Hans Zantak
Zennonaize General
The third son of a noble from whose estate was just south of Zennon, the General was a controversial figure in his day and remains one in modern Zennonaize culture. Many members of the Cavalry credit him with the invention of modern, small unit, mounted tactics. He emphasized speed, surprise, and the ability to do damage without taking many casualties in return. His thoughts on the subject, captured in Horseshoes and Sabres, is referenced by officers across Tarien and an important part of the curriculum at the War College of Gartcha. Amongst the rank and file in the cavalry, he is almost worshiped.
On the other hand, Zantack was, by definition, an insurgent. He inspired such loyalty in both his men and the serfs across the Malpighien Steppes that he threatened the Dono and began a civil war. Some scholars argue that Zantack did nothing other than inspire loyalty, thereby frightening a weak leader who then started hostilities. Others say that Zantack provoked the Dono by raiding military stores and attacking other, more loyal officers. Whatever the interpretation, his uprising was short-lived as he fell to the greatest enemy any general can face overconfidence - and died less than a decade after it began.