himself (represented by a renamed, must-survive Sieur Bertrand). The final objective is to take Athaulf to the Mausoleum of Hadrian so he can capture the Emperor's sister, Galla Placidia.
Trivia[]
- Despite his forces appear in The Belly of the Beast and serving as the protagonist in the last, the unit doesn't personally appear in both scenarios.
- The unit wears no helmet but the icon does, as it is the same used by Alaric the Goth and Theodoric the Goth.
Gallery[]
Views of the unit
Athaulf, king of the Visigoths by Raimundo de Madrazo.
Statue of Ataulf at Plaza de Oriente, Madrid
