Although this is true, I do agree that they look pretty terrible. They are easily the worst looking faction. I hate to speak without having all the facts on the table, but the Sturgians are clearly the faction that Taleworld either had the least amount of time put into it, or simply didn't know what to do with.
Yes, but that's besides the point you're making, which is that the helmet you're refering to looks bad, which I agree with.
As everyone has already said they are inspired by the Kevan Rus but Taleworlds wanted to mix even more Nord elements into them, they even went to put the lore to justify it. What is came out to be was a hodgepodge mess. I believe that they will be getting a more Slavic look and many of us on the threads think that a DLC of the nords would be great as many of us just want some proper Vikings and other a great Slavic kingdom.
The ones worn by the Druzhinnik? Yes they're easily the worst looking furs in the game, but all the other furs I think Taleworlds did a pretty good job with. And considering the geography and historical inspiration of Sturgia, they should be wearing alot of furs.
Yeah this is a big shame. I can understand certain connections to the Nords lorewise considering their historical inspiration, Raganvads background is done pretty well, but in general the faction just doesn't have a strong 'identity' to it, like the other factions do. I don't 'feel' the Kievan Rus inspiration for Sturgia at all.
I don't think the intention is to add protection, but rather to either signify status and/or to protect against the cold. It would make sense for the Druzhinnik and other highest tier Sturgian units to wear some good looking furs, because they could probably afford it. While for lower level troops they would use something more practical/cheaper, like a scarf.
