KINNARETH
The Soldiers of the Sun
The Shahamil, or Soldiers of the Sun, are the most elite mounted force on Kinnareth, the capital of the Khalmerai Domain. These soldiers hail from the planet Kinnareth, which lies at the center of the galaxy and is a holy land to both Aureans and the Majadil. Born with the ability to survive extreme heat and live without food or water for long periods, the Kinnarites are a nearly unstoppable enemy to those who dare to brave the extreme conditions of this desert planet.
The Shahamil are armed with dual S’kifa, or blood drinker blade. Rumors say that these blades are designed to channel fluid down to the hilt so that the wielder may drink water from the plants of the desert or even blood of his own victim. The Shahamil ride Ramati Camels, the hardiest variety of camels from Kinnareth, which are able to survive astonishing lengths of time without food or water.
The history of the Shahamil began with the Navadin, the nomads of the deserts of Kinnareth. They were originally recruited to protect King Bakahr im Hazil, who took the Dawnstone from Emperor Orodris after defeating him in battle. After the death of Bakahr, the Shahamil were one of the few who are said to have not been corrupted by the Dawnstone. Believing the it to be a sacred object, they kept the Dawnstone safe within a tabernacle and wandered about the deserts of Kinnareth, waiting until a prophet would come who was worthy to bear it. The Dawnstone has long since fallen out of their hands, but today, the Shahamil serve as a royal guard to the highest rulers of Kinnareth. Only the most religious Majadil are allowed to join the ranks of the Shahamil, and they observe every Majadil practice, even halting their march and laying down their arms on Erab Yareh, a holy day when all four moons of Kinnareth are overhead.
NHARSSINIA
The Fangs of the Faith
The N’marai, or Fangs of the Faith, are the mysterious and iconic tiger-mounted cavalry of the planet Nharssinia. The N’marai serve as the ceremonial guard of the Ya’adan, a chest containing a holy relic of the prophet Majad, that is said to either contain his last writings or his heart. The N’marai are also sent to battle on behalf of the rulers of Nharssinia, and often go to the aid of the neighboring Kinnarites or other Majadil.
The N’marai fight with Maresh, or sickle-swords. Reminiscent of the farming tool of their forebears, the Maresh serve as a reminder that man and crop alike will one day return to dust and that all men must reap what they sow. The N’marai ride M’urath tigers, bred near the cave cities of K’fal Shilah. M’urath tigers are the fastest species on Nharssinia, and if given the opportunity to kill a man, are thought to be able to distinguish between a holy man and a nonbeliever.
The N’marai trace their origins to the Razi, a solitary hermetic sect of the Majadil religion. The Razi lived in isolation in the caves of Nharssinia, keeping their mystical practices secret from nonbelievers. They rarely involved themselves in conflict, and used their trained tigers for hunting only. Due to their peculiar beliefs, which combine tenets of the Aurean and Majadil religions, they were mistrusted by both groups. But during the War of the First Light, the King of Kinnareth entrusted the Razi to block the advance of the Aurean armies and prevent their encroachment into the Khalmerai domain. Due to their successful tactic of stalking and encircling in ambush, they played an instrumental role in repelling the Aureans. The Razi earned the respect of the Majadil and went on to become one of the most esteemed forces of Nharssinia, eventually earning their reputations as defenders of the faith and their home planet.
The Honuk, or Golden Tusks, is the name given to the elephant-mounted warriors of Sulidon. They are known throughout the galaxy for the terror that the massive beasts instill in their enemies. The elephants are thought to have an excellent mind for strategy, and are said to be as influential in battle as the general of the Honuk himself. The elephants are also able to remember the terrain of areas in which they have previously fought, and even recall the weaknesses of previous enemies.
The Honuk fight with Ankul, or hook spears. From atop the elephants, they use the spears both for throwing at their enemies and also for hooking and pulling enemy cavalry soldiers off their mounts. The Honuk ride Rotan elephants, which are captured from the wild grasslands of Raq-sur and are notoriously difficult to tame. The Honuk tend to use male elephants for battle and females for logistical purposes. When captured, the Rotan elephants are separated from their family, as they would otherwise grieve for their dead relatives on the battlefield.
Many famous wars throughout Sulidoni history tell of the important roles elephants played in battle. On one occasion, during the Age of the God-Kings, the Sulidoni went to war with with the God-King Maladur. Upon seeing elephants for the first time, Maladur’s army laid down their arms and bowed down to the elephants, believing they were servants sent from god. During the Age of Flowering, the famous general, Barud un Bul, transported over one thousand elephants by starships to Bastia in an attempt to cripple the Athelion Empire after they occupied Suldion. Upon reaching Aurenthal, the capitol of the Athelion Empire, all but one elephant had perished. Emperor Deroclis reportedly respected the bravery of Barud un Bul and the magnificence of the beast so much that he withdrew all his forces from Suldion.
The Golden Tusks
SULIDON
The Sandstriders, known to the Ebruscans as the Areliar, are the best mounted warriors on the planet. Armed with rapier and dagger, the Sandstriders are famous not only for the candro, or horsedance, but as a formidable foe in battle.
The Ebruscan cavalry ride Sahinar, or Sandsteeds, a sandy colored variety of horse bred in the desert lands of Gallaro. The Sandsteeds are small, but famous for being the quickest horse in all the galaxy.
The Sandstriders trace their origins to the Majadil, from the period of the Majadil Conquest of Ebrus Novo. After the rebellion of Perrazo of Zarres and the decline of Majadil presence on Ebrus Novo, the city of Gallaro became the last stronghold of their empire, and finally fell to Prythian control in 246 AD after being besieged by an alliance of Aurean planets. Although the continent of Abral remained highly influenced by Majadil practices, it has since been taken control of by the Ebruscans, who consider the Sandstriders to be their planet’s most beloved fighting force.
The Sandstriders of Gallaro
EBRUS NOVO
The Bloodhorns of Helmark are known across the Prythian Kingdom as one of the most brutal and ruthless cavalry forces to have ever existed. Armed with greatswords, this Canthosian mounted force is famous for fighting alongside the planet’s unrivaled siege equipment, and the riders themselves are known to break down gates with their horned bulls.
The Canthosian cavalry ride armored Helmark Steers, a breed of bull with a nearly impenetrable hide, bred in the lands of Helmark. The Helmark Steer are notoriously difficult to control, and it is said that the bull’s thirst for blood on the battlefield drives it more than the one who rides it.
The men of Helmark and the Bloodhorns have been fiercely independent for much of Canthosian history, often warring with ruling house for much of the past millennia. Not until the Twilight Age, and the rise of the Crimson King did Canthos fully unify and embrace the Bloodhorns as the most highly regarded army on the planet. According to legend, the Great Bull that was slain by King Karlof was a Helmark Bull and he was only able to defeat it after dipping his sword into the fires of Mount Thayle and cutting off its horns.
The Bloodhammers of Helmark
CANTHOS
The Vigilants of Vandroth are the traditional keepers of the Beacons of Vandroth, and the most skilled mounted army on the planet. Armed with spears, the Vigilants are known for their preference for fighting in the dark, instilling in any enemy a fear of nightfall.
The Vandrothan cavalry ride Nightwolves, a nocturnal breed of wolf that can see well in the dark and has a natural instinct to hunt the mounts of other cavalries like prey.
The Vigilants of Vandroth trace their origins to a legend from the Dawn Age, telling of how Tyranus the Bright, the Torch King, drove away the mysterious beasts known as Gremen by building the Beacons of Vandroth. Since then, the Vigiliants have guarded the civilization of Vandroth from the unknown enemy in the darkness on the other side of the beacons. Their relationship with wolves is said to have begun with Lutherus Nightslayer, who tied torches to wild wolves at night to deceive his enemy into thinking there was an advancing army, at which point he led his men in an ambush from the other side.
The Vigilants of Carthinac
VANDROTH
The Snowriders of Arnhelm are the most well known fighters of Asgaria. Armed with axe and shield, the Snowriders are a fierce group of fighters who are known for their resilience and ability to weather freezing temperatures, starvation, or anything that comes their way.
The cavalry of Arnhelm ride Snowbears, a large, white variety of bear that are nearly indistinguishable from their wild relatives in both appearance and behavior.
The Snowriders trace their origins to a legend from the Dawn Age, telling of how the Barromen of Asgaria killed King Ognar the Old, took his people captives, and threw his child, Ulfar, into the wilderness to die. Ulfar was then raised by a pack of snow bears and lived with them for thirty years before amassing an army of them to free his kinsmen, who then learned to ride the wild beasts and defeat the Barromen.
The Snowriders of Arnhelm
ASGARIA
The Horns of Osvol are the mounted cavalry of the men who live in the lands of Osvol, north of the Blakbaren forest. Armed with double-bladed axes, the men of Osvol prefer to live in peace and solitude, but are an indomitable force against those who disturb their lands.
The cavalry of Osvol ride Osvar Moose, taken from the wild and trained for battle, the Moose are as protective of the men of Osvol as they are of their young.
The Horns of Osvol
The Mammoths of Marador
The Mammoths of Marador are the mounted cavalry of the men who live in the lands of Marador, the vast tundras on the continent of Ursung. Armed with spears, the men of Marador have long been a loyal ally to the Lords of Arnhelm and have often marched to their aid.
The cavalry of Marador ride Ursar Mammoths, the last of the mammoths and a dying species. There are few Ursar Mammoths left on Asgaria, so the men of Marador fight in few battles anymore, and hold counsel to decide which fights are worth the lives of the precious animals.
GAYA
The Jungle Tribe
There is no formal army among the Aratak, or the Jungle Tribe of Gaya. Every Aratak man, woman, and child learns to ride the Shayeerah, or treecat, and fight when necessary. The men of the Jungle Tribe fight with spear and whip and learn from birth to move among the tall, jungle trees with extreme stealth. Gayans are born with the ability to bond with animals, so they ride with neither saddle nor reigns, but can control their mounts with subtle mental cues.
The Kahana, or Mountain Tribe of Gaya, ride Oskohah, or cavebear. The men of the Mountain Tribe fight with spiked clubs and are known for their strength and their practice of hibernating during the cold season. Like the Jungle Tribe, they are born with the ability to bond with animals and also ride without saddles.
The Mountain Tribe
The Plains Tribe
The Lokoni, or the Plains Tribe, of Gaya, ride Meeyalah, or horndeer. The Lokoni are a matriarchal society, and only the women are sent into battle. The women of the Plains Tribe fight with bow and arrows, and their deer are fast and agile. Like all Gayans, they are born with the ability to bond with animals and also ride without saddles
