The Kataphraktoi

***The Kataphraktoi***, also known as the Cataphracts and Orthodox Church, are a struggling human faction within the novel *Dark Blaze*. Their leader is as of yet unknown, however, they are the stout defenders of Orthodox countries and lands against any and all aggressors.

The Cataphracts and the Protestant Church Order have a long-standing alliance and friendship, mutually aiding one another when required.

## **Background:**

The Cataphracts were formed as defenders of the Orthodox faith after their split from the Catholics. The Cataphracts became a military organisation that defended the Orthodox Churches across the lands. Originally based in Constantinople and Greece, they moved their headquarters to Russia after the Byzantine Empire fell to the rising Ottoman Empire.

The Cataphracts have fought many battles against the Vatican, strigoic factions and even the Greek Pantheon. During the Protestant Reformation, the Orthodox Church agreed with the Protestants and that the Vatican had overstepped their boundaries for the last time, creating the abominations known as absolvers. They aided the Protestants during the reformation and became steadfast allies to the Protestant Church Order to help create a strong buffer against the Vatican's once untapped strength.

One of the major enemies of the Cataphracts was the Ottoman Empire and the various Islamic factions in the Balkans, Levant and the Middle-East. During the Great War, the Cataphracts worked closely with the P.C.O. and even the Vatican in wiping out the Ottoman Empire and liberating the Balkans, so that they could regain their ancestral homeland.

## **Society & Structure:**

### **Society:**

The society of the Kataphraktoi is based on that of the actual cataphracts within medieval Byzantium.

### **Structure:**

The structure of the Kataphraktoi is based also on that of the actual cataphracts within medieval Byzantium.

## **Territory:**

Below is a list of countries which the Vatican hold territory:

* Russia.
* Hungary.
* Bulgaria.
* Romania.
* Yugoslavia.
* Albania.
* Greece.
* Turkey.
* Cyprus.
* Serbia.
* Montenegro.
* Italy.
* Finland.
* Georgia.
* Armenia.
* Egypt.
* Palestine.
* Jordan.

## **Affiliates:**

* **Igor Zobnin -**Regular Russian N.C.O. who aided the Kataphraktoi and the P.C.O. during the Battle of Königsberg.

## **Equipment:**

Below is a list of weaponry that has been seen used by the Protestant Church Order:

* Various silver bladed weaponry.
* Webley Revolver Mk. V - pistol.
* Short Magazine Lee-Enfield - bolt-action rifle.
* Shashka Sword.
* Nagant M1895 - pistol.
* Fedorov M1916 Avtomat - semi-automatic rifle.
* Mosin-Nagant M1907 - bolt-action rifle.
* Chauchat M1915 - LMG.
* Various hand grenades.
* Austin Armoured Car.

## **Sub-Factions:**

As of yet, there are no known sub-factions within the Kataphraktoi.

## **Appearances:**

The Kataphraktoi appear exclusively within Nicholas Aero and Hadrian Voivode's 1915-1916 Chapters.

## **Trivia:**

* The Kataphraktoi are named after the famed warriors of the Byzantine Empire.
* Yury Komlichenko was inspired by the Commissars which populate the world of *Warhammer 40k*and fight for the *Imperial Guard*faction, which protect mankind against supernatural and xenomorphic threats.
* Darryl M. Finch-Ellis believes that Christioforos Papakalitatis would be perfect for the role of Stelios Manolas in a live action adaption.