3. The History of the Phalanx

The History of the Phalanx


  • Akanaxan

    In Chessenta, the word is synonymous with warrior.

    The great walled town of Akanax is more a military base then a true city; the people of the city pride themselves on this fact. So much do they care about physical and martial strength that any child born too small, sickly, or weak is taken to the peaks of The Maerthwatch and left to die. Such a child is viewed as punishment upon the parents being metted out by Assuran, and that the leaving of the child absolved them of whatever past crime merited such to happen so that they may have another that would be worthy of Akanax.

    Every male, from the time they could stand and walk, were already thrust into training. Boxing and swordplay were the sports of young children instead of tag or hide and seek. Tactics and the words of gods such as Assuran and Red Knight were their teachings in place of history and math. Almost all boys are enrolled in one of the three main military boarding schools within the city, preparing their body and mind for the rigors that would come later. While the Cimbarian to the north studied philosophy and art alongside their martial arts the Akanaxans cared only for war, and it showed on the battlefield.

    At the age of fifteen every boy is conscribed into the military for a year of basic military training and teachings before serving in the constant wars of the lands. Those that refused at that initial conscription forfeit their freedom and their family name and are forced to serve under King Hippartes as manual labor to maintain the city and the armies. Those that refuse however were luckier than those who deserted. No act, save treason, was seen as more dishonorable than desertion, and all those that did such act are sentenced to the lions pit where they would meet their doom.

    At sixteen the boys begin their years of military service. They are be given rudimentary arms and armor and would remain near the city. At this point they’re charged with aiding in the defense of the city from the orcs, lizards, and goblins that prowled the land along with any other beasts that might. Their first year of service is without pay, for an Akanaxan Soilder must learn that they fight not for themselves but for their city and for the gods. They are not given a rank, as they must learn to be humble, aware of their meager talent compared to those of standing in the military, yet also to thirst to take a place beside them.

    At seventeen the men officially become privates in the Akanaxan Army. Defense of the city is still their mainstay, though occasionally in times of great strife they will be called up for further aid in the war. They are fitted with lighter, more varied armor to better fit them, and given well made weapons. During this year they are allowed no blessings of healing from the chaplains. This is done to teach the privates that coming back with a wound is a battle scar showing that you lived through the day. That to fear pain, to fear injury, to fear death will cause you to not fight with the entirety of your being and with complete focus. To an Akanaxan, lack of focus in battle is one of the gravest sins a warrior can perform in the fray. It is this year that in Akanaxan Law a male of the city officially becomes a man.

    At eighteen the men begin their first official campaigns across the land. They are sent to the front lines of any particular conflicts that ignite between the Great Alliance, of Cimbar and Akanax, and the Triad of Airspur, Soorenar, and Luthcheq. It is at this point, the soilders who show the greatest promise and skill at arms are pulled from the ranks to be honored with becoming the penultimate Akanaxan warriors, the Spearmen of Akanax.

    My cloak is for warmth : I fear no cold.
    My shield is for protection : I fear no blade
    My helm is for honor : I charge forth into glory!
    My spear is for vengence : may it strike down my foes!

    The original Spearmen of Akanax was said to be a decendant of Tchazzar and carried his blood through his veins; a claim many believed to be true when they saw the strange red glint his skin would at times give in the right lighting. He detested armor, finding it cumbersome and irritating to his skin, and prefered to fight bare of it. Legends tell that he became so skilled in such a style that his very body would seem to turn away blows. he instilled this same fighting style and mentallity into his hand selected troops, and thus the tradition of the Spearmen's armor began.

    It is said that in death, he sits beside his father, watching over Chessenta. Spearmen who it is believed he deems as worthy and true to his ideals have bene known to be granted visions of him, leading them to perform a great quest/hunt/battle/whatever with the reward at the end being to gain such protections as he once knew


  • The Chessentan Pantheon

    Chessentans, as most habitants of Faeruhn, follow a variety of gods. Though most gods have at least some followers in Chessenta, a limited few have a particular presence in Chessenta. Together with a variety of lesser, hero-deities, they make up the Chessentan pantheon. Worship of these deities is generally the same as it is everywhere else, though historical evolution (such as the Untheric occupation) and regional culture has led to a number of minor differences in practice and interpretation.

    Assuran
    Known in the west as Hoar, the Lord of Three Thunders is a powerful deity in Chessenta, especially in the city of Akanax. Many soldiers and officers revere Assuran as an honourable yet driven wardeity, and the Assuran clergy serve many cities as harsh but fair magistrates.

    Lathander
    Considered by many Chessentans to be the leader of the Chessentan pantheon, Lathander has a powerful presence in the various cities and settlements of Chessenta. As Chessentan priests of Lathander focus on the dogma of self-perfection of mind and body, and balance between restraint action and indulgence of good things, Lathander's faith is particularly strong in the city of Cimbar. Chessentan clergy of Lathander commonly maintain arenas, where wrestling and athletics competitions are held almost daily.

    Sune
    In Chessenta, Sune is worshipped as she is everywhere else, as a deity of love and the patron of the arts. Akanaxans tend to (publically) frown on the frivolous debauchery of many of its clergy, and Cimbaran clergy of Sune commonly teach aesthetics and arts to young artists and nobles, rather than preach of the virtues and mysteries of love.

    Eldath
    The god of healing and herbalism, Eldath is worshipped by healers across Chessenta. Stepping away from the god's druidic nature, towards a more scientific approach to medicine, Chessentan Eldathyn still commonly take vows of peace and non-violence, holding true to the deity's dogma of peace and tranquility. In the militaristic city of Akanax, Eldathyn commonly serve in the army as everyone else does, scouring around battlefields to treat those too wounded to fight on, and ending the pain of those beyond healing.

    Tchazzar
    The most notable hero-deity, Tchazzar is venerated by Chessentans as teh greatest Warhero of all, who had carved a path of conquest deep into the Untheric empire. The clergy of Assuran commonly preach Tchazzar was favored by Assuran, as he freed the Chessentan people from years of oppression at the hands of Unther, uniting the city-states together and leading the army to strike back at the invading empire. Ever since Tchazzar disappeared, the Chessentan city-states have fought over which city is the rightful "capital" of Chessenta, as they fought over just about everything else. The worship of Tchazzar is strong in Cimbar, but unknown outside of Chessenta.

    Chauntea
    The worship of Chauntea in Chessenta, revolves around farming, domestication and the hunt, rather than the mystical approach to nature. Commonly worshipped by the lower-classes, the church of Chauntea is popular throughout Chessenta, and she is often revered as the nurturing mother of Chessenta.

    Red Knight
    More than a deity of strategy and tactics, the Red Knight is worshipped as a deity of thought and reason, which gives her a central role in the city of Cimbar, as much of the local nobility venerates the Red Knight as their primary deity. The church of the Red Knight in Chessenta promotes self-perfection of body and intellect. They preach that every citizen should be knowledgeable of culture and philosophy, as well as the arts, as well as being physically strong, disciplined and a capable warriors. This has led the church of the Red Knight to be on good terms with those of Lathander and Sune.

    Sharess
    In a nation where hedonism is not just a concept, but a concrete philosophical belief, Sharess obviously has a strong presence. Widely known to be an indulgent and passionate people (Chessentans would say they live each day as it should be lived), the worship of Sharess might just be stronger in Chessenta than it is anywhere else.

    Gond
    The god of smiths and inventors, Gond has his place in the pantheon. A quiet and inventive deity who prefers to avoid conflicts altogether, and favors all sides equally, his clergy are often called on to settle disputes, especially when it comes to a matter of faith and beliefs.

    Umberlee
    Worshipped by sailors and fishermen, Umberlee is appeased in hopes of returning home with a net full of fish when the day is over. The Bay of Chessenta is a dangerous area to sail, full of undercurrents, fog and steep cliffs. It is believed that Umberlee protects Chessenta from invasion from the north, across the sea, but only does so as long as she is properly appeased.

    Shaundakul
    The god of messengers and travellers, it is with some chagrin and sometimes outright hostility, that Waukeenar travelling to Chessenta quickly note that Shaundakul is also venerated as the god of trade. The church of Waukeen makes a continuous effort to change this belief, but the worship of Shaundakul is among the oldest in Chessenta, and old ways die slow, especially in conservative Chessenta.


  • [Edit : Work in progress]
    The founding of the Phalanx

    Following the teachings of the original spearmen set down through generations, The Akanaxan army founded the spearmen of akanax ; Elite, hand picked numbers of men and (very rarely) women chosen to represent the city state of Akanax as the finest warriors it has to offer. Bred for strength an endurance, these men and women are usually the first to arrive at a battlefield due to being able to move faster than their armoured counterparts and the last to leave. Able to stand their ground and endure far more, they have something of a reputation for their utter refusal to surrender, whatever the odds.

    Formed originally by Heruzztos the Crimson, rumoured to be one of the sons of Tchazzar, it was said that he carried his blood through his veins as both a boon and a curse ; a claim that many say to be true after witnessing the reddish tint and hardened skin when the rays of sun glinted down against his body at the right angles.

    It was said that Heruzztos detested armour, finding it cumbersome and often irritable to his sensitive skin and that he preferred to fight without any armour whatsoever. Legends speak of how he had honed his abilities to the point where his very body turned away blows as if he wore armour. Aware that he was just one man, he set out to create the first spearman phalanx, instilling his teachings into a few hand picked warriors from Akanax. From these few chosen men, The tradition of the spearman was born.

    Years later, after his death, it was believed that he sat with his father, Tchazzar and watched over Chessenta and Akanax especially, following the progress of the spearmen and reveling in their battles. It is believed that through following the teachings of their descendant, a favoured spearman may receive the blessing of Herzuzztos in the form of a vision that leads them to the sight of a great battle or a hunt in the never-ending desire for glory in battle.

    It is said the few that have received such a vision and triumphed have received insight into the style of combat and protection that Herzuzztos himself perfected.

    Generations past, the spearmen of Akanax still stand strong, having earned their place in the Military as the finest warriors that the city has to offer. Staying true to the original teachings, after spearmen are inducted from groups of younger boys, they are slowly taught what it means to be a spearman and the responsibility granted to them as men and warriors.

    The code of the spear, taught to all those joining the phalanx is a simple, yet honoured one ;

    My cloak is for warmth : I fear no cold.
    Dating back to the time of Heruzztos, having been rumoured to carry a reddish tint to his skin, the cloak of an Akanaxan spearman is usually dyed red in honour of their founding father. Made from the skin of lizardmen and were-crocodiles from the Adder swamp, The skin of the lizard-kin are used to create the main portion of their cloak, and stitched to it is a soft, yet thick and durable red fabric. The cloak is made long, and clasps along the inside are added.

    When worn while walking, the cloaks bottom is clasped partway up itself, securing it tightly and allowing it to give warmth to the wearer. When unfolded, it can be wrapped fully around a Spearmen to be used as a means to sleep shortly between battles in the wild. the lizard-skin provides resistance to the elements, the natural oils of it causing the chill of rain not to penetrate through, making it ideal for even the most harsh of environments.

    Held as the second trial a spearman must face when he joins the phalanx, after facing and slaying a beast for the hair of his helm, it is written that a spearman must journey on alone to face the lizard-kin in the adder swamp and return with the hide for his cloak. Only then is he accepted as a true warrior of Akanax.

    The fourth and continuing trial that all spearmen must follow at all times is that of endurance. This trial consists of wearing nothing except the akanaxan leather stringed bodice and bearing the elements, however they may come. It is said through this trial, the Akanaxans learn to endure the pains of battle, allowing them to stand longer and fight on, even when their wounds should rightly kill them.

    My shield is for protection : I fear no blade
    The bronze round shield has been used in the akanaxan army for generations since it's initial forging. Designed to be lighter than a towershield and still provide ample protection in combat, the bronze shield was realized.

    More than a simple shield though, it encompasses everything that is honourable and protective about the spearman. In battle, it is often not just the spearman that the shield protects, it is his brothers around him as well. If the shield were lost, it would endanger not only him, but his brothers in the phalanx as well. As such, the spearmen are taught to always return with their shield, or on their shield.

    To lose your shield suggests you threw it at the enemy and fled, abandoning your brothers to save your own life ; an intolerable disgrace in the eyes of the Akanax and one that is usually punished with swift death.

    My helm is for honor : I charge forth into glory!
    The first trial that all spearmen must undergo is the gathering of animal hairs and hide for the plumes of their helm. The choice of animal is usually left to the spearman and when he undertakes this quest, it is done as an individual with no other help from his brothers. It is on this first step, that the spearman proves his worth in battle, that he is worthy of being held high as one of the few.

    Great cats are usually chosen as the finest prey on offer for a spearman and for their resilient hides, making for a fine plume that speaks of the honour of the man. Once the helm has been created, it is not removed in battle.

    Known for their ferocity in battle, an akanaxan spearman will never surrender to his enemies while he still draws breath, nor kneel and remove his helm. To do so would be a show of subservience, a great dishonour on the spearman's name and his family.

    My spear is for vengeance : may it strike down my foes!
    Many spearmen are known to bless Assuran in the midst of battle to guide their spears against their enemies in vengeance for their fallen brothers. It is said when a spearman is about to die in battle, they are blessed with a vision of a great battle by Assuran and it is said this battle carries them forth into glory, a spearman so taken by this vision abandons all fear and doubt, charging fearlessly forward into battle to cut down the enemies of the past and die gloriously


  • Cimbaran

    In Chessenta, the word is synonymous with thinker.

    Cimbar, the city of scrolls. All Cimbarans, even slaves, are required by law to learn to read and write, as knowledge and reason are considered to be great virtues to all men and women. A highly structured city where everyone born immediately knows his place. From the king at the summit, to the nobles, to the scribes, lorekeepers and wizards, to merchants, to workers, and finally slaves. Where Akanax is a city of the Whole and Brotherhood, Cimbar is the city of the Self and Family. Every Cimbaran strives for perfection as much as he can attain it, and strives to bring honour to himself and his family. With a rigid system of laws and government, and a philosophical knowledge vast enough to eclipse lesser nations, Cimbar considers itself to be the most "civilized" and advanced city in the east of Faeruhn, a claim that few could argue with.

    Where Akanax has a harsh tradition that breeds the finest warriors in Chessenta, the Cimbaran soldiers are not without their qualities. Many noble men join the Academy, and become well-educated soldiers and officers in their own right. Equipped with the finest weapons and armor, and knowledgeable of centuries of recorded tactics and strategies, Cimbaran Nobles make up for the backbone of the military, on foot and horseback, supported by the massive Cimbaran fleet, veteran Toxotes archers and Peltast light infantry.