Gulldahn: Houses of Tooth and Nail: History

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The Houses of Tooth and Talon constitute the main bulk of the Gulldahnian army. They are relatively new forces that have been formed since the alliance between Gullajra and Dahnizya. The troops that make up the houses however are definitely not new to warfare. In the Houses serve many veterans who fought in the third Gulldahnian war. The Kingdoms of Gullajra and Danizya had been at war with each other since not long after the Ancient's disappearance. The fighting between these Kingdoms often ground to a stalemate with neither side able to gain any sort of edge that the other could not hold off. The first two wars between these far reaching kingdoms were ended not in victory to any side, but to prevent the downfall of both. Both side knew that they could not achieve their goals and suspected that they would likely die out if they tried any longer.

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It was the third war in which strategies evolved beyond head on fighting. The first major change was the introduction of the Eisengarm Clans into the Dahnizyan forces. The unexpected appearance of these relentless shock troops completely broke Gullajran morale and swayed the war in Dahnizya's favour. Over the following months the Dahnizyan forces gained ground and began to assault the outer settlements of the Gullajran capital. King Thauren of Gullajra knew the war would be lost unless he changed up his tactics considerably. It was then he sought out the help of the forest dwelling Kasumae tribes to the South. He had heard tales of the legendary strategic minds of the Kasumae. Knowing not if these tales were true or just exaggerated stories told by traveling bards, he sent his diplomats into the forest. After weeks of holding off the Dahnizyan invaders who were now preparing to mount a direct siege on the capital, the King had given up any hope of victory. It was then that one of his trusted diplomats burst in to his quarters.

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"Your Majesty, I have a guest who you are going to want to speak with" the diplomat excitedly shouted as he beckoned in the guest. A tall woman dressed in animal pelts, and with blue marking on her pale skin entered the room. She introduced herself as Kimara, Chief of the Xipala tribe. She laid out a plan in intricate details she believed could turn the war in Gullajra's favour. The plan was to use the Eisengarm Clans political structure against them. Assassins were to be sent to kill the heads of the clans. The goal was to cause power struggles within their number. The plan was executed perfectly. One assassin even managed to frame the murder of a very influential leader on a Dahnizyan officer. This caused not only struggles to take his place but also infighting between Eisengarm and Dahnizya. With order completely missing from the Dahnizyan forces, the battle lines pushed further away from Gullajra's heartlands.

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It was only a matter of time before the Eisengarm power struggles were resolved and the true nature of the assassinations were learned. Order was restored to the Dahnizyan army and the war was once again a stalemate. Each kingdom again finding itself crippled by war began negotiating for peace. The King and Queen both came to realise this war would never be won by either side, and nothing but bloodshed would be gained by continuing. They agreed to end the war for good. It was arranged for the two kingdoms to be joined in marriage and become a new kingdom. Gulldahnia.

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The former armies of the two kingdoms were renamed and combined in to one devastating force. The Dahnizyan forces became known as the House of the Tooth, in homage to their lion heraldry. The Gullajrans were to be the House of the Talon, again after their heraldry, the Falcon. 

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Appearance and Approach

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The people of the Kingdoms are a contrasting demographic. Noblemen flaunt their wealth by wearing jewelry, ornately decorated armor and heraldry. The poorer choose the simpler things, tough wearing fabrics in natural, often earthy colors.

Soldiers don uniforms of drab green, a common color associated with cheaper conscript forces and the core Gulldahn armies. Richer soldiers supplement this with tabards, coats, livery bends and sashes of their noble house colours as well as the green/blue of the kingdoms. 

Lancers harken back to their iconic mounted knights of yester-year. Plate and maille is still a common sight, even in the modern armored cavalry, though most of it is passed down so is often seen padded, reforged or painted to protect it during long campaigns. 

 

Shields are broad, often tear drop or kite shaped, swords are elegant but still quite broad. Rifles have replaced archers

long ago but they still train to shoot in volleys for when the occasion calls. The rifle is often considered a dishonourable weapon by nobles. A pistol is the most likely firearm to ever find on soldiers of nobility, and even then only used to close the gap. Gulldahn forces revel in melee combat, it is considered the height of honor, though they respect the use of firearms during times of war, often granting intricately detailed ones select members of their personal retinue.

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In many cases, modern manufacturing methods have made armour simpler and more affordable for peasants, if they cant afford the craftsmanship of a kettle helm, a circular pattern helmet  of any kind wouldnt look amiss among the combat lines

There is a distinct recognizable trait difference between the two houses. The house of tooth had their troops clad in more robust armour, larger fully enclosed helmets or at the very least, full face visored and considerably more maille. The houses of Talon, preferring mobility, opt for tighter fitting armour with better articulation, half visored or even non-visored sallets and kettle helms.

One tradition within the army is to hire Woodsmen and Game Hunters as marksmen, they can often be identified by the Long cloaks they wear, often either Olive Drab canvas or Green or Brown wool.

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(The Gulldahn embody a perfect mix of medieval knights with ww1 British and american soldiers. Olive green ww1

uniforms fit perfectly with the nation mixed with medieval west European. Renaissance era is a bit too late, try to stick

with Dark age to early medieval, 1450 is a good cut-off point but that's only a guideline. The kettle helm and the ww1 Brodie helmet look almost identical so are a good fit. Typical Olive Drab canvas and linen materials materials work wonders but if you want to be of higher standing, do not be shy with small flashes of colour. Black clothing is generally rare outside of felts or leather, aspects may be used in heraldry but are often tempered with Gulldahn green and blue to avoid being mistaken for Revaaran. As the last part says, House of tooth favours Gothic plate and crusader era bulkier armour. Fully enclosed faces or maille coifs, rounder armour and long, simple tabards are a good sign you are of the House of Tooth. The House of Talon are the opposite, Tighter fitted Milanese armor, sallets and open faced helms, Shaped livery coats for nobles or bends for peasantry.

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The Nobility of Gulldahn respect their troops, but that's not to say they shouldn't know their place. The peasantry are hard working and are repaid for this with protection and chance to make a name for themselves. It isn't unfamiliar for nobles to be stripped of their titles for not accomplishing any great deeds of late, nor is it for peasants who's name is famous across the land to be elevated to the ranks of nobility. As much as nobility is hereditary, it is often still considered wise not to rest on one's laurels, to prove they are still worthy of the title is why many nobles still lead their troops from the front lines.

It is considered dishonorable for a knight to sneak or skulk in times of war. You must face your opponent head on and best them in combat. To have someone else do it, well, thats a different matter entirely. Gulldahn do not have spies or ambush troops, these were things the Kasumae favoured, and was one of the reasons they were sought after during the original wars between the kingdoms.​

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Customs and Traditions

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A Respectful Rivalry

The history between the two houses has caused a deep rivalry between their members. Although the old Kingdoms are now

unified the ghosts of old grudges remain. Time has however dulled the hate between enemies in to a rivalry of companions.

The houses are constantly trying to prove themselves better than the other through their deeds, both on the battlefield

and off of it. This rivalry is embraced by military leaders as a way to push for more out of their troops.

The throne encourages house members to wear imagery of their old Kingdom's herald animal. Lions for House of the

Tooth, Falcons for House of the Talon. This is to allow people to be proud of their heritage and customs.

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The Honorable Tourney

One of the great traditions of the Kingdoms is the Grand Tourneys they used to hold, knights would flaunt their

prowess in single combat. Many nobles would show favour to one knight or another, sometimes going as far as to grant 

a token to the one who they wished good fortune to, often in the form of a ribbon or bannerette. These tokens would often

be kept and adorned the armor of the knight, even in battle.

Weapons are blunted or often made specifically for tourney to avoid lethal damage and keep the fight going longer, but that doesnt mean they are safe from injury.

Tourneys are often held during festival celebrations, political summits and large gatherings.

Their military often encourages small scale tourneys to both sharpen the skills of their soldiers and to encourage and entertain their troops with shows of martial prowess

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Hereditary Influence

Units within the houses are formed of the personal armies of the barons from across the Kingdom. The barons dedicate their soldiers to the war effort as a duty to their land. It is accepted that house soldiers will bear the colours and heraldry of their baron. Most will wear this as well as the blue and green that symbolizes the Kingdom as a whole. Due to the nature of leadership in the houses power will very often pass on to a family member when a baron dies.

The less wealthy citizens will likely never get a chance at leadership, unless they come into enough money to pay for troops to lead. Many peasant troops not lucky enough to be household retinue may find themselves in the local town militia. Militia do sometimes see action on the front lines if called to war but it is harder for militia to make a name for themselves without noble backing.

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Unification Day • January 1061

The Unification Day celebration is held each year on the anniversary of the King and Queen's marriage. This is a day in which all Gulldahnian citizens come together and celebrate their unity.

It is very common for wealthy barons to hold lavish banquets, with members of the opposite house as guests of honour. Many have the tradition of holding off their own marriage until Unification Day. Should a young Tooth soldier find their beloved in a Talon, their parents will likely host a grand ceremony to celebrate, just as the old Kingdoms did.

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Anniversary of the Battle of Gulldahn • September 1060

Mock battles are fought with normal people dressing up as either side. Where there is a camp or garrison of troops, they put on a tourney pitting Gullajran against Dahnizyan fighters.

 

 

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