Emerald Hawks

INTRODUCTION

In the golden age of the Ithrium Empire, the political, economic, and agricultural societies in the southern part of Min'usu'une thrived. A great portion of this was due to the might of the Ithrium military, in large part due to the incredible and unbeatable cavalry force that followed a military figure known only as the Jade General. Credit to ending four differed wars single handedly is given to these invincible horse warriors. Many suggest they could have overthrown the entire Ithrium empire if they had wished, but only the most devout warriors of the Emperor were given the honor of becoming a Jade Warrior.

THE BIRTH OF THE JADE WARRIORS

In 2166, only six decades after the birth of the Ithrium Empire, Lord Irrien, a duke of ancient Saelmere, was tasked with putting together an elite force to content with the Archian Infantry, a massive elite force of spearmen numbering in the tens of thousands. Irrien gathered four hundred warriors, mostly rangers and hunters from modern day Dusswik, and convinced them to join the Ithrium empire with the promise of Battlewrath Emeralds. Since Ithrium was not rich at this point, they forged what emeralds they had into armor and helmets for the four hundred footsoldiers, now known as the night hawks. In the Legendary Battle against East Tsonlar in 2178 3p, the Ithrium Empire's army was routed by the Tsondalian warriors and fled back toward the Ingerford River. Irrien and his four hundred night hawks were sent in to a nearby valley to cover their retreat. In the dead of night, the night hawks found themselves completely surrounded by thirteen thousand Tsondalian footsoldiers. Although outnumbered, the night hawks were superiorly armored and weaponed, and Irrien had confidence in his force. For half a dozen days, the meager force threw back the entire army, giving the routed Ithrium troops to recover and resupply at the Ingerford River. Although inflicting heavy losses daily on Tsonlar, Irrien knew they would not be held off forever, and led his hawks out of the valley just before the major army of Tsonlar reinforced the weary rebels and flooded the valley with arrows and missiles. Irrien and his men were hailed and praised throughout the Empire, and given recognition by King Amir II.

FAME OF THE PHANTOM TROOP SPREADS

After peace was signed between Ithrium and Eastern Tsonlar, those present during the six day struggle to push the night hawks out of the valley began to spread fables about how the defense was a divine pack of green warriors who were half hawk, half Arvenon. This strange myth likely was a twisted nightmare formed from the green armor and winged helmets of the night hawk battalion. However, the legendary force became known as 'The Emerald Hawks', and were greatly feared by every nation bordering Ithrium, who was now revered as a superpower of the middle lands. In 2288 3p, the Emerald Hawks were deployed in the northern border, to take the town of Barrowhorn and the surrounding forests from the Empire of Archia. According to the stories, everyone in the town and surrounding villages laid down their weapons and willingly submitted to the small force, merely because of the stories of their ferocious might.

THE SLAUGHTER OF KAL ENDER

As the next generation of soldiers and warriors replaced their fathers and grandfathers, a change took place among the Emerald Hawks. With the changing ebb of warfare came the increased use of cavalry on the battlefield. The arming swords and short spears of the emerald hawks quickly became outdated, and the new king of Ithrium, Emperor Wendel, decided to morph the foot soldiers into an elite cavalry regiment. With the members of the hawks in the midst of a generation change, this adjustment was easy. The Ithrium Empire was significantly richer than they once were, having now conquered as far north as Gazelli and as far east as Meleuhur. Emeralds were plentiful, and better armor was crafted. Instead of the short spears and swords, they now were equipped with devastating estocs and maces. It was several years until this new cavalry unit was deployed anywhere outside the borders of the Empire; but in first year of the twenty-fourth century, Emperor Wendel called upon his elite cavalry in the second battle for Meleuhur. The dwarf rebellion had been pushed all the way back to their final city, and now the dwarf lord, Kal Ender, stood between Wendel and the Meleuhur dwarves. As the two forces engaged, the newly fitted Emerald Hawks waited patiently on a nearby hillside. Finally, they were given the signal and charged down the hill into the flank of Lord Ender's forces. Hundreds died instantly as the eight hundred horses pounded through their ranks. The dwarves eventually surrendered, but not before the devastating unit had slaughtered over a thousand dwarves.

Composition

Manpower

Emerald Hawks are formed in 40-80 ranks of 10, Operation Between 400-800 manpower.

Equipment

Every Emerald Hawk is entitled to a stallion in green barding, a suit of emerald armor, and the classic closed green plate-helm with wings.

Weaponry

Each Emerald Hawk can choose his own weapon, but the majority wield massive estocs, for penetrating plate armor; or heavy maces or mauls, for bashing enemy cavalry riders off their steeds.

Tactics

The Main Tactic of the Emerald Hawks is to find higher ground and wait for the enemy to engage with another unit. Then, they charge down and slam into the flank of their opponent and wreak devastating casualties. This tactic was first used against the dwarven king, Kal Endor, in the 23rd century.

Training

All training of Emerald Hawks is done outside of a cohesive unit. The soldiers are trained by one of the other units, and are encouraged to train on their own as well.

Logistics

Logistical Support

Everything the Hawks need to stay mobile and active is on their person or on their horse. The unit has no reliance on anything else or any other force. This made them incredibly valuable to the old kings of Ithrium during the bloody third period.

Upkeep

Although a very self sustaining unit, the financial burden of upkeeping such an elite unit of cavalry was felt by the civilians of Ithrium. It was by far the costliest part of the Ithrium Imperial Army.

Type

Cavalry

Founding

2166 3p

Dissolution

3700 3p

Overall training Level

Elite