Santaruz
Jun 12, 2017 15:51:46 GMT -6
Post by Nayru Al-Saiduq on Jun 12, 2017 15:51:46 GMT -6
Overview
Known for its chivalry and powerful force of cavaliers, Santaruz is often considered the 'old blood' of honor, blood, and country. A march steeped in tradition known as much for its inflexibility as its strong beliefs, it has always been a regional power but one that paled in comparison to Pherae until very recently. Most analogous to stereotypical medieval Europe, Santaruz can feel a bit dated at times but its economic and military power is no relic - despite its hangups, Santaruz's massive farms and fruitful land make it the breadbasket of central Lycia, offering it incredible bargaining power with all neighboring territories, and the knighthood it prides itself on are among the best disciplined and well trained in all of Lycia, only surpassed by the few elite Pheraen knights or matched by Araphen's extensive usage of heavy cavalry.
Its close relationship with Badon is perhaps the best thing to ever happen to Santaruz - even if they aren't as close friends as they'd like, the preferential trade agreements and countless mouths to feed in Badon make Santaruz even more economically powerful. Formerly they were significantly stronger than Laus and generally considered second only to Pherae, possibly tied with Araphen among the Ostian runner-ups, but the recent Laus military mobilization has left Santaruz uncomfortably close or perhaps even behind the power-hungry leaders of the so-called Lycian counter-offensive.
Military
Santaruz is famed first and foremost for its knights to the exclusion of all else - pound for pound their cavaliers are beaten only by those of Pherae, and they field a LOT more guys than Pherae ever did. While they lack Araphen cavalry's devastating punch, Santaruz specializes more in mobile cavalry tactics and makes extensive use of medium and light cavalry to harry and encircle foes in conjunction with their ground forces. Unlike Araphen, they do make some use of mages, though similar to Araphen classical military doctrine scorns them as insufficiently honorable so most commanders shun them entirely; Araphen may not understand their value but Santaruz actively pushes magi away from its armed forces.
Due to their proximity to western Lycia across the river, Santaruz does suffer from the undead overflow of Ostia to some degree, and roving bands of bandits from Caelin are also a significant threat. While their strong and highly mobile army does do a fairly good job in keeping Santaruz safe, they cannot be everywhere at once.
Relationships
Known for its chivalry and powerful force of cavaliers, Santaruz is often considered the 'old blood' of honor, blood, and country. A march steeped in tradition known as much for its inflexibility as its strong beliefs, it has always been a regional power but one that paled in comparison to Pherae until very recently. Most analogous to stereotypical medieval Europe, Santaruz can feel a bit dated at times but its economic and military power is no relic - despite its hangups, Santaruz's massive farms and fruitful land make it the breadbasket of central Lycia, offering it incredible bargaining power with all neighboring territories, and the knighthood it prides itself on are among the best disciplined and well trained in all of Lycia, only surpassed by the few elite Pheraen knights or matched by Araphen's extensive usage of heavy cavalry.
Its close relationship with Badon is perhaps the best thing to ever happen to Santaruz - even if they aren't as close friends as they'd like, the preferential trade agreements and countless mouths to feed in Badon make Santaruz even more economically powerful. Formerly they were significantly stronger than Laus and generally considered second only to Pherae, possibly tied with Araphen among the Ostian runner-ups, but the recent Laus military mobilization has left Santaruz uncomfortably close or perhaps even behind the power-hungry leaders of the so-called Lycian counter-offensive.
Military
Santaruz is famed first and foremost for its knights to the exclusion of all else - pound for pound their cavaliers are beaten only by those of Pherae, and they field a LOT more guys than Pherae ever did. While they lack Araphen cavalry's devastating punch, Santaruz specializes more in mobile cavalry tactics and makes extensive use of medium and light cavalry to harry and encircle foes in conjunction with their ground forces. Unlike Araphen, they do make some use of mages, though similar to Araphen classical military doctrine scorns them as insufficiently honorable so most commanders shun them entirely; Araphen may not understand their value but Santaruz actively pushes magi away from its armed forces.
Due to their proximity to western Lycia across the river, Santaruz does suffer from the undead overflow of Ostia to some degree, and roving bands of bandits from Caelin are also a significant threat. While their strong and highly mobile army does do a fairly good job in keeping Santaruz safe, they cannot be everywhere at once.
Relationships
- Pherae and Santaruz have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship of occasionally slightly forced friendliness; while Santaruz has always nursed a bit of a grudge about Pherae being seen as the pinnacle of knighthood, both marches share similar enough values that many actually did see Pheraen ideals as belonging to worthy rivals rather than enemies. Given that both marches have booming economies and strong, cavalry-heavy armies, they engage in extensive trade and occasional joint exercises as allies.
- Laus and Santaruz are about as different as you can get culturally, and have hated each other since the dawn of Lycia. Laus sees them as a bunch of stuck-up jerkwads and a direct threat to Lausian hegemony, while Santaruz sees Laus as dishonorable curs grubbing for power when it's obvious that Santaruz is the only march capable of leading Lycia to a better tomorrow... clearly. Many believe that it is only a matter of time until Santaruz and Laus come to blows, and some worry that it will extend to a full on civil war that could rip Lycia apart.
- Tania and Santaruz retain cordial relations and a solid trade partnership, but nothing too close
- Caelin is the greatest thorn in Santaruz's side currently, the source of their ongoing bandit problems and an absolute affront to freedom and justice. Santaruz has repeatedly offered to help Caelin solve its bandit problem - permanently - but Caelin's dogged independence and the possibility of Laus capitalizing on Santaruz's losses in a protracted Caelin campaign have kept them from acting... so far.
- Badon is Santaruz's greatest ally and a major source of their dominant economy. Santaruz concentrates many of its elite knights in southwestern Santaruz to ensure that the border with Badon is secure from bandit depredations.