Akritai

The Akritai are roving warrior bands of Orestian extraction. Often, 'Akritai' is a synonym for any large, violent Orestian man, though the Akritai bands, or tagmas, include all the peoples of Orestes, though Zorn, orc and humans are most common. But even outsiders might pledge themselves to a tagma, for unlike the strict Orestian military, the Akritai welcome all who can meet their admittedly high expectations. Each tagma has its own character, though all follow in the footsteps of the Forerunner, a mysterious figure who appeared in Orestes at the end of the Long Dark, purging the 'corrupt' and 'purifying' the purpose of Orestes. Though the Heritors have since reasserted their power, the Akritai have shaken off the stultifying order of the Dominion and have ventured forth to challenge themselves. The Akritai quote the Forerunner, 'The world is thy whetstone, so sharpen thyself upon it and become a blade against Chaos.' The Akritai throw themselves against 'Chaos' by hiring themselves out as mercenaries, fighting hogboon hordes as often as some lord's rival. The ultimate goal of all tagmas is to gain strength, glory and renown. Some Akritai also want gold and titles, but many simply want to become like the Forerunner, masters of their fates. The Akritai thus travel the world, settling in a tumultuous locale and offering their blades for hire. Some Akritai split off from their tagma, either to retire or to join a different, less idealistic mercenary band. Most will spend several seasons in an area, then continue on, always pushing forward, always seeking a new horizon. A few tagmas remain in an area, forming a minor barony or freehold. 
Tagmas are led by kentarchs, captains who interpret a tagma's charter and enforce order and discipline, which can be immensely strict. The kentarch is assisted by his etaira, 'companions' who form a cavalry vanguard and are a tagma's best warriors. The askelpa is both medic and trainer of new recruits, and these recruits are dismissed as skilon, or dogs. Akritai are expected to fight for recognition, and skilon are often treated roughly by the older Akritai. Once a warrior has earned his place in a tagma, he is named a nyki, or blade. Tagma often also contain a warpriest of Kyrene, or Kyrus as the Akritai insist on calling him. 
When not fighting, Akritai train, and when not training, they engage in truly riotous parties that have gone some way to earning the Orestians a reputation for debauchery. But when the feast ends, the Akritai return to their duties with a discipline found in very few other mercenary bands. Of course, the Akritai insist they are not mercenary bands, the tagmas are sacred bands, devoted to Kyrus and the glorious teachings of the Forerunner, who is the very spirit of Akamos, moving among the Orestians and reminding them of their potential. This potential, unfortunately, mainly involves violence.
Category:Organizations