Ravenseye Hoplites

History

Dispite being sworn to one of the oldest noble houses in Belkar, House Ravenshield , the Ravenseye Hoplites are a relatively new military order.

Historically the fighters of Ravenshield were focused on pirate fighting marines, called Ravens Reavers. However in 1131, a large group of bandits seized the Pass of the Sun and began extorting travelers.

Led by Duncanous Ravenshield , the ravens reavers attacked the bandit outpost, but failed to take it. Seeing the outdated tactics of these marines, Duncanous reformed the fighters to fight together as a unit, rather than as individuals and changed there armour from padded cloth gambisons to chainmail hauberks,

These changes allowed the soldiers to resist the bandit missile fire and take back the pass in 1132.

Since then the Ravenseye Hoplites have taken their positions as protector of the noble house. Since settling the newer town of Sunvale on the Southern Steppes this type of heavy infantry unit has been a formidable opponent to mounted bandits common on the plains.

Equipment

Armed with long pikes, full length chainmail hauberks, and a large hoplon shield these soldiers are drilled to fight together in masses ranks. Each soldier carries a small leaf bladed stabbing sword as a sidearm.

Organization

Commander

Tristinos Ravenshield, hier to house Ravenshield.

Stratigos

There are 3 stratigos, each commanding 100 hoplites. These commanders are typically lesser sons of the extended Ravenshield family and serve as career soldiers. They will be familiar with large scale formations such as pike wall, and schiltron. These potions as semi political means they are not excellent warriors, but instead specialize in support, logistics, and tactics.

Merkos

Small unit commanders overseeing 10 soldiers who will typically share the same tent/campsite. These soldiers are typically the strongest fighters in the corps, as they are career soldiers, and are still close enough to the front line.

These soldiers will be trained in small unit tactics such as “Brace”.

These soldiers typically guard the flanks of those under their command, making them use a handweapons to better protect the flanks.

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