David Millians
A Kralori general, a Jyang, commands a single War Dragon, a Jan Loong. A Jan Loong leads his army as an entire body, his own great dragon body. See the description of the Adorations of Vayobi for more details.
Talons, known as Zhow, command the largest units of Kralori armies, typically a Dwan of one thousand men, plus auxiliaries and support. Others assist the Jyang or perform other specialized duties in the service of their war dragon
A Fang, or Jyen, is a minor officer and commands a Li An Dway of one hundred men. These men are typically nobles or from other wealthy families, and most have some kind of formal training in a military academy, often provincial ones.
A Senior Scale, Dae Lyen, is not an officer but leads a Ban of ten men. They are sometimes called sergeants. Dae Lyen are usually commoners and tend to be pragmatists.
Regular soldiers are Scales, or Lyen, usually heavy infantry, half spearmen, half crossbowmen. They all carry short swords and shields. The Kralori spear is longer and more refined than those of the west and is more properly a pike or glaive.
Each War Dragon has traditional traits, which are listed below. Most all members of a dragon have these traits at some level, higher ranks at higher levels. A Jyang can draw upon these traits at superhuman levels, though at a temporary cost to his troops. A Jyang can subsume himself and all of his soldiers into the true War Dragon, a vast entity with massive power.
The Armies of Splendor – The War Dragons
The war dragons of Kralorela have histories stretching back at least to the reign of Emperor Vayobi, though each subsequent emperor has reorganized them to some extent. Each is a mighty force in its own right, channeling the power of a great dragon through its commander and his troops.
The Golden Dragon of Nascent Insight
The Golden Dragon is the empire’s premier corps under Emperor Godunya. It includes several specialized units and operates its own elite military academy in Chi Ting. General Zhay Fay-Boong Gwa-Deen commands the Golden Dragon, which remains permanently in Kaisen Province as the emperor’s special bodyguard. General Zhay is rumored to be one of the emperor’s sons.Dragon Traits: Defend Emperor, Grand Strategy, Imperial Pride
The Red Dragon of the Heavenly Halberd The Red Dragon has a long, proud reputation as the toughest army in the empire, and its special, additional training is legendary among other armies. It recruits heavily in the central provinces but is stationed in Shiyang to keep watch on Ignorance. General Joon Ga-Ban Do-Syang commands the Red Dragon, in which his ancestors often have served as officers for millennia.
Dragon Traits: Eternal Dedication, Really Tough, Watchful
The Blue Dragon of Superior Insight
The Blue Dragon is one of the oldest armies and has a special relationship with its divine patroness. Blue Dragon tradition maintains that they founded the original Kralori navies, and some of its units still serve as heavy marines. Most of its elements, however, are stationed along Kralorela’s west coast, where they guard against all incursions. General Dway Gong is the mysterious commander of the Blue Dragon.Dragon Traits: Deep Training, Son of the Sea, Swim in Armor
The Green Dragon of Effulgent Victory
The Green Dragon claims a lineage far older than Emperor Vayobi, back to eras when armies were unnecessary. They are known for their wily tactics and for blending into the local population when called for. This proved useful during the Era of the False Emperor and the incursions of the Pentans.
General Jang Bwadoong commands the Green Dragon of Effulgent Victory, which is based in Boshan Province, its assignment to monitor the region for rebelliousness. Some say that this army has been affected by its long assignment in the south and has absorbed some its lassitude.
Dragon Traits: Local Culture, Splendid Aura, Wily Tactics
The Purple Dragon of Triumphant Expedition
The Purple Dragons are most famous for their canny magical knowledge and occasional displays of power. Other armies and Kralorela’s enemies find this disconcerting, which the Purple Dragon uses to its advantage. General Shee commands the Purple Dragon of Triumphant Expedition. Its units are scattered all across the empire, performing special assignments.Dragon Traits: Crafty Nature, Recognize Magic, Resist Enemy Magic
The Black Dragon of Illuminated Perception
Emperor Vayobi formed this army from secrets and shadows he found in the darkness, and its history is composed of rumors and mysteries. Some say its soldiers are half-demon. Its soldiers work well by night and often penetrate enemy lines or areas ahead of regular troops.General Beeng commands the Black Dragon of Illuminated Perception, which has stations in Puchai and Hanjan provinces, its assignment to keep the peace and watch the lower passes and lesser peoples of the eastern mountains.
Dragon Traits: Arise from Nothingness, Demon Paths, Weave Shadows
The White Dragon of Ascending Soul
The soldiers of the White Dragon have always been best known for their winter fighting, especially in snow and ice. They were the primary combatants in the Greater Winter War late in the reign of Emperor Vayobi, and their troops still guard Shiyang Province and the far north of the empire, ranging into Ignorance and Koromondol. General Woo, the Darkface, commands the White Dragon of Ascending Soul.Dragon Traits: Grim Visage, Ice Storm, Winter Ways
The Navies of Splendor – The Sea Dragons
The modern Kralori navy developed during the reign of Emperor Vashanti but languished during the succeeding era, one of many causes of the rise of the False Emperor. Emperor Godunya revived the modern navy, and it remained strong throughout the Closing. Kralorela’s fleet easily defeated the Kethaelan expeditionary force, but other than protecting wide-ranging merchants, the emperor has never extended them beyond his neighboring waters.
Peaceable Embrace of Divine Amity
In one form or another, naval forces of Kralorela have always patrolled the Suam Chow. This seaway lies at the heart of the empire, and while it has varied in its extent through the ages, it has always been significant. Admiral Hoy, a traditionalist, commands the Peaceable Embrace of Divine Amity. Its modern duties consist of escorting large merchant craft, controlling smuggling, and addressing the odd elements that sometimes appear in these waters. This fleet has its primary assets in the major cities ringing the inland sea, but it also maintains smaller stations on islands and a few remote locations.Sea Dragon Traits: Holy Waters, Know Suam Chow, Pacify Enemy
Vigilant Expression of Imperial Caution
This smaller fleet controls Kralori coastal waters, from Fanzai in the far south all the way to Koromondol. Admiral Bay, known for his sometimes risky but ever-successful tactics, commands the Vigilant Expression of Imperial Caution. These forces protect Kralorela from pirates, foreign smugglers, and other unlicensed traffic, but they also train to prevent even the most-dire forces from entering the empire.Sea Dragon Traits: Daring, Vigilant, Wary
Vigilant Envoy of Imperial Attentiveness
The Vigilant Envoy of Imperial Attentiveness is the special creation of Emperor Godunya. This fleet consists of only a score of smaller ships. Crewed by misfits and criminals recruited from the seediest parts of the empire, these vessels range far out to sea, venturing as far as the East Isles to the east, Kethaela to the west. Their normal duties are long-range patrols and escorting important merchant ships and occasional diplomatic missions. Admiral Ying commands this motley assemblage and has plans soon to send them as far as Pamaltela.Sea Dragon Traits: Adventurous, Creative, Underhanded
Special Kralori Forces
Kralorela’s ancient heritage is the source of many, small specialized units in its modern military. In addition to those described here, there are many other more obscure elements. Kralori forces also sometimes hire hill folk or Hsunchen for actions against other barbarous foreigners.
Brotherhood of Ultimate Enlightenment
Founded by Emperor Heenmaroun, this order of strange monks specializes in directing deadly bolt of primal power against their opponents. Those surviving such attacks usually either expire of joy or join them.
Traits: Agile as a Bird, Bolt of Enlightenment, Fight with Staff
Legions of Dzha Had
These orca men from the far north are known for their bravery and honor. The imperial army mostly uses them against pirates, native and foreign.Traits: Killer Whale, Pod Frenzy, Smash Vessel
Mystics of Silken Entanglement
This is an order of warrior nuns. They fight using lightning-fast silken strands, confusing and binding their enemies. Upon death, these women become giant silkworms, rapidly metamorphose into giant butterflies, and fly into the heavens.Traits: Beautiful, Silken Webs, Silkworm Blessing
The OmFa Irregulars
These calm men and women wield strange energies. They and their powers expand and contract, sometimes delivering devastation, sometimes enhancing extreme traits in others.Traits: Calm, Vary Other’s Trait, Vary Own Trait
The Scaled Guard
The Scaled Guard are giant, super-heavy infantry in massive scale armor. They mostly guard sensitive locales, though sometimes the high command uses them to overwhelm opponents. They are rumored to be reformed huan to.Traits: Dragonscale Armor, Gigantic, Know Enemy Secrets
The Sunbird Riders
The Sunbird Riders date back to the era of Emperor Metsyla. There are now few of the seemingly immortal riders and their brilliant steeds, and they dwell in the sky, but they have been known to answer and emperor’s summons and descend to aid his forces.Sunbird Rider Traits: Fire Bow, Ride Sunbird, Sky Armor
Sunbird Traits: Fly Across Sky, Heavenly Discipline, Shine Bright