Ash'Khan Military Doctrine

The Ash'Khan are an elite Théoneon special tasks group in direct employ of the Astran Monarchy. They are a secretive and clandestine unit who hold authority higher than that of the Astran Military, making them effectively 'above the law'.

Founded not long after the alliance was formed between Human and Théoneon kind by Saul Dawnstrider and Jahai Snowspear the Ash'Khan is compromised of three tribes; Dawnstrider, Snowspear and Mau'rassi.

As a personal army to the Astran Ruler they undertake missions and tasks both involving the War Effort and Protection of the Royal Family. This has caused contention between military officers and leaders with the Astran Monarchy, however it is clear that the Ash'Khan are a pivotal weapon in the war against the Syndroh'ssil.

The Ash'Khan takes its name from the Ash'Khanra; an old Théoneon folk tale of a Théoneon who forsakes everything to protect those he loves from danger without those he cares for knowing. Because of this the Ash'Khan are regarded as the 'Guardian Angels' of Astras by some. The Ash'Khan lifestyle and training mirror that of the Ash'Khanra.

Training

Before graduation all students are strictly forbidden from leaving the confines of the village under penalty of death.

Ash'Khan training is known by its members as 'Tree with many branches' whereby all student are trained in the basics of weaponry, combat, survival, espionage, orienteering, magic and strategy along with academic studies such as reading, writing, mathematics and sciences. They also are physically, mentally and spiritually conditioned throughout basic training. Although this is considered basic training to the Ash'Khan relative to the standard army it is quite comprehensive - this forms the 'trunk' of the tree.

After this basic training is completed the student then chooses which special fields to pursue further training in with the end result being a soldier whose strengths are chosen and not forced.

(For example, Carge chose swordsmanship, wilderness survival and orienteering after he completed basic training making him ideal for Scouting and Reconnaissance roles while his brother Theskar chose poleaxes, magic and strategy making Theskar more suited for a Support or Tactician role.)

This secondary training forms the 'branches' of the tree and allows more freedom to take on additional training in auxiliary 'branches' if they chose to (Carge's throwing blade training stems from this freedom).

If a student becomes injured during his training and is unable to continue recover they opt to take less physical roles such as strategy or even become tutors themselves in time.

Ash'Khan training begins are 5 years of age when basic training begins. Both basic and advanced training can take upto a decade each before the student is deemed ready for graduation. This varies between student however as graduation comes when a student is ready not when they reach a certain age. Most students graduate at around 23 to 26 years of age (Carge and Theskar both graduated when they were 23 years old).

Traditions

The main tradition of the Ash'Khan is the 'Festival of the Gods'. All members of the Ash'Khan return to the village for this festival where they celebrate the gods and any students pending graduation take a rite of passage to earn full membership status allowing them to leave the village. This rite involves the students leaving the village with several veteran members to undertake their first mission, utilising everything they had learned from their training the veteran members judge the students readiness; it is rare for a student to fail graduation, to do so is a great dishonour to their tribes name.

Upon graduation the students become full members who leave the village to aid the Astran Monarchy.

Command Structure

The nature of the Ash'Khan command is decentralised, with members working as individuals or rarely in groups of 2 or 3. Since they primarily answer to the Astran Monarchy when working alongside the Astran Army they are given free rein to ignore standard military rules of engagement and protocol if it will ensure completion of the mission. Even though the Ash'Khan is based in Astras, the monarchy will often loan several members to the Turaian and Rilohnic Monarchies to aid their causes as well. Due to this each keep throughout Théone has magic sigils in the main area of the castle for Ash'Khan members to identify themselves and gain audience with the Ruler they are currently serving (Only members of the three Ash'Khan tribes can activate the sigils). This is necessary as the Ash'Khan bare no emblem and have no standard for armour or weaponry.

Retirement

When a member of the Ash'Khan retires from active service they return to the village and usually become tutors or advisors very often they will start a family to bring new generations into the fold. The Village Chieftain is the head of the village and oversees all training, graduations and ceremonies.

When the Chieftain dies another is chosen by the retired members based on, during active service, who showed the best ability to lead and maintain tradition. Very often the chieftain has children who are above others expect to excel at the training regime. (A large onus is put on both Carge and Theskar as Rhan, their father, is the current Chieftain)