Akroan Horse

In modern times, the polis of Akros is at peace with the rest of Theros, content to provide for the common defense of civilization against the outside forces that threaten it. But in the past, only shortly after humans reclaimed the plane from the archons, the poleis fought bitter wars against each other. Even now, small skirmishes aren't uncommon, but few get to the point of rolling out siege engines. When the use of siege engines was common, Meletis had the most dangerous, weapons of mass death designed by its brilliant engineers. But the most infamous siege engine was by far the one and only Akroan Horse.   Gifts of War Over 300 yeas ago, Akros was flung into a war against the lost polis of Troia, a military power that was almost Akros' equal. Caught in a tangle of alliances, their hands forced by fate, these two giants were thrown against each other. The soldiers of Akros spent three years in an unsuccessful siege against Troia, finally broken when a cunning mercenary of Meletis presented a plan to the Akroan king. Across the sea, a construct was assembled, an enormous horse made from polished brass and capable of its own independent movement.   When it was finished, the horse was shipped across the sea and brought round the gates of Troia, as the soldiers of Akros retreated around the coast. There the horse was left, unguarded but for a single scout, who delivered a message to the Troian defenders- Akros had relented, given up in the face of Troia's unbreakable walls, and returned home. In honor of Troia's superior military might, Akros had left this gift, a self-moving construct as strong as Troia's defenses.   Unending Tides Ecstatic at their victory, and overjoyed to finally be free of the siege, the Troian soldiers tortured the scout to ensure he wasn't lying. When they found no evidence of deceit, they brought the horse into their gates and began to celebrate their victory. That same night, as Toria slept off the results of its victory celebration, Akroan soldiers sprung from the interior of the Akroan Horse.   Troain citizens and soldiers alike were killed, and Troia musted what defense it could. But though they managed to ready for battle, more and more Akroan soldiers poured from the horse, in superior numbers to the Torian army. Inside the Akroan Horse's belly was hidden a magic gate, a one-way magical trip for the entirety of the Akroan forces straight into Troia. The Akroan Horse itself turned against the Troian people, moving about the polis, crushing buildings underfoot as it birthed hundreds of soldiers. The city was burned, its people killed, and Akros and its allied won the war.   Today, the Akroan Horse sits on the ground of the royal palace, well maintained so that its polished brass still glows in the sun. Though it is only used a few times each year, in training exercises and Akroan parades, its importance to the people of Akros remains undiminished.