Kheionai Military History

Introduction

The military history of the Kheionai covers a vast timespan, from The Day of Ashen Skies up to the present. For most of that time period, innovation in warfare was static and infantry-focused, centered upon the venerable phalanx. Only with the introduction of horses through the invasion of Taychend by the state of Ameion in the mid 1400s did Kheionai warfare finally, but slowly, evolve beyond the use of dense-infantry formations. As the Kheionai adapted to using cavalry, first with chariots, and then with mass formations of light cavalry, infantry formations were forced to cope with the very real threat of being surrounded and destroyed by cavalry. In response, Kheionai infantry formations became looser, with anti-cavalry tactics adopted en-masse. Even with cavalry now a factor, most Kheionai armies kept to the phalanx.

With the coming of the Cannorians and gunpowder, the armies of Alecand and Devand were once again forced to evolve. Many kheions looked to Ameion’s armies for an example of how best to use gunpowder, while more conservative kheions that clung to the phalanx, opted to instead magically enchant their equipment to withstand gunfire. As time marched on, however, even the most conservative Kheionai armies adopted gunpowder technology, and abandoned the phalanx formation. In comparison, the new class of mounted-soldiers among the Kheionai came to embrace the gun much more quickly than their infantry counterparts, and found great success with the use of caracole tactics.

As the old ways of phalanx warfare faded into memory, a new generation of Kheionai commanders and their soldiers came to embrace the gun with increasing enthusiasm. Kheionai officers would be sent to Cannorian military academies, learning modern tactics, and then return to their homelands with the latest tactical innovations. Cannorian mercenary companies would find themselves hired by wealthy kheions too, with many ending up settling down upon the coasts of The Cleaved Sea.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, Kheionai armies were on par with those of Cannor and Haless. Using the latest tactics and drills, they had long since lost any vestiges of the old ways of war that their ancestors had practiced for a millennia.

Kheionai military historians generally classify Kheionai warfare into three eras:

• The Pre-Phalanx Era
• The Phalanx Era
• The Post-Phalanx Era

The Pre-Phalanx Era (1 - 353)

The Isolation

The period following The Day Of Ashen Skies saw the utter destruction of the region, with only the warded cities on the isle of Alecand barely surviving. The cities would devolve into brutal infighting, with constant civil wars and power struggles affecting every city. While little is known of the period, what is certain is that constant urban warfare occurred, with house to house fighting being incredibly common during this time period. Many prominent scholars have speculated that the Kheionai’s proclivity to close-ordered infantry warfare came about during this era. If so, there is no verifiable evidence to back such claims.

Leaving The Wards

When the ashes in the sky disappeared and the cities stabilized, they began to reach beyond their wards, building settlements and coming into contact with each other. While many of these interactions were peaceful in nature, some were quite violent, with border clashes being a frequent occurrence among certain kheions. As there were no horses in Alecand, the armies of the Kheionai during this time period were exclusively made up of infantry. Due to the early Kheionai’s great knowledge of metalworking, infantry, even during this period, would be equipped with heavy armor, spears, and swords of either iron or bronze, organized into loose bands. As the period progressed and border wars became more frequent, these infantry bands would become better organized and equipped. They fought in a defensive manner, with many battles during this time period being won by the side that lasted the longest.

The Phalanx Era (354 - 1505)

The League War

By 354 the kheions had divided themselves into two large alliance webs. The Kherkan League was composed of Kherka, Lokemeion, Kimánis and Arpedifér, while the Degabhen League was composed of Degakheion, Oktikheion and Ormam. These two leagues would enter the first great war of the Kheionai, with many large-scale battles being fought. It is during this period that the Phalanx was introduced to the Kheionai by the kheion of Arpedifér. While at the beginning of the league war, only Arpedifér employed the phalanx formation, by the war’s end, every kheion had adopted the formation. Armies numbering in the tens of thousands organized themselves in the phalanx, armed with bronze armor, a long spear, and a bronze shield. Even after The Kherkan League’s victory in 360, every kheion continued to employ the formation in their armies.

The phalanxes used during this period and afterwards would be called “Pure Phalanxes” by later historians to distinguish these formations from other variants developed by the Kheionai.

Pure Phalanx

“The phalanx’s excellence in massed infantry warfare in Alecand left many city states ignorant to its many flaws against mobile military formations. As a result, military strategy developed to optimize the phalanx’s strengths as an indomitable forward-facing formation. The Alecandi Kheionai would concentrate their best soldiers in a dense formation withdrawn from the battlefield, while sending their regular hoplites to push forwards in standard phalanx tactics. As the battle degenerated into an exhausting stalemate, Kheionai generals would concentrate their elite forces in a flanking maneuver, intending to shatter and rout their exhausted enemies. Historians who observed the exclusive use of the phalanx in this strategy by the Kheionai would refer to the formation as the Pure Phalanx.” ―Iosapos Aisodokes, “A History of Kheionai Warfare”

The Eniéd

This hundred-year period saw little if any conflict upon the island of Alecand, as the kheions had lost too many soldiers to go to war. This prosperous period saw its soldiers equipped with better, more high quality armor and weaponry, and a focus on professional soldiers, in comparison to the large, conscript-based armies of The League War.

Colonization Of The Mainland

Shortly after mainland South Aelantir was discovered by an Oktikheioni voyage in 468, an expedition was mounted by Degakheion to investigate the new lands. What had begun as a simple reconnaissance mission soon grew to become a full blown settlement, Eneion. Soon, the other kheions had founded new kheions, or Nékheis, upon the mainland. These settlers had to contend with the Basobhar, (literally forest barbarian) a large group of elves that fought in a completely different manner from the Kheionai. While the kheions formed up in large, unwieldy phalanxes, the Basobhar fought with skirmishing and ambush tactics. The Nékheis were forced to adapt their phalanxes to combat the Basobhar. These new formations produced what had come to be the first variant of the phalanx that the Kheionai had developed, the “Guarded” Phalanx.

Guarded Phalanx

“The phalanx was the predominant military formation used amongst the Kheionai city states for centuries. However, the phalanx was also inherently inflexible and vulnerable to flanking maneuvers; this was a pressing problem for Kheionai polities as their Bharbhen adversaries could easily outmaneuver and encircle phalanxes using their mobile mounts. To address these critical flaws, Kheionai rulers, especially those from Empkeios and Lokemeion, would leverage the economic and political clout of their urban powerbases to convince rural aristocrats to muster skirmishers from their fiefs. Armed with javelins and thrusting spears, these auxiliary skirmishers were deployed to defend and support the phalanx by blocking flanking enemies. “ ―Iosapos Aisodokes, “A History of Kheionai Warfare”

Laskaris’ Conquests

In 1434, Laskaris the conqueror would begin a series of invasions in Taychend, bringing much of the southern parts of the region under Ameion’s rule. Before his invasion he had reformed the army, innovating greatly upon the phalanxes of old.

Laskarian Phalanx

“Under the leadership of Laskaris the Conqueror, the Ameioni army invaded the vast realms of Taychend in the 1400s. These armies were predominantly heavily-armored and well-disciplined citizen-soldiers, which formed into phalanxes as was tradition amongst the Kheionai. To counter the  Taychendi elves’ cavalry, Laskaris would maintain reserve hoplites to either drive away these mounted soldiers throughout the battle or, more boldly, proactively intercept these foes and drive away the threat of cavalry charges.These audacious tactics, combined with support by local mercenaries and ranged skirmishers, would enable the Ameioni center to continuously push unabated into the outmatched hordes of Taychendi and claim many a battlefield in victory.” ―Nisos Iskrates, “The Armies of the Ameioni Empire”

The Eltikhan War

When the Eltibhar clans united into the kingdom of Eltikhan, much of the Kheionai ignored the threat. When Eltikhan began its invasion of Lokemeion, the kheion was caught off guard. As the war dragged on, Lokemeion was forced to innovate, creating a new variant of the phalanx, the Lokemeioni Phalanx.

Lokemeioni Phalanx

“The 15th century was unkind to the people of Lokemeion, as Bharbhen raids escalated into full-scale war with the united Eltikhan kingdom. Initial battles led to defeat after defeat as the traditional auxiliary skirmishers that guarded the flanks proved unable to withstand the Bharbhen horde and their wretched boar mounts. Thus the Lokemeioni were forced to adapt to the shifting tides of warfare.  Instead of relying on simple levies, Lokemeion began to recruit sýnaranbhen, veteran soldiers defending the colonies near the Eltikhan, to hold the flanks of the battlefield. Professional and motivated, the sýnaranbhen proved not only capable skirmishers but also able to execute advanced maneuvers with allied phalanxes and effectively dispatching boar rider units.” ―Iosapos Aisodokes, “A History of Kheionai Warfare”

The Introduction of Cavalry

As Ameion tightened its grip in Taychend, it began to experiment with horses and horse riding, the first of the Kheionai to do so. Eventually, some of these horses would be sold to kheions friendly to Ameion, including Eneion. The Eneioni, in turn, would quickly share the horses with Degakheion. As the first of the Kheionai to develop cavalry, the Ameioni would primarily use horses for chariots. The example of these chariot units would be copied by other Kheionai states, and it would not be long before every kheion had a horse breeding program and chariot units of their own.

Ameioni War Chariots

“For much of their history, the Kheionai lacked any mounts, leading to a battlefield dominated solely by infantry.  This would change, however, when the mighty general, Laskaris the Conqueror, invaded Taychend. With his conquest came, amongst other things, the introduction of horses to the Kheionai through the Ameioni.The steeds' potential for battle was quickly recognized by the Ameioni, but the general unfamiliarity with horseback riding rendered heavy cavalry a challenge to implement. Emulating the beasts-of-burden that worked the plows to till their fields, the Ameioni crafted war chariots for the horses to drive through the battlefield. Although these chariots proved to be unwieldy and occasionally unpredictable to operate for the drivers, their mobility on open fields could decisively overcome the virtuous, powerful phalanx. Through a combination of archers safely weakening the formations from the safety of the chariots and the ravaging damage that chariots could cause by running down wavering hoplites after volleys of arrows, the chariots proved to be a powerful tool to counter the phalanx.” ―Eratos Agenor, “Kheionai Cavalry Warfare”

Degakheioni Expansion

The 15th century would see the gradual rise of Degakheion. They first allied with Oktikheion in the conquest of Kimanis, then turned on that very same ally and took Kimanis for themselves. In 1477, the Degakheioni turned south, seeking to conquer the small and vulnerable kheion of Ormam. However, the constrained lands between the Metei and the coastline around Ormam forced the Degakheioni to innovate, as Ormam’s phalanxes blocked Degakheion’s advance towards Ormam itself. These innovations produced what came to be known as the Degakheioni Phalanx.

Degakheioni Phalanx

"When Degakheion invaded the lesser kheion of Ormam in 1477, Degakheion's leading generals would employ large cadres of military engineers that would assemble ballistae made from the vast forests surrounding their encampments. The exceptional range and accuracy of such weapons would coax the Omami phalanx formations to either retreat or march forwards from the casualties steadily sustained. The Degakheioni phalanxes, which were larger and deeper-ranked than the Ormami phalanxes, would shatter their fatigued enemies on the field of battle with the support of speeding chariots." ―Linos Aristogiton, “The Warrior Elite: A Military History Of Degakheion”

The Lórkóian War

The introduction of mounted units into Kheionai warfare led to greater innovations in infantry formations being employed. This was especially shown during the rise of Degakheion in the 15th century, as the kheion became an early adopter of mounted warfare. This advantage the Degakheioni possessed, was one their enemies lacked, for a time. Eventually, every independent kheion would have a cavalry wing of similar size to Degakheion’s, such that the militaristic power could no longer rely upon their cavalry as a unique advantage.

When the League Of Lórkóian, made up of the four Alecandi kheions that were not under Degakheions rule (Lokemeion, Kherka, Oktikheion, Arpedifer), formed to defend against Degakheioni aggression, it was known to all upon the isle of Alecand that a new great war loomed. And when that war finally arrived, it was Degakheion that struck first, overrunning Oktikheion’s defenses. The Oktikheioni were forced to innovate against the much deeper Degakheioni phalanxes. These tactical innovations would eventually produce what became known as the Manipular Phalanx. The Manipular Phalanx formation would be adopted by the other members of the league, for it countered the deeper, unwieldy phalaxes of the Degakheioni. The Degakheioni also had plans of their own, hoping to make even larger, deeper phalanxes than before, although none of these plans ever went into effect before the war’s end.

Manipular Phalanx

"Oktikheion was not spared from the brutal campaigns of the Degakheioni warmongers, as their lands were invaded in the 1490s.The Kylakas of Oktikheion secretly hired military advisors from Lokemeion, who would develop a formation known as the manipule, which assembled Oktikheion's hoplites in a smaller, looser, but more flexible formation. The manipule was capable of efficient maneuvering and tactical flexibility which disrupted the stiff battle lines of the Degakheioni phalanxes, hindering the cohesion and discipline vital for their success. Combined with the effective application of heavy cavalry to flank and cause devastating shock damage, the Degakheioni phalanx was humiliated on the battlefield." ―Iosapos Aisodokes, “A History of Kheionai Warfare”

Phocas Phalanx

"After the initial setbacks in the invasion of Oktikheion, Kylakas Phocas of Degaheion would personally intervene to rebuild Degakheion's forces. Plans were drawn to reform the army to leverage heavily-armored hoplites who would gather into dense phalanxes, equipped with javelins and thrusting spears, to overwhelm the Oktikheioni armies on the field. However, before Phocas could assemble his army for a second invasion, he was ousted from office, leaving the Phocas Phalanx as a conceptual battle formation." ―Linos Aristogiton, “The Warrior Elite: A Military History Of Degakheion”

Javelin Cavalry

The nekheis had not sat idly while wars were fought in Alecand. The nekheis learned much faster than their Alecandi counterparts on the art of horse-riding. And of the nekheis, it was the Keyolioni who innovated the most with regards to cavalry. Ditching the chariots, they armed themselves with throwing javelins and thrusting swords. The Keyolioni Javelin Riders would be copied by the other Nekheis, and even saw use in the later stages of The Lórkóian War.

Keyolioni Javelin Riders

"Amongst the many nékheis that settled in the vast lands of Devand, it was the Keyolíoni that most quickly mastered equestrianism among the Kheionai. With superior cavalry at their disposal, chariots were abandoned, in favor of more mobile, accessible and efficient heavy cavalry. In dense formations, the Keyolíoni would target enemy phalanxes that were pinned by allied formations, battering their unprotected flanks with sharp javelins before charging in with their thrusting swords, dashing and crushing their enemies in the process. Such innovations in mobile cavalry warfare contributed to the rapid decline of the Kheionai phalanx in early-modern warfare as the latter struggled to cope with the increasing intensity of battle." ―Eratos Agenor, “Kheionai Cavalry Warfare”

The Post-Phalanx Era (1506 - Present)

Introduction of Gunpowder

The Phalanx had been declining in effectiveness for decades, facing pressure from large units of cavalry that every kheion now possessed. But even up to Cannorian arrival, the phalanx was used in its manipular form. The arrival of gunpowder and firearms would finally bring an end to the dominance of the phalanx upon Kheionai warfare.

Two schools of thought emerged among the kheions as to how to respond to this new technology:

The first school of thought sought to incorporate gunpowder weaponry into phalanx warfare. The prime example of this is the Ameioni Fotistrépei.

The second school of thought rejected gunpowder outright, instead seeking to magically enchant their heavy armor en-masse to be resistant to bullets. The most infamous example of this would be the Arpediferi Phalanx.

Ameioni Fotistrépei

"Ameion's expansion into Taychend rapidly stagnated following the death of Laskaris the Conqueror. However, the legacy of momentous military reform did not pass away with such a great elf. One such reform was the Fotistrépei system, where Ameioni administrators exchanged land and privileges to Kheionized Taychendi soldiers.Known as the Fotistrépei, these soldiers would form a permanent and loyal native force. The Fotistrépei would not only help suppress Taychendi unrest under Ameioni occupation but also revitalize further conquest of Taychend when the Sun Elves arrived in Southern Aelantir and shattered Larankar's empire. Armed with both Cannorian muskets imported by their Kheionai leadership and indigenous weapons such as longbows and javelins, the Fotistrépei would act as light infantry responsible for providing firepower and probing attacks in support of Ameioni phalanxes who would steadily push towards the main enemy force. This, combined with ample heavy cavalry support, were decisive against Taychendi armies who could not adapt against Ameion's dynamic and overwhelming tactics on the battlefield." ―Nisos Iskrates, “The Armies of the Ameioni Empire”

Arpediféri Phalanx

“When the Cannorians arrived on the shores of Arpedifér, the firearm followed them. The traditional way of war of the Kheionai was brought to kneel by the musket, whose bullets could penetrate the shields and armor of the mighty hoplite and shatter the morale and discipline of the phalanx formation in battle. Yet, despite their lethality, firearms could not shake the hardened hearts of the Arpediféri, the venerable pioneers of the phalanx. To avoid dishonoring their kheion's most sacred institution, the Arpediféri would pay exorbitant expenses for the finest and strongest armor and equipment to save themselves from bullets, even going as far as consulting mages to render their shields seemingly invulnerable by enchanting them with the same abjurations that have shielded their people from the kaydhano for millenia. Though some would still fall despite their warded armor, others truly became invulnerable on the battlefield, forming the vital core for the Arpediféri army in the early-modern era.” ―Iosapos Aisodokes, “A History of Kheionai Warfare”

Pistolier Cavalry

The new class of cavalry soldiers took to the gun much more quickly than their infantry counterparts. They saw the potential of the new weapons, with many a horse rider equipping themselves with multiple pistols. Adopting the caracole tactic from Cannor, these new cavalry units let go of their heavy armor in favor of speed and maneuverability, harassing enemy infantry formations. The Oktikheioni Outriders were the best at this new form of cavalry, and became the standard by which other Kheionai cavalry units would copy.

Oktikheioni Outriders

“When firearms were introduced to the Kheionai, the emerging class of professional cavalry welcomed them with open arms just as they did with equestrianism decades ago, especially those of the Okitkheioni people. Equipping themselves with pistols and foregoing most of their heavy full-body armor to allow greater speed on the battlefield, these equestrians transitioned from heavy cavalry into equally-as-dangerous skirmishers. The Oktikheioni Outriders were renowned for their ability to isolate phalanxes before orbiting their unfortunate enemies in a ring of death, firing as many pistols into them before tactically retreating into friendly forces to reload and repeat the process. These skirmisher cavalry forced the Alecandi Kheionai to either relinquish their traditional phalanx, or be outpaced, outgunned and outmaneuvered on the battlefield." ―Eratos Agenor, “Kheionai Cavalry Warfare”

Pike and Shot

By the dawn of the 17th century, gunpowder and cavalry had made the phalanx completely obsolete in Kheionai warfare, with even the most stubborn of kheions ditching the formation. Pike and shot warfare became dominant among the Kheionai, with two formations emerging as the model by which the Kheionai infantry would follow.

• The Besolaki Square, a formation that placed emphasis on firearms and offensive warfare.
• The Degakheioni Pike Formation, which placed a greater emphasis on defending its gunners with walls of pikes.

Besolaki Square

"When a Cannorian ship was forced to dock near a Besolakí village, the mayor successfully traded for three matchlock muskets after being impressed after a demonstration of their power. The mayor would commission the village blacksmith to replicate the muskets, achieving this task after months of labor. Soon after, the musket proliferated throughout the kheion, and its generals openly integrated them into the Besolakí army, reforming their strategies around such powerful weapons.The Besolakí Square was a product of the mass introduction of firearms into the army, which was a hollowed formation which could protect arquebusiers as they shot at Bharbhen and rival Kheionai invaders under the safety of disciplined hoplites armed with sarissa and shields. Supported by skirmishers and light cavalry, the Besolakí Square was also capable of safely attacking on the battlefield." ―Iosapos Aisodokes, “A History of Kheionai Warfare”

Degakheioni Pike Formation

"Degakheion, who was still recovering from the trauma of their defeat in the invasion of Oktikheion, begrudgingly adopted gunpowder into their armies, aware of its power from trade with the Cannorians. As a result of the penetrating power of muskets, Degakheioni hoplites would forgo their shields in favor of longer sarissas, which could steadfastly stand their ground against cavalry and other infantry. Arqubusiers would be deployed in two ranks in between Degakheioni pike squares, firing massed salvos at the enemy continuously as skirmishers before retreating behind the safety of Degakheioni pikemen. While the pikemen fought the cavalry and infantry, the arquebusiers would reposition along the flanks of battle, forming single-rank lines to continue battering the enemy with gunfire." ―Linos Aristogiton, “The Warrior Elite: A Military History Of Degakheion”

A Split Approach To Cavalry

From the 17th century onwards, the Alecandi kheions and the nekheis would increasingly diverge upon their approach to cavalry warfare. The Alecandi opted to use heavily armored cavalry, whose armor had been enchanted to withstand bullets.Meanwhile, the nekheis, whose environment was too rough and hostile to allow for heavily armored cavalry, instead focused upon masses of lightly-armored horse riding skirmishers. The difference would be most clearly seen in the examples of the Ormami Cuirassiers and the Devandi Rangers.

Ormami Cuirassiers

"Despite the rapid proliferation of cavalry throughout Kheionai, Ormam maintained a relatively limited cavalry force compared to their neighbors, favoring expenditures towards a modernized infantry-centric force. As a result, professional cavalry became a rarity on the battlefield, only consisting of the military elite and upper-class citizen-soldiers. To protect themselves from the evermore deadly battlefield, these cavalry-elves would equip themselves with heavy curaisses and even armor their expensive horses with abjurated barding. Though the average Ormami cuirassier was slower than their contemporaries, they were relentless and invulnerable the moment they began their devastating shock charges on the battlefield, particularly when Ormami infantry had closed the distance and pinned enemy infantry with Delisian warfare tactics." ―Eratos Agenor, “Kheionai Cavalry Warfare”

Devandi Rangers

"The Devandi Kheionai were one of the greatest at utilizing cavalry in rough conditions and geography. However, the cavalry charge could not penetrate the dense and mighty forests and as a result, cavalry predominantly was limited to skirmishing and reconnaissance roles. As gunpowder warfare and cavalry doctrine rapidly evolved as the Kheionai were entrenched in deeper conflict against their neighbors and the Cannorians, many of the Devandi Kheionai states adopted mobile carabiniers to defend their roads and coastlines where their dense woods couldn't obstruct enemy armies. These dragoons, referred to as rangers to the Cannorians, were able to harass and disable enemy formations with excellent marksmanship before retreating into the countryside, with the speed and lethality of a kaydhano." ―Eratos Agenor, “Kheionai Cavalry Warfare”

The Decline Of The Pike

As firearms became more advanced, pikes began to decline in use among the Kheionai. This was especially so in cities with favorable relations to Kherka, which had become the largest center of gun manufacturing in South Aelantir during this period. Those that could not afford to arm most of their soldiers with firearms instead sought to loosen their formations, following the model of Kylakas Doukas of Empkeios and his Doukas Formation.

Kherkan Grenadiers

"Kherka, a state made up of exceptional metalworkers, became a center of gun manufacturing in South Aelantir as firearms became more commonplace in warfare. It became no surprise that the Kherkans were the first of the Kheionai to arm a majority of its soldiers with flintlock muskets. By the mid-1630s, there was one musketeer for every pike-elf remaining in service. The forward vanguard of the new Kherkan army were the Kherkan Grenadiers, who would fight as skirmishers using long-barreled muskets.These Grenadiers would be infamous for throwing salvos of ceramic grenades to provide deadly cover before retreating from advancing enemy formations. The heavy firepower of the grenadiers would provide the trailing Kherkan line infantry with a tactical advantage over the wavering and divided enemy forces before volley fire commenced." ―Iosapos Aisodokes, “A History of Kheionai Warfare”

Doukas Formation

"Kylakas Doukas of Empkeios was elected after a prestigious military career as an officer of the Empkeiosi Army, and would use his newfound political clout to revolutionize warfare in Devand. Inspired by Cannorian military advisors and his own experience as a mercenary in Cannorian armies, Doukas concluded that modern Kheionai formations were too slow, unwieldy and reactive to fight modern battles against the Bharben, and needed to be simplified while avoiding losing firepower.In response Doukas ordered that  battalions of soldiers would be divided into smaller and narrower companies to allow for superior movement and more troops to be active on the battlefield; these soldiers would be equipped with flintlock muskets and be issued long plug-bayonets in order to serve a dual role as musketeer and pikeman. Doukas' formations excelled in battle, especially in rough terrain, such as the forests of Devand, where massed infantry formations struggled, in-part due to their superior firepower, maneuverability, and efficiency in battle." ―Zaleukos Phaedon, “Kheionai Armies Of The Post-Phalanx Era”

Line And Volley Warfare

As the 18th century began, pikes had entirely disappeared from Kheionai armies, replaced by the bayonet. Every soldier was equipped with a firearm, and were trained in Cannorian-style tactics. It was at this point that the final vestiges of the old ways of phalanx warfare were left behind, as Kheionai generals sought to look to Cannorian armies and their mercenaries for how best to adapt to the changing face of modern warfare.

Delisian Line

"When the city of Ormam was submerged into decades of warfare from rival kheions and Cannorian expeditionaries in between the 17th and 18th century, it became clear that military reform was a necessity for self-preservation. Kylakas Delis, who governed Ormam during the mid-1600s, would take advantage of the kheion's extensive mercantile connections to import thousands of flintlock muskets from friendly kheions to fully equip his soldiers with firearms. These soldiers would be assembled into lines of infantry companies, tasked in closing the distance with the support of skirmishers in order to fire a mass volley of musketry before charging the weakened enemy with bayonets. Combined with the brutal shock charges of cuirassiers, Ormam could decisively and quickly win battles without suffering brutal casualties from prolonged volley fire exchanges." ―Zaleukos Phaedon, “Kheionai Armies Of The Post-Phalanx Era”

Apikhoxi Guards

"Although Apikhoxí enjoyed prolonged periods of relative peace, its government continued to modernize their strategies and equipment to avoid sudden destruction from its enemies, especially the brutish Amgremósi raiders who occasionally pried at Apikhoxí's borders. However, Apikhoxí's people refused to tolerate the horrific suffering of massed warfare upon their kin, even as war crept upon their friends and family.To address these concerns and minimize casualties, Apikhoxí's military would develop specialized infantry companies designed to minimize the devastation of musket volleys. Those at the front would be equipped with costly abjurated armor, similar to what the Arpediféri had pioneered, and fire upon the opposing line.  Meanwhile, infantry without this armor would focus on reloading muskets behind safe cover to provide the front-rank soldiers. These freshly-loaded muskets would then be swapped with the spent muskets used by the armored frontline. The result was a devastating semi-constant barrage and lower casualties, if at the cost of less overall firepower."  ―Iosapos Aisodokes, “A History of Kheionai Warfare”

The End of Close Order Formations

Contrary to what many would expect, the Kheionai were quick to drop close order formations when it was no longer useful to them. While many Alecandi states continued to employ line formations, those in Devand reformed their armies to open order formations. The brother-kheions of Eneion and Deyeion were great examples of this, as they quickly ditched line formations as soon as their commanders started falling to sharpshooters on the battlefield.

Eneioni Skirmishers

"It has been said by the Kheionai that an Eneioni elf could be blindfolded and still identify every tree, rock, and stream in their countryside as if nothing had been blocking their vision. Although certainly apocryphal, it reflected the profound mastery and knowledge that the Eneioni had of their own homeland compared to other peoples. When the Eneioni military leadership noticed the increasing effectiveness of open-order formations upon foreign battlefields, they collectively agreed with little debate to begin reforming the Eneioni army away from the old ways of closed-order formations that the rest of the Kheionai desperately held on to.The new Eneioni army birthed from these reforms became one of the greatest of its generation in South Aelantir. Every Eneioni militia was as capable of becoming viciously efficient skirmishers who were masters of maneuvering and utilizing any natural cover successfully, even to the thinnest of shrubs, as they were capable of conventional closed-order formation discipline and bravery under volley-fire." ―Zaleukos Phaedon, “Kheionai Armies Of The Post-Phalanx Era”

Deyeioni Defenders

"In the mid-18th century, the Échate League fell into a bloody period of strife as the Ameion Empire rapidly collapsed into anarchy and disunity. Sensing weakness, Busilari expeditionaries invaded one of the League's members, Deyeion. Forced to defend Deyeion with no aid, the Kylakas of Deyeion decreed the unpopular act of conscription, forcing all capable males to defend their homeland from the foreign invaders at any cost.The conscripts would be consolidated into local militia companies led by veteran Deyeioni officers; these companies were responsible for defending their hometowns and if necessary, rapidly integrating with Deyeion regulars to provide vital manpower for open field battles to drive out the invaders. The flexible system would create hell for the invading Busilari as they were forced to fight through scorched earth, sudden mass infantry assaults, and militant local population. The vicious defense would eventually yield peace for the Deyeioni and secure their independence. However, the extensive conscription and economic devastation would leave Deyeion exhausted for  generations to come." ―Nisos Iskrates, “The Armies of the Ameioni Empire”

Rise Of Mounted Sharpshooters

The 18th century would bring about a curious innovation among the Devandi cities, in the form of swift horse riders that moved and fired at the same time, in a similar fashion to the horse archers of other lands. These mounted sharpshooters brutally harassed enemy infantry, and were capable of charges should the need arise. The most famous of these cavalry units was the Amgremósi Carabiniers.

Amgremósi Carabiniers

"Among the Devandi Kheionai, the Amgremósi were at the forefront of Kheionai cavalry warfare due to the violence of the Andic Crisis, combined with their deeply-rooted cavalry army tradition from centuries of horseback raiding and warfare with their neighbors such as the Apikhoxí. Going into the late 18th century, the cavalry of the Amgremósi rode on specially-bred horses which were faster and more athletic than their other Devandi counterparts, using their speed to outpace the enemy and easily weave into the flanks of the battlefield; armed with carbines, the Amgremósi were capable of accurately firing while moving and just as competent at reloading on horseback. The Amgremósi would take advantage of their mounted marksmanship and fast mounts to enable their cavalry to serve advanced skirmishing and infiltrating roles in combat, performing admirably against the stubborn and stalwart defense of the Apikhoxí infantry." ―Eratos Agenor, “Kheionai Cavalry Warfare”

League Armies

The late 18th century had seen the league of Kheiós come into existence, and with it, a standardized, unified army.  The Echate League too, had begun to standardize their armies around this time period, although not to the same extent as the Kheiós league.

Kheiós League Infantry

"In the late-18th century, a powerful Kaydhano swept through the Alecandi kheions, politically and diplomatically isolating them for years. By the time the storms subsided, the kheions were cut off from their nékheis, who refused to embrace subservience to their former overlords. The Alecandi kheions' hardships did not end, for Cannorian influence began to seep deeper into the Kheionai's sovereignty and more brazen, going as far as fully vassalizing weaker nékheis through Cannorian institutions such as the Vanbury Guild. As their position became more tenuous, the Alecandi Kheionai federalized into the Kheiós League and as a consequence, united their armies into a single banner. Modernized, motivated and armed with the finest Kherkan weaponry, the Kheiós League was ready to drive out all invaders from Kheionai lands and maintain their independence." ―Zaleukos Phaedon, “Kheionai Armies Of The Post-Phalanx Era”

Échate League Infantry

"The devastation of the wars of the Andic Crisis forced the members of the Échate League to reflect upon their ways of war. Many of them relied upon massive formations of conscripted infantry to outmuscle their attackers, refusing to concede even a single village. But, the economic and political cost of full conscription became unsustainable for war for the Échate League. As a result their members would begin to devolve military responsibilities to smaller armies of highly trained and motivated skirmishers and light infantry, equipped with the finest rifles and uniforms which could camouflage into the forests and hills of Devand. These smaller armies were designed for territorial defense by creating a high-intensity guerilla war against any invaders to render even basic military operations impossible in home territory by instigating skirmishes, assaulting supply convoys, and raiding regimental camps to break the will of the enemy."

―Nisos Iskrates, “The Armies of the Ameioni Empire”