Imperial Vennacti

Drawing on the tradition of the Zarmudan fathers, the Darcassian Empire employs the Imperial Vennacti in its wars. The Vennacti draws its members from conquered or assimilated peoples of the Empire. These people are then trained under the close supervision of Darcassian officers.
Up until the conquest of Minuba, the Vennacti were a loyal, disciplined force. The sudden influx of Minuban soldiers, distance from Darcassia, and general corruption and chaos of the Minuban occupations has greatly stressed the strength and integrity of the Vennacti. Broadly speaking, the Imperial Vennacti are a competent, well led army and the backbone of Darcassian might.
Vennac (warrior), Singular. Vennacti (warriors), Plural.

Composition

Manpower

Vennacti are organized into corps and then combined to form army groups. Numbers fluctuate based on availability of recruits, distance to mustering grounds, time for training, and then shipping troops to their tours of duty. An army can be broken into multiple corps then to independent brigades, companies, garrisons, and patrols.

Equipment

Vennacti all carry a variant of the standard Darcassian musket. The variation comes from if the musket uses regular black powder or Zerizite. Zerizite guns have shown as much difference in ordinance as when used for recreational or civilian purposes.
Sidearms include pistols, bayonets, spears, and swords. Vennacti only wear an armored breast plate for protection, worn over a dress uniform. Their dress uniform is different depending on the environment they fight in. Tan is the color for soldiers stationed in Minuba while the colder climes of Darcassia warrant a white, grey, or blue color.

Weaponry

Pistols and rifles are a common armament of the Vennacti. Though slowly being phased out because of more advanced weaponry, spears and swords remain popular among the troops.
Spears are one example of how a weapon can become an endearing symbol for a regiment. Though bayonets were introduced, the spear remains a beloved alternative. Though it has become unwieldy because of length, most Vennacti carry a shortened spear roughly the length of their rifles for ease of use.
Weapons are a common adornment on Vennacti Regiment banners.

Tactics

Zarmudan warfare was known for being straightforward and brutal. Full frontal assaults were launched by the original Zarmudan Vennacti across wide fronts, to smash into enemy lines. Coupled with the power of the God Kings, the old Zarmudan Vennacti would just swarm an enemy with overwhelming numbers while their Gods smote their enemies from above.
The Imperial Vennacti are more sophisticated, mixing a combined arms approach with blocks of infantry, cavalry, and artillery. This combined arms approach has fluctuated over the years as the Empire's technology has advanced or receded.

Training

Before being fielded in battle, Vennacti are subjected to intensive training meant to foster total loyalty to the Empire and the Martocrat. As the majority of the troops are not full blooded Darcassians or are conquered or subject peoples, Vennacti must be broken or indoctrinated to serve the Empire. This program is mixed with drill and history studies.
The commanders experience more rigorous training. Being Darcassians themselves, they are given the best weapons, armor, and if they are really high class a wide array of mechanical or genetic augmentations to improve their power. Commanders are also heavily drilled, often training alongside the troops they are to lead. They are also immersed in the history of the Empire along with an understanding and then a fostered hatred of the God Kings and their tyrannical rule over the world.
More elite formations like the Regiments of the Martocrat's Household or auxiliaries like the Athelians train according to specialization. Regiments dedicated to the Martocrat's Household for instance are personally overseen by the Martocrat or their family members. Athelians and Dwarves train to master their style of warfare then are paired with infantry units where they receive training together as a complete unit.

Logistics

Auxilia

Imperial Vennacti are able to draw on conquered peoples, adventurers, mercenaries, and others to fulfill roles that the Vennacti cannot. The most prominent of these are the Athelians who provide the cavalry for the Imperial Vennacti. A large number of Athelians serve in the Vennacti, hoping to earn citizenship, a salary, or a place to finally settle.

History

The Imperial Vennacti were born in the fires and turmoil of the War of Zealots and Martyrs. They originated from the slave soldiers of Zarmuda. These were prisoners of war, political dissidents, undesirables, the poor, folks with debts, or simply people volunteering. The original Zarmudan Vennacti were perpetual slaves held in bondage to the Fatherland. The Imperial Vennacti promised citizenship to those who serve in its armies, a major innovation from the original Vennacti.
As part of his societal reforms, Hamun wanted to imitate the awe and fear of the Zarmudan Vennacti but without the degradation or lowliness associated with it. His idea for the Imperial Vennacti was one where those on the fringes could become citizens through the fires of war. With the devastation of Darcassia, full blooded Darcassians could not all fill the ranks. Hamun sent out a call, promising pardons, citizenship in his new Empire, a salary, housing, and food. Deserters, mercenaries, former slaves, the poor, and adventurers answered the call. These would form the backbone of the Imperial Vennacti for centuries to come. Vennacti can risk their lives knowing that if they survived they were no longer outcasts but full blooded inheritors of the splendors of Empire.
After Hamun's death, Abelech led the Imperial Vennacti. The final victory at the Battle of Good Harvest solidified the Empire but also inspired the militaristic cult of Mars. Both Abelech and Hamun were praised as descendents of Mars by the Vennacti. Though intended to be a secular nation the connection to the dead God King Mars was too good a propaganda piece to pass up.

Historical loyalties

Both Darcassia and Athelia employ Imperial Vennacti. The deployment of these soldiers is near identical with some important distinctions. The majority of Athelia's armies are mounted. Athelia offers the majority of its cavalry armies to Darcassia as part of its duty as a province.
Darcassia employs troops from many different races. Uribans, Dwarves, and lately Elves from Minuba have become elements of the Imperial Vennacti. All are dedicated to the Martocrat and the Empire.

Type

Shock

Overall training Level

Trained

Assumed Veterancy

Experienced

Parent Formation

Zarmudan Vennacti

Used by

• Queendom of Athelia
• The Darcassian Empire