Varushka military concerns

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The Schlacta are the most common group of professional soldiers in Varushka. They stand ready to defend the valleys that form Varushkan society. They are the defensive core that shields the people against its enemies, whether those enemies are ravening Wolves, rapacious bandits, or rampaging orcs. The Schlacta tend to be the best armed and best armoured of Varushkan warriors, but they also tend to see the most action especially in winter when the monsters are at their most active. As professional soldiers they tend to favour the heavy weapons of war such as broad swords, war axes and bardiches. This sets them apart from other Varushkans who tend to favour weapons that are also tools – the hammer, bow or spear and most especially the woodsman's axe.

Not all Schlacta work for a Boyar: any organised group of men and women that fights for a living could be called Schlacta. Several travelling merchants maintain Schlacta to protect themselves and their caravans. There are even mercenary bands of Schlacta who offer their protection to others in return for money.

Some particularly brave – or reckless – Varushkans follow the tradition of the wagon raider. These opportunists seek their fortunes by launching forays into barbarian lands to grab whatever riches can be found. They live in tight-knit communities, of hard-bitten veteran soldiers, forming well-defended wagon trains. The wagon raiders are especially skilled in the use of the great pavisse shields, and these hardened gangs are adept at desperate fighting in close quarters. They are slightly romantic figures who work hard and return from the most dangerous places with riches to sell, known to play and drink as hard as they work. They are also feared – there are plenty of stories of wagon raiders who bring back more terrible things than riches when they return from the deep forests.

As well as Schlacta, Varushka is home to the Varta who travel the Imperial Roads across the Empire They often have a romantic reputation, being seen as dashing and heroic figures – in stories they often turn up just in the nick of time to help a band of beleaguered Schlacta protect their valley. Most Varta combine skill at arms with a knowledge of magic, creating and using amulets, talismans and other items against the threats of the Varushkan wilderness.

Many Vartas are staunch protectors of Imperial Law actively pursuing lawbreakers and criminals to bring them before Magistrates for judgement. Some chase criminals across National or even Imperial boundaries. Vartas are usually hired to deal with particularly difficult supernatural threats and are sometimes seen as reckless as a result. Regardless, most are sensible enough not to needlessly arouse a Sovereign, and a Varta who causes a problem and then ignores it is likely to be cast out of their brotherhood.

Their motto, “I am ready” refers both to their willingness to take charge of difficult situations, and their belief in making sure they have right tool for any job. As a consequence many Varta build up broad skills with a number of weapons, adjusting their weaponry to the needs of the battlefield.