Varil's Shogunate
The Shogun
Shogun Kirigasa Varil, the Mysterious Gunzosha, has a small staff of advisors and loyal retainers. *His honor guard is composed of Enlightened mortals wearing the Sentinel Defense Force Armor (Wonders of the Lost Age, p. 81), which is a variant on the Ashigaru infantry armor designed for policing and ceremonial duties. They carry a Fire Lance(Wonders of the Lost Age, p. 77), which is a combined melee/ranged weapon, and superb quality swords. A few travel with the Shogun, some guard his personal vessels, and the remainder guard his Palace Manse outside of Deheleshen.
- His closest advisors are a married couple - Karal Soaring Gull and Amilar Reiko. The happily married duo are from the leading noble houses in Deheleshen, and were previously important staff officers in the Legions, with Reiko being the Daimyo's chief of the exchequer. As they are Dragonbloods with military experience, they can handle themselves amidst enemies as well as red tape.
- Nefvarin Takaro is an Immaculate chaplain and sorcerer-exorcist. An old friend of Varil's from their childhood, he remains an excellent advisor and counselor on spiritual matters. He also operates a series of message relay systems, a bit like a telegraph. He has also been investigating the other Celestial Exalted more carefully, to help the Shogunate handle these dangerous beings.
Military
Typical Shogunate military uses spears and large shields for its general infantry, with soldiers carrying an short sword as well. Armor is typically lamellar with chainmail/leather helms. Archers make up a large portion of the infantry, generally carrying a sword along with a strongbow, with growing use of the crossbow under the current Shogun's leadership. They typically wear layered leather armor with a breastplate and wide-rimmed helm. Officers typically wear somewhat heavier reinforced breastplates, and carry a high quality weapon without a shield. Cavalry soldiers are lightly armored and typically use composite bows and slashing swords, with the exception of a small but elite corps of lancers in the Eastern plains. Cavalry generally performs a skirmishing role, with the heavy infantry forming the line.
In the far East, the land become more suited to guerrilla warfare. Soldiers generally carry javelins, chakrams, and other throwing weapons, along with short spears and chopping swords. Armor is generally similar to lamellar, only made from ironwood and leather. In the far South, armor is usually restricted to breastplates and tough clothing. Most soldiers wield firewands with bayonets as their only weapon, though officers carry swords. A small portion use normal infantry gear to help hold off charges.
Elite forces typically use powered armor, from ashigaru and yoroi armor for ranger/marine units to strike teams of gunzosha and dragon armor clad exalts. The weapon has a similar range, including shock pikes, fire lances, and medium essence cannons. Advanced weapons from Autochthon have seen their first debut here. These units are used for rapid assaults, aerial or marine landings, or stealth attacks. They are also the units sent to deal with problematic Exalts. One unit of Gunzosha, the Devoted Order of Sunipa, is a group of fanatically loyal soldiers who have awakened their Essence through fierce training. They have all sworn loyalty to Varil as a champion of Sunipa, and take the most important and necessary missions.