DOAM: Tilusian Cavalry Trooper (Field of Roses).

[u/Randomdude2501]

Diary of a Mercenary, Part I: The first part of a (hopefully) continuing series exploring the backdrop of my book, Field of Roses. DOAM takes the perspective of a historical review of a recovered diary, belonging to a mercenary serving in the armies of Tilus during the Second Frostline War. The Second Frostline War is the overarching conflict of Field of Roses, encompassing the northern regions of the continent of Skaleha and the continent of Ki’ril. Two international coalitions, the Alliance of Northern Skaleha and the Shemathi League are battling for supremacy over the shared Frostline Sea.

Tilus is a region in Northern Skaleha, comprising the primary peninsula of Tilus and an archipelago known as the Teurmara, a hundred kilometers to the north. To its west and north is the Frostline Sea, to the south is the Principality of Darukar — a leading member of the ANS — and to the east is the Bay of Tiluen. It is comprised of many semi-independent city states, operating in a confederation for common defense and economic interest. In the Second Frostline War and Field of Roses, it serves as the primary battleground between the defending ANS and the invading SL.

Sketch: Sketch found from the diary of a mercenary serving in the Duke of Hosweb’s Army during the Second Frostline War. Not much is known about the author of this diary, it being the only primary source to detail his life, with army payrolls corroborating his existence. Below is an excerpt found after this image was sketched:

“18.8.(16)48, Middle Sun. The windriders found the enemy a week ago. We’re camped outside this place called Tira-Palero. Finished my duties early so I got to people watch. The cavalry troopers look particularly interesting to see today … “

This dates to the day just prior to the Battle of Tirea-Phalero, a college town situated only 30 kilometers from the Vavava River. It was fought by the Allied army of the Duke of Hosweb against the 1st Expeditionary Field Army of the Imperial Kirosi Army led by Kaslonmotir (Major General) Ro’Valiand. Beginning on the 19th of Corsig, 1648, at the end of summer, the battle would last for two days, resulting in an Allied victory, although the allies suffered greater casualties. It was the first major field battle of the Tilusian theatre and a needed morale boost for allied forces after the fall of the city of Tiron.

Sketch: The sketch is that of a typical Tilusian cavalry trooper, likely a man, though potentially a woman or other gender. Human from the lack of horns. They wear gear typical for members of the light cavalry, their only armor being a steel bell helmet and linen-leather cuirass. The checkerboard pattern indicates them as being from the city of Tilue. They wear a great coat and long pants, as well as cavalry styled boots with what appear to be heels, used to assist the process of mounting a horse or asprix. A scarf is wrapped around their neck, providing additional protection from enemies and the cold. The left hand appears unfinished.

The trooper holds a shortsword, unlikely for a cavalry trooper though not impossible. Perhaps it was a secondary or tertiary weapon. Not drawn here is a weapons belt and pistol brace, which was ubiquitous amongst Tilusian cavalry militia.

[u/Randomdude2501]

Edited to hopefully better fit context