The Sacred Band of Illaeus

The Sacred Band of Illaeus are the most renowned military unit in the world, and you are at the head of it. The group is made of seven members, you and your childhood friends. The seven of you met during your military tutoring. Your parents thought it would be better for you to have some friends to learn with so you could practice outside of learning time. They spent a few weeks gathering some of the most promising young men in not just the kingdom, but also some who where sent to be fostered as a sign of friendship between Illaeus and some neighboring lands.

Belisarius Doukas

Belisarius is technically your distant cousin, as his grandmother married your great-uncle John Laskaris. Belisarius is strategist of your group. He knows the land like the back of his hand and is able to map the best route to take for campaign and travel.

Theodore Skleros

Theodore is also your cousin, though much closer than Belisarius. His father and your mother are siblings. Which is why it's no surprise that he is the best mage in your group. You would think he descends from the entire pantheon with how easily he makes it look.

Heraklius Angelos

The last of your cousins is Heraklius. This is much more distant than the others, as it is your great-great-grandfather and his great-great-grandmother. Your entire group are adept warriors, but Heraklius takes the cake by far. He has cut through entire regiments like butter to sway a battle in your favour.

Nikaeus of Cilicia

Nikaeus is from the neighboring principality of Cilicia. Nikaeus is the third son of the Cilician prince, so he was sent to your family for tutoring when the offer was made. Nikaeus is the Bulwark of your group. He is able to fend off attackers using his defensive tactics while the rest of you move into position or retreat back to hiding.

Basil of Olippa

Olippa has been the ally of Illaeus for longer than recorded history. Which is why, after the destruction of the Kingdom of Olippa, their royal family were welcomed whole heartedly in the Illaean court. Basil is the son of those royals, who jumped at the chance for extra training to one day avenge his homeland's destruction. He is the heart and soul of the group, often being the one to keep you all sane in the worst of times.

Isaac the Maurian

The Mauri Confederation are not a neighbour of Illaeus. In fact, they are one of the farthest nations from each others. But the two share a lost of common enemies and have been trade partners for over three centuries now. Isaac was travelling with a trade convoy when they were attacked and his family were killed. Rather than send him back on a dangerous journey, he was taken in by an Illaean pontiff before being invited to join training with you. Isaac was trained by the priest in infiltration and stealth before he joined you, so he has been designated the group's assassin and spy.