Episode 4 - Unfounded Revenge
This week, we start off with our legend, telling the story of the Kanso's first arrival in Onaki, eventually to be headed by who else but Tonsulun. Then, we roll back and take a historical picture of how Onaki rose their army and navy in the first place, both logistically and economically, before a brief overview of both army and navy formations and tactics. Finally, we cap off the episode with our first confirmed historical event in our narrative, the Battle at Osilusa Point, taking place in 2174.
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Episode Script
Note: This is not a direct transcript! This is the script I used to record the podcast audio. Some rephrasing or ommittance may have occured in the actual podcast, but the information remains by and large the same.
Hello, and welcome to the History of Onaki.
Episode 4 - Unfounded Revenge
Last week, we discussed the local geography of Onaki, the archaeological evidence dating to the founding, and then discussed the legendary arrival of Osaki and Ponsaka in the Onaki Bay, the First Settlement, creation of the guilds system and the Consortium, and the major infrastructure projects of the day.
This week, we will start off with our legend, telling the story of the Kanso's first arrival in Onaki, eventually to be headed by who else but Tonsulun. Then, we'll roll back and take a historical picture of how Onaki rose their army and navy in the first place, both logistically and economically, before a brief overview of both army and navy formations and tactics. Finally, we will cap off the episode with our first confirmed historical event in our narrative, the Battle at Osilusa Point, taking place in 2174.
Before we start, I'd like to quickly apologize that this week's episode is so late. I underestimated how busy I would be during the holiday season, and that is my fault. In the future, I'll probably take a week off for the holiday season. But I've worked double time before I leave for vacation, and as I'm recording this, I'm leaving for my flight in two hours. I'll probably be editing and uploading this episode from the airport! That means our New Year's Eve special will be recorded and broadcast while I'm away, so I'll be sure to choose a special location to record. Alright, on with the episode.
- What do we know about Tonsulun & the Kanso?
So, what do we know about Tonsulun & the Kanso during this period of history? Due to the Kanso's good records, we have quite a well founded picture of what their military forces looked like at the time. The Kanso, expanding outward much more like an empire than the confederation of city-states their branding suggested, has a centralized, professional military force. This professional force stayed employed year round, living in military encampments throughout the Kanso's territories. Beyond this force, each citizen was required to serve in the armed forces for a period of time each year during their youth during a determined period of service. This period would typically be for a specific battle, where each soldier would be expected to provide their own weapon and protection. Thankfully for these people, land infantry battles hardly mattered to the Kanso, as they were a naval power. Outmatching any on the Aloki, their ships were second to none. Although this limited the Kanso's geographic sphere to "areas that have bad sea defenses but are also accessible by the sea," this didn't seem to bother them terribly. There were still plenty of cities to be had under that criteria.
Kanso ships were typically not outfitted with sails, but instead with leagues of men equipped with oars. There were sometimes up to three levels of men, stacked one over another, all rowing at once. This enabled Lanso ships to be highly maneuverable and, most of the time, much faster than contemporaries relying exclusively on sail. Rams were positioned at the front of the Kanso vessels, designed to puncture the hulls of enemy vessels. Reaching top speed, they would ram directly into the side of the enemy, breaching them and subsequently sinking them. To do this, their ships could hypothetically reach a blistering speed of...15kph. This was pretty fast by ancient standards, so don't knock them for it! All together, the Kanso navy was extremely formidable, and would pose a great enemy for the Onaki.
Now, what do we know about Tonsulun? Like we said last episode, we don't have evidence of any Kanso man named Tonsulun in their records from this time period, but we do have a Tosuluna. Given the almost three hundred year gap between Tosuluna's death and the first mention of his name in a written text, this slight shifting of letters is unsurprising. The Kanso records don't have terribly much to say about him. Supposedly, he was a high ranking general commanding a large number of Navy ships. He fought several high profile battles primarily against the Konwali, but in some cases the Nika and rebelling Kanso cities. Although there is no evidence that he fought against the Onaki in their written records, it is possible any battle they did fight was not of note, they were branded as a rebelling Kanso colony, or the text recording it was simply lost. At any rate, the consensus among historians is that Tosuluna was a real person, and they are portrayed to us through Tonsulun in the Onaki founding legend. Although he certainly did not fight against a leader named Osaki, Osaki is almost certainly a legendary figure, his inclusion in this legend tells us that the Onaki people knew about Tonsulun 300 years after his death, and for that, he had to be important.
- First Encounter with the Kanso
In our legend, the first encounter with the Kanso is described in detail. Supposedly, a shifty figure appeared on a small vessel, claiming to be a merchant. After docking in Ponsaka's Haven, the figure left the vessel and disappeared into the crowds. After a week or so of their boat taking up valuable docking space at the Haven, it was taken into custody. On the boat, officials found not just nothing of note, but nothing at all. No identifying documents, no materials for trade. The vessel was completely empty, apart from a carving on the inside of the vessel. Supposedly, it read "Beware the whispers of the sea, for Kanso roam in shadows unseen." Cheesy, but what do we expect from some made up backstory. The figure had disappeared into the first settlement, not to be seen again for some time. This shifty figure, according to the legend, would surface as Osaki's right hand man and servant, Ajimi. Ajimi was an agent of the Kanso, supposedly sent to the First Settlement specifically to install herself next to Osaki. She did her job wonderfully. Initially posing herself as a student wishing to peruse education in the settlement, she progressed quickly through the upper education systems. She would come out of her education rich in knowledge of early Onaki politics, and quickly rose to prominence through employment in a local Consortium court. Ajimi caught Osaki's eye, not only because of her skill, but because of her beauty. It is not directly mentioned in the legend, but heavily implied that the two shared more intimate relations. Over about a decade, Ajimi would serve as what was essentially Osaki's personal secretary in all matters. She would come to Ajimi for advice in matters of state, military, policy, any matter at all. It would be this close relationship that would forge the first told contact between the Onaki and the Kanso. Supposedly, Ajimi would keep constant communication with the Kanso leadership throughout her time in the Onaki court, and eventually, she would send the word that the time for invasion was now.
A singular Kanso ship would appear in the Bay of Onaki in the Spring. Aboard would be a messenger, asking for an audience with Osaki. She accepted, and the messenger bore these words for her. They said, "Your people have constructed your homes on the land and seas of the Kanso. You have done so without our express permission. We shall let you stay on this land, under one condition. You will place your people under the Confederation of the Kanso, pay taxes to our capital each year, and send a representative to our government. By the onset of winter, we will expect your representatives to arrive so we can send our tax collectors and protective forces. If you cannot do this, we will have no choice but to forcibly integrate your people." The messenger left, and no more ships arrived throughout the season. Osaki, not considering this for a moment, brushed integration off completely. Ajimi had other ideas. She claimed that as Kanso integration was not the end of their independence, they could still worship Luminasuta as they wished, and continue to wait until the Lumina revealed itself to them. Paying taxes for protection wasn't so bad a deal. To that, Osaki thought although an argument could be had for that conclusion, she could not forget what Tonsulun had attempted to do to them on their entrance into the Aloki Sea. They must merely be seeking unfounded revenge for what was clearly divine intervention. Therefore, Osaki proclaimed that the First Settlement must prepare to defend itself.
- Description of Taxation and Economics
So, how did the settlement defend itself historically? Although this Osaki narrative is fictional, we do have a pretty good picture of how the military was formed and paid for at the time of the sacking. We have no reason to believe this was any different two hundred years before, as military reform would be quite scarce throughout Onaki history.
So, first, how was it paid for? Taxes, of course. Unlike today, where we all file down to fork over a portion of our salaries to the government, Onaki was not bound by the shackles of capitalism and corporate greed. In fact, as some of you anti-capitalists may be frothing at the mouth waiting for me to mention, yes, the Onaki government, with very small exceptions, almost never minted their own currencies. Although trading was done in foreign currencies, this was simply a means to an end in the mercantile trade. Coins were not valuable, their composition was. So, the Onaki people paid their taxes in hard gold, not cash? Nope, not unless you were a merchant or a fat cat. Onaki had what we call a tax credit system, which I will now briefly attempt to explain as best I can.
Tax collection in early Onaki was hierarchical. In fact, the Onaki government did not collect taxes directly from citizens, unless they were employed by the government. Guilds were responsible for the collection of taxes from their members, which they would use to pay their own expenses and the taxes they in turn owed to Onaki. Each individual would be examined by an officer of the tax collector, this tax collector being a member of the same guild as the individual. They would ask questions like, what was your occupation? How much wealth do you accumulate each year? Does your family have inherited excess wealth? What property do you own? How much do you work year-round? After getting their full assessment, the officer would take this data and determine how many tax credits a person owned.
Now, what exactly is a tax credit? In essence, a tax credit is a unit of work, or a unit of material goods. The Onaki government issued to guilds each spring what tax credits it needed, and it would be up to the guilds to fulfill that need however they saw fit. For example, Onaki may ask the Harvester's Union for twenty thousand tons of rice, with each ton being a tax credit. The Harvester's Union would then assess its members, and give each an amount of tax credits proportionate to the amount of rice they harvested. A small homesteader may only be responsible for a singular tax credit, while a plantation farmer may be responsible for dozens and up to hundreds. By the end of the year, they would be certain to have paid Onaki their tax credits in full. For another example, Onaki may ask the Alekikanale's Guild to supply a certain number of guards and soldiers for its use. The guild would be responsible for determine how to do this with the members they had available. On a given year, an individual may simply be assigned to serve for a month guarding the gates of the city, or patrolling the streets at night, over the course of the year. Of course, the guilds needed to maintain themselves as well, so additional tax credits would be issued by the guilds on top of what Onaki asked. The layman wouldn't have to worry about this, as the guilds would handle everything tax credit related.
In the circumstance of warfare, Onaki may have asked for more specific tax credits from its guilds. They may ask the Alekikanale's Guild to provide them soldiers for combat, for the Mason's Accord to provide builders for camps and fortifications, for the Craftsmens' Alliance to provide smiths for swords, shields, mail shirts, and whatever else was needed to win the fight, and for the Ponsakan Syndicate to provide ships for troop transport or naval engagement. This ended up working out quite well for Onaki throughout this part of their history, and quite far into the future.
- Formation of first Onaki Army
Given their men were well equipped, how did they fight? Tactics would change between centuries and generals, but by and large, this early age featured the foundations of what would, in the future, become both the world's most formidable fighting force and the world's oddest form of governance. These foundations were not perfect, and as we will see, they were quite flawed. Despite that, you really couldn't ask for anything better from them.
- Onaki Army Formations
First, the Army. The army was administered by generals, who ultimately took command from the Nelepa. In this early period, each general controlled a number of Alekikas. An Alekika was a unit of around five thousand men, containing all the pieces needed to operate an army. Each Alekika was meticulously organized, comprising infantry, cavalry, archers, and specialized units for constructing encampments and defenses. The infantry, armed with an array of weapons ranging from short swords to pikes, formed the backbone of the Alekika. They were trained to march in disciplined formations, creating an imposing wall of shields and spears that could withstand enemy charges. The cavalry, skilled horsemen armed with lances and bows, played a crucial role in flanking maneuvers and reconnaissance. Their mobility and agility allowed the army to adapt swiftly to changing battlefield conditions. The archers, armed with composite bows crafted for both range and power, provided essential support, raining arrows upon the enemy from a safe distance. Specialized units within the Alekika included engineers responsible for constructing fortifications, siege engines, and maintaining supply lines. The Nelepa recognized the importance of logistics and ensured that these support units were well-trained and equipped.
Additionally, there were elite forces known as the "Akamin," consisting of highly skilled warriors selected from the best soldiers within the Alekika. The Akamin were entrusted with crucial roles, often acting as the head of a small platoon of men, or deployed in a group as shock troops in pivotal moments of battle. Oftentimes it would be these soldiers which would rise to the higher ranks of the armed forces, becoming generals and commanders. Officers of high rank were responsible for formulating the tactics employed by Onaki on the battlefield, of which were very diverse. The army often employed a combined arms approach, coordinating the movements of infantry, cavalry, and archers to create a cohesive and formidable force. Feigned retreats, ambushes, and encirclement maneuvers were common tactics for the Onaki, as holding an honorable and fair battle was worthless to them if it was unwinnable. Despite the apparent hierarchy, there was room for innovation and tactical flexibility within the Alekikas, and successful generals and Akamin were celebrated for their ability to adapt and outsmart their adversaries.
Communication on the battlefield will become quite an interesting topic in the centuries to come. Facilitated by a system of signals, flags, and messengers, communications allowed Onaki generals the unique advantage to adapt their strategies in real-time. Although one would think this would easily give away Onaki plans to their adversaries by quite literally broadcasting them across the battlefield, cyphers would be used in the future that could only be decoded by the sender and the recipient. Quite handy stuff. In time, this would evolve into an empire spanning communications system that moved far faster than a horse could run, or a man could sail.
- Merchant Navy System
Speaking of sailing, let's touch on the Onaki Navy for a moment. In this early period, the Onaki employed a naval system that was rather lassies faire, and would for time to come. Merchants were expected to arm their own vessels, as their was no way Onaki could ensure their protection outside of the enclosed bay of the city. The large and cumbersome merchant vessels in employment by Onaki traders were far too slow to inflict any damage by ramming, so more creative solutions for naval battling had to be thought up. A popular solution were heavy bows that would be mounted on the ship, which could be launched at any opposing vessel. A popular weapon of choice was a bow tipped not with a point, but a jar of cooking oil and a fire starter. Nothing quite says power like lobbing fire at a floating tinderbox. Some bows were not meant for inflicting damage to the vessel, but rather capturing it and drawing it closer. When the two ships came within spitting distance, the men would hop onto the opposing vessel and turn that naval engagement into an army bloodbath. A different weapon would be what was simply called a lens, reserved for only the most wealthy of merchants. This would be a curved glass structure that was positioned between an enemy vessel and the sun. Concentrated sunlight would burn through the holes of wooden vessels and light sails ablaze. Thankfully for Tonsulun, this technology was not yet with us in this time. Some merchant vessels were built for speed rather than capacity, mostly mail carriers who worked for the elite. In these instances, rams were quite popular and effectively used. With a civilian class like this, there was no need for a state funded and managed navy. In times of war, the Onaki government would simply say to its merchants, "Hey, here's a sack of gold to compensate for your time, help us blast these guys to smithereens and transport our guys to Ishkabib." Oftentimes, the Onaki government would have merchants pay their tax units in military service, quite handy.
Anywho, let us resume our narrative. As Osaki had no intention to pay the Kanso, it was only a matter of time until an armed confrontation took place. And so, in the spring, the arrival of Tonsulun and his Kanso fleet was inevitable. Tonsulun's arrival at Point Muwe marked a turning point as he initiated a blockade of the bay, a maneuver aimed at compelling the locals to pay their imposed taxes. With reportedly a hundred thousand men and over seventy sailing vessels, the Kanso fleet as described was impossibly enormous in scale. The tension in the air was palpable as weeks passed without compliance. The First Settlement appeared more than capable of feeding its population without imports. Tonsulun, renowned for his hardline approach, grew increasingly frustrated with the lack of payment. As the impasse persisted, Tonsulun decided to take matters into his own hands. Sailing into the bay with intense determination, he landed at the strategic Osilusa Point, right beside the mouth of the Kasa River. Little did he know that the armed forces of the first settlement were already deploying, setting the stage for the upcoming Battle of Osilusa Point. Positioned strategically on a hill overlooking Osilusa Point, Osaki personally supervised the deployment, her eyes fixed on the quickly ascending camp of Tonsulun. The tension in the air was electrifying as the two leaders prepared for a mortal clash.
Tonsulun, however, felt he had nothing to worry about. After all, the Kanso had spent decades crafting this plan. For one, Tonsulun had been building up his own stature following his embarrassing defeat by the weather during his first encounter with Osaki. He was one of the highest ranking generals in the Kanso Navy, something actually backed up by a historical record. Although the hundred thousand men number is implausible for this time period, if Tonsulun did in fact attack an early Onaki, there is no doubt he would have brought a show of force. With all the muscle, you'd imagine he would have little doubt as to the outcome of this battle. On the other hand, there is Ajimi. Thoroughly trusted by Osaki, Ajimi held two roles here. In the event of a Kanso victory, Ajimi would step in as the new Nelepa, seen by the people and Osaki's old administration as a trusted figure with their best interest at heart. This was all a farce, as Ajimi's real loyalty lay with the Kanso elite. Effectively, after the battle, the Kanso would have no need to expend any more lives to take the First Settlement. By simply swapping out the highest man in the heirarchy, they effectively would take over the early Onaki state structure. However, in the event of a Kanso loss, Ajimi would have to rather forcefully put herself in a position of power. She would have to take Osaki out of the picture and place herself in that powerful seat, one way or another. Essentially, there was no way this could go wrong for the Kanso, at least in the heads of Ajimi and Tonsulun.
Before the battle unfolded, a new tradition was founded. A messenger from Osaki approached the Kanso camp, inviting the leader to a pre-battle meal, alone between Tonsulun and Osaki. To the surprise of everyone, Tonsulun accepted, and the two leaders met at a hastily assembled tent between the two opposing camps. Around the table, the air was thick with anticipation as the leaders engaged in a tense exchange. As compared to their last meeting decades prior, both Osaki and Tonsulun were gray and worn with age. Osaki, perhaps sensing an opportunity for negotiation, attempted to reason with Tonsulun. She claimed that, quote, "My rule is ordained by Luminasuta, and it would not be wise of you to step in between myself and your god. You have seen what we can do before, when we first met. I do not wish death on your people. Leave this place, and never return, and we will not strike fury on you." A confident Tonsulun, however, laughed off Osaki's claims. He said, quote, "Why, if your rule was truly ordained, you would be quivering behind the walls of the Lumina, not here in this swamp. If your god will not let you merely enter the city which she built for you, why should I believe she will defend yourself and your people? I will slay the men of your city high enough that I may overcome the walls of your Lumina, and it will be me which will exist in harmony with the heavens." Tonsulun got up from the floor, having actually finished the meal prepared for him. He paused before exiting the tent, turning round. "Osaki, it is a shame that you will risk the lives of your people for a morsel of gold." "Hm," she said, "For I should say the same of you." Tonsulun slowly began to chuckle, and then burst into a full hearted laugh. "I'll be seeing you when I bury you, or we will meet tomorrow morning in the court of your Luminasuta. Either way, I'm looking forward to it." Tonsulun left the tent, riding back to his camp against the setting sun.
The next morning, Osaki prepared for battle. Her assembled troops made up ten thousand men, facing against a force of seventy-five thousand Kanso. It would have seemed almost futile to the layman, if it was not for their faith. On Osaki's part, she had certainly done her research. Consulting with astronomers the night before, she found that Asaja would bless them with a very rare eclipse. Although Asaja eclipsed the sun sporadically throughout the week as the Earth rotated around Asaja, the other moons of Asaja could, on occasion, blot out the sun as well. That morning would be one of those times. Osaki sent the signal for her men to align at the crest of the hill, and so they did.
From the top of the hill, the Kanso camp was hardly visible in the fog persisting on the bay. Slowly, the soft light of the midmorning sun began to steadly decrease. Then, all at once, darkness set in. Osaki would have just about thirteen minutes to route the Kanso troops, with only the light from Asaja to illuminate them. With a thunderous call, the forces of the First Settlement came flowing down the hillside in a rush to overwhelm the Kanso camp. With the flames of the night extinguished, the Kanso were confused and lost in their own infrastructure. They were unable to arm or defend themselves or their encampment as Osaki's soldiers came down on their walls. The Kanso within were helplessly slaughtered in droves, as calls for retreat began to be sounded. The ships collected in the harbor, blinded by fog, were unable to direct themselves to a shoreline they could not see. Then, fire erupted on the decks of the Kanso ships. Small hastily made dinghies, hidden by fog, unleashed bows tipped with flammable fluid onto the enemy ships. For the Kanso, the morning had quickly become complete chaos. There was absolutely no way to salvage a victory, even with their humongous manpower advantage. By the time the sun appeared once again, it is said that over half of the Kanso men onshore had been slain, and most of the others captured. Tonsulun, who was still in the centre of camp, knew he had to make a quick escape. Making a daring rush to the coast, he boarded his still intact personal skiff and made his way into the fog. He was never seen again, presumably having drowned or burned in the complete wreckage of the Kaso navy.
With their leaders having fled them, the remaining Kanso, for the most part, surrendered to Osaki. Their generals were chained and imprisoned, while many of the infantrymen were enslaved and sold to First Settlement citizens. Their most esteemed leaders were kept detained but still in good health, for they would be a spectacle in what would surely be a great triumphal parade through the city. Execution at the foot of the Consortium House was surely all that awaited them. Satisfied, before she adjourned her forces, Osaki made the following rousing speech, which I will relay to you in full. She said, quote, "Citizens of the First Settlement! Today, we stand united, triumphant, and free. We have faced a formidable enemy, a force blinded by arrogance and driven by a misguided belief in their own superiority. But we, daughters of this land, proved that the strength of our resolve, our brilliance, and the divine favor of Luminasuta herself could not be overcome. Behold, the remnants of those who dared challenge us! The once mighty Kanso, whose fleet darkened our shores, now lie defeated and scattered. Their beloved leader, Tonsulun, a mere shadow of his former self, has fled into the abyss, and this morning no doubt has met the gates of Asaja. Today, we stand not just as victors in battle, but as guardians of the light which guides us! We, the chosen of Luminasuta, emerged from the shadows to claim our destiny. As we parade through the streets, let their leaders bear witness to the might of our people. Let them see the resilience of a city united under the benevolent gaze of Luminasuta. And to Tonsulun, as he looks down upon us, let him know that the consequences of his folly are etched in the ruins of his ambitions. Now, let the streets resound with joy, for today, we have proven that the light of Luminasuta shines eternally upon us, guiding us through the darkest hours to a glorious dawn!" The crowd absolutely erupted with cheers.
This battle, as it is told here, is mostly legendary. We know that the Kanso and early Onaki people probably fought, and that there is a not insignificant probability of Tosuluna being present for at least one of these. However, a route of this magnitude is of no doubt fiction, and the magnitude of both the Onaki and Kanso forces is, to put it kindly, massively overblown. But, we do know that the Kanso did suffer a defeat of some magnitude in this area during the early Onaki period. They recorded a loss of about a dozen vessels and their crew, along with a commander at their head. This commander had been tasked with, you guessed it, collection of economic tribute. The Kanso dated this conflict as occurring in the year 2174, which is where we will place the hypothetical time of a great battle for the preservation of Onaki independence. Although it likely wasn't of the magnitude described or fought under the leadership of a woman named Osaki, I believe that this legend does reflect a historical battle of some sort was fought between the Kanso and Onaki during this early period over its independence. It certainly would not be out of the ordinary in this region for the time.
Back to our story. Osaki, flush with emotion from a complete route of the Kanso and rousing speech, was ready to attend to some private business with Ajimi. She returned to her private quarters on the hill near Osilusa, slipping past her guards and into the bedroom, where Ajimi was already awaiting. Osaki collapsed into bed, where they presumably had a pillow fight and gossiped. Y'know, girl stuff. After they were done sock wrestling, Ajimi made her move. When Osaki had fallen asleep, Ajimi climbed on top of her, grasping the ever so teal Luminasuta's Shard. Supposedly, even just brushing contact could cut skin clean open. She is said to have spoken, "With the shimmering radiance of your god, I shall sever your threads of false triumph, to in turn eclipse you, as you are no conqueror of the Kanso." She plunged the blade into Osaki's heart, suddenly and effectively ending the life of the founder of what would become Onaki. Including her time before the establishment of the office of Nelepa, she ruled for a total of 54 years.
It was probably quite the awkward moment at the gates of Asaja, and some say on a quiet night, you can still hear Tonsulun's laughs.
Next time, on O-na-ki. What will Ajimi do now? Who has succession to become Nelepa? And when exactly will we get to actual history? We'll find out soon enough, but not next week, as I will be on vacation. Instead, we will instead have a nice little New Year's episode, exploring the early Onaki traditions around the New Year's holiday. But the week after that, we will jump right back in.