The Kalofonosi

[HappyShackles 886]

______The Kalofonosi_____

 

History

 

Long ago, an ancient people known as the Kalofonosi made their home east of the Aegean continent in a confederation of island nations known as Kalofon. These island nations were each ruled by a patriarchal Clan, and while they had no single leader and no legal method by which the confederation was governed as a whole, the different Clans hardly quarrelled and maintained steady peace.

 

However, in the year 457 a brutal plague struck the eastern isles of Kalofon, and the result was absolute panic. The nations began to war with each other, attempting to keep the other’s infected victims from reaching their own land. In the end, each and every island of Kalofon was infected to the point of being unsavable. Four of the nation’s patriarchs, called Archons, banded together and left Kalofon in a mass exodus to the west.

 

The Kalofonosi landed in south-eastern Oren, only to find a Kingdom in disrepair. The northern lords of Oren warred with each other, laying waste to the countryside and undermining the King’s demand to cease the bloodshed. One of the Archons of Kalofon, Balthazar I of the Basileus Clan, subdued the other three Archons and led the mass of Kalofonosi into battle against the warring northerners, subduing Lord after Lord with his extremely well organized and disciplined army via a powerful blitz.

 

Balthazar I then offered fealty to the King of Oren in exchange for land to thrive, and impressed with Balthazar’s skill in battle and grateful for his subjugation of the unruly northern lords, agreed on the condition that he convert to the One True Faith. Balthazar I agreed, but his fellow Archons disagreed, believing the Kalofonosi’s worship of their moon-god imperative to their future survival. Balthazar called the northern lords banner’s and along with aid from the King of Oren, he defeated the other three Archons, solidifying the Kalofonosi conversion to the True Faith.

 

Trades

Many Kalofonosi make their living sailing in one way or another. Kalofonosi lifestyle is based around the water. Seafaring is in their blood, be it either in battle, trade, or cruise. Regardless of their trade, however, all Kalofonosi are merchants in their own right. Their mercantile skills are said to be some of the best.

 

Merchant/Banker - Many Kalofonosi whom have made enough money buy their own trading vessel and become merchants, growing their wealth by trading from city to city and often times using their wealth to open banks.

 

Artist - One who creates Kalofonosi art; primary grand sculptures crafted of marble, but including paintings, music, literature, and the like.

 

Artisan - Anyone from a cobbler to a blacksmith; all of those who toil with their hands to create products for sale or trade.

 

Grape grower - Kalofonosi are acclaimed for their beautiful and massive vineyards, from where they produce their famous wines.

 

Olive grower - Olives are the primary crop of the Kalofonosi.

 

Fisherman - Those who take to fishing, as their ancestry calls them to for the bounty of the sea. Fishing is a way of life to many Kalofonosi, ancient Kalofonosi having developed net fishing centuries ago, seafood being their primary source of food.

 

Indentured Servant - If a Kalofonosi can not repay a debt or survive otherwise, they can subject themselves to servitude in order to pay off the debt, or for the sake of having a place to live and eat. It is illegal to abuse an indentured servant, but they may not leave one’s service until their contract is up.

 

It should be known that Kalofonosi status is largely based off of wealth, unless one is a direct member of the Archon’s house or another noble house. Merchants are held in the highest regard for their amassed wealth, their rationality and practicality believed to be proven by their ability to accumulate wealth. A Kalofonosi who does not know how to trade, or does not actively work towards accumulating wealth, may become poor, and a poor Kalofonosi is a failure to their people.

 

Military

Ranking

 

The military in service to the Archon of the Kalofonosi is called the Balvais. They follow a strict ranking structure.

 

Grand-Kataphros - Primary advisor to the Archon on military matters, as well as the sovereign commander over the Balvais. Answers only to the Archon.

 

Kataphros - Elite soldiers, masters of heavy-armored horseback and the spear. They serve as bodyguards, mage hunters, and when necessary, field commanders.

 

Varyspodi - Sergeant of the Balvais; runs drills and commands squadrons.

 

Fospodi - One who has distinguished themselves greatly among the ranks of the Balvais.

 

Neospodi - An initiated member of the Balvais.

 

Chamis - An uninitiated member of the Balvais.

 

Equipment

 

Dory (Spear)

 

The Dory (often mispronounced as “Doru”) is the primary weapon used by not only the Kataphros, but all Kalofon infantry forces. It is a spear carved of either carnel or ash, and is about three metres in length (ten feet) and weighs about 1 to 2 kilograms. Its handle has a diameter of 5 centimetres, making the weapon easy to hold. The flat-leaf shaped spearhead (referred to as the “Sauroter”) is composed of iron, though its weight is counterbalanced by a bronze-butt spike.

 

 

Xiphos (Sword)

The Xiphos is the traditional Kalofon shortsword used by all infantrymen, especially those not equipped with a dory. The blade is used only once a soldier's dory becomes damaged or impractical, such as within the small confines of a building or otherwise in close quarters combat.

 

 

Hoplon (Shield)

 

The hoplon is an extreme important aspect of a Kalofon soldier’s equipment. The phalanx, an oftentimes used and very effective formation, depends on the combined use of both the hoplon and the dory. The hoplon oftentimes has a notch in the side fit perfectly for a dory to cradle in. This allows the soldier to increase his accuracy with spear-thrusts when doing combat with other infantrymen, as well as keeping the dory steady while arranged in the phalanx or otherwise in a defensive position.

 

 

Kalemo (Warhorn)

The Kalemo is an ancient and traditional, yet still practical, aspect of Kalofon military tactic. Every officer is expected to have a Kalemo at the ready at all times, but it is not uncommon for enlisted men to have a Kalemo. Traditionally, one horn blow means ‘Immediate Danger on Location’, two means ‘Retreat,’ and three horn blows means ‘Rally on Location.’

 

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Culture

 

Language

 

There are certain phrases and titles to be  used when in the presence of others loyal to the Kalofonosi people and the Kalofonosi’s patron, House Basileus. These are derivative of the Kalofonosi’s ancient language, Kalofon. Certain phrases include the following;

 

Theos megalus - God is Great

Theos thelei - God wills it.

Yai - Yes

Nai - No

Geia - Hail

Deia - Goodbye

Veldaro - Traveler

Archon - Lord/Liege

Kardia - Spouse/lover/love

Adelo/Adela - Brother/sister

Mitera/Pitero - Mother/father

Thanat - Generic curseword

Very good - Poly lakos

Very bad - Poly kakos

You - Eseis

Me - Muo

 

In addition to these foreign phrases and language, the Kalofonosi also use a form of laconic wit when addressing their enemies or rivals. Oftentimes a rival would send a Kalofonosi a long letter with a variety of large words and threats, to which the Kalofonosi will respond in a simply worded sentence or even one word. The idea of laconic wit is based around the philosophy that words are wind, and action is far more meaningful. A famous representation of the use of laconic wit was used by Stefanos the Younger, replying to the well-worded and melodramatic letter from an invading force of Hansetians during the 1200’s. The Hansetians had declared that if they bring their forces to invade the Kalofonosi, the entire culture and people would be exterminated. Stefanos and the Kalofonosi sent a simple one word reply to the Hansetians: “If”.

 

Traditions

The Festival of the Crescent Moon

On the first day of Malin’s Welcome, the Festival of the Crescent Moon begins. The Festival is a method by which the Kalofonosi praise the Creator, praying for both fare seas and a good harvest. It has evolved, however, to include both a tournament and an effigy-burning. The festival is divided into three sections;

 

The Tourney - A series of competitions including archery, jousting, boat-racing, and the melee. The victors are given prizes in minas.

 

The Pyre - An effigy representing a time-appropriate enemy of the Empire or the Kalofonosi is set ablaze, to symbolize the future destruction to be brought to those who threaten the sanctity of the Kalofonosi.

 

The Sermon - A priest delivers a sermon, in which he directs the attendants to pray for fare seas and a good harvest for the year to come.

 

Honor Duels (Timi Monomach)

 

When offended by another to great extremes, Kalofonosi are expected to challenge the offender to an honor duel, or ‘Timi Monomach’, involving single combat with any weapons of the participants choice. Regardless of the victor, Kalofonosi are expected to forgive his foe after the duel is ended. Even on the chance it ends in the Kalofonosi’s death, it is believed that when they ascend to the Seven Skies they do so while offering their forgiveness to the offender.

 

Military Service

 

All male Kalofonosi are required to enter military service at the age of twenty, and begin their training. They serve in the military until the age of twenty-five, when they are free to leave or continue their military career as a volunteer soldier. A Kalofonosi’s military service is an important part of their life as servant of the Archon, and there are ceremonies involved in one’s initiation and discharge.

 

Initiation - When a Kalofonosi finishes his training after his first year of service, he is initiated into the Balvais.

 

Discharge - When a Kalofonosi has finished his five years of required military service, he recieves his spear and shield in a ceremony performed by the Archon.

 

Virtues

 

Kalofonosi tradition is very intense, and those who fail to follow the virtues drilled into every Kalofonosi child’s mind, as per the teachings of Balthazar I, will not be greatly respected among their peers.

 

Legacy (Synges) - The pinnacle of all Kalofonosi values, and the one from which they are based upon. A Kalofonosi’s legacy is what he leaves behind in death when ascending to the Seven Skies. Maintaining a respectable legacy is extremely important to Kalofonosi.

 

Sense (Logis) - Kalofonosi are very practical when dealing with conflicts; their primary goal is survival.

 

Honor (Ethos) - Kalofonosi are expected to uphold the honor of their family, lovers, lords, and friends to the best of their ability.

 

Loyalty (Lykon) - Kalofonosi are expected to be extremely loyal to their liege or assigned commanders. Betrayal and treason are unacceptable.

 

Ambition  (Archus) - Kalofonosi are expected to do their absolute best to advance the name of their family in both power, influence and legacy.

 

Patience (Patho) - Kalofonosi are expected to have saint-like patience. They prefer diplomacy to the blade, and are difficult to enrage for the most part.

 

 

 

[Ford 1996]

is good :)

[Birdwhisperer 1174]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.