Post by ThreeDawg on Feb 7, 2015 18:30:43 GMT -5
The Kantarii are not a species, nor a nation, they are adherrents to an ancient and foreign creed.
Kantarii is that Creed, they are Kantarii.
Kantarii is that Creed, they are Kantarii.
Kantarii
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No Kantarii know how long their creed has existed, yet they know it was created by two influential beings. Kan and Tar. They were lovers, long passed, whom lived a quiet life in a city long forgotten. Kan was a baker, Tar a teacher. With his hands Kan would make bread to feed the highest Shinta of the city, to the lowest Talak who lived on the streets. Tar would teach the Shinta's children, and the poor Talak's on the side. Both took their due and gave what they could afford, but as the pair observed the city beyond their welcoming door all they saw was corruption, deceit, poverty and greed.
Kan grew tired of his life, for although he fed the Talak who came, the Shinta above would waste his hard work and let it go stale or off. Why should he produce more, for it to go to waste? Tar too, realised that the Shinta's children paid little attention to her words of wisdom. It was one day that a young Shinta approached Tar and questioned her on the work she did with the Talak. Tar told the Shinta the truth, that she thought even Talak deserved to hear her words, yet the Shinta feared the capabilities of an educated Talak and so brought his wrath down upon Tar. Kan could do naught but watch as Tar was strung out and whipped for all to see, their few posessions relinquished from them and their business torched to the ground.
Two days passed, and while Kan sat in a dark cell, Tar was left strung out for the crows. Shinta would walk passed and jeer, turning the eyes of their children away - children Tar had helped raise. Talak would look upon her with pity, but they too would walk by - their despondence clear upon their sullen faces. Yet each night, when the moon was low and the streets dark, a single figure would approach Tar and feed her bread and milk. For a week and a half the pair were separated in this manner, Tar mocked almost daily and Kan sore with his inability to aid his love. The Shinta eventually deemed the two unworthy of further attention, and with little fanfare approached the weakened Tar. They cut her bonds, allowing her body to drop to the floor. Kan was threw next to her, and the two in their rags were escorted far beyond the city. To die in the sands beyond.
From the dozens of horned skulls that adorned the area, the site of their disposal was a mass-burial ground. How long had the Shinta been killing those who they thought undermined their rule? How many of these bodies were innocents? Tar could hardly walk, her time strung high in the city had left her weak and numb. So Kan carried her, across dunes, through canyons, over rivers. They walked for days, hardly stopping, eating what few scraps they could scrounge from the harsh land around them. Yet they were sustained, they did not grow weak on bugs and weeds. In fact, Tar grew stronger as days passed and when the two found a village they approached it hand-in-hand.
The pair begun anew, in this village of few. A dozen families lived without the rules of the Shinta, farmed the harsh land and made of it their own. These people did not live by the orders of their superiors, they lived upon the order of the land. They would share what they could scratch from the soil, they would each bare the suffering where one of them failed. This life made them strong, it made them wise, it made them one. One with the world, one with each other, one in themselves. This village had no name, and it is likely this village has been reclaimed by the sands since, but the lesson this village taught to Kan and Tar has been remembered to this day.
For Kan and Tar did not stay in this village, as one they wandered the land and spread their epiphany. That Life has an Order to it, and each is a part of that ordering. This proper order, to live in harmony with oneself, ones neighbours and ones land, was the true nature of all things. To deny that order was to deny your nature, your self, and self conflict led to self destruction and the destruction of those around you. That was the old ordering of the Shinta, who led a life away from their true self. They would look down upon others for being born out of their families, and in rejecting these people their proper place amongst the order the Shinta had rejected themselves from order. Decedance, greed, poverty - all these things and more followed in the Shinta's self destruction.
When Kan and Tar returned to spread their message to the city of the Shinta, they led a mass of their children. Kantarii, literally "Of Kan and Tar", followed in their steps. They did not revere them as gods, or prophets, rather the Kantarii knew them as wise ones, Ashak's. It was not through force that the ways of the Shinta fell, it was through words. The Kantarii called upon the downtrodden Talak's to follow the true ordering of things. The first, brought bread and milk to feed the hungry Kantarii. Shinta's City fell in days, their bodies were not strung from the city's walls. Rather they were sent out, with their loyal retinues and food, to spread the word of the Kantarii's coming to all the city's in the land.
It was not a bloodless conversion. The Shinta of other cities had mixed views to the coming of the Kantarii, some willingly gave up their corrupt ways. Others took up arms, marched armies under their banners to stop Kantarii in their tracks. Many died, as Chanak for their cause, Martyrs. Those who fought the Shinta bore their names upon their lips, forever known as Chanaks to their people. The Chanak conquered those who would not willingly give up their Cities, and those who found themselves without Shinta masters found acceptance amongst the Kantarii.
It was but 80 years ago, when the first Kantarii dreadnaught was sighted off the coast of Gabriola. It landed upon the shores of Auri-el and purchased a local map, then left. They did not purchase with any recognised currency, instead the Kantarii offered strange fruit the likes that have never been seen before, by the crate full, and left a single book behind. Strangely, the visitors knew the language of the locals, and even knew their written word. For the book was translated for them, soon copies were made and spread about the province's scholars. A strange curiosity, to most, and as years passed without any trace of any more of its type the Scholar's believed it just a hoax and discarded the book as the ramblings of a mad man. A small minority understood the message of the book, the creed that it spoke of and the harshness of a world under the thumb of those who thought themselves superior. A small cult of Kantarii followers were founded, and have spread throughout much of the neighbouring provinces - existing to this day as a part of the Kantarii Janak, those who Solve, essentially a combined network of Spies, Assassins and Military Police.
It wasn't twenty years until another sighting, a long enough time for the first rumours to have been proven as just that. So when the Kantarii ships arrived in the dozens, none were prepared for an invasion by sea. Indeed very few knew that already had aa nation native to Gabriola fallen, the archipelago of Savajehon. Savajehon had long been an isolated community of Reptilian Humanoids, largely tribal and uncaring of the world around them - all attempts at outside contact had been sent right back where they had come from. Now, those islands bore an army right beneath Gabriola's very nose. The invasion of the then-Kingdom of Gulak was quick and decisive, the Kantarii were simple in their advance: "You will submit to reeducation, or we shall make you."
Those who denied their advance either died or were dragged away. Those who accepted found their families seperated and themselves put into hastily constructed camps. Camps that bulged to the size of cities, yet were incredibly well organised and maintained. Hunger was few, as their would-be-conquerers supplied the inhabitants with a staple of Bread and Milk taken from their conquests or brought with them upon their great ships. Great ships that would come baring yet more soldiers and supplies, and leave with a full load of the conquered people. Talak's, the Kentarii called them. That was their name now, Talak.
The Chalak of the Kentarii continued their advance, tirelessly moving from city to city - only stopping to bundle the locals into the strangely-loving arms of the Ashak and their long walk towards the coastline. Once the entire Kingdom of Gulak had been seized, the King deposed and his family submitted for reeducation, the Chalak continued on. The next land was a fragmented one, a collection of city-states loosely bound by the name and culture "Itakia". Over the two years it had taken for the Kingdom of Gulak to fall, the Itakians had individually amassed their armies and built their defences. Stubbornly they refused to aid each other, even as the Chalak pressed hard upon their walls and stormed their land like a brutal wave. It took three years for the Chalak to take Itakia, only because towards the end of the wars what few states that survived banded together to slow the advance of the Kantarii.
In that time, the Ashak had taken the people of Gulak and converted much of the peasentry to the Kantarii ways. Those who believed the most became Ashak themselves, or Janak. Those who were strong and would make great fighters became Chalak. Those who knew crafts or shown an aptitude for agriculture became Tendak. Tendak, the Educated Ones, these people - Man or Elf, their species mattered not for the Kantarii and indeed they removed such titles from the Tendak - returned to their cities and towns and under the guide of the Ashak begun a complete renovation of their once-lives. The decedant palaces of the nobles were torn down, and in their place planted greenery and plantations of fruit - fruit that would be tended by everyone and free to take. The old bricks were preserved, when possible, and used to build new housing or granaries. Industries were completely turned over, new highly efficient methods of manufacture allowed for most things to be mass produced by fewer hands. Everyone worked for food, not coin, and those who grew food would hand their food over to Ashak and recieve any goods they wished. Luxuries existed, but would cost one more food than other more useful items would, so were actively discouraged unless you worked harder to produce - or earn - more food.
Those who resisted the Ashak's reeducation found themselves facing harsher and harsher methods, and those for whom nothing worked were never seen again. Taken by boat to the most remote islands of Savajehon, the Shinta that rejected the Kantarii were forced to work for them anyway. Either by providing what information they knew, or constructing new Dreadnaughts for the Chalak. None know of this secret, and it is merely assumed by most that the Kantarii kill these Shinta.
It has been a long 50 years, and the armies of the Kantarii have slowed. Their spread is inexhorable, but their armies have been rebuffed by those of Antioch, Tevinter, Kenelaith (with the help of The Horde, who would rather find a more diplomatic solution) and others around them - in which they are in a perpetual state of war. Chalak encampments are dug in deep, ever-supplied by their increasingly faithful Tendak. Sections of these lands have found themselves under Kantarii control, only to be fought back and reconquered over years fighting by their original owners. Those who they 'liberate', often chafe under the control of the Shinta, and are very hard to convert back to whatever culture or religion they once belonged to.
No Kantarii know how long their creed has existed, yet they know it was created by two influential beings. Kan and Tar. They were lovers, long passed, whom lived a quiet life in a city long forgotten. Kan was a baker, Tar a teacher. With his hands Kan would make bread to feed the highest Shinta of the city, to the lowest Talak who lived on the streets. Tar would teach the Shinta's children, and the poor Talak's on the side. Both took their due and gave what they could afford, but as the pair observed the city beyond their welcoming door all they saw was corruption, deceit, poverty and greed.
Kan grew tired of his life, for although he fed the Talak who came, the Shinta above would waste his hard work and let it go stale or off. Why should he produce more, for it to go to waste? Tar too, realised that the Shinta's children paid little attention to her words of wisdom. It was one day that a young Shinta approached Tar and questioned her on the work she did with the Talak. Tar told the Shinta the truth, that she thought even Talak deserved to hear her words, yet the Shinta feared the capabilities of an educated Talak and so brought his wrath down upon Tar. Kan could do naught but watch as Tar was strung out and whipped for all to see, their few posessions relinquished from them and their business torched to the ground.
Two days passed, and while Kan sat in a dark cell, Tar was left strung out for the crows. Shinta would walk passed and jeer, turning the eyes of their children away - children Tar had helped raise. Talak would look upon her with pity, but they too would walk by - their despondence clear upon their sullen faces. Yet each night, when the moon was low and the streets dark, a single figure would approach Tar and feed her bread and milk. For a week and a half the pair were separated in this manner, Tar mocked almost daily and Kan sore with his inability to aid his love. The Shinta eventually deemed the two unworthy of further attention, and with little fanfare approached the weakened Tar. They cut her bonds, allowing her body to drop to the floor. Kan was threw next to her, and the two in their rags were escorted far beyond the city. To die in the sands beyond.
From the dozens of horned skulls that adorned the area, the site of their disposal was a mass-burial ground. How long had the Shinta been killing those who they thought undermined their rule? How many of these bodies were innocents? Tar could hardly walk, her time strung high in the city had left her weak and numb. So Kan carried her, across dunes, through canyons, over rivers. They walked for days, hardly stopping, eating what few scraps they could scrounge from the harsh land around them. Yet they were sustained, they did not grow weak on bugs and weeds. In fact, Tar grew stronger as days passed and when the two found a village they approached it hand-in-hand.
The pair begun anew, in this village of few. A dozen families lived without the rules of the Shinta, farmed the harsh land and made of it their own. These people did not live by the orders of their superiors, they lived upon the order of the land. They would share what they could scratch from the soil, they would each bare the suffering where one of them failed. This life made them strong, it made them wise, it made them one. One with the world, one with each other, one in themselves. This village had no name, and it is likely this village has been reclaimed by the sands since, but the lesson this village taught to Kan and Tar has been remembered to this day.
For Kan and Tar did not stay in this village, as one they wandered the land and spread their epiphany. That Life has an Order to it, and each is a part of that ordering. This proper order, to live in harmony with oneself, ones neighbours and ones land, was the true nature of all things. To deny that order was to deny your nature, your self, and self conflict led to self destruction and the destruction of those around you. That was the old ordering of the Shinta, who led a life away from their true self. They would look down upon others for being born out of their families, and in rejecting these people their proper place amongst the order the Shinta had rejected themselves from order. Decedance, greed, poverty - all these things and more followed in the Shinta's self destruction.
When Kan and Tar returned to spread their message to the city of the Shinta, they led a mass of their children. Kantarii, literally "Of Kan and Tar", followed in their steps. They did not revere them as gods, or prophets, rather the Kantarii knew them as wise ones, Ashak's. It was not through force that the ways of the Shinta fell, it was through words. The Kantarii called upon the downtrodden Talak's to follow the true ordering of things. The first, brought bread and milk to feed the hungry Kantarii. Shinta's City fell in days, their bodies were not strung from the city's walls. Rather they were sent out, with their loyal retinues and food, to spread the word of the Kantarii's coming to all the city's in the land.
It was not a bloodless conversion. The Shinta of other cities had mixed views to the coming of the Kantarii, some willingly gave up their corrupt ways. Others took up arms, marched armies under their banners to stop Kantarii in their tracks. Many died, as Chanak for their cause, Martyrs. Those who fought the Shinta bore their names upon their lips, forever known as Chanaks to their people. The Chanak conquered those who would not willingly give up their Cities, and those who found themselves without Shinta masters found acceptance amongst the Kantarii.
It was but 80 years ago, when the first Kantarii dreadnaught was sighted off the coast of Gabriola. It landed upon the shores of Auri-el and purchased a local map, then left. They did not purchase with any recognised currency, instead the Kantarii offered strange fruit the likes that have never been seen before, by the crate full, and left a single book behind. Strangely, the visitors knew the language of the locals, and even knew their written word. For the book was translated for them, soon copies were made and spread about the province's scholars. A strange curiosity, to most, and as years passed without any trace of any more of its type the Scholar's believed it just a hoax and discarded the book as the ramblings of a mad man. A small minority understood the message of the book, the creed that it spoke of and the harshness of a world under the thumb of those who thought themselves superior. A small cult of Kantarii followers were founded, and have spread throughout much of the neighbouring provinces - existing to this day as a part of the Kantarii Janak, those who Solve, essentially a combined network of Spies, Assassins and Military Police.
It wasn't twenty years until another sighting, a long enough time for the first rumours to have been proven as just that. So when the Kantarii ships arrived in the dozens, none were prepared for an invasion by sea. Indeed very few knew that already had aa nation native to Gabriola fallen, the archipelago of Savajehon. Savajehon had long been an isolated community of Reptilian Humanoids, largely tribal and uncaring of the world around them - all attempts at outside contact had been sent right back where they had come from. Now, those islands bore an army right beneath Gabriola's very nose. The invasion of the then-Kingdom of Gulak was quick and decisive, the Kantarii were simple in their advance: "You will submit to reeducation, or we shall make you."
Those who denied their advance either died or were dragged away. Those who accepted found their families seperated and themselves put into hastily constructed camps. Camps that bulged to the size of cities, yet were incredibly well organised and maintained. Hunger was few, as their would-be-conquerers supplied the inhabitants with a staple of Bread and Milk taken from their conquests or brought with them upon their great ships. Great ships that would come baring yet more soldiers and supplies, and leave with a full load of the conquered people. Talak's, the Kentarii called them. That was their name now, Talak.
The Chalak of the Kentarii continued their advance, tirelessly moving from city to city - only stopping to bundle the locals into the strangely-loving arms of the Ashak and their long walk towards the coastline. Once the entire Kingdom of Gulak had been seized, the King deposed and his family submitted for reeducation, the Chalak continued on. The next land was a fragmented one, a collection of city-states loosely bound by the name and culture "Itakia". Over the two years it had taken for the Kingdom of Gulak to fall, the Itakians had individually amassed their armies and built their defences. Stubbornly they refused to aid each other, even as the Chalak pressed hard upon their walls and stormed their land like a brutal wave. It took three years for the Chalak to take Itakia, only because towards the end of the wars what few states that survived banded together to slow the advance of the Kantarii.
In that time, the Ashak had taken the people of Gulak and converted much of the peasentry to the Kantarii ways. Those who believed the most became Ashak themselves, or Janak. Those who were strong and would make great fighters became Chalak. Those who knew crafts or shown an aptitude for agriculture became Tendak. Tendak, the Educated Ones, these people - Man or Elf, their species mattered not for the Kantarii and indeed they removed such titles from the Tendak - returned to their cities and towns and under the guide of the Ashak begun a complete renovation of their once-lives. The decedant palaces of the nobles were torn down, and in their place planted greenery and plantations of fruit - fruit that would be tended by everyone and free to take. The old bricks were preserved, when possible, and used to build new housing or granaries. Industries were completely turned over, new highly efficient methods of manufacture allowed for most things to be mass produced by fewer hands. Everyone worked for food, not coin, and those who grew food would hand their food over to Ashak and recieve any goods they wished. Luxuries existed, but would cost one more food than other more useful items would, so were actively discouraged unless you worked harder to produce - or earn - more food.
Those who resisted the Ashak's reeducation found themselves facing harsher and harsher methods, and those for whom nothing worked were never seen again. Taken by boat to the most remote islands of Savajehon, the Shinta that rejected the Kantarii were forced to work for them anyway. Either by providing what information they knew, or constructing new Dreadnaughts for the Chalak. None know of this secret, and it is merely assumed by most that the Kantarii kill these Shinta.
It has been a long 50 years, and the armies of the Kantarii have slowed. Their spread is inexhorable, but their armies have been rebuffed by those of Antioch, Tevinter, Kenelaith (with the help of The Horde, who would rather find a more diplomatic solution) and others around them - in which they are in a perpetual state of war. Chalak encampments are dug in deep, ever-supplied by their increasingly faithful Tendak. Sections of these lands have found themselves under Kantarii control, only to be fought back and reconquered over years fighting by their original owners. Those who they 'liberate', often chafe under the control of the Shinta, and are very hard to convert back to whatever culture or religion they once belonged to.
{Provinces: - Click to Expand}
{N/A - Enhenelven}
Terrain: Enhenelven, loosely translated, means Wooded Islands. So named for the deep mountainous jungle that covers the islands from coast to coast, a long departed remnant of the primordial jungles of the western mainland. Jagged basalt cliffs offer protection to most of the island by sea, the few black-sanded beaches that offer access to this landmass are guarded day and night by Kantarii watch-posts. Great mountains break the jungle on each island, reaching to the sky with open jaws of dead fire.
Army: The Kantarii fight with mixed tactics in mind, and fight heavily dependant upon the strengths of the body. Kantarii are distrustful of magic, as they see it as uncontrollable and unnatural: something that rules over them and is against the natural order.
Kantarii Warriors charge into battle with heavy armour covering their most vulnerable spots (helmets, chest guards) but will forgo any other heavy armour for padding or leathers. They'll wield either Great Axes or Great Swords, with some also wielding a large heavy shield or another weapon. Pikemen also exist.
Kantarii cavalry are few, but ride into battle on heavily armoured and built Yalnaron. They will usually utilise lances and Shortswords. Smaller Kantarii (Humans and Elves) will ride lighter built Yalnaron, and some Kantarii units have experimented with mounted archer tactics.
Kantarii have few Mages, deeming them untrustworthy and not in their own control. Those who are gifted with magic are captured and chained far away, until they can be 'cured'.
Kantarii ranged units come in the form of spear throwers, who launch heavy spears at their foes in a skirmish-like stance. Kantarii will also use slings at long range, and smaller Kantarii may use bows more often. The Kantarii that can use a War Bow, a very heavy and very strong bow that can launch a spear-like arrow with the punch of a ballista, are few and far between but are often renowned Dragon Hunters - attaching chains to their arrows and puncturing a Dragon's wing, then dragging them down to their dooms.
Kantarii have developed ranged weapons to combat dragons - due to their war with Elysium. They regularly build stationary turrets into their defensive emplacements and Dreadnoughts. These turrets are capable of launching barbed harpoons into the hides of Dragons, often tipped with extremely potent poisons, and have chains attached that allow multiple harpoons to stop, drag or outright cripple (it isn't unheard of for the harpoons to tear out wings or limbs if the target pulls away incorrectly) a Dragon.
As for siege weapons, the Kantarii rule their waves with a cast iron fist, cannonry. Kantarii long ago developed a blast powder, and have kept it a very close secret. Their cannons are capable of launching standard iron balls at a target, but the Kantarii have developed a number of other uses for their cannons:
"Fire-slugs" are long cylindrical shaped cartridges of "Dragon Fire" (an alchemical mix of oils, oxidisers and explosive elements) capped with a fused exploding cap. The Fire-slug is launched over a target, and the cap explodes based on where the cannoneer lit the fuse - raining a spray of fiery oil down on a targeted area. While highly inaccurate (due to the need to simultaneously aim over a target, gauge how long you need the fuse to last and the poor aerodynamic properties of the slug) it is devastating up close, or in the hands of a very experienced crew. They are also highly dangerous to the crew, as lit wrong or accidentally ignited they will reduce the ship to a wreck in a few seconds.
A chain-shot has also been developed by the Kantarii, which looks (and works) much like the Fire-Slug cartridges. Only far heavier, and has a shorter range, because the cartridge is filled with a chain netting, covered in little hooks - much like a weighted fishing net or line. The cannons aim high, aiming the shot over a Dragon and hopefully catching it in the net. While larger dragons can shrug the nets off, the hooks often get caught on scales or tangled in limbs. In conjunction with harpoons, the nets help pull the beasts down to the ground for warriors to finish them off.
Kantarii 'Dragon Breakers' are the elite weapons of the Chalak. They exemplify all the Chalak stand for: strength, cunning, agility, sacrifice. For Dragon Breakers are the epitome of Kantarii might, the strongest examples, the best hunters. These Kantarii are Chalak that have fought numerous battles, against Shinta and Dragons alike. They know their weaknesses, they know their strengths, they know best where and when to hit a for. They hit hard. Like all Chalak they are often lightly armoured, baring only protection over vital weak points, but the Breakers tattoo their body from horn to toe. The fear factor is immediate, but it's true purpose is something far more deadly - to both sides. Dragon blood, when alchemically prepared to an ancient recipe, has magic and fire resistant properties. It burns with the heat of a thousand suns when applied to skin, but the coating almost immediately hardens onto the skin as a protective layer. This tactic is often used by dragon hunters, but the Breakers take it one step further. They tattoo it into their skin, increasing the duration of its powers up to a month. But it burns, the pain is often unbearable to most and has been known to kill. But after months of administration (performed in a ritualistic manner by Ashak), Breakers grow an immunity to the pain. To all pain. To touch. A horrible existence for a people founded on a couple's love, but a sacrifice made for the Kantarii.
Brief Description: The lessons of a native species were incorporated into te Kantarii civilisation when they landed upon these islands. Then named Savajehon, the local race (the Sarahavi) ruled over the archipelago with a strong yet isolationist touch. Great cities were built from the stones of the mountains and the jungle trees around them. The primary style of architecture was pyramidical, many stepped structures leading to a central (and often sacred) point. The locals buried their dead in the depths of these structures, and the nobles lived close to the top (to be closer to the dead, and their winged gods).
When the Kantarii arrived upon the black shores of these islands, they found a species initially hostile to their coming. The Kantarii responded with a sword and an olive branch. The ruling body of the Sarahavi were swayed by the open-mindedness of the Kantarii, they came with weapons and soldiers that could easily quash their civilisation, but rather chose to initiate dialogue between the two. Sarahavi priests noticed the similarity of the Kantarii to their winged gods, bar the wings, and deemed them favoured of the gods. The Sarahavi begun their slow conversion to the Kantarii way, many making the pilgrimage to the Kantarii ships and coastline settlements to aid and join them as Kantarii. Those who converted would convert more, and eventually the Kantarii outnumbered those who weren't. The Kantarii brought with them a hatred for Dragons, and the fragile Sarahavi religion was overthrown quickly by this hatred. Those who resisted with their beliefs, the converted Sarahavi either forcibly converted or forced them into prison camps.
Now, so many years later, few rogue Sarahavi remain. They exist in 'feral' tribes deep in the jungles, launching guerrilla raids on the Kantarii that have taken their cities. The new mix of Kantarii and old Sarahavi has greatly expanded the cities, with advanced walls and many stationary defences for an as-yet-unknown threat. The Kantarii seem to believe something will invade.
Terrain: Enhenelven, loosely translated, means Wooded Islands. So named for the deep mountainous jungle that covers the islands from coast to coast, a long departed remnant of the primordial jungles of the western mainland. Jagged basalt cliffs offer protection to most of the island by sea, the few black-sanded beaches that offer access to this landmass are guarded day and night by Kantarii watch-posts. Great mountains break the jungle on each island, reaching to the sky with open jaws of dead fire.
Army: The Kantarii fight with mixed tactics in mind, and fight heavily dependant upon the strengths of the body. Kantarii are distrustful of magic, as they see it as uncontrollable and unnatural: something that rules over them and is against the natural order.
Kantarii Warriors charge into battle with heavy armour covering their most vulnerable spots (helmets, chest guards) but will forgo any other heavy armour for padding or leathers. They'll wield either Great Axes or Great Swords, with some also wielding a large heavy shield or another weapon. Pikemen also exist.
Kantarii cavalry are few, but ride into battle on heavily armoured and built Yalnaron. They will usually utilise lances and Shortswords. Smaller Kantarii (Humans and Elves) will ride lighter built Yalnaron, and some Kantarii units have experimented with mounted archer tactics.
Kantarii have few Mages, deeming them untrustworthy and not in their own control. Those who are gifted with magic are captured and chained far away, until they can be 'cured'.
Kantarii ranged units come in the form of spear throwers, who launch heavy spears at their foes in a skirmish-like stance. Kantarii will also use slings at long range, and smaller Kantarii may use bows more often. The Kantarii that can use a War Bow, a very heavy and very strong bow that can launch a spear-like arrow with the punch of a ballista, are few and far between but are often renowned Dragon Hunters - attaching chains to their arrows and puncturing a Dragon's wing, then dragging them down to their dooms.
Kantarii have developed ranged weapons to combat dragons - due to their war with Elysium. They regularly build stationary turrets into their defensive emplacements and Dreadnoughts. These turrets are capable of launching barbed harpoons into the hides of Dragons, often tipped with extremely potent poisons, and have chains attached that allow multiple harpoons to stop, drag or outright cripple (it isn't unheard of for the harpoons to tear out wings or limbs if the target pulls away incorrectly) a Dragon.
As for siege weapons, the Kantarii rule their waves with a cast iron fist, cannonry. Kantarii long ago developed a blast powder, and have kept it a very close secret. Their cannons are capable of launching standard iron balls at a target, but the Kantarii have developed a number of other uses for their cannons:
"Fire-slugs" are long cylindrical shaped cartridges of "Dragon Fire" (an alchemical mix of oils, oxidisers and explosive elements) capped with a fused exploding cap. The Fire-slug is launched over a target, and the cap explodes based on where the cannoneer lit the fuse - raining a spray of fiery oil down on a targeted area. While highly inaccurate (due to the need to simultaneously aim over a target, gauge how long you need the fuse to last and the poor aerodynamic properties of the slug) it is devastating up close, or in the hands of a very experienced crew. They are also highly dangerous to the crew, as lit wrong or accidentally ignited they will reduce the ship to a wreck in a few seconds.
A chain-shot has also been developed by the Kantarii, which looks (and works) much like the Fire-Slug cartridges. Only far heavier, and has a shorter range, because the cartridge is filled with a chain netting, covered in little hooks - much like a weighted fishing net or line. The cannons aim high, aiming the shot over a Dragon and hopefully catching it in the net. While larger dragons can shrug the nets off, the hooks often get caught on scales or tangled in limbs. In conjunction with harpoons, the nets help pull the beasts down to the ground for warriors to finish them off.
Kantarii 'Dragon Breakers' are the elite weapons of the Chalak. They exemplify all the Chalak stand for: strength, cunning, agility, sacrifice. For Dragon Breakers are the epitome of Kantarii might, the strongest examples, the best hunters. These Kantarii are Chalak that have fought numerous battles, against Shinta and Dragons alike. They know their weaknesses, they know their strengths, they know best where and when to hit a for. They hit hard. Like all Chalak they are often lightly armoured, baring only protection over vital weak points, but the Breakers tattoo their body from horn to toe. The fear factor is immediate, but it's true purpose is something far more deadly - to both sides. Dragon blood, when alchemically prepared to an ancient recipe, has magic and fire resistant properties. It burns with the heat of a thousand suns when applied to skin, but the coating almost immediately hardens onto the skin as a protective layer. This tactic is often used by dragon hunters, but the Breakers take it one step further. They tattoo it into their skin, increasing the duration of its powers up to a month. But it burns, the pain is often unbearable to most and has been known to kill. But after months of administration (performed in a ritualistic manner by Ashak), Breakers grow an immunity to the pain. To all pain. To touch. A horrible existence for a people founded on a couple's love, but a sacrifice made for the Kantarii.
Brief Description: The lessons of a native species were incorporated into te Kantarii civilisation when they landed upon these islands. Then named Savajehon, the local race (the Sarahavi) ruled over the archipelago with a strong yet isolationist touch. Great cities were built from the stones of the mountains and the jungle trees around them. The primary style of architecture was pyramidical, many stepped structures leading to a central (and often sacred) point. The locals buried their dead in the depths of these structures, and the nobles lived close to the top (to be closer to the dead, and their winged gods).
When the Kantarii arrived upon the black shores of these islands, they found a species initially hostile to their coming. The Kantarii responded with a sword and an olive branch. The ruling body of the Sarahavi were swayed by the open-mindedness of the Kantarii, they came with weapons and soldiers that could easily quash their civilisation, but rather chose to initiate dialogue between the two. Sarahavi priests noticed the similarity of the Kantarii to their winged gods, bar the wings, and deemed them favoured of the gods. The Sarahavi begun their slow conversion to the Kantarii way, many making the pilgrimage to the Kantarii ships and coastline settlements to aid and join them as Kantarii. Those who converted would convert more, and eventually the Kantarii outnumbered those who weren't. The Kantarii brought with them a hatred for Dragons, and the fragile Sarahavi religion was overthrown quickly by this hatred. Those who resisted with their beliefs, the converted Sarahavi either forcibly converted or forced them into prison camps.
Now, so many years later, few rogue Sarahavi remain. They exist in 'feral' tribes deep in the jungles, launching guerrilla raids on the Kantarii that have taken their cities. The new mix of Kantarii and old Sarahavi has greatly expanded the cities, with advanced walls and many stationary defences for an as-yet-unknown threat. The Kantarii seem to believe something will invade.
{48 - Engarnu}
Terrain: -- Here, place a brief description of the terrain in your province.
Army: The Kantarii Chalak have a great many forts in this region to defend against (and stage attacks on) the kingdoms to the North. The cities here also have the largest population of Elf-originated Kantarii. The wide plains that dot Engarnu bred hearty steeds (Hordes and introduced Yalnaron), and the people who were converted here maintain that affinity for horses. As such, Engarnu is the main source of the few Kantarii cavalry units.
Brief Description: Once a Kingdom of Man named Gulak, Engarnu was formed with the invasion and conquest of the Human Kingdom. This old Kingdom dated back to early in Human expansionism, having founded it's spot in the open plains below the jungled mountains. Native tribes of an unknown "Plain" Elven race (possible related to the Kenelaith Elves) were subjugated by the Human advance, rounded into cities and used as a forced-labour. Build the cities upon bones of slaves.
While Elven Rights had come quite a way since then, they were still treated as a second-class of society, segregated in slums and paid a lesser (yet better than none) wage. When the Kantarii Ashak approached the cities with open arms, they were quickly refused access. As a member of the Council of Man, Gulak was against communication with non-Human races.
So the Ashak approached the Elves that worked the fields, much how the Kantarii had first started.
Terrain: -- Here, place a brief description of the terrain in your province.
Army: The Kantarii Chalak have a great many forts in this region to defend against (and stage attacks on) the kingdoms to the North. The cities here also have the largest population of Elf-originated Kantarii. The wide plains that dot Engarnu bred hearty steeds (Hordes and introduced Yalnaron), and the people who were converted here maintain that affinity for horses. As such, Engarnu is the main source of the few Kantarii cavalry units.
Brief Description: Once a Kingdom of Man named Gulak, Engarnu was formed with the invasion and conquest of the Human Kingdom. This old Kingdom dated back to early in Human expansionism, having founded it's spot in the open plains below the jungled mountains. Native tribes of an unknown "Plain" Elven race (possible related to the Kenelaith Elves) were subjugated by the Human advance, rounded into cities and used as a forced-labour. Build the cities upon bones of slaves.
While Elven Rights had come quite a way since then, they were still treated as a second-class of society, segregated in slums and paid a lesser (yet better than none) wage. When the Kantarii Ashak approached the cities with open arms, they were quickly refused access. As a member of the Council of Man, Gulak was against communication with non-Human races.
So the Ashak approached the Elves that worked the fields, much how the Kantarii had first started.
{55 - Itakia}
Terrain: -- Here, place a brief description of the terrain in your province.
Army: -- Here, place a brief description of the armies this province provides you. Complexity can be measured in Mass Troops, Specialised Units or a Mix of the two.
Brief Description: -- Here, place a brief description of your province here such as their history or racial composition.
Terrain: -- Here, place a brief description of the terrain in your province.
Army: -- Here, place a brief description of the armies this province provides you. Complexity can be measured in Mass Troops, Specialised Units or a Mix of the two.
Brief Description: -- Here, place a brief description of your province here such as their history or racial composition.
{Races: - Click to Expand}
{Kantarii: - Click to View}
The Kantarii people were not always named so. They were hunters, once. Made and bred to tame the wilds of a primal land. Then they freed themselves from their oppression, and have since turned their innate skill to hunting those who kept them down. Dragons.
Born to hunt wildlife that gave even Dragons a scare, the Kantarii are massively built and quick to boot. They bare great horns, a trait they share with their creators, and usually have grey skin (although some individuals run closer to brown or black than grey).
Most can wield a two-handed axe with ease, the strongest examples can even wield two of the heavy instruments at once. With their strength they were capable of cleaving the dangers of their homeland in two, and when it came to overthrowing their rulers - Dragon or Shinta - the Kantarii turned their blades upon them with vigour. Axes, hammers and pikes are a common assortment of weapons, although some individuals prefer throwing spears, slings or (very rarely) Great Bows that have the power to punch through scale. Rarely will those individuals that can wield both a Great Axe and a Shield will do so.
So ingrained is the Kantarii hatred of Dragons, or enyal/Yaln, that a Yaln Rohn (Dragon Hunt) is considered a right of passage for the Kantarii. Coming back with a dragon's teeth is a great sign of a strong warrior, coming back with its intact head even greater a victory. An entire corpse? Will see a Kantarii and those who aided them raised to a status of great esteem. Not all will find, and kill, a Dragon though so often the largest and most dangerous creature is next on the list. Often a Warg or Bear, is enough for a Kantarii to return back without shame. Although Wyverns and Basilisks are much more appreciated, creatures related to Dragons.
Mount of choice: Yalnaron, roughly meaning Dragon Runner, are a species of fast, stocky, quadruped native to the Homeland of the Kantarii. A large numer of specimens were brought with them, and domestication and selective breeding has created ancient lineages of war mounts, hunter's mates and draft animals.
War mounts are ridiculously large specimens of the species, built to carry Kantarii upon their backs. Hunter's Mates, Rohn Yalnaron, are several breeds used by Hunters to not ride, but haul back carcasses and even aid in detecting prey - a Yalnaron is a carnivorous beast, and an expert hunter in themselves. The Hunter breeds are too small for a large Kantarii to ride, but make perfect mounts for the Kantarii of Gabriolan Descent.
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"We are Kantarii, I may have horns but I am as much Kantarii as that one with pointy ears, or the short one with the beard. It doesn't matter what we appear to be, as long as we are Kantarii - but you are Talak, you do not know any better."
The Kantarii people were not always named so. They were hunters, once. Made and bred to tame the wilds of a primal land. Then they freed themselves from their oppression, and have since turned their innate skill to hunting those who kept them down. Dragons.
Born to hunt wildlife that gave even Dragons a scare, the Kantarii are massively built and quick to boot. They bare great horns, a trait they share with their creators, and usually have grey skin (although some individuals run closer to brown or black than grey).
Most can wield a two-handed axe with ease, the strongest examples can even wield two of the heavy instruments at once. With their strength they were capable of cleaving the dangers of their homeland in two, and when it came to overthrowing their rulers - Dragon or Shinta - the Kantarii turned their blades upon them with vigour. Axes, hammers and pikes are a common assortment of weapons, although some individuals prefer throwing spears, slings or (very rarely) Great Bows that have the power to punch through scale. Rarely will those individuals that can wield both a Great Axe and a Shield will do so.
So ingrained is the Kantarii hatred of Dragons, or enyal/Yaln, that a Yaln Rohn (Dragon Hunt) is considered a right of passage for the Kantarii. Coming back with a dragon's teeth is a great sign of a strong warrior, coming back with its intact head even greater a victory. An entire corpse? Will see a Kantarii and those who aided them raised to a status of great esteem. Not all will find, and kill, a Dragon though so often the largest and most dangerous creature is next on the list. Often a Warg or Bear, is enough for a Kantarii to return back without shame. Although Wyverns and Basilisks are much more appreciated, creatures related to Dragons.
Mount of choice: Yalnaron, roughly meaning Dragon Runner, are a species of fast, stocky, quadruped native to the Homeland of the Kantarii. A large numer of specimens were brought with them, and domestication and selective breeding has created ancient lineages of war mounts, hunter's mates and draft animals.
War mounts are ridiculously large specimens of the species, built to carry Kantarii upon their backs. Hunter's Mates, Rohn Yalnaron, are several breeds used by Hunters to not ride, but haul back carcasses and even aid in detecting prey - a Yalnaron is a carnivorous beast, and an expert hunter in themselves. The Hunter breeds are too small for a large Kantarii to ride, but make perfect mounts for the Kantarii of Gabriolan Descent.
{Humans: - Click to View}
Mount of choice: While Humans regularly ride horses, the Kantarii see these beasts as weak - only suitable for draft work. Humans who have embraced the Kantarii will prefer to ride Rohn Yalnaron.
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"Sure it's better being Kantarii than Human, I mean why live under a lord when you can rule yourself? Why fight for scraps when you can always count on your neighbours to lend a hand? Screw Fonté and it's Council of Man - when did they ever do anything for me? The Ashak look after me, and my family."
Mount of choice: While Humans regularly ride horses, the Kantarii see these beasts as weak - only suitable for draft work. Humans who have embraced the Kantarii will prefer to ride Rohn Yalnaron.
{Elves: - Click to View}
Mount of choice: These smaller Kantarii see mounts in a similar way to Humans that have embraced the Kantarii.
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"They don't discriminate. Nobody does, here. It doesn't matter if I have pointy ears, or if my skin is darker than someone elses or if my parents didn't look the same. We're all Kantarii, they care for us. So we Chalak fight for them, fight to make you all see how wrong you are."
Mount of choice: These smaller Kantarii see mounts in a similar way to Humans that have embraced the Kantarii.
{Sarahavi: - Click to View}
Mount of choice: These Kantarii are incapable of riding mounts, their unique physiology ensures this.
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"When the Kantarii arrived we fought back, ofcourse we did. We didn't know any better, it wasn't the first time some foreign nation had tried to subjegate us. But the Kantarii are different, they didn't conquer us. Eventually, we converted willingly. Well, most of us."
Mount of choice: These Kantarii are incapable of riding mounts, their unique physiology ensures this.
{Notable Individuals - Click to Expand}
-- In here, place the name and a short description of any other notable individuals of this faction not previously mentioned.
-- In here, place the name and a short description of any other notable individuals of this faction not previously mentioned.
{Words of the Kantarii - Click to Expand}
Kantarii = Of Kan and Tar.
Talak = Uneducated Ones/Those who must be taught.
Shinta = Corrupt Ones/Those who destroy.
Ashak = Wise Ones/Those who teach.
Chalak = Martyr/Those who sacrifice.
Tendak = Educated Ones/Those who know the Way.
Janak = Strong Ones/Those who Solve.
Kantarii = Of Kan and Tar.
Talak = Uneducated Ones/Those who must be taught.
Shinta = Corrupt Ones/Those who destroy.
Ashak = Wise Ones/Those who teach.
Chalak = Martyr/Those who sacrifice.
Tendak = Educated Ones/Those who know the Way.
Janak = Strong Ones/Those who Solve.