Azhashizhas

**Azhashizhas** were a collection of various military organizations that shared a common set of traditions and traits in service to various Lazhan polities, especially those of the Dawnist tradition.

## Formation and history

Azhashizhas were not any particular unified organization, although certain organizations did exist at certain points in time. It is commonly thought that the Azhashizhas evolved naturally out of the traditional monastic caste of Lazhan society. In this they differ from the Huzaranag, who emerged from the lower warrior caste instead. The first literary mentions of the Azhashizhas emerged sometime around the 20th century BB, as a class of monks who served as bodyguards and defenders of the early monasteries of The Blue Dawn, which possessed large amounts of valuables vulnerable to various nomadic raiders.

Eventually, a body of rites and traditions formed around this burgeoning class, until eventually they had become distinct enough to warrant their own designation. Most were monks who were called to military service at a relatively young age, and as such became adept warriors. At some point, they began serving in higher-ranking roles in the standing armies of various Lazhan monarchs, and increasingly became embroiled in the various military conflicts their monarchs engaged in.

The Azhashizhas reached their peak under the Second Vasigala, becoming a large and expansive organization reaching up to 10,000 strong. In their service to the Vasilias, they became feared and renowned warriors and servicemen. Many would eventually go on to become commanders, nobility and vassals to the Vasilias in their later lives, or retiring back to monastic life after a certain amount of time in military service. Nonetheless, they became increasingly powerful in the politics of the Vasigala, with multiple Vasilias' effectively being a puppet to the Azhashizha.

They rose to prominence with the rise of the Nunnshireans in the 3rd century AB, with their skill often being cited as a reason for Nunnshire's sudden formation and subsequent conquests. There too they wielded great political power, with the difference being they acted far more independently than they had under previous Vasigalas.

The Azhashizhas were mostly abolished by the 5th century AB, being replaced with professional standing armies, with the last organization being dissolved in 479 AB.

## Life and service

In traditional Dawnist society, monks were a distinct caste which was inherited. As such, it was common for any given Azhashizha to come from a long line of former Azhashizhas. Indeed, due to their long lasting hereditary service, they were highly experienced warriors consistently exposed to a militaristic environment from a young age. Many Azhashizhas lived life fairly regularly in peace time, often serving in regular monastic roles in balance with their military careers, being called to service only when needed.

## Role in secular life

In secular society, the Azhashizhas were quite respected, even amongst societies which did not traditionally use them. Many Azhashizhas eventually chose to leave monastic life altogether and integrate into secular society, which they were free to do so after a certain amount of time in service.