Founding of the Kordi Military

The 8th Omada: The Black Hounds (Emeria Branch)

The military of the Kordi Nation, as it’s known today, was established in -4 under the direction of the twins, Sane & Kete Lanton. But before it spans a history of those who fought in the name of the great houses…

After the liberation of Dantria from Sikon the Binder, four Great Houses of the Nation were granted control of the fortress cities of Din Eidin (Wason), Kair Darra (Kewi), Kair Kolun (Lanton), and Palli Gran (Posa). In the few years between the formation of these fortress cities and the opening of the Flaming Gate, guard and warrior forces were forged from the ruling clan’s own warriors and those of the many smaller clans that followed them. These forces defended their cities from founding until their respective fall or evacuation beneath the Prytanis threat. The first city populace to retreat to Dantria, following House Lanton’s evacuation of Kair Kolun, brought the exceptional tactical mind of Kalun Lanton to Archos Sihala’s door. Lanton was quick to take control of the capital’s disjointed forces and, through the cooperation of his own warriors and those brought to Dantria by Aislinn Wisinha from the Riverlands, formed the Dantria Guard. Although both houses retained their own forces, Lanton’s were overseen by Sekemi janNeera, and Wisinha’s by Ruardri the Sunblessed, the warriors numbered in the thousands. 

Following a display of extreme bravery and tactical prowess in their command of the House Lanton forces during the Battle of Din Eidin in -5 (see: Lore of Note), Archos Sihala, in a decision of great controversy, tasked Kete and Sane Lanton (the then late-Commander Kalun Lanton's nephew and niece) with the enormous undertaking of uniting the forces of the great houses and the city’s own Dantria Guard. With the assistance and guidance of the nation’s many commanders, including Imogen “Brightspear” Sulgarda and Graden janLarka of the Dantria Guard, Ard Tiarna Fili Alekanta “the Tower” Wisinha, Ard Tiarna Lorcan Posa, Tewen Breanat, Gainor janFidla, and more. 

Up until that point, the nation's forces operated independently, with cooperation at the discretion of the commanding warriors and influenced by their own allegiances and whims. The Lanton twins forged a singular force, placing the troops of each great house into five units, overseen by the experts of the city’s defence, the former Dantria Guard. Within each force, they created task units based on the force’s talents: reconnaissance, patrol, and standing infantry, with complementary assistance from the city’s war engineers and cavalry. This formation held until the war’s end, after which the well-earned retirement, or unfortunate passing, of the majority of the nation’s forces necessitated a reworking for a future unshadowed by the Flaming Gate. 

As the city rebuilt, the Omadas were formed. The specialized military units started at five: one for the cavalry, one for internal defense and lawkeeping, one ready to march out at a moment’s notice with the nation’s might, one to devise and improve upon the tools of war, and one for reconnaissance and oversight of the wildlands and its dangers. 

On the anniversary of the war’s end, Archi Etelin and Leon janSihala summoned every member of the military to the capital city for a grand feast to honor their service. There, on the steps to the Silver Spire, the Archi announced the founding of the Order of the Tigues. The surviving leaders and commanders of the war were inducted into the order and promised land to be conferred upon their retirement from active service. The first Tigues of Eras numbered ninety-seven and were given direct command of the remaining soldiers. With the creation of the order, Sane and Kete Lanton took the rank of Priom to oversee the force that they forged, and granted similar command to five Tigues. They were: Ser Tewen Breanat of the Howling Spear, Serrah Arlan janCeili of the Watchful Eye, Ser Roisin janCiara of the Iron Rain, Ser Artyom Juryvist Kozak of the Gilded Spur, and Ser Imogen Sulgarda of Dantria’s Black Hounds. 

As warriors were assigned, and the hunt for remaining Prytanis began, it became clear that the infantry could not operate so far afield as one, and so was split in half to include the Burning Shield of Ser Aidan nacAine. And as the leaders of other cultures far and wide sought audience, counsel, and agreements from the newly appointed Archi, Sane forged and took command of a unit skilled in diplomacy; laws were formed to assist and escort the nation’s sole remaining Crown Diplomat, and to learn from him in kind. And, finally, when internal threats began to surface, the guard of the monarchs was formed and overseen by Kete Lanton. By the end of Year 1, eight omadas stood together.