The Jargs of Rumalia (Yargs)

"If you ever come face-to face with a Jarg, your best bet is to surrender. I know they look and sound scary, but they're surprisingly reasonable and lenient, usualy. But just... try to keep in mind that unless you have like a 8 to 1 advantage against them, you WILL lose if you try to fight. Don't be stupid like i was."

- A recommendation from a retired Paxolian soldier.

Jargs are the elite infantry units of the Rumalian principalities, who's role is to defend the confederation's vast territory and long borders from incursion or even invasions coming from the numerous kingdoms to the south. Their most well known characteristic is the fact that they are all Shapeshifters, and most of them are either Wolfkins or Dragonkins.

Appearance

Unlike most shapeshifters army units on the continent, Jargs in rumalia are bound by a strict code of appearance in regards to the usage of their different forms. When on duty, they must stay in their Hybrid forms and aren't allowed to change into their wolf or human form, say for a few exceptions, like in the case of tracking or pursuing targets more effctively. Around non-Shapeshifters, and especialy outside of a duty area like a border forts or guard posts, they are expected to use their Human forms, as some humans may find it disrespectful to do otherwise. However, if humans visit them while they are on duty, they are not expected to do that.

Training and Recruitement

Starting at the age of 4 years old, young shapeshifters of various species, most famously wolves and dragons, but also foxes, lynxes and bears, and rarely mooses and caribou are sent to local training camps, where they will stay and train until the age of 16. There, they learn to master their shapeshifting ability and hone any other Etherial magic ability that they may possess and that may be usefull in combat. At age 10, they begin their weapons training, which is also when they choose their main weapon with the help of their trainer. By age 13, they can acompagny adults(16+) in low-risk missions, such as recon. At age 16, they are ready to be deployed to an active battle front. Each Halserat has a quota of different types of soldiers they must field during war time, and the best soldiers are the Jargs, meaning that much effort is put into the recruitment of young shapeshifters in some Halserat, which basicaly amounts to Kidnapping.

Basic Equipement

Clothes and Armour

Jargs are light infantry, meant to move swifly on the battlefield, during raids, and in pursuit of potential threats. Since they largely stay in Hybrid form, their need for warm but heavy and cumbersome winter clothing is greatly reduced, even on the coldest nights of the Rumalian winter. They also do not have shoes or boots, but a sort of sandal thats adapted to their digitigrade feet that allows them to run on more dangerous surfaces, such as ice and rocks at full speed. They sport light leather armour, such as arm bracers, tied around their forearms, shoulder pads and a leather vest that covers most of their chest and backs.

Weapons

jargs are known to use both Melee and ranged weapons, and usualy carry both types in combat. The most commonly used weapons are the battle Axe, the bow and the spear. Some also carry daggers and lances, both of which are used as secondary weapons to the other three. The axe blade is made of steel, while both the spear tips and the arrowheads are made of a variety of materials, including iron, bronze, flint, obsidian and even bones in some cases. The bows are made with the wood from yew or maple trees and are short recurved bow, allowing them to fire quick and powerful shots without too much strain.

Combat Roles

Peace Time

During peace time, Jargs are often posted on border forts and acompagny human patrols along the border, all in order to act as a deterance to any enemy wishing to attack. Many jarg species can also detect an approching enemy way before their human colleagues do thanks to their superior senses, and this can be used to their advantage.

War Time

During war time, they organise cross border raids and ambush marching enemy colums, which often can be devastating for the logistic of an invading force. On a conventional battlefield, Jargs are part of the infantry, and fill a variety of roles related to it, although Dragonkins jargs can also offer areal support in logistics to the rest of the army. In a pitch battle, jargs are usualy the primary assault force against oppsing infantry, but they can also offer suport role, such as arrow fire, spraying the enemy with arrows. In both cases, they are suported by larger numbers of human soldiers. Jargs are also somewhat effective against enemy cavalry as horses are usualy scared of them.

Reputation

In Rumalia

Jargs are the most important soldiers in the rumalian principalities, and are greatly appreciated by the general populace, although the recruitement method employed in some halserats is controversial. Jargs are the subject of numerous legends and myths where they are the heros against the agressive kingdoms to the south.

Elsewhere in Arros

The rumalian jarg soldiers have a fearsome reputation in all the countries that border Rumalia, and are known to be fierce soldiers around the continent. This, compounded with Rumalia's relative isolation and harsh climate, means that rumalia is rarely invaded at all, at least directly by land. Sea and even air invasions were attempted in vain in the past, most famously by the Essanian Empire. However, even invasion by sea or air are rare, as the invaders know they will likely have to deal with Jargs raiding and pillaging across the border into their own kingdom.

Mercenary work

For more than 1000 years now, Rumalian jargs were hired as mercenaries for various kingdoms and empires to the south, most famously the Essanian Empire, who's famed Calexian Guard was primarily made up of Jargs. Some of the kingdoms that replaced the Empire, as well as a few others, most notably Paxolia, North-Shorai and Alvaros still hire a few.