Spring, 1330

Following the scattered masses of goblins, in more disciplined, if still somewhat loose formations came the cynocephali, humanoids with canine-like heads. Better known as the dog-men or cynos, the cynocephali were semi-nomadic hunters and foragers, loosely organized into tribal confederacies around the hills of Dacina, the Northern and Southern Plains, and the Northern Betakinin Sound. Cynos had been treated with contempt by the humans- a common joke being that the dog-headed people were created from a drunk and a stray mutt-and though the occasional trading occurred between the two peoples, cynos were more frequently driven off or even hunted by Auxians. Thus when General Anhake joined the Tassurian diplomatic efforts at Yuba River Bar, he found the cynos under their head chieftain Pacevr to be greatly receptive. They were angry and ready for war.

The Trasgu general entered the roundhouse to find the old cyno- so gray as to be almost white, with a sheep skull lined with shell beads atop his head, a single large fur cape on his back, and a gnarled staff in his hands-talking animatedly to the assembled commanders and diplomats through a young Trasgu translator. The debates and diplomatic wrangling had already concluded, and now was the ceremonial conclusion. That was why Anhake was here. The decision was already a foregone conclusion.

& Once, we had a large and wealthy kingdom in the great Betakinin Delta, where we prospered, where fish and game were plenty, and where the climate was good to us.& Pacevr presented with a tinge of sadness. &Then the humans came, in their innumerable numbers and steel, driving us from our homes and forcing us to flee to the rough and marginal lands we arise in now. But even that was not enough for those people. They come after us again, and again, taking anything that could be consumed, that could be destroyed, like locusts.& The cyno’s voice gradually became angrier and angrier.

Anhake solemnly bowed as he interrupted. ‘The humans have always been greedy. They have always been destructive.’

The beads in the mane of the dog-man chieftain jangled furiously as he raised his arms into the air.

& These were our ancestral lands; we’ve lived here for a hundred generations. But the humans come, drive us away, and build their farms and towns on the living space for our prey, on our very villages! They treat us like vermin atop the very bones of our fathers and mothers! Should we not fight? Should we not take this opportunity to avenge a thousand insults over the decades?&

‘You should fight. We must all oppose their expansion.’

The old cyno suddenly stopped and turned to the Trasgu commander, sadness and fatalism in his eyes.

& We cannot take this anymore, but we cannot take on the humans alone.& The translator, a respected trader among the dog-men, stopped after interpreting this line and just nodded in agreement.

Anhake slammed the butt of his Imperial mace onto the ground. ‘We must help one another and we will.’

Hope returned to Pacevr’s eyes.

& I have a thousand young warriors eager to fight the humans immediately. I can call upon thousands more. But we need equipment. Weapons. Our bone amor and flint spears are no match for the steel and iron of the humans. If we have the right arms, we can enact our vengeance- & A wolfish grin appeared upon the cyno leader’s muzzle. & -and of course further your emperor’s agenda. It is of no concern to us your own desires, so long as you give us the ability to settle our quarrels with the humans, we will support your dreams of empire.&

‘That will be done.’ Anhake stepped forward and bowed respectfully before the chieftain. ‘Let us help regain the former glory of your people, under the ties of the Tassurian Empire.’

The old cyno nodded, and turned his staff to gently tap the Tassurian commander upon his forehead. In return, Anhake lowered the head of his mace, and then Pacevr knelt and kissed it.

& May our alliance be fruitful for both of our peoples. & The cyno leader concluded.

Runners quickly went out to the various tribes.

&The cynocephali will join the great Nalbin alliance of the Trasgu against the tribes of men! We will take back what was once ours!&

***

After the goblins, the cynos sent the most troops to the South, some 16000 in all, and they quickly formed the backbone of the Tassurian Light Infantry, giving needed physical strength to support the far weaker fey and goblins auxiliaries.

As allies, the cyno legions were provided light armor if they were needed on a battlefield: a pseudo-splint mail chest piece made of metal plate strips held by leather straps, and a simple heavy cloth wrist wrap, good enough for moderate protection against swords and polearms but also retaining the high maneuverability the cynos excelled at. For normal scouting and skirmishing duties where camouflage was key, the cynos usually just went about naked, relying on their natural fur camoflauge and speed.

However what was most eagerly welcomed by the cynos were the weapons they were equipped with: steel-tipped spears for medium-ranged combat, but most importantly falcuta or kukris, large, heavy battle knives that also fit the cyno profile of agility and power. With these, a cyno could use their speed and agility to surprise and decapitate a human before they even had a chance to respond. These weapons were greatly treasured by the dog-headed men, and in innumerable skirmishes and battles over the next few months they would prove these 'mutts' were dangerous foes worthy of respect.

And so the cynocephali were pulled into the war as well.

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Led Zepplin - Black Dog

Courtesy of  chickenzaur!