Human (Cerilia), Vos (Mercenary) [1065]

Commentaires : This is a short guide to the humans of Cerilia, home of the Birthright setting. As characters from this setting venture forth, they might be encountered nearly anywhere, particularly if interworld gates or far-ranging spelljamming is common. Nearly all of the general types of humans listed in the Human entry exist in Cerilia.
Combat : The Vos are a barbaric race from the cold mountains and forests of northeastern Cerilia. They are a tall, thick-boned people with flat features, light eyes, and sallow skin. Male warriors are fond of shaving their heads and wearing long, drooping mustaches. Their dress is rough, often quilted, and heavy furs are worn against the bitter cold.
The Vos have a rigid code of face and honor that demands blood for even unintentional insults. Their leaders are warchiefs known as tsarevos who are advised by the priests of the grim Vos gods. Almost all Vos men are warriors and hunters – other professions are considered unmanly. Vos women are by custom greatly limited in their freedoms, although a few women have succeeded as warriors or tsarevas.
Magic is the prerogative of the nobility – wizards are feared by the people. However, no noble would throw away a peasant skilled in magic who could be useful against his enemies.
Vas live in lands bitterly contested by orogs and similar humanoids, and harsh conditions have bred a harsh people Their rulers are visionary priests of dark and bloody gods who encourage continual warfare against each other and the enemies surrounding them. Though the Vos don’t believe in mercy, they understand compassion – while they hunt their enemies ruthlessly, true friends are treasured.
A typical Vos field force has 25% lizard riders (exceptionally mobile in snow), 50% close order footmen, and the rest archers or irregular light infantry. Because paladins and rangers are nearly unheard of and wizards and priests are rare, Vos war leaders compensate by becoming masters of stratagem and treachery. Two key strengths of the Vos are the stoic capacity to function in spite of extreme privation – lack of food, shelter, warmth, and equipment – and an extraordinary discipline and march endurance. It is not unusual for a Vos armv to outmarch a conventional force of cavalry, and more than one encamped Vos army has slipped away in the night without alerting vigilant enemy scouts.