Profile: Hoplites of Abestat

Patron City: Abestat. Might expand later.

Founders:

• Agaenos Phidion
• Mizushin Junzo
• Keeva Lasant Kaldres
• Demetri Valentine
• Kellos Vastak
• Vincent Stefan

Mission Statement: Reviving the Legacy of Ancient Luctadomum.

Brief:

Quoted from "Aelyrian Warfare through the Ages", by Prof. Sylvana Whelan (Chapters 1-6, Pg. 2):

It was shortly before the barbaric threat had encouraged Doge Marelius to initiate military reforms that a new shield, the hoplon, had been invented. The hoplon was usually made either entirely of iron or out of a wooden frame, and then capped with bronze. Furthermore, the hoplon was also twice as wide as it was long, so that it only protected the left side of the soldier, and extended out another half-body length beyond his left. Those who would use the hoplons at first were ridiculed and given the name hoplites to distinguish them from more serious warriors.

Even though the Hoplites were eventually defeated by the Aelyrian Manipular Legion, one must not forget that the Phalanx was the first major military innovation in the ancient, pre-Empire days. The Hoplites left their marks eternally in the books of history, and it was because of them, the Barbarians were successfully held out.

The Hoplites of Abestat is a faction that dedicates to keep law and order within the Aelyrian Empire. It takes an aggressive approach, by raiding trouble-causers' encampments, attacking a maurauding party, and, when the faction grows large enough, may even supplement the Modern Aelyrian Military, or even conduct seige warfares. At the moment, however, it seeks to gather members who are eager to push their combatative or arcanic skills to the top, and who are willing to defend Abestat.

The faction does not only seek warriors and mages however: healers, stable-owners, weapon or armour smiths, engineers and builders are all welcome.

This faction is different from the Aelyrian Military, not only because of its tactical make-up, but also because it could act outside of government influences, and they can raid or plunder unlawful settlements.

Although the ancient Luctadoman Hoplites is the Faction's theme, it does not adhere completely to its ancient design. The Hoplon, for example, protected only the left side of the Hoplite, whilst exposing the right side (should he be the rightmost person in the ranks). Therefore, the Hoplon would be replaced by a Scutum, which provides full body coverage. Material-wise, the Hoplites are obviously not restricted to Bronze and Iron - when the Faction obtains enough fund and grows large enough, steel equipments of the more exotic quality (for example, Damascus or Elven Steel) will definitely be considered.

The shield and spear, for the normal core force of Phalanx will be the favoured weapon of the force, in memoria of the Hoplites of ancient Luctadomum. However, though this is the faction's theme, it is primarily dedicated to the protection of the people and the Empire against the moral evils within the world, and as such, it will use any weapons or tactics necessary.

Patron Gods
- Aslan, Diana, Phedos
- All other Aetherians and Plenetars could be worshipped.
- Aeternians are strictly prohibited to be worshipped. Any found would be excluded immediately.

Ranks:
The Basileus is the faction-master, and oversees the function of the entire faction. His/her authority is undisputed, unless in a vote, 80% of the members voted against his will.

The Hoplites of Abestat is split up as thus, from the highest authorities to the lowest:

Phalanx (core force)
Basileus
Strategos
Hoplite
Strateotes

Cavalry (supplimentary force)
Basileus
Hetairoi
Kataphractoi
Hippikon

All others types of soldiers, including seige artillery if any, would be under the direct control of the Basileus.

Creed:
For normal members, there is little in the way of creeds, except to uphold law and honour, and contributing 10% of what they earn each cycle to the faction to continue its maintanence (the value set here is temporary, and may change), so if a Strateotes earns 40 crowns a week, he contributes 4 crowns to the faction. Every little helps.

The Basileus him/herself must swear a creed in the name of Aslan to bring about good and honour in the Empire, and to work to benefit the faction, and the Empire as a whole. Working to satisfy personal greed is strictly forbidden.

Leaders
The faction's mindset is half paternal, half democratic. Paternal, because the Basileus is to oversee the overall well-being of it, as well as do what is best for the faction and the Empire; democratic, because every member, no matter how high or low in the ranks, are included. Their opinions would be heard, and when the Basileus takes a dramatic development for the faction, every member will have a vote, no matter how little or big they are.

The Basileus is the overarching master of the faction. His words are final, unless 80% of members are against him.

Each rank has more authorities than the one above, and in a battle situation, may take charge or command to anyone below them.

Base:
This is a legal faction. Its base of operation will be within Abestat. Its hall will be funded by the Basileus, by some or all of its Founders, and should the local government be generous, be also helped by the Thane, and various volunteers.

Income:
The primary source of income will be the 10% on-going fee that it receives from every member. If a city requires the help of the Hoplites, it would need to pay enough to at least cover the cost of the faction. As it grows in numbers, so the cost would become more extravagant - but so the power of The Hoplites of Abestat increase in proportion.

All volunteer businesses or sponsors are welcomed with open arms.

Activities:
Early Stages: Peace-keeping and defending Abestat, attracting members, seeking out possible funders.
Maturing Stages: Attack and raid unlawful settlements, fight as a full phalanx with cavalry supplement, supplement the Aelyrian military.
Full Maturity: Conduct seige warfares, co-operate with the Aelyrian Military to spear-head any operations.

Benefits & Requirements:
Early Stages: Rooms and three meals (food will be mediocre, neither bad nor extravagant).
Maturing Stages: Basic long-spear (pilon), basic shield.
Full Maturity: Intermediate/Advanced long-spear, intermediate/advanced shield, free pilon and modified Hoplon (more Scutum, really, to protect the whole body) upon joining or warhorses with leather barding and metal armour for the new member, and getting recognised Aelyria-wide.

The Basileus:
He/She will be the person who binds together the core force and the supplimentary force. He will convene with the Strategos and the Hetairoi to oversee, and personally lead the Phalanx, Cavalry and Auxiliary divisions. He/she oversees the welfare and running of the faction, and decides upon the next move of it.

Phalanx:

Strategos: They make up the least proportion of the Phalanx division. They will be "commanders" of the infantry, overseeing tactical operations, and leading the faction into whatever they are called into. Excluding the Basileus, they are the highest ranking members of the Phalanx.

Hoplites: They are the core force of the Phalanx division, and are the proper, trained Hoplites that reap the glory of battle. Depending on the number of recruitment, they may or may not be the most significant part of the Phalanx division.

Strateotes: Any member of the Phalanx who are first recruited will be branded as a Strateotes. They are often inexperienced, and may or may not be called into battle, depending on the strength needed. They are given proper training as soon as possible. Depending upon the number of recruitment, they may or may not be the most significant part of the Hoplite division.

Cavalry:

Hetairoi: Similar to a Strategos of the Phalanx. They oversee the tactical operation of the Cavalry, and leading the faction into whatever they are called into. Excluding the Basileus, they are the highest ranking members of the Cavalry.

Kataphractoi: The core force of the Cavalry division, they are the experienced, properly trained horsemen that reap the glory of battle. Depending on the number of Cavalry recruitment, they may or may not be the most significant part of the horsemen.

Hippikon: The new recruits into the Cavalry division of the Hoplites of Abestat, they may or may not be called into battle, depending on the strength needed. They are trained to fight properly as soon as possible. Depending on the recruitment, they may or may not be the most significant part of the Cavalry division.

Recruitment:
Recruitment is done through public announcement in busy places and sticking advertisements throughout the city (after approval from the Prefect or Thane), as well as through the recruitment offices (eg. Chamber of Commerce in Abestat).

Locations:
Within Abestat, the reason being it was the location of the ancient city of Lux, which could be called the capital of the Luctadoman Republic. When enough funds are gathered, might move outside of Abestat, near the city.

Logo & Website
None, at the moment.

Possible Faction Affiliations:
At the moment, the Hoplites have no friendships or enmities with any other of the established factions, guilds or houses. However, there are, at the moment, two potential affiliations, them being the Legion of Justice, and House Kaldres.

Legion of Justice, because like the Hoplites, they uphold law and order within Aelyria, and have a close proximity to each other.

House Kaldres, because one of the PC Founders belong to House Kaldres.

Others:
About the Founders: They are the people who first founded the faction, providing the necessary ideas, money and initial manpower. They are forever etched into the history of the faction, and are the most honoured individuals within the guild. All Founders have unquestioned right into the guild, save the Basileus himself.

The Founders cannot be erased from the history of the Hoplites of Abestat, including the Basileus himself, for they hold a high position.

Founders do not need to pay the usual 10% upkeep fee.