Abryssian Janissaries
Abilities and Equipment
The main weapon of a Janissary is their pneumatic rifle, a fast-reloading and accurate gun relying on pressurized canisters to launch metal slugs. The rifle has superior penetration and often superior fire rate to crossbows, though bows usually outcompete them in terms of firing speed.
In addition to their rifles, Janissaries are usually also equipped with grenades, sabers or axes, and small metal bucklers. They are usually equipped with mass-produced cast iron munition plate, providing a significant degree of armor protection at a relatively affordable price.
Abducted by state-hired thugs at young ages- frequently from bordering nations or rural areas- the Abryssian jannisaries are enslaved and then put through brutal training from a young age, raising them as thoughtlessly dedicated soldiers.
On the field of battle, Janissaries fall into rigidly organized battle lines, firing volley after volley of rifle fire. Once their enemies close to melee, with seamless disregard, they draw sabers and hold their ground.
The daily life of a Janissary is one of constant discipline and drill, and any deviation is punished severely.
Secretly, the overlords of the janissaries live in constant fear their their slaves will realize they have the power to overthrow their masters. The Janissaries are heavily indoctrinated and strictly controlled specifically to prevent the kind of independent thought that may lead to an uprising.
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Abryssian Linemen
Abilities and Equipment
Abryssian infantry are equipped with armor-piercing muskets, ideal for massed volley fire. With withering volleys of bullets, most foes route long before reaching the front lines.
This is good for the linemen, for at melee they are rather outclassed. Bayonets are the most common weapon for close quarters, with officers wielding sabers.
The majority of soldiers in the Abryssian empire are levied line infantry- unarmored, safe for thick woolen uniforms, and armed with muskets and swords.
Well disciplined and drilled, Abryssian line infantry are nevertheless mediocre in accuracy at best- cast iron muskets have poor accuracy, and marksmanship is not heavily emphasized. Instead they maintain a high rate of armor-piercing fire, rotating the front lines backwards with every volley.
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Dragoons
Abilities and Equipment
Light cavalry armed with pistols, sabers, and prominent tall helmets, Dragoons are typically low nobility riding purpose-bred warhorses. Without lances, they are a harrying force primarily, not well equipped for thick fighting. But with pistols and sabers they are able to reap a heavy toll, chasing down stragglers and causing havoc on the enemies flanks.
Dragoons are elite light cavalry, armed with pistols and sabers, and are some of the highest class warriors in Abryssian society. They will rarely think twice of sending infantry to their deaths to save their own hide. Dragoons usually possess an authoritative, arrogant stature, but even the most haughty Dragoon would not think to disobey a direct order, for to an Abryssian nobleman disgrace in front of their peers is a worse fate than death, and the Despot of Abryssia is not known for looking kindly on those who shirk their duties.
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