Panoplia (Aest. “War gear”):
Aspidae (Shields): There are many different types of aspis in the Aestivan armoury, and these shields are used as the identifying item for each unit that uses them. Therefore, a unit that uses Hoplons become known as “Hoplite”, a unit that uses Pelte, as Peltasts. Etc. Shield-craft is amongst the most honorable traditions in the Aestivan culture, and although weapons may require more investment of effort and talent, it is the family shield which is kept on the mantle of each first son. Aegis (Aest. “Skin of the Goat”) – A massive shield from which the Hypaspist's name is derived, the Aegis is the largest shield put to use by the League and they are occasionally gifted from the Naevans to other Aestivans where they are treated as family heirlooms. It is the identifying item of the fabled Hypaspists. It is typically a large disc with an inward facing bowl shape. Crafted from wood and overlaid in thickened sheets of hammered metal. Usually bronze, but rarely they come in iron or even boison. The Aegis is a weapon in its own right, and is put to deadly use by the Hypaspist. It is typically called an Oval Shield in Iridine. The rarer 'Naevan shield” is of generally similar build but features two outward facing crescents along the central rib, allowing its use for the capture and disarming of enemy weapons or reinforcement of the Hypaspist's own thrusts. Aspidiske (Aest. “Disc Shield”) - A dense small spherical shield crafted from wood, or metal, meant to be held around the fist by gripping the cross-beam.. It is moderately effective at deflecting blows, especially from light missiles and is often used with the technique of 'punching' into the attack. It is roughly comparable to the Iridinian buckler. Hoplon (Aest. “Tool of War”) – A massive shield from which the hoplite derives its name, the Hoplon is the second largest shield put to use by the League, and is the identifying item of the fabled Hoplites. It is typically a large disc with an inward facing bowl shape. Crafted from wood and overlaid in hammered bronze, the hoplon is a weapon in its own right, and is most directly comparable to the Iridinian Long Shield in weight and efficacy, despite having a shape closer to the oval. Pelte (Aest. “Scale”) - A light-weight crescent-shaped shield crafted from bone and hide. It is moderately effective at deflecting blows, especially from light missiles. It is roughly comparable to the Iridinian round shield or hide shield.
Thoraxi (Body Armors): Thoraxes are comparable in all ways to the Iridinian 'lorica'. Armors for the torso made by a variety of methods and of various materials. The general term Thoraxi can refer to these or more generally to any armor implements. Myothorax (Aest. “Muscled Torso”) – A cuirass forged from solid metal, typically bronze, and sculpted into the shape of a muscled human torso. What it lacks in flexibility it makes up for with superior protective qualities. Rarely, these are forged of iron, or even boison. Linothorax (Aest. “Linen Torso”) – A cuirass crafted from overlapping sheets of linen which provides suitable protection to the torso and thighs, while maintaining substantially lighter weight and
lower cost than metal armor, these are typically dyed or painted to match the Hoplite's command colors and is often embossed with imagery deemed suitable to their tent. They are comparably protective to leather cuiraisses, despise being made of cloth. Kranos (Aest. “Helmet”) – The helmet of the Hoplite acts as a symbol of office with a stylized crest vaguely reminiscent of a horse's main. The crest is colored to match the tent and command of the hoplite wearing it, and tends to be short, the larger flared crests unique to officers. Cheir(Cheires) (Aest. “Sleeve(s)”) – Typically crafted of overlapping sheets of leather, bronze or even of iron, the manica is worn upon the left arm and often features an extended shoulder guard that flares up to provide protection to the neck. While in formation, the armor sleeve functions much as a shield might, while In cases where the Phalangite is forced to draw their sword, they are used more aggressively to attack into incoming attacks.
Dorys (Aest. “Weapons”): Dorys literally means spears, but it has a broader meaning that covers all weapons of war. Dory (Aest. “Stem”) - The typical short-spear most commonly seen in Iridine. It is roughly six to nine feet in length from tip to tip. The dory tends to be crafted of a solid wooden shaft with a socketed metal head that is leaf shaped. At the opposite end of the shaft the dory differs from the Iridinian short spear by featuring a sharpened butt-spike that is typically crafted from bronze. This spike can be used offensively in an emergency (such as a shattered head), but typically provides leverage against the ground for charged thrusts, or is used for killing soldiers that yet live as you pass over them on march. The dory can be used single-handed or two-handed in a variety of formations. Sarissa (Aest. “Unreachable”) – A massive long spear between twelve and twenty feet in length, which requires two hands to be wielded at all. The head is long and socketed, typically crafted from iron, boison, or bronze. The Sarissa is carried in a quiver on march where it is broken down into two smaller pieces. It is assembled just before battle while moving into formation and is only usable as a weapon when in this completed state. The Sarissa is only useful for thrusting or jabbing attacks, as any slashes or chops would break the shaft. It is however devastating when brought to bare in formation. Xiphos (Aest. “Penetrating Light”) - The Xiphos is a double-edged single-handed sword featuring an elongated point and a leaf shaped blade bearing a diamond-shaped cross-section. It is usually crafted from bronze, iron, or boison, and it is typically between twelve and twenty-four inches in length. It is used primarily when the Hoplite is in a confined space or has lost his dory. It is of roughly comparable dimensions to the Iridinian Gladius, handling much the same and using equivalent techniques. Kopis (Aest. “To Cut”) – A one-handed cut-and-thrust sword featuring a recurved forwardswept blade of up to twenty four inches with a forward hooked grip. The Kopis is concave toward the hilt and convex toward the tip, allowing for heavy momentum on the swing while maintaining a long
cutting edge and the capability to thrust with moderate efficacy. The Kopis is typically crafted from bronze although iron, boison, or even retalq examples are known. It can be used two-handed or onehanded, although its momentum would disrupt balance if used with a heavy shield. It is roughly comparable to the Fehcrati Falcata. Although it tends to be smaller and better suited to one-handed use. Labrys (Aest. “Axe”) - A symmetric two-handed double-headed axe. While generally similar in construction to the Blackroot Two-handed axe, it differs markedly from the War-axes more commonly used by they and the other Kuramas tribes. The Labrys is a symbol of some religious significance to the Aestivans, and is the most ancient religious symbol they still use. It features in jewelery worn by the faithful. Especially women. Men who've lost their wives, or boys who've lost their mothers, often bear a mark of a labrys in remembrance (a brand or a skin raising, respectively), and it is often seen on women's torsos as a fertility tattoo. Malleus (Aest. “To Crush”) - A heavy hammer or mallet, comparable in function to the Iridinian mace although bearing a rather different design. It often features a mining pike along the back. These are typically crafted of bronze, iron, or boison. And like the Sagaris, the Malleus occasionally features an mining-pick like protrution on the back half. Like the Labrys, the Malleus features heavily in Aestivan religious iconography, and is especially popular amongst those priests dedicated to rooting out heresy in the lands of the league. Sagaris (Aest. “Battle-axe”) - A long-shafted one-handed (or hand and a half) axe bearing a metal head with a forward-curving razored edge with a chiseled thrusting tip, and an 'ice-pick' like point at the opposite end. This weapon is roughly equivelent to the Iridinian one-handed axe, although of special note is the fact that heavier boison sagari are virtually nonexistent, as the aestivans favor lighter materials like iron or bronze that can strike faster. Kontos (Aest. “Barge Pole”) - Named for its massive size, the Kontos is a two-handed cavalry lance utilized by the Aestivan cavalry companions. It is comparable to the Iridinian cavalry spear. Of special note is the name they use for the item. The Aestivans have no strong naval tradition, so similarity of size or no, calling a spear a barge-pole is a peculiar remnant in their language.
Auloi (Aest. Oboe) - A small woodwind flute commonly carried by soldiers and played for marging time as well as general amusement. Aestivan soldiers are fond of singing, and the Auletes keeps timing for such songs. Chlamys (Aest. Cloak) - A traveling cloak. These are typically crafted from linen, and are oiled liberally to protect from rainfall. These are often bright colored in the soldier's tent colors. The Chlamys seconds as an extra travel-blanket. The lands of the League get far mellower rains than Iridine, and is generally colder than Iridine so they tend to favor the Chlamys to the sagum or paenula. Quiver – The quiver is used for the safe transport of the Sarissa and dory during march. It is typically worn across the back. There is room for some other implements as well, such as the throwing axes, sling and stones, or personal implements often carried by the soldiery. Shoulder Baldric – Secured under the left arm with a cross-sectional alignment, the Kopis can be drawn across the body after abandoning the Sarissa and brought to bare quickly with heavy chopping strikes.
Skytalis (Aest. Little Stick) – A small flat metal rectangular disk worn about the neck on a hemp chord. This stick bares the true name of the warrior wearing it as well as the bearer's dining club. The skytalis is usually of precious metal, alanti and seelan being the most popular, though virtually every metal is represented. The most ancient traditions call for them to be crafted of the bone of an ancestor, although this practice has all but died out.
