King Ad Rock
Abednego
Empty Ouroboros
The Den Of Snakes and Soldiers
"Conflict and Strife are Eternal. Empty of The Emotion, Given Meaning By Us. Just as The Serpent Devours Its Tail, So does Conflict Devours The Strife of The Past; To Kindle Our Passions"
Summary and Group Ideals
Summary:
Empty Ouroboros is a mercenary group run by multiple handlers, however there a two true captains of the group that call the group their own, but reasons for doing so is what separates the smaller demographics within the group. They range from Anahit Faithful, soldiers who have been cast away by their military and kingdoms in foreign lands, sailors and pirates who seek fortune and battle-born glory, and last but not least a wide range of slaves who have been freed from their bondage and seek to gain a good death in battle. The handler previous mentioned however are more along the lines of clergymen and women who follow the "true" captains. Intermediaries between employers, recruitment, religious induction, and day to day business such as merchant and profit works.
The Anahit Faithful are the original group that one of the leaders banded together after his departure from his old Clergy. He and his cohort took their own flock, with their own ideals, and sought to reap the divine benefit of Anahit's blessing in strife, battle, and conflict. They believe that through strife and conflict does true enlightenment and divinity can be seen. This echelon is built by warrior-scholars. Cunning, Resourceful, and blessed with techniques that are privy to close followers of Anahit. They command a majority of the forces with ferocity and devicive planning. They would raze lands in order enjoy the prospect of war.
Some personally fight on the front lines, like the pseudo-captain and religious leader: Aloysius Amon-Apophis. A man whose bloody fists and ravenous fighting style compare to his cunning and manipulating words aplenty. Another front-line commander is Vritra Dahomey a gigantic Nomasdae man with a quiet demeanor who closely follows the word of Anahit. Vritra is said to be the only one who can fight on par with Aloysius, or so believed. However if the feats of his strength are true he is a force to be reckoned with. A rather popular rumor is that Vritra's rage is tough to coax out, however on soldier did--and end up with sternum being ripped out by Vritra's bare-hand.
Vritra is not as unorthodox as Aloysius, but cunning and a great sense of battle. He is a worthy strategist garnishes heavy respect from both Religious and the other demographics along with his opponents on the field.
The majority of the group are a mixed bag of young and old and men and women. (Although women are mostly found in the upper rungs of this band of mercenaries, they rarely appear below the religious side of the group).
The group is also viewed in an unsavory light due to their practice of "Merit". Merit within the group is gained for each kill they make on the battlefield. Due to often the lack of proof one has in claiming a kill by word alone--the forces are encourage to take the tongue from their fallen foe. A gruesome rite of worthiness is held after a battle as the men go about cutting out the tongues of their foes; placing the muscles on keyrings and charm necklaces. Some even keep certain tongues of "value", such as nobles or commanders as proof of their accomplishment. Each tongue has an exchange rate, thus for a certain amount of tongues one is paid an amount corresponding to it. This little game is often popular with the more unsavory members of the group. Another aspect to this "individual merit" law with the group is personalize wounds and ammo being used. Arrows with bits of cloth or specialize weapons that leave distinct (and often brutal) gashes, slashes, hacks, and flays.
With each body they drop the higher their payment, rank and standing within the group becomes. This Merit is often what chooses who's socially the top dog and get to make choices and decisions for places to go and what tavern they head to. Often it is menial things that affect very little, but when merit decides what spoils someone reaps or what woman (or man) a soldier gets to pick, the idea of merit raises in value. However for those with no merit at all is a damning experience, and one that Aloysius find proving towards Anahit's desire for conflict, strife, and adversity.
Much like how Aloysius was sent into battle without arms or armor, so are those who have no "Merit". They are sent into the front lines and the forward charge, near naked and disarmed, hoping that they will kill their foes and reap their tongues for the money the desperately need. Certain rules are held for this group of people that Ouroboros calls "The Low Vertebra", and all further the parallels to how Aloysius was once raised.
Rule 1 || All Soldiers within this group are Prohibited from using any arms, armor, or impromptu weapons they can scavenge from our own forces. Weapons and protection can only be used if they are pillaged from a foe or if they can disarm an opponent. Or even a fallen brother. You will killed on the spot if so otherwise
Rule 2 || One must always be on the forward charge. You must be blessed to face the Rite of passage for Anahit. If you are injured or broken no man from the force may assist you. You will be killed on the spot if so
Rule 3 || You must bring at least 5 tongues in order to escape execution. If you attempt to leave the group you will be killed on the spot.
Rule 4 || You are consider less than human during this time, as such any soldier (be it ours or our foe) can kill you without repercussion. Also you tongue can also be collected.
Interesting Facts:
Empty Ouroboros is a mercenary group run by multiple handlers, however there a two true captains of the group that call the group their own, but reasons for doing so is what separates the smaller demographics within the group. They range from Anahit Faithful, soldiers who have been cast away by their military and kingdoms in foreign lands, sailors and pirates who seek fortune and battle-born glory, and last but not least a wide range of slaves who have been freed from their bondage and seek to gain a good death in battle. The handler previous mentioned however are more along the lines of clergymen and women who follow the "true" captains. Intermediaries between employers, recruitment, religious induction, and day to day business such as merchant and profit works.
The Anahit Faithful are the original group that one of the leaders banded together after his departure from his old Clergy. He and his cohort took their own flock, with their own ideals, and sought to reap the divine benefit of Anahit's blessing in strife, battle, and conflict. They believe that through strife and conflict does true enlightenment and divinity can be seen. This echelon is built by warrior-scholars. Cunning, Resourceful, and blessed with techniques that are privy to close followers of Anahit. They command a majority of the forces with ferocity and devicive planning. They would raze lands in order enjoy the prospect of war.
Some personally fight on the front lines, like the pseudo-captain and religious leader: Aloysius Amon-Apophis. A man whose bloody fists and ravenous fighting style compare to his cunning and manipulating words aplenty. Another front-line commander is Vritra Dahomey a gigantic Nomasdae man with a quiet demeanor who closely follows the word of Anahit. Vritra is said to be the only one who can fight on par with Aloysius, or so believed. However if the feats of his strength are true he is a force to be reckoned with. A rather popular rumor is that Vritra's rage is tough to coax out, however on soldier did--and end up with sternum being ripped out by Vritra's bare-hand.
Vritra is not as unorthodox as Aloysius, but cunning and a great sense of battle. He is a worthy strategist garnishes heavy respect from both Religious and the other demographics along with his opponents on the field.
The majority of the group are a mixed bag of young and old and men and women. (Although women are mostly found in the upper rungs of this band of mercenaries, they rarely appear below the religious side of the group).
The group is also viewed in an unsavory light due to their practice of "Merit". Merit within the group is gained for each kill they make on the battlefield. Due to often the lack of proof one has in claiming a kill by word alone--the forces are encourage to take the tongue from their fallen foe. A gruesome rite of worthiness is held after a battle as the men go about cutting out the tongues of their foes; placing the muscles on keyrings and charm necklaces. Some even keep certain tongues of "value", such as nobles or commanders as proof of their accomplishment. Each tongue has an exchange rate, thus for a certain amount of tongues one is paid an amount corresponding to it. This little game is often popular with the more unsavory members of the group. Another aspect to this "individual merit" law with the group is personalize wounds and ammo being used. Arrows with bits of cloth or specialize weapons that leave distinct (and often brutal) gashes, slashes, hacks, and flays.
With each body they drop the higher their payment, rank and standing within the group becomes. This Merit is often what chooses who's socially the top dog and get to make choices and decisions for places to go and what tavern they head to. Often it is menial things that affect very little, but when merit decides what spoils someone reaps or what woman (or man) a soldier gets to pick, the idea of merit raises in value. However for those with no merit at all is a damning experience, and one that Aloysius find proving towards Anahit's desire for conflict, strife, and adversity.
Much like how Aloysius was sent into battle without arms or armor, so are those who have no "Merit". They are sent into the front lines and the forward charge, near naked and disarmed, hoping that they will kill their foes and reap their tongues for the money the desperately need. Certain rules are held for this group of people that Ouroboros calls "The Low Vertebra", and all further the parallels to how Aloysius was once raised.
Rule 1 || All Soldiers within this group are Prohibited from using any arms, armor, or impromptu weapons they can scavenge from our own forces. Weapons and protection can only be used if they are pillaged from a foe or if they can disarm an opponent. Or even a fallen brother. You will killed on the spot if so otherwise
Rule 2 || One must always be on the forward charge. You must be blessed to face the Rite of passage for Anahit. If you are injured or broken no man from the force may assist you. You will be killed on the spot if so
Rule 3 || You must bring at least 5 tongues in order to escape execution. If you attempt to leave the group you will be killed on the spot.
Rule 4 || You are consider less than human during this time, as such any soldier (be it ours or our foe) can kill you without repercussion. Also you tongue can also be collected.
Interesting Facts:
- Some very special few have been taught the same martial arts technique used by Aloysius and (rumored) Vritra. This fighting style's proliferation within the group is not expansive and seems to be very carefully chosen. Some believe that the reason Aloysius insists on teaching his men this art is so that he can fight greater opponents.
- The group's name hails from a concept once taught at the clergy Aloysius and Vritra attended during their younger years. It describes that, despite conflict and strife being aspects of change and chaotic motion forward, these ideas are perhaps set in their own cycle that changes the world around it.
- Members often have circles, snakes, reptiles, or dragon iconography on their body. Why is this a practice? It is currently unknown, but perhaps it is to show the loyalty
Mercenary Statistics and Composition
"The Spine of the Snake is What gives It Structure. Each Important. Ultimately All The Same Role. To Keep All That Is What It Is"
Composition: The majority of the force is a mixture of Kildran and Nomasdae. Very rarely is there a T'Odis, if any, and less rare--but still rare in some aspects are Parshumian who hail from old wars wage by T'Odis and Parshum. The Anahit faithful is a Nomasdae-based group, very rarely outside that boundary--however some can be inducted into it. The Anahit Faithful are not greater than any other soldier, but most of them preach and give guidance towards the band as a whole. Most of the group believes in at least a form of Anahit--some are either apathetic, atheists, or a undefined amount of religious sects.
The Anahit Faithful are more or less Aloysius and Vritra's personal guard and operatives, along with old friends and scholars. They usually impose the rules and doctrines of the mercenary band. Along with recon and propagating the groups name in order to gain new members. Many young Nomasdae join due to this as Anahit is more along the lines of their tastes. Enticing them to prove themselves and even become experts in the art of battle. Many arrogant children don't survive and it doesn't seem to bother a man like Aloysius. Vritra shows more reverence to their efforts, but is ultimately saddened that they couldn't not be reborn through war.
|| Total Size of Forces | Average ||
Approximately nearing 250 men. 30 or so women. (Whether or not these are comfort women or actually soldiers depends on if they are feeling extra cruel that day--Though Aloysius is disgusted by the idea of rape as a false conquest without any true passion behind it, he does force all that follow the group to fight. Vritra is actually known to enforce this ideal, as Aloysius tends to Shepard from far away)
|| Threat Level // Expertise | Dangerous / Advance or Expert ||
The harsh training and zealotry of some members breeds a survival of the fittest mentality. The weak are purged and ultimately the end product is that only the strong survive within the group. However to Aloysius's pleasure the cunning and resourceful also prevail--though those who take advantage of the group themselves do not last long. The group is comprised those adept in surviving and battle. Very little diplomacy and refinement is witness. Though structure from some Anahit Faithful prove useful. And through the Merit system an idea of classicism and social Darwinism take helm as well for some members.
The commanders and leaders are a mixture of what Aloysius finds true Anahit followers should aspire to be. Men and women who not only can destroy their foes on the field of battle, but understand how to survive and how to outright end a foe.
The group adheres to no single means of fighting (beyond the punishment of the Low Vertebrae), ranging for general ground troops, archers. and cavalry. However when it comes to close quarters combat they are not to be reckoned with. Their skill and outright survivability allows them to withstand extremely harsh bat
The Anahit Faithful are more or less Aloysius and Vritra's personal guard and operatives, along with old friends and scholars. They usually impose the rules and doctrines of the mercenary band. Along with recon and propagating the groups name in order to gain new members. Many young Nomasdae join due to this as Anahit is more along the lines of their tastes. Enticing them to prove themselves and even become experts in the art of battle. Many arrogant children don't survive and it doesn't seem to bother a man like Aloysius. Vritra shows more reverence to their efforts, but is ultimately saddened that they couldn't not be reborn through war.
|| Total Size of Forces | Average ||
Approximately nearing 250 men. 30 or so women. (Whether or not these are comfort women or actually soldiers depends on if they are feeling extra cruel that day--Though Aloysius is disgusted by the idea of rape as a false conquest without any true passion behind it, he does force all that follow the group to fight. Vritra is actually known to enforce this ideal, as Aloysius tends to Shepard from far away)
|| Threat Level // Expertise | Dangerous / Advance or Expert ||
The harsh training and zealotry of some members breeds a survival of the fittest mentality. The weak are purged and ultimately the end product is that only the strong survive within the group. However to Aloysius's pleasure the cunning and resourceful also prevail--though those who take advantage of the group themselves do not last long. The group is comprised those adept in surviving and battle. Very little diplomacy and refinement is witness. Though structure from some Anahit Faithful prove useful. And through the Merit system an idea of classicism and social Darwinism take helm as well for some members.
The commanders and leaders are a mixture of what Aloysius finds true Anahit followers should aspire to be. Men and women who not only can destroy their foes on the field of battle, but understand how to survive and how to outright end a foe.
The group adheres to no single means of fighting (beyond the punishment of the Low Vertebrae), ranging for general ground troops, archers. and cavalry. However when it comes to close quarters combat they are not to be reckoned with. Their skill and outright survivability allows them to withstand extremely harsh bat
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