Lands of Tyranny
Day 1 of The Philosopher, Year 414
Kressmor Guard
The City of Champions
The city of Kressmor is renowned for its well armed and trained professional fighting citizenry. Every Kressmor male citizen is trained in at least one form of combat starting from their childhood and taught the teachings of Balthazar, according to the traditions of the city. Most men would grow and dedicate their lives to normal jobs, but still remain a fighting force that could be relied upon in case of danger to the City itself. However, some individuals particularly fit, physically and mentally, would be allowed to join Kressmor’s standing army core, the White Shields: an elite force the city could rely on at all times, whose members were considered with the utmost respect and given all honours in Kressmor society.
Kressmor’s reliance on the White Shields provided a number of early successes to establishing itself as one of the major cities in the Black Dome Peninsula, however the eagerness to prove themselves in battle was greater than their ability to produce warriors. Over time the Kressmor Guard became largely composed of auxiliary units from neighbouring subjugated settlements, league members and mercenaries. Although more numbers were gained, the overall army quality was reduced.
Kressmor became more and more reliant on lower social classes to not only fill its military, but to also provide food, water, sanitation and other basic needs of the city The core of its army therefore never really grew, and while still of an imposing presence on the battlefield, it was simply too small to grant an extended territorial control.
Religion
Before the subjugation of the city at the hands of the Imperial Legion, the Kressmor hierarchy was dominated by the worship of Balthazar. The Father of War was frequently called upon for battle, and many ceremonies surrounded beseeching him to bring favour upon Kressmor. The Three firstly infected the populace of Kressmor through the slaves, serfs and eventually into the lower classes and merchants. When the city fell, Kressmor, as the rest of the Dome, saw the immediate ban of the cult of all the Old Gods together with the removal of any Old God effigy; the repurposing of its temples, and slavery outlawed.
Immediate measures that caused no small amount of social confusion and unrest, due to owners and slaves finding themselves suddenly to be treated the same, causing the slaves to become great supporters of the Empire, but at the same time, further alienating the wealthy, already tense at the humiliation of defeat and seeing their cults and beliefs forbidden.
Kressmor Social Classes
The military of Kressmor is divided into different levels of social class. At the top are the Kresstiates, the citizens of Kressmor. Of the citizens, the males are all trained to become one of the White Shields (Hetairoi). Women are offered it too, but are not required. They are the strength of Kressmor.
Below them are those born from families of long since defeated peoples, the Perioikoi. These peoples were the first to be subjugated in times long since passed but have since integrated themselves into Kressmor society. This social class makes up the bulk of Kressmor’s strength and population. More recently this class has seen an influx of individuals who have directly emigrated to Kressmor from other regions of the Dome, and have proven their military worth.
Further below were the Helots. Prisoners, criminals and other undesirable members of society. This class of person typically forms the bulk of the labour intensive work in farming, mining and construction. Others of this class have chosen to try and prove their worth to the city through military service. This social class is often taken to the field with poor equipment, no or close to no armour and were often provided with ranged weapons. The citizenry often considered archery or sling warfare cowardly, but necessary. The Helots did this with the prospect of becoming a Periokoi.
Below them are only the slaves, which were considered as property and having no rights. Slavery in Kressmor as in the whole Dome Peninsula was particularly harsh and lacking of any form of guarantee of basic rights.
Kressmor Guard (The Army of Kressmor)
The White Shields, or the Hetairoi were fully garbed in the finest armour and arms that the city could buy or produce. Often these individuals were fully capable cavalry and typically proficient with a javelin. To fight one individually would be daunting, and to fight them in formation would be worse.
The Hoplites and Mariners of Kressmor were particularly well armoured and trained in the arts of warfare. The Hoplites were taught to be extremely efficient in the use of the phalanx while the Mariners perfected the art of boarding and seizing ships. Although their social standing prevented them entering the legendary cohort of the White Shields, to say they were insufficient would be a lie.
These soldiers made up the core of Kressmor’s army, and they were notoriously ferocious.
The Sacred Band was an attempt by Kressmor to bring more might under its weight.The Sacred Band were a collection of individuals who had proven combat prowess in service to Kressmor but were outside of its social classes. Often it would be mercenaries that were offered to join the Sacred Band, swearing an oath to the city of Kressmor and if they gave twenty years of service they were rewarded with induction into the Kresstiates or Perioikoi depending on their accolades as they bore the banner of Kressmor. These members are often identified by a metal band worn around their arm, the sacred band, indicating their oath to the city.
Auxiliaries and Mercenaries were then used to plug in any holes left by the lack of numbers of battlefield specific needs. If they were not used to fill in the main battleline then they were typically light cavalry for running down retreating opponents, slingers, archers, and sailors needed to crew the fleet. They were not an official part of the Kressmor Guard.
The Associates
The Associates of Kressmor was the formal name given to a string of alliances and vassal settlements owing loyalty to the city. They looked to the might of Kressmor for guidance and this political arrangement ensured that Kressmor continued to be one of the dominant city states in the peninsula.
Kressmor’s main rival before the attention of the Overlord peered into the region was that of Meridia, and its own collection of allies and subjected settlements. Both had frequently raided one another countless times, even warred. But neither never truly were able to defeat one another. Kressmor always lacked the manpower and economy for prolonged warfare.
Imperial March
The Nobility of Kressmor greatly underestimated the threat the Empire posed. This impression was inflated early on in the campaigns to conquer the peninsula where Kressmor scored most of their victories. They often fought against mercenary bands and hired greenskins, although the Legion will never admit to the latter, they did engage and halt the Legion’s vanguard.
Despite the halting of the vanguard, the Kressmor Guard were ill-prepared for the speed at which the invasion happened. The superior arms, size and organisation of the Legion became evident in the first pitched battle between the two armies. Where the Kressmor Strategos ordered his men to form for battle.
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The inflexibility of the phalanxes, coupled with the inexperience of the Guard in contending with Imperial tactics lead to an enveloping defeat. The Legion veterans being much more manoeuvrable and less fearful of the long pikes weaved their way through the formations and into a range where many of the Kressmor Guard were less effective. The speed at which the Guard were defeated in battle, and later again before Kressmor was reached left a bitter taste in the mouths of many. So much so that it became rumoured among the soldiers that their commanders were inept or even Imperial aligned, and their defeat orchestrated. The Guard was largely unbeaten and that meant that surrender would not be an option. Many surviving members of the Guard therefore became guerrilla fighters and partisans, having vowed to keep fighting until victory would be achieved.
Price of Freedom
As it stands the City of Kressmor has been subjugated by the might of the Empire. The Kressmor Guard have been forcefully stood down and reduced to an insignificant force of noble house retinues, while another minority were taken on into the Legion and sent to far off lands to serve. The majority of those that survived the war though refused to accept defeat and operate largely as an insurgency against the Imperial forces, as well as the influx of foreigners that have arrived to take or settle on their lands from all across the continent.
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All slaves have been freed, causing several accidents, unrest and even murders, and the public worship of the old gods is now forbidden. Kressmor reels from the economic loss of its slaves, and its citizens clamour for freedom once more. The Empire has intentionally dangled the prospect of liberty with its lighter touch in the region, all for a means to further justify its large military, with the exception of Kressmor itself, the city now housing Legio XXI. Aeternus, and where the seat of the Adjudicator of the Dome currently resides.
It is an open secret that individuals are now taking actions against Imperial forces in the peninsula.
How to Play
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As a member of Kressmor, you are a begrudgingly subjugated peoples under the Empire.
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You can pursue more diplomatic ties to the Empire, buddying up with them to establish trade and protection.
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You can act on eliminating the vile Beastkins and Ogroids that plague the region. Contesting the prestige and legitimacy of the Legion.
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You can present the Empire with a friendly face, while in the back rooms plot revenge and act out partisan actions against it.
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You can either try to establish a foothold in the Meridia region to extend Kressmor’s influence and tap into what economic benefits remain for the benefit of the city. Or engage in partisan actions against the Imperial yoke and try to free your city.
Rumours: Kresmor
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It is rumoured that the now defunct Kressmor Guard are the main instigators of the organised resistance in the region against the Empire. Despite the claims of the local nobility.
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It is rumoured that the Kressmor partisans are more accepting of Demons compared to the Empire., especially Fire Demons, and even recruiting criminals and any sort of man in their ranks.
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Among some Kressmor rebels, is a particularly diffused hope or dream that their fight be supported by mysterious people that live underground.​
FAQ: Kressmor
If they are subjugated, do they follow Imperial Laws?
The Empire's laws do extend over Kressmor and the entirety of the Black Dome Peninsula. Though its people begrudgingly follow these new laws, and some only when it's prudent to do so. The Empire claims its laws to be valid “In every place under the sun”, a claim very well backed by their control over the whole continent. In particular, the Empire imposed a strict ban on slavery and worship of the old gods that were previously allowed in the region.
Can I only play a soldier?
Nope! You can play any type of person from Kressmor.
So Demons can walk freely in Kressmor - (or Black Dome) themed Settlements?
Short answer, no. Long answer is that Demons still present a problem even for Kressmor. Their urges and magic are still dangerous, and although they do not have a specialised group to hunt them down their presence might draw the Inquisition. Any problems will likely be dealt with by the sword unless terms are come to.
What’s Kressmor’s stance on other races?
Kressmor particularly values military prowess and genius. However, as humans they still consider themselves superior to other races: Elves and Dwarves do not face better living conditions in the Black Dome nor in Kressmor, and were before often openly kept as slaves. Further, the soldiers of Kressmor have recently acquired a distinct dislike of Ogroids after they were used extensively to weaken the city prior to the Imperial invasion, it will be difficult to come to terms with using them as allies against the Empire. Finally, while the rebels often maintain a certain supremacy of humanity, the Ilithir are seen as a potential hope to strengthen the insurgents' fight. Committing to dealing with them out of mutual benefit.
Bonus: Each member of the Kressmor Guard can pick up an extra set of weapons/armor at character creation.
Equipment & Dye combination for Kressmor Uniforms
Authors: Rashan, Hokan