Janissary

Overview

The people of Andash are as drawn to the might of a blade as the sway of a coin, and this shows through most clearly in the role of a Janissary. A martial tradition that ties together the strength of people, war, and tithes in ways that are as varied as the Janissaries themselves. A tradition that finds itself more of the Cities than the Sands in appearance and often action, yet still find that they must travel as much on land as a Corsair might on the seas, allowing them to be just at home with a Nomadic Tribe as a Mercantile Clan.

Many Janissaries are drawn to foreign lands like a moth to a flame. Some find themselves leading the way to wealth or glory, hoping to make a name for themselves and the people of Andash. Others simply wish to explore the lands or learn the tactics of other nations and peoples. But all return to Andash one day, to their home, to share in the culture that they know - to be greeted and welcomed by the warmth of family and friends, and to share their tithe with the country that raised them. Janissaries are not one to forget what they owe, and what greater chance exists to Andashi to provide than that of the tithe?

Need:

Military Investment

Janissaries are leaders of the fighting folk of Andash. There is little to be gained by fighting alone.

Shouldn’t:

None

Janissaries are as multi-talented as the people they lead.

Costume Marker:

Tithe Patch

Janissaries are proud of their actions and what they have learnt and given. For many, this shows in their Tithe which over time resulted in the tradition of a ‘Tithe Patch’, a distinct and flat piece of cloth displaying feathers of various colours. To an outsider, these feathers mean little, but to a Janissary it is a chance to display achievements. The Tithe Patch is either worn as a separate piece, or sewn into commonly worn clothing, and is usually fairly large. The feathers themselves are usually stitched into the Tithe Patch, but how this is done varies from person to person.

Feathers and their Meanings

The feathers that adorn a Tithe Patch bring with them great meaning. They are not added to a Tithe Patch for no reason, requiring a Janissary to complete a great and difficult task before being allowed to display it. Earning a feather should be an important moment for a Janissary, as it shows their dedication to both the Realm and its people. The Sage of Steel is the only Janissary who can proclaim new colours of feathers and grant them meaning.

It is common for feathers to degrade and be damaged over time. It is allowed for Janissaries to replace feathers that are lost, so long as they have proven themselves worthy to wear it in the first place.

White Feather

The feather of a Novice. Given by a Janissary. Can only ever be earned once.

Orange Feather

The feather of a fully-fledged Janissary. Worn proudly alongside or often intertwined with the White Feather. Given by a Janissary. Can only ever be earned once.

Red Feather

The feather of war. Earned by fighting under the banner of Andash in foreign lands for three years.

Yellow Feather

The feather of a protector. Earned by defending Andashi territory from invaders three times.

Green Feather

The feather of an explorer. Earned in the pursuit of discovery by scouting territory that is not held by Andash five times.

Blue Feather

The feather of a merchant. Earned in the pursuit of wealth and what it can do for Andash by actively Tithing a Vault to the Andash Treasury.

Becoming a Janissary:

Various communities of Janissaries exist within Andash, each tending to create their own ranks that best depict their specialities, and holding their own methods of ascending through these ranks. There are but two exceptions to this rule. The first pertains to a novice Janissary and how they are expected to learn and be taught. The other exception refers to Master Janissary or Sage of Steel, a singular role now vacant, murdered by the Trade Principality’s War Jackal.

To become a Novice is to simply find a Janissary and ask for guidance in their ways. If the approached Janissary agrees, they will pass along the White Feather, representing that they accept this person as a Novice. The Novice must keep this White Feather safe until they earn their Tithe Patch. The phrase “Novice Janissary” holds with it no special meaning to any outside the Archetype, besides the usual interpretation of student, but to those who have since become fully fledged it carries with it a chance to teach. There is no hazing nor desire to bully, as each Novice represents the future of Andashi military might. There is no sense in dissuading one from pursuing the life of a Janissary, as it often carries with it enough risk already.

A Janissary and their Novice are not an inseparable pair. In fact, it is fairly common for Novice’s to seek out various Janissaries in the efforts of learning the most they can, for knowledge can be power to a new tactician. Novices are encouraged to seek out Janissaries of differing skills and mindsets, not to find one that most suits them, but to instead learn that the world of war is vast and ever-changing. It is expected that a Novice does this for a period of at least a year, making connections with veteran Janissaries and perhaps forming a small force of their own, if they did not already lead one.

Janissaries who have a Novice learning from them are expected to guide, but also to watch. Eventually, an Orange Feather must be made and passed along and it is up to veterans to do so. This is usually done through a small gathering called a ‘Levy’, where all available Janissaries gather to bestow a Novice with three things. The first being the Tithe Patch, the second being the Orange Feather, and the third being a piece of advice from each of the present Janissaries. The Levy is used to teach a Novice all of their responsibilities, how to take care of their Tithe Patch, and how to earn additional Feathers to stitch to it.

Once the Levy is over, they are considered a Novice no longer, and may join the proud ranks of their fellow Janissaries.

History:

It is believed that the Janissary has always been amidst the fighters of Andash, even in the earliest of days. Fables and stories say that it is a tradition that once belonged to the Grand Andashi before their fall, but this remains simple rumour to this day with no truth to the words. With the death of the Sage of Steel by the hands of the Trade Principality, any verbal traditions and hidden histories have been lost to time and sand, and a great blow has been dealt to the people of Andash.

But there remains some that is known to be true, carried by the veteran Janissaries and their amassed personal knowledge. The history of the Tithe Patch and Feathers is one that is commonly retold, given its importance to Novices, and is a source of great humour to many in the tradition. It is said that many years ago, when the people of Andash were more sand than stone, a single force of fighters came across a foreign merchant. While there was no common coin with which to trade, instead the Janissaries of the age plied their trade of might and blade. They were no bandits, but mercenaries who wished to guide and guard the merchant in exchange for some of the unique goods they carried. And so they did, defending the trader all the way along what would one day become The Golden Road, creating a bond with this trader and learning much of a land that may never be within their reach.

Fables and stories tend to deviate from here, often telling greatly exaggerated tales of military might and prowess as the Janissaries fend off all manner of beast and bandit. But all stories once again return to the same point, whereupon the trader gifts the Janissaries with a beautiful cloth that was not like anything they owned. This cloth, sewn with feathers made of beasts far and away, became the first of the Tithe Patches.

While this bit of history contains within it much that is changed depending on the person telling it, the parts above always stay true. This hints that there is at least no small element of truth to the tale. Over time, the Tithe Patch spread among the Janissaries of Andash and with it came the culture we see today, marked by the travels and honest work of people past. The Janissaries of today continue to be these honourable and respected people, carrying with them a clear display of what they have done and carrying within themselves a clear goal of what awaits them.

Three Things Janissaries Are:

Professionals of War

Warfare and fighting is natural to a Janissary. It is a thing done often in pursuit of payment or tithe, firmly bonding the term mercenary and the tradition of Janissary in the minds of all. While they are free to do as they wish and approach circumstances of battle however they desire, it is common for Janissaries to view the broader nature of war as a profession rather than a requirement.

Savvy Business Folk

Money and wealth changes through the hands of a Janissary near as quick as running water. While for many this appears to be a detriment, the common Janissary utilizes their assets wisely. From knowing their strengths and what they can bring to the table, to finding the best deal for a new pair of blades, a Janissary knows their way around the world of merchants.

Part of Andash

Janissaries travel far and wide, but almost all return to Andash after some time. It is a part of them, and they are a part of it. The Tithe Patch they carry represents home and where they belong within it. There is a great sense of pride in knowing what you actively achieve for your people, especially amidst the people of Andash, and the Janissary feels this most keenly.

Two Things Janissaries Aren't:

Money Hungry Mercenaries

While at their core Janissaries certainly fit the mercenary vibe, they should not be throwing respect of their traditions away just to earn some quick coin. There is no issue with aiming to become wealthy, but it is not the way of a Janissary to leave your ideals at the door to do so.

Required to be Poor

Tithing is an important part of Andashi culture and the Janissary Archetype, and often this is interpreted as requiring to give away money. Especially in the case of a martial tradition, giving away time or services is just as valid as resources or wealth, and Janissaries have the ability to best represent that through the Tithe Patch and Feathers.