The Eleann Spikes
The Eleann Spikes are the main military force of the Eleann empire. They are split into few different military Orders with the main force being the "Long-Spikes"
They are recruited from all around the Empire with the promise of better life.
Long-Spikes form the main force of the army. Mostly recruited from Ar-Elan thanks to the high population density and often poor living condition makes joining them a compelling option.
In the battlefield, they fight using Jaluran poleaxe spears and heavy crossbows that they use in tightly packed and shielded phalanxes. Their companies are often accompanied by many Riekian Shamans that sing war hymns and give sermons to drive the Long-Spears forwards with fervor and near reckless abandon. They are a blunt tool, a mass of bodies to drown the enemies to, brutally winning their wars.
Then there are the High-Spikes. The companies of elite units, known to be very versatile with their weapons and fighting styles.
They are mostly recruited and trained in Riek, though a lot of Ar-Elan nobles pay large sums for their offspring to be recruited by them. They are indoctrinated and rigorously trained killers, who are feared even among the other Eleann military Orders and are very effective on the battlefield, where their fast moving battle squads move like flurry of blades. Downing everything in their path.
Far-Spikes are a less known among the people and for a good reason. They are Eleann's scouts, spies and saboteurs. Well trained and cunning. No trick is beneath them when achieving their goals.
Rarely when they actually are sent to the battlefield, they are often seen accompanying High-Spikes, hunting for enemy commanders or other high value targets.
History
While Eleann has always had a standing army. It was only after the disastrous Three Council Wars of 1132-1147NA when an unified force was created.
After it's conception, throughout the history the Spikes have proven themselves time and time again. Be it against the brutal Stonelords of Qaan (1166NA), or the devastating Naazey shocktroops of Xeeh during the Dalis-Naazey Family Wars (1410NA) The Spikes always endured.
This was until 1498, when Eleann's largest province Bal'Ar saw the state of the weakened Eleann Empire. Their leaders started a civil war which lead to Bal'Ar officially seceding from Eleann.
"The Humbling of Spikes" as it's also called, Bal'Ar managed to use Eleann's own tactics against them, beating them at almost every front. Then at early fall of 1499, the "Disaster At River Cala" where Eleann lost nearly 20 battalions of Long-Spikes and the famed famed High Marshall Reundall defected to Bal'Ar. After which did Eleann finally sign the peace treaty.
Nowadays, the Spikes are a shadow of their former selves. Build from often unwilling conscripts and lead by corrupted leaders. While the High Spikes still retain some of the honor of the past. Long-Spikes are often used as glorified policing force and in actual battle, serve as meat shield for the High-Spikes. As seen the last few years, during the Bal'Ar's Karanassos Campaign, where Emperor Erensul Il’Davirnar VI lend a vast host of Long Spikes and two attachments of Far Spikes for Bal-Alaan to command.
There, they suffered major losses, including the loss of most of the second Far-Spike company during a horrific fire bombing raid. After which, most of the survivors deserted the army.
There, they suffered major losses, including the loss of most of the second Far-Spike company during a horrific fire bombing raid. After which, most of the survivors deserted the army.
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