[hider=Axasiri Khaganate] [b]Nation[/b] [b]Nation Name:[/b] Axasiri Khaganate [b]National Flag:[/b] The Khaganate has no official flag, but in situations where one is needed the Paiti flag is used. [img]http://www.honga.net/totalwar/rome2/images/rome2/flags/royal%20scythia/mon_256.png[/img] [b]What do you call the denizens[/b]: Foreigners usually call them Axasiri. [b]Government type:[/b] Monarchy. The Khagan rules the entire realm with the lesser Khans answering to him/her [b]Leader/Leaders:[/b] Khagan Danu-Oior Paiti [b]Ruling factions/dynasty if applicable:[/b] The Paiti clan rules the Khaganate. [b]Other Important political figures:[/b] Besides the Auchati clan, there are four other great clans ruling over the Khaganate and lesser clans. They are: -Clan Partan, ruled by Khanum Tomry -Clan Aunchini, ruled by Khan Isbarag -Clan Mazi, ruled by Khan Gazman. -Clan Drushi, ruled by Khanum Api Besides the great clans, the priesthood also has an important place in society. The appeasement of the Great Red Goddess and her children is taken very seriously and as such the priests and priestess hold considerable power within the Khaganate [b]Currency:[/b] The Khagan and a few trusted associates control all minting within the Khaganate. Coins are made of precious metals but bartering is still very popular [b]State Religion[/b]: The bulk of the Axasiri people worships the "Red Pantheon". It's based on the teachings of the Avestas (holy texts) compiled by priests and prophets over the centuries. They detail the history of the world, birth of gods and great heroes, prophecies, rituals and basic rules that must be obeyed by all. The story goes that originally the Axasiri lived further northeast. Closer to where now stands the Volcano, in this immemorial time the people worshiped Agirbamsos, the Star King and his wife Enaira, the Earth Mother Who Birthed All Things. They ruled over the early Axasiri alongside their godly kin, fighting each other as much as they did other and lesser spirits and demons. All the while the lesser races (men, satyrs, pixies and etc) grew, built, killed and died. That was the Starry Age The end of the Starry Age started with the birth of the Red Goddess, Babash Talek, who clawed her way out of Enaira's chest as a baby. The "birth" permanently weakened the Mother Goddess, bringing terrible consequences for gods and mortals. As fertility decreased, crops and newborns died by the droves and the gods themselves fought each other with increasing ferocity now that the Earth Mother was unable to mediate disputes. And while all this happened the young Babash Talek remained with her mother, gradually leeching off Enaira's strength through the nursing, thus ensuring that the Earth Mother would never recover fully. Time passed and Babash Talek grew, showing signs of great power and great ruthlessness since her early days. Eventually culminating into a drunken brawl where she killed her future husband, Darzan-Orkhani the God of Riders. Darzan's sister, Cothiur-Orkhani, goddess of herds, sought to avenge her brother and ended up flayed for her troubles. Unable to ignore Babash's transgressions anymore, Agirbamsos himself tried to rein him his daughter. And so start the God's War. Agirbamsos and his allies (most of the gods and mortals) against Babash Talek and hers (a few spirits, demons and lesser gods). The War itself is basis for hundreds of tales and stories, but in short the advantage was with the Star Lord and his host. Because no matter how powerful the Red Goddess was, her own forces were terribly outnumbered and outcommanded. Unwilling to admit defeat, Babash Talek took advantage of her mother's continued weakness of both body and mind to consume her and absorb her powers. Thus allowing her to turn the tide of the God's War and triumph. The Red Goddess then celebrated her victory by consuming the essence and spirit of Agirmbamsos, just like she and hers had done with many other gods and spirits. His body was then lit on fire and thrown to the skies, creating the sun. In this same vein, she also raised the Volcano in the site of the final battle of the God's War With the war won Babash Talek went about dividing the spoils of her victory and punishing those who stood against her. Many gods and spirits were either consumed or enslaved while entire peoples and races were exterminated for their defiance. The Axasiri were among those who switched sides halfway through the War and as such received the mercy of the Red Goddess and were merely made to leave half of their number behind as sacrifices and depart their ancestral homelands to never return. With the defeat of the Old Order, the Red Goddess organized a new pantheon with herself at its head. Standing supreme above all else and ruling with the support of five chief enforcers, who receive part of her power : -Cothiur-Kalash, the flayed one. Serving as a reminder of the Volcano's ability to break and bend the will of lesser deities, the former goddess of herds and shepherds now presides over punishment, the damned, senseless violence and the mad. Cothiur-Kalash is assisted by a host of lesser gods and spirits associated with her aspects, all whom have also shed their own skins. Criminals and outlaws are her usual sacrifice, they're flayed alive and left to die of exposure before her shrines, the bodies are then eaten and the skins used to decorate her places of worship. Some of her followers also roam the land hunting down outlaws. She's represented by a flayed woman riding a giant ram, wearing the skins of the damned. -Zelgaxis, the blue rider. God of war, he was one of the first allies of Babash Talek in the God's War and so holds a prestigious position among the enforcers. He is assisted in his duties by his many sons and daughters and other lesser spirits who make up the Heavenly Host. Every battle, skirmish and raid is like a sacrifice to him. Every warrior is also supposed to make a small sacrifice to him before going to war. It's also common for warriors to give praise and sacrifice to Zelgaxis' children. The nature and size of these sacrifice depends on the deity itself and the means of the warrior. But as a rule prisoners of war, specially renowned enemy chiefs and fighters are appreciated by Zelgaxis and his kin. His priests are warriors and sometimes hire themselves as mercenaries. While his temples are built in the fashion of fortress and keeps, fortified structures with the ability to house and supply many warriors. He is represented by a rider dressed and armored in tones and hues of blue, either shooting a composite bow or wielding a long lance, followed by the Heavenly Host. -Symbale, the artisan. God of craftsmen and artisans, he and his wife hid themselves during the God's War but were spared of Babash Talek's wrath thanks to the many gifts and promises of eternal subservience. Symbale is assisted by his family, lesser gods and spirits in his work. Crafting amazing and varied goods, most of which go to appease the Red Goddess and her wrath. Symbale's priests usually help in the organization of festivals and markets across the Khaganate and in setting up apprenticeships, along with the mediation of disputes between artisans. He abhors human sacrifice and prefers goods and food as sacrifice. Because of this his temples are usually very rich and decorated. Symbale is represented by a middle aged man, usually sitting down and crafting something, dressed in simple tunic and trousers with long hair and a braided beard, surrounded by his work assistants. -Somayama, the shepherdess. Goddess of fields and herds. Symbale's wife, she was a minor goddess of the fields who was elevated after the final death of Enaira. Receiving some of the Earth Mother's powers and being put in charge of caring for the herds and fields. Like her husband, Somayama is assisted by a host of lesser gods and spirits, whose most important deity is Ishabro, god of farmers, her firstborn. Her temples and shrines are simple and rustic. Built in the fields and woods, usually far from cities or in the outskirts at best. Her priests usually roam the fields and stay away from major cities. Their duties are to make the necessary rituals to ensure fertility of fields and herds, in the same vein they may also take the field themselves to work alongside farmers and shepherds. Somayama prefers the fruits of the land as sacrifices: animals, fruits and vegetables. Somayama is represented by a middle aged woman with braided hair, dressed simply and half covered by a cloak, holding a staff and riding a small pony. Besides their aforementioned duties, Symbale and Somayama also preside over family and hearth when together. Most houses have small shrines for the couple and their children. While newlyweds must also provide sacrifices for both deities during the wedding feast. -Manurta, the speaker. God of merchants, speakers and enforcer of Babash Talek's laws, Manurta convinced several gods, spirits and peoples to switch sides during the God's War and as such received the duty of enforcing her laws and the position of protector of merchants. His priests usually work closely with those of Symbale in organizing festivals and markets. While Manurta's temples are as a rule built near or inside the markets themselves, or the markets are built around them. His priests also have the authority to mediate almost every kind of dispute, the Manurtian priests also have a permanent saying in the decisions of the clan rings. Sacrifices are varied and Manurta accepts anything ranging from gold to human flesh if offered with the proper rituals. And though his priests like to say that justice and obedience are the best kind sacrifice and praise, both sides of any dispute are still expected to make small sacrifices to the temple as thanks for their mediation, even if you end up losing the dispute. Manurta is represented by a man wearing a felt coat over a silk tunic and long trousers. He also wears many jewels and rings. And of course, above the five enforcers stands Babash Talek, the Red Goddess, whose physical presence is the Volcano. According to the Avestas, she also consumed the aspects of her parents and many other gods she consumed during the war. As such she is the goddess of fire, rulership, life and a host of other lesser aspects of life. Her temples are as a rule the most artfully built and sumptuous. With only the temples of Symbale holding more treasure, and even then Symbale's priests must also redirect a good portion of their offerings to the Red Temples. She prefers human and horse sacrifice, with the subject being burnt and ritually eaten by the worshipers after the act. Babash Talek is represented by a tall and strong woman with blackened and cracked skin, red eyes and burning hair and hands. Either wearing fine silken clothing or a elaborate scale armor, usually sitting on a throne of skulls on fire. Besides the Red Goddess and her enforcers the Red Pantheon is filled with lesser gods and spirits. According to the Avestas these are merely the survivors of the God's War, those who either sides with the Red Goddess or were insignificant enough to escape punishment. They represent a host of aspects, ideas and places and usually are under the authority of one of the enforcers or the Red Goddess herself, depending on what their power is. These lesser gods are worshiped in shrines built within the limits of their "superior's" temples. Such as the shrines of Ishbaro in the temples of Somayama. It's also believed that some spirits inhabit the land, dwelling in rivers, woods, fields and mountains, outside of the Pantheon's direct oversight and control. Regular offerings must be made to appease the spirit of the area whenever humans wish to trespass or exploit the spirit's home. And finally, priests of all major and minor deities make extensive use of drinks brewed from blood, milk, honey and an array of hallucinogenic substances in their ceremonies. [b]Demographics and Geography[/b] [b]World map location:[/b] [b]Interior map:[/b] [b]Major cities[/b] Each major Clan rules over at least one major market city. Karablagasun and Ohrid (Clan Paiti). Arzhan (Clan Partan). Eztyzergon and Bishgar (Clan Mazi). Plerja (Clan Drushi). Ordung (Clan Aunchini). There are other large fortified settlements within the Khaganate, but these are more seasonal in their occupation. Staying half empty during most of the year and swelling temporally for festivals, musters, war refugees or trade. [b]Major military installments[/b]: As a rule, most clans don't have the resources nor the will to build fortifications within their grazing lands. Only the great clans have the resources to build fortresses within the Khaganate, most of those are concentrated along the northern coast. OOC: I will get into more detail once I work out the internal map [b]Important locations and buildings[/b]: [b]Capital[/b]: Karablagasun. [b]Population:[/b] 233 700 [b]Race and Ethnic demographic:[/b] The bulk human population of the Khaganate is made of the Axasiri ethnicity. They correspond to roughly 85% of the total population, contemporary Axasiri are actually a mix of the original conquerors and the now extinguished native populatio [IMG]http://pre03.deviantart.net/6544/th/pre/i/2015/153/8/9/scythian_noble_iv_by_residentsmooth-d8vrhw2.jpg[/IMG] [I]An Axasiri nobleman. Original by deWitteillustration on DA.[/I] Besides humans, the remaining 15% of the Khaganate's population is composed of pixies and satyrs. A leftover of the potentates that ruled the area before the arrival of the Axasiri. These non-humans have long been assimilated into mainstream society bar a few isolated communities. Their relationship with the human population depends to the Clan they belong, some treat them as the second-class citizens while in others the non-humans are treated as equals. [b]Economy(how well is it?)[/b]: The economy is stable if not prosperous. The pastoral way of life still holds a vital part within the economic structure of the Khaganate. But the growing urbanization of the Axasiri peoples is causing an increase in importance of agriculture, mining and crafting. This developing relationship between settled and nomad lifestyles has had the unintended consequence of lessening the Axasiri's dependence of neighboring sedentary peoples. Which has changed the way that the Axasiri deal with their neighbors. For now they now have more goods to offer while also being less dependent on sedentary tributaries and vassals. As a result, trade has increased with friendly polities while the efforts of raiders have been redirected to either more mercenary work or attacks against unfriendly neighbors. Taxes are usually levied by each Clan from their own members. Part of these taxes are then passed to their hierarchic superiors, culminating with the four Great Clans paying tribute to the Khagan. Each Clan is free to set its own tax rate, that is paid either in goods, coin, animals or services. [b]Wealth balance:[/b] In the nomadic clans, even the poorest family still owns at least a small herd and a wagon, while the richest nobles can boast several hundreds of animals and dozens of wagons to their name. Among the settled clans the situation is similar, as most of the farmers work their own fields while the richest clansmen hire their help to til their own larger properties. [b]Major exports:[/b] Mercenaries, horses and assorted supplies, metalwork, cannabis ? Will need to work out with neighbors [b]Major Imports[/b]: Wine, parchment, ? [b]Staple agricultural crops[/b]: Wheat, potato, millet. [b]Trade partners:[/b] LordZell's nation. [b]Culture[/b] [b]Religion demographics:[/b] The Red Pantheon is by far the most widespread religion within the Khaganate [b]Religious heads:[/b] High Priestess Teush-Saraska is the head of the Babash Talek's temple in Karablagasun and a such the most important priestess of the cult. But more in a first among equals situation rather than true codified hierarchy. The same applies for the high priests and priestess of the temples of the five enforcers in Karablagasun. [b]Popular opinion on the volcano:[/b] The awesome Red Goddess! Spare us of your wrath! [b]Popular opinion on wars:[/b] A vital part of life that can't be avoided so we might as well be good at it. [b]Popular opinion on magic:[/b] The gifts that the Red Goddess bestow upon those who may serve her better. [b]Popular opinion on religion:[/b] We live at the mercy of the Red Goddess, she and her enforcers must be appeased so that the world may continue. [b]Popular opinion on the Aristocracy:[/b] Leadership is important of course, but the chieftains must also prove themselves worthy of leading. [b]Pauper opinion on the Government:[/b] See above. [b]Popular opinion on foreigners:[/b] We prefer to deal with those who give proper praise and worship to the Red Goddess. But it won't stop us from attacking them if the chance appears or treating with heathens and faithless infidels if we can't destroy them. [b]Popular opinion on other cultures:[/b] We prefer those who respect strength and do not submit to the weak and unworthy. [b]Cultural name for the Volcano:[/b] Babash Talek [b]A look into the unique culture:[/b] First, we should speak about the importance of oaths and agreements in Axasiri society. When one gives his word or makes an agreement, specially with a blood oath, it's expected that this person will honor his or her part of the deal. Oathbreakers are despised almost as much as kinslayers. The importance of oaths also influences directly the way Axasiri are ruled. Clans, tribes and even the Khaganate itself work only as long as the people feel that their leaders are doing their part of the "social contract". For in exchange of their loyalty, services and taxes, the people expect their leaders to rule with strength and justice, respecting the will of the Red Goddess and the values of the Axasiri people. The perception of weakness, indecisiveness, impiety or unfairness has broken many chieftains, khans and warchiefs in the past. Which bring us to another pillar of Axasiri worldview: family and clans. For while the Axasiri may boast their individual strength and resourcefulness, the nomads still see the need of working together to overcome the challenges of life. In the lowest level this is represented by the immediate family; a husband and wife working as equals to raise and provide for their children. More often than not unmarried siblings to the family chiefs are also included in this group, if their own parents are deceased, and in this case they're treated in the same way as children. With the older brother/sister in charge of helping them arrange a marriage and start their own family. Marriage can happen in several forms. In older days before the clans started settling in the land, kidnapping from nearby clans was a very popular way of getting a husband or wife. This practice is still popular among the nomadic clans, though it's been steadily been gaining a ritualized aura as some couples start treating it as merely another part of the ceremony. Besides kidnapping, the Axasiri may also simply take the simpler route and court the desired match. Skill at arms and at the saddle are valued by both sexes, same with a valorous and pious reputation. If applicable, spoils of war, horses or crafted goods are presented to the families and priests of Symbale and Samoyama are called to rule whether or not the union would be fruitful. And if everything goes well the happy couple will wed during the festivals to Symbale and Samoyama in collective ceremonies alongside other couples of the city/village/clan. It is vital that these dates are respected as the Avestas clearly dictate that marriages in other dates will not receive the blessing of the gods. For the nobility conditions are similar, though more often than not political considerations also influence the process. Above the immediate family there is the clan. As far as the Axasiri are concerned, everyone within the same clan is considered part of the same extended family. And as such killing your fellow clansman is considered kinslaying. A way to circumvent this ban is through outlawing, if a clansman commits some serious crime or sacrilege, like kinslaying or stealing from a shrine, he or she will be outlawed. An outlaw has no clan and should be hunted down and killed by his former clanfolk. It should be noted however, that outlaws may escape this fate if they manage to be accepted in another clan. As a matter of fact, clan Drushi is renowned among the Great Clans for rehabilitating outlaws. It also should be noted that not all clans are equals. The Khaganate itself recognizes the prestige and power of the five Great Clans, the most powerful of which rules the others. These Great Clans hold the loyalty of lesser clans. In exchange of protection these lesser clans provide tribute to their superiors. And it's not unheard of lesser clans switching places with their supposed masters, Clan Mazi for example rose to prominence in the last century after the decline of Clan Yuzhi. As expected of a semi-nomadic people, herds and horses occupy a vital part in Axasiri culture. Even in the settled groups horse-ridding skills and pastoral lifestyle are still greatly respected. The cavalry in general, still makes up a very important part of the Axasiri war machine, despite the growing prominence of infantry forces levied from the settled peoples. Axasiri costume in general is unisex and consists of padded and quilted leather trousers tucked into boots, high flapped caps topped with animal figurines and open, long-sleeved tunics. Clothing is sewn from plain-weave wool, hemp cloth, silk fabrics, felt, leather and hides. Cannabis is also used for smoke baths. Both sexes also wear coats of many varieties, from fur to felt. The most popular being a long riding coat known as Kantus. [img]http://ukrmap.su/program2009/uh7/7_03/165_resize.jpg[/img] [img]http://ukrmap.su/program2009/uh7/7_03/146_resize.jpg[/img] [i]Axasiri commoners[/i] Women wear a variety of different headdresses, some conical in shape others more like flattened cylinders, also adorned with metal (golden) plaques. Men and women warriors wear variations of long and shorter boots, wool-leather-felt gaiter-boots and moccasin-like shoes. They're either of a laced or simple slip on type. Women also wear soft shoes with metal plaques. Belts are also widely used by all. Warrior belts are made of leather, often with gold or other metal adornments and have many attached leather thongs for fastening of the owner's gorytos, sword, whet stone, whip etc. Belts are fastened with metal or horn belt-hooks, leather thongs and metal (often golden) or horn belt-plates. The clothing of the nobility is similar to those of low birth. The difference being that in general their clothing tends to be more richly decorated with gold plaques and appliques. Noblewomen and those of settled communities also tend to wear long, loose robes, ornamented with metal plaques (gold) and shawls, often richly decorated with metal (golden) plaques. In this same vein nobles also tend to wear lots of jewelry. To show their wealth and martial prowess as the gold that paid for them was probably earned through looting. [img]http://ukrmap.su/program2009/uh7/7_03/145_resize.jpg[/img] [img]http://ukrmap.su/program2009/uh7/7_03/163_resize.jpg[/img] [i]Axasiri nobles[/i] Tattoos are also important for the Axasiri, both as a sign of status and allegiance. Each clan has a different tattoo to identify its members while nobles and warriors tattoo their bodies to represent their status and wealth. Stylized animals, hunters and combat scenes are the most common motifs. [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/43/81/8d/43818d9467cd3c12850dc2c61505c181.jpg[/img] [i]Axasiri Tattos[/i] Besides gold and tattoos, nobles and warriors (which frankly are pretty much the same thing in the Khaganate) also use like to fashion their enemies into pieces of status. Cloaks and accessories made of human skin, scalps fashioned into napkins and cups made out of human skulls are also used to show off the martial prowess of the owner. Speaking of martial prowess, the Axasiri place a high value on warriors. Nobles are expected to take up arms regularly either in wars, raids or simple training while also maintaining a powerful retinue of followers, armed, paid and trained by the noble in question, every member of this retinue is also considered part of the "lower" nobility. For the nomad groups this is even more apparent as nearly every member of a nomadic clan is expected to be able to ride and fight. Warriors that gain enough renown and spoils may be taken into a noble's retinue or even gain the leave to start his own clan. The martial culture of the Axasiri also places great emphasis on hunting and sports. As these activities are seen as ways to better the abilities of the warriors outside of the battlefield. Equestrian sports, archery and wrestling are valued among both nomad and sedentary populations. And major cities can count with large cleared areas just outside the walls for warriors to train and for competitions to be held. The Axasiri are in general a pious people, the faith of the Red Pantheon is powerful and respected within the Khaganate. Priests are always part of clan rings and ruling councils while religious festivals are great undertakings, with different clans competing to outdo each other in scale every year. Crimes committed during festival time are considered specially heinous and the punishment for then is tenfold. In the same vein, Axasiri usually make offerings and visit temples and priests before undergoing important endeavors, such as merchant trips, marriages, or going to war. The diet of the Axasiri is still based on their nomadic lifestyle, meat and fermented milk are staples of even the sedentary populations. Though in recent years grains have steadily becoming more and more prevalent in the diet of the Axasiri thanks to the increasing sedentarisation of the clans. Wine is not produced within the Khaganate and its expensive to import, making it a delicacy reserved for the nobility and successful raiders. So instead of wine most Axasiri drink the haoma, a mix of herbs, fermented milk and blood said to have healing properties. [b]Cultural history:[/b] The Axasiri started as loosely organized tribal federations, fighting each other as they migrated in search of better pastures. Tribal organization increased as the Axasiri met more powerful foes, forcing them to refine their social structure. The harshness and challenges of nomadic life have made the Axasiri adopt an aggressive worldview, creating a warlike culture that persists even as they settle down thanks, to the continued host of different enemies they face externally and internally. Material culture was influenced by whatever resources were available to the Axasiri, and as such leather, wool, bone and other animal products make up a large part of it. Now that the Axasiri are settling in however, the increased availabiility of other resources is making its presence known among the artisans and craftsmen. [b]Notable figures:[/b] Khagan Szegz-Orban, the first Khagan of the Axasiri, he led the horde against -Bilbo's nation- in the war that eventually placed the region under Axasiri control. High Priest Bayun, the man who first compiled the Avestas, centuries ago Khanum Spazyga Gurish, a ferocious general who fought against -LordZell's nation- several times. Known for having several cloaks made of human skin. Priestess Ziribdes, a Symbalian priestess with amazing jewel-crafting abilities. it's said that her skill was so great that she ascended to the ranks of Symbale's assistants. Artarb the red, a Drushi warrior who is said to have raided the four corners of the world. [b]Military and History[/b] [b]Type of Military:[/b]: -The Khagan and the nobility maintain a standing army of paid retinues. Warriors paid, armed and trained by the nobility to follow them into battle. In times of war this force is further bolstered by levies raised from the wider population. [b]Unit demographics:[/b] -The cavalry retinue troops are the cream of the Khaganate's army. Skilled in horse ridding, archery, melee combat and even used as foot soldiers if needed, these troops are well armored in scales and armed. Every one of them is armed with a composite bow and barbed arrows alongside a 3 meter long spear for charging , their other weapons include swords, throwing spears, axes, maces and clubs. The richest of the nobles can even afford to armor their horses. [img]http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/71248569169118211/52677693B82955B7DF4BFAB97E5CB7667C803254/[/img] [i]Example of retinue cavalry[/i] 30 000 Retinue cavalry -The infantry retinue troops are similar, the difference being that these retinues are raised by those khans of settled tribes and clans. As of now they still aren't a large presence in Axasiri armies since many settled groups still maintain a equestrian tradition. Nevertheless, these infatrymen are the best melee infantry the Khaganate can offer. [img]https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSRjY3FT2KI97vDTOy0x_o2_bx2qf86eo7AlXjLYpAPMwvCfBeBUAJNR_V5tA[/img] [i]Retinue troops[/i] 15 000 Retinue infantry -The Khaganate levies are quite varied, drawn from both settled and nomad tribes who provide both cavalry and infantry forces. The levied cavalry fights in the traditional nomad fashion, a bulk of light cavalry wielding composite bows harass the enemy until an opening can be exploited by the heavier armored lancers. [img]https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQlviLLsnjcOhIdGvZ3zvFqfctXf696pw1Ih6sQukt5oxM2jNIfK1LjjIba[/img] [i]Levy horse archers[/i] 46 000 Levied cavalry -Levied infantry is mostly composed of light infantry and skirmishers, archers being prevalent. Their armor ranges from quilted coats, linen cuirasses and some wealthier tribesmen who can afford scale armor, either bronze or iron. Weapons consist of composite bows and barbed arrows for the archers and wicker or wood shields along with spears and axes for the melee infantry. [img]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQmhOHFQ9fjESah1QG0h2XaGaqUvb6ZsTUH4ppF861zaC-ExAurXQ[/img] [i]Levy archer[/i] 25 000 Levied Infantry [b]Notable figures:[/b] The Khagan is officially the Warmaster of the realm, with the other lesser Khans as his deputies. There are also a number of tribal champions and Zelgaxis's warrior priests that march with the army [b]Past wars and notable events:[/b] [b]Past conflicts with other nations: [/b] Several wars with LordZell's and Bilbo's nations [b]Current conflicts and wars:[/b] None [b]Other:[/b] Axasiri tribes are known for using poisoned arrows in battle. [b]Artifacts and famous enchantments:[/b] The Bow of Agyda - A gold-plated composite bow supposedly belonging to Agyda-Chtarrg, an ancient high priest of Kothiur-Kalash. The Golden Girdle - A golden girdle that supposedly was made by Symbale himself. The Flaming Lance of Zelgaxis - A cavalry lance carved with fire motifs, it was used by Khanum Spazyga The Red Goddess' Mask - A golden mask fashioned in the likeness of Babash Talek [b]Anything else we should all know:[/b][/hider]