Ravenseye Hoplites

Lore

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 Seeing the outdated tactics of these marines, Duncanous reformed the fighters to fight together as a unit, rather than as individuals and changed there armour from padded cloth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 ravenshield hoplites have taken thier 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.

Strength

284/300

Professionally trained and armoured, these soldiers are adequate fighters on their own, but are drilled to fight strong as a unit, braced against infantry or - more likely a heavy cavalry charge.