Post by Horsie on Jan 3, 2015 20:45:52 GMT
The Panvos are a warrior race from the south of Vellastrom who form part of the Ivos Empire.
They physically resemble warthogs.
The Panvos are allowed to keep many of their own customs and apply some of their own laws within their areas of the nation. They have a monarchy, but it does not hold direct political power anymore (so they do not present a rival to the power of Ivo). They have many ceremonial duties, and often lead Panvos warriors in battle. The Panvos see their kings as a important symbol of their race and culture, and the continuation of their traditions.
The Panvos accept the Empire, but view it with a certain resentment. They often complain about Ivos arrogance and how the Ivos think they are superior, and they often paint a rose tinted view of the time when they were an independent nation. But as a practical matter, very few would seriously suggest wanting to break away from the Empire. While the Ivos hold the lion's share of political power, it is hard to deny that overall the Panvos have benefited from great prosperity thanks to the Empire.
The Panvos worship the same pantheon of Shaldemos as the Ivos, but consider Bol and Hureston (god of nature) the most important, rather than Bol and Tahpesh. Rather than temples, Hureston's priests conduct worship in sacred groves of willow trees, which they believe are a physical connection to Shaldemos.
Panvos warriors often carry small examples of these plants in their packs, which are returned to the sacred groves on their deaths. The Panvos believe this helps bring the warrior's spirit to Shaldemos.
In war, the Panvos infantry are mostly formed into large phalanxes. Each warrior, known as a Foot Companion, carries a very long pike, that requires two hands to use. They wear some armour, including tall helmets and a small shield on one arm. The huge length of the pikes helps keep enemy troops at a distance and fix them in place. Ranks too far back to attack hold their pikes diagonally forward, so the bristle of pikes presents some extra protection from arrows raining down on the dense formation. For melee they carry large knives, to give them some defense if their formation is penetrated.
The elite infantry, known as Silver Shields, can be deployed as a phalanx or using larger swords and heavier shields to fight in a loser, more mobile formation, defending the flanks of the phalanx.
The main weapon of the Panvos are their cavalry. Panvos magic gives their riders a mystical connection to their Suss birds, allowing rider and mount to act as one. Even the Dol-Kim cannot match their skill in the saddle. Light cavalry archers, called prodomoi, harass enemy formations on their fast moving suss birds. The elite heavy cavalry are know as the Companion Cavalry, the fight using double-tipped spears (meaning when the end breaks off it can be flipped around to use again), with heavy swords as a reserve weapon.
The Companion Cavalry fight in a sophisticated diamond formation, allowing them to change direction quickly by simply switching which "corner" is the leader, without losing cohesion. The corners are considered positions of honour, often held by members of the royal house hold or given to warriors as a reward for great courage. The Companions follow the leading corner into the enemy, meaning they hit like an arrowhead, driving an edge into the enemy ranks and scattering them.
Once enemy troops are engaged with the Foot Companions, the Companion Cavalry can be brought in to crush them between the anvil of the foot and the hammer of the cavalry.
Silver Shields are generally recruited from Foot Companions for brave service, while the Companion Cavalry are members of noble families who have been trained from a young age for this role.
They physically resemble warthogs.
The Panvos are allowed to keep many of their own customs and apply some of their own laws within their areas of the nation. They have a monarchy, but it does not hold direct political power anymore (so they do not present a rival to the power of Ivo). They have many ceremonial duties, and often lead Panvos warriors in battle. The Panvos see their kings as a important symbol of their race and culture, and the continuation of their traditions.
The Panvos accept the Empire, but view it with a certain resentment. They often complain about Ivos arrogance and how the Ivos think they are superior, and they often paint a rose tinted view of the time when they were an independent nation. But as a practical matter, very few would seriously suggest wanting to break away from the Empire. While the Ivos hold the lion's share of political power, it is hard to deny that overall the Panvos have benefited from great prosperity thanks to the Empire.
The Panvos worship the same pantheon of Shaldemos as the Ivos, but consider Bol and Hureston (god of nature) the most important, rather than Bol and Tahpesh. Rather than temples, Hureston's priests conduct worship in sacred groves of willow trees, which they believe are a physical connection to Shaldemos.
Panvos warriors often carry small examples of these plants in their packs, which are returned to the sacred groves on their deaths. The Panvos believe this helps bring the warrior's spirit to Shaldemos.
In war, the Panvos infantry are mostly formed into large phalanxes. Each warrior, known as a Foot Companion, carries a very long pike, that requires two hands to use. They wear some armour, including tall helmets and a small shield on one arm. The huge length of the pikes helps keep enemy troops at a distance and fix them in place. Ranks too far back to attack hold their pikes diagonally forward, so the bristle of pikes presents some extra protection from arrows raining down on the dense formation. For melee they carry large knives, to give them some defense if their formation is penetrated.
The elite infantry, known as Silver Shields, can be deployed as a phalanx or using larger swords and heavier shields to fight in a loser, more mobile formation, defending the flanks of the phalanx.
The main weapon of the Panvos are their cavalry. Panvos magic gives their riders a mystical connection to their Suss birds, allowing rider and mount to act as one. Even the Dol-Kim cannot match their skill in the saddle. Light cavalry archers, called prodomoi, harass enemy formations on their fast moving suss birds. The elite heavy cavalry are know as the Companion Cavalry, the fight using double-tipped spears (meaning when the end breaks off it can be flipped around to use again), with heavy swords as a reserve weapon.
The Companion Cavalry fight in a sophisticated diamond formation, allowing them to change direction quickly by simply switching which "corner" is the leader, without losing cohesion. The corners are considered positions of honour, often held by members of the royal house hold or given to warriors as a reward for great courage. The Companions follow the leading corner into the enemy, meaning they hit like an arrowhead, driving an edge into the enemy ranks and scattering them.
Once enemy troops are engaged with the Foot Companions, the Companion Cavalry can be brought in to crush them between the anvil of the foot and the hammer of the cavalry.
Silver Shields are generally recruited from Foot Companions for brave service, while the Companion Cavalry are members of noble families who have been trained from a young age for this role.