Geographical Area, Size, and Description
Battalion is the largest single Humakti Temple in the civilised world. It is big enough to be subdivided into eight Regiments, each with its own proud history. Any Regiment can be sent out alone, and is a force that others would think of as over-whelming, but Battalion itself seldom marches.
Leadership and Organisation
- High Sword
- Soanotha Three-hand
- Wyter Priest
- Soanotha Three-hand
- Rune Priests
- Too many to list individually. They include Lord Arniden the Lay Master, Great Sword Chettoria, Great Sword Irillo, and Heinamika, Sword of the Fifth.
- Initiates
- Too many to list. Historically, Berra Jarang's Daughter, Pompados the brother of Xenofos, and a brother of Mellia Saiciae. Currently, Kesten Hulta.
- Lay Members
- Too many to list
Organisation
To anyone inside, the Temple is referred to as Battalion. To anyone outside, it is the Battalion. It is, in theory, a distinct entity from the Humakti Barracks, but this is a politeness only, and everyone who sleeps in the barracks in expected to join Battalion in the end.
The High Sword commands the various Regiments, through Chief Priests known as the Great Swords1 of Humakt. The High Sword also holds the Wyter. Each of the Great Swords commands a Regiment, and has various Swords under her. The Battalion Central Structure is the political-logistical arm of the Temple within the city of Nochet and greater Esrolia.
The Second Regiment, once known as the Red Cobras after Pharaoh's crown, is commanded by Irillo (Scar-face) Thisera. Nobody uses the nickname in front of him, and nobody knows how he got that scar. A previous Great Sword, Kesten, died in 1616 fighting Wolf Pirates, drowning with his sword in his hand. Xenofos' brother Pompados was in the Second Regiment, and was last seen in Nochet before leaving with the Second to fight the Wolf Pirates. The Regiment is now known usually as the Cobras, as red is out of vogue and Pharaoh is gone.
The Fifth Regiment, the Swift-Strike, is commanded by Chettoria. During the Siege of Nochet the fifth and sixth were tasked as rapid reaction forces, covering the city. This led to a whittling down of numbers. Berra Jarang's Daughter served in the Fifth, under Bryne Humakti. Sword Heinamika is second in command to Chettoria, and in charge of shift patterns for certain duties. He may also be the Lay Sword in command of barracks and non-Temple areas of the Fifth Regiment.
There are an unknown number of Hero Cults within Battalion. Kesten Hulta seems to be a follower of a Truth-seeking Hero.
External Relationships
The Temple is a massive structure, and part of the work of the central command is to ensure it fits into the city and is given the respect it deserves.
Rumours and Public Knowledge
Great Sword Kesten drowned with his sword because he refused to let it go to swim. A true Humakti, honourable to the last.
Irillo Scar-Face used to be known as Irillo the Beautiful, or Pretty Irillo.
High Sword Eril, now of the Boldhome Regiment, refused to stay in the Barracks here, preferring to guard King Broyan.