Combat & War

[ Warrior's Way ] [ Definition of Conflict ] [ Warrior's Code ]
[ The Art of War ]

War is seen as a state of being like all others things in life, as one has a place in society so to does one have a place in war. This philosophy makes the Jillhani a power to be reckoned with martially, but sometimes leaves them open to the more chaotic fighting styles of other races.

The sword is seen as a universal point, a symbol for the place in society and personal honor of its wielder, notable warriors swords often carry many elaborate decorations and additions, each a token of that warriors fame and honor as bestowed upon them by their house Leaders.

A Jillhani warrior will collect and master the use of several weapons but at the same time also master the hand to hand martial arts which is seen as the more honorable way to do battle.

Warriors of merit are given helms of rank by their houses, these helms bear both shaped symbols denoting the individual house, as well as tokens that shows the individual warriors history in battle and number of enemies slain. It is not unusual for an old and respected warrior high in service to their House to bear dozens of such tokens, almost making the ceremonial helmet impossible to wear in battle. Bright plumes are used to denote the rank within a company or household force.

Younger warriors about to go into their first battles are sometimes given a tokens from their leader to instill braver and a reminder of their house. To bear the token of ones commander into a battle is a sign of distinction and great honor, and the warriors proudly display the tokens tied to their helm.

While masters of armed combat and soldiery, the Jillhani are renowned tacticians. Their war academies have bred the most skilled in this area and they consider it a form of art. Its played out like an act -- graceful yet powerful always abiding to the code of honor leaving little room for dishonoring oneself.

The use and skills with bows are underdeveloped among the Jillhani. The Ji'Ken are more likely to use blow darts and slings, while the armed forces use a variation of light cross bow.

The Warrior Way

[ see also Tsa'ido Code ]

A Jillhani warrior is one strong of the four powers that he believes to make him invincible. Only when one of these powers falter do they believe they can ever be defeated in battle.

Body - Physical perfection is instilled in Jillhani youth, primarily the males, as early as they are able to walk. Children are encouraged to fight however with a sense of order to their chaos that keeps them on the path of learning throughout their childhood. For a Jillhani youth who is pledged to be a Warrior, especially of Ji'Mal status who will become a great House Warrior or Guard, daily exercise and routine in the martial arts are more frequent than meals. Finesse is trained a bit more so than strength, via long and arduous training exercises that push not only the body to the limits of it's capability, but also the determination of the...

Mind - Complete focus and clarity. Knowing one's self and all there is around you. Jillhani Warriors are keen on detail, and their minds work in a fluid motion to support their agility. The Weapon of a Jillhani warrior is said to be an extension of his own body, and he wields it as such. The Sword or Katana they hold mastery of. The Katana in and of itself is said to hold the soul of the Jillhani Warrior, and almost always will be engraved with symbols depicting personal words of mantra or House symbols. The ability of a Jillhani warrior to visualize and "become" battle through the clarity and focus of his mind, has led many other people's who have fought them to believe the Jillhani "see the battle before them" as if psychic in their outstanding ability to anticipate maneuvers. However the real drive for all Jillhani Warriors is their...

Heart - The belief in one's abilities. The constant and ever-driving urge to succeed for to be defeated will bring great shame upon one who has lived for battle, as well as his House and family. The sheer determination of a Jillhani warrior is paramount, and perhaps the single most deadly weapon they wield. In a battle in which certain death of one dueler is inevitable, the Jillhani have proven to display great feats of Will to continue fighting sometimes even with wounds that would Kill or Incapacitate any other Warrior. This seemingly berserk determination has in and of itself caused armies to lay down arms and retreat, and what has instilled such fear in the hearts of others of the Jillhani Warrior that battle with them is avoided at any cost by those who are not the most skilled of fighters and tacticians. However despite what can sometimes be conceived as savagery, what the Jillhani warrior holds dear and near his heart at all times is his...

Honor - The code of dignity, integrity, and pride among Warriors. To serve your House leader until your end has been brought by the Mother. To do so willingly, and be content in such duty. To refuse to fail in this endeavor no matter the cost. A Jillhani warrior holds his honor as his most prized treasure. Any defacement of such is the same as an attack upon the Warrior directly, and will almost always result in a battle to the death to regain what was taken. The Jillhani Warrior has many beliefs regarding their honor. For instance, the hair of a Jillhani is said to hold one's Pride and Dignity. The ultimate disgrace a Warrior can be put to, is to have their Top Knot or longest length of hair cut by a victorious enemy or their House Leader if they have brought disgrace to House name. Many times, the Jillhani warrior is prepared to perform a number of actions to retain his honor, especially when defeated in battle. One such act is to persist in fighting even when defeat is inevitable, forcing the opponent to kill the Warrior in combat and earn an honorable death instead of the disgrace of defeat. A Warrior who has dishonored himself, a Lady or Priestess, or the name of his House or Leader will often times be burdened with such shame, that the Warrior will take his own life openly and amid the view of all those whom he has brought shame to in order to regain his honor.

Definition of Conflict

Formal and Informal Conflict:
The Jillhani are a rigorously ceremonial culture rooted in ancient and abiding traditions; tradition is what binds and holds the Jillhani together as a whole. To outsiders this makes the Jillhani seem strange and often bizarre in their actions.
One of the most cited incidence in which this occurs is conflict, be it a duel a fist fight or even war the Jillhani’s traditions surrounding such confuse the average outsider to the point of tears.
The Jillhani follow two different traditions in regards to conflict, Formal or worthy conflict and Informal or worthless conflict.

Formal Conflict (Jousts):
Formal conflict happens amongst the Jillhani and their enemies under a strict set of elaborate customs, formal declaration of conflict in the form of a written letter, the exchange of certain traditional items (normally, specially made knives or daggers for each occurrence), the sending of a red sash and sometimes even the public reading of a poem chastising their foe and the exchange of wine. Needless to say most outsiders never do completely follow the need for these complex ceremonies. However for the Jillhani these customs are all encompassing, for only when the proper forms have been met can two individuals or houses or even nations meet on the field of battle with honor and distinction. Once these rituals have been observed then the Jillhani face a foe with certain conventions, not striking a fallen or unarmed opponent being amongst the most normal of these.

Informal Conflict (Nanjou'satso):
In all other cases where the proper forms have not been met the conflict is considered informal and without worth, in these cases the rule of ‘no holds bared’ or ‘anything goes’ holds true and the Jillhani can fight with a savagery and brutality that often shocks their foes. The Jillhani do not see their acts as savage or inhuman for in these matters they face a foe that has no honor and has given no honor and so act accordingly.

It should also be noted that the Jillhani do not necessarily expect their foes to return the rituals of Formal Conflict, for them to make the statement is enough and shows that they hold a foe, be he a neighbor or an enemy from far away, with honor and respect.

For the most part Informal Conflict is directed towards NPCs while Formal Conflict is traditionally either internal conflict or conflict between the four races.

Warrior's Code

I have no parents; I make Ji'Kalna and Comraich my parents.
I have no home; I make Bishani my home.
I have no divine power; I make Yasolo my Divine Power.
I have no means; I make Ti my means.
I have no magic power; I make Zar my Magic Power.
I have neither life nor death; I make Tsa’ido my Life and Death.

I have no body; I make Ja my Body.
I have no eyes; I make Shig my eyes.
I have no ears; I make Ji my Ears.
I have no limbs; I make Promptitude my Limbs.
I have no laws; I make Klei my Laws.

I have no strategy; I make the Right to Kill and the Right to Restore Life my Strategy.
I have no designs; I make Seizing the Opportunity by the Forelock my Designs.
I have no miracles; I make Righteous Laws my Miracle.
I have no principles; I make Adaptability to all circumstances my Principle.
I have no tactics; I make Emptiness and Fullness my Tactics.

I have no talent; I make Ready Wit my Talent.
I have no friends; I make my Mind my Friend.
I have no enemy; I make Incautiousness my Enemy.
I have no amour; I make Benevolence my Amour.
I have no castle; I make Immovable Mind my Castle.
I have no sword; I make No Mind my Sword.

The Art of War, Jillhani style

In War the Ji’Mal are the Generals and Officers and it matters to which of the Seven Major Faces of Ji’Kalna they adhere. Those trained in a House dedicated to a specific Face are often given special skills and knowledge that only that House possesses. This knowledge reflects the particular Face of the House they serve.

Sinjo’Kalna- Sciences, Natural Laws

From a House dedicated to Sinjo’Kalna come the Engineers who design and construct machines of war such as catapults, trebuchets and siege towers.

Aja’Kalna- Senses, Sensuality

The followers of Aja’Kalna know and recognize the value of a stirring, thunderous beat of drums and how it affects the men who fight for the honor of the Goddess. Similarly the sight of a House flag bearer bravely standing firm as he is charged by a thousand enemy cavalry speaks to the heart of the average soldier and they will stand and die, or fight and win the day rather than abandon their flag if properly shown and reminded of courage and valor. Those Officers who come from a House dedicated to Aja’Kalna are often the most beloved by their underlings and the men will gladly march into the fiery pits of damnation with a smile upon their face and a song in their heart if they but asks.

Ss’Kalnar- Physical Endeavors, War, Strength, Virility, Dexterity

The warriors of Ss’Kalnar are the Heroes of Ji’Kalna they lead and inspire through action and are often blessed by Ji’Kalna in that they survive the most impossible of odds and win glory for their House by feat of arms. It is from the ranks of those dedicated to Ss’Kalnar that the Generals of the Jillhani armies are often drawn- who better to lead than those who dedicate their lives to War?

Ysth’Kalna- Words, Writing, Communication, Languages

The gift of writing is a blessing of the Goddess and those who follow the ways of Yysth’Kalna in her positive aspect serve as staff to the commanders and officers of the Jillhani armies. It is also from this Faces followers that the couriers whose responsibility it is to maintain communication between units and officers are drawn.

Adherents of Ysth’Kalna who study its negative aspect (Treachery, Deceit, Confusion) have historically proven to be exceedingly clever when serving as Advisors or Officers. One small note of caution- they are as likely to turn upon their own Lord and allies as they are to oppose the “enemy” unless they are most closely watched. The corrupting influence of Ysth’Kalna in its negative aspect can also readily spread to others if proper steps are not taken and betrayal and rebellion among your own forces will run rampant.

Ysth’Kalna in its negative aspect is unique among the Seven Major Faces- to study it can be enlightening and has the potential to pay dividends of insight, with great risk of course.

Ssyr’Kalna- Endings, Transition, Death

The warriors of Ssyr’Kalna are completely uncaring of their own demise, they are relentless and eerily silent in battle. A charge by Ssyr’Kalna trained cavalry is a dread sight to see- wearing black, riding black Aki and bearing black banners at the moment before impact it has been said by those to survive such a charge that the wind whispers, and calls your name. Frequently employed as shock troops, or as the Vanguard of a retreating army they will give their lives without hesitation- and they will take many of the enemy with them. They will never route or panic, for they know in their hearts that they are already dead and that Ji’Kalna is waiting to gather them into her celestial embrace.

Than’Kalna- Harmony, Unity, Bonding, Marriage

Where the thunderous boom of a war drum, or the sight of a brave flag bearer will stir the hearts of men univocally those who follow the teachings of Than’Kalna know that you must focus the mind of the many, rather than the one. The clarion call of a Trumpet will draw the mind and eye of a soldier where the Trumpeter wishes and thus are large groups of men directed on the field of battle. There are complex bugle calls each meaning something in terms of orders- whether those orders are retreat, regroup or charge. When off the field of battle the songs and sonnets of a Poet/Bard will similarly seek to draw the men together as do the Priests/Priestesses who serve the armies spiritual needs. Officers drawn from the Houses dedicated to Than’Kalna, and their units are often the most effective and coherent fighting forces in the army and will never leave a man behind.

Jusa’Kalna- Wisdom, Contemplation

The ability to stand apart from the confusion of battle and reflect on the facts at hand make an Advisor trained in the ways of Jusa’Kalna most valuable. They are often the only voice counseling caution as a brash, overconfident General leads his army into a trap or disaster and will not hesitate to suggest retreat if necessary. Their calm demeanor is disarming to even the most confident of commanders and when they give counsel it is most assuredly a wise course of action to take heed.