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Images of The Amazon Chronicle
The following images are used to as examples to give the reader a better mental picture of The Amazon Chronicle.
Note: Clicking on the images will open a larger/expanded photo.
The Tribe
| Race | Notes |
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Predecessors of the once famous Circassian Beauty, both the male and female full-blooded Amazoi were documented as having fair (light colored) skin and black hair. Decendants of Tiya, would have far-eastern traits. Decendants of Shaymo or Wayu, would have East-Indian traits. Decendants of New Comers, would have Indo-European traits. |
| Build | Notes |
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Contrary to the evolved myths of the 'Amazon Warrior' being 6ft tall, big (or single) breasted, with huge muscles, and visually intimidating; the Amazoi were of average height for their time (around 5ft). Their build would be more comparible to a present day triathlon athlete rather than one of a body-builder. Still, their well-rounded diet of meats, vegetables, fish, nuts and fruits combined with their physical training would have given them a reasonably larger frame than their female counterparts of other tribes. |
| Amazoi Hut | Notes |
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amazoi-na mo Though hesitant to label it as a 'wigwam', that is essentially what the Amazoi huts resemble. Filled with branches or grass when available, it was usually covered with bark or deer skins. The curved branches were valued over unreliable new ones, and were bundled together to help carry belongings when moving to a new location to settle. (Clicking the image will show the construction sequence) |
The Armour
| Amazoi Light Armour | Notes |
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Known as uverma-na zula meaning Armour of Modesty or Humility, the creation of this unique pattern was basically designed as a type of ancient sports-bra. But its coolness, light weight and popular look meant it was worn frequently by the Amazoi during scouting, hunting, sentry duty or when making a show at a known tribe. There is no Modesty Armour for the Amazoi men. |
| Amazoi Heavy Armour | Notes |
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Known as bier-zul(a), (zul for male armour, zula for female) it quite literally means Heavy Armour, and generally refers to the breastplate, shoulderpads and a war-skirt. A full set of armour would be tent bier-zul(a) which means: Complete Heavy Armour and would include thigh, shin, and sword-hand protectors. Full armour for Archers would have a rabbit fur shoulder or shoulders to enable easier use of the bow. Those who stand in the precarious position of Shield Bearer or Spear Wielder often opt for the breastplate to extend up towards the neck. |
| Amazoi Bronze Armour | Notes |
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The simple armour was given to the Amazoi women by allied tribes during the war in the Southlands. It quickly replaced the softer (and smellier) leather armour of the past by reasons of better defense and status. |
| Amazoi Round Shield | Notes |
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Simply called lari-tuton meaning Small Shield, it was usually made by a single piece of metal and used as added protection to the back or more as a second weapon than protection when faced against heavy swings of a sword. Thought to resemble the Turtleback Shield of India as they were learned by Taysha from the Anshe and handed down to the Amazoi. Most times they were decorated with animal furs. Clicking on the image will show Daela and her shield. Obtained through trade with the Wedic, it was silver-rimmed and covered with furs from the Caucasus Leopard. |
| Amazoi Rectangular Shield | Notes |
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Called rau-tuton meaning Thunder Shield, it was usually made by several pieces of wood joined by metal strips and was thought to be extremely heavy. Used much like the Roman legions of establishing a wall for the enemy to strike against, they were used more of a protective distraction while jabbing with their short swords or attacks from the Spear Wielder. There are literally no examples to be found. The closest image is the rectangular shields of the ancient Slavs seen here. Though the Amazoi shield would cover from shoulder to knee and from shoulder to shoulder. Thought to to be a wider version of the Witham Shield found in England |
The Weapons
| Amazoi Arrows | Notes |
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Due to the lack of metals, the use of stone arrowheads was first used by the Amazoi of pre-Massacre for more common use. Taysha carried out this tradition and at one point forbade the use of metal tipped arrows after witnessing what was obviously a death due to metal poisoning. Use of metal arrowhead began to return as the Amazoi moved south and experienced the necessity of metal against various types of armour. More images can be found: here |
| Amazoi Axe | Notes |
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The design is believed to be the popular and simplistic design that was widely used from the Steppes to Eastern Europe. It can be seen on Greek vases depicting the Scythians, and was used as both a tool and a weapon. |
| Amazoi Bow | Notes |
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It was first recorded Taysha gained knowledge of the recurve bow from the Kubu. It was then documented in The Amazon Chronicle that (most likely) due to the lack of a certain wood necessary in the adequate construction of the bow, there were frequent breakings of the bow ends. This led to design changes from a 'tip' to 'knotched' bow similar to popular latter Mongol or Hunic bow design. Note: The top-left of the image is an example of the 'Amazoi Bow', and would be associated to the modern understanding of the Hunnic/Mongol bow. The lower-right 'knotch' is typically associated with Scythian design. |
| Amazoi Sword | Notes |
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The blade of the Amazoi sword was usually about the length from the owner's fingers to his/her elbow and was curved up at the point. The tactical use was much like the Roman gladius in that it was meant for stabbing instead of hacking. It was usually fastened behind a shield or at the small of the back of heavy armour. Each pattern was unique to the owner, who most likely forged the weapon his/herself. |
The Clothing
| The Scarf | Notes |
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mina One of the more essential items of the Amazoi, it was used to:- keep warm - to wipe sweat - dry off after a wash - protect the head from sun - as a table across crossed-legs - to protect the face from mosquitoes The origins of the thin material of the Amazoi scarf first came from both the Wedic and Anshe tribe (who retained the knowledge of creating fine fabrics) and from the annual trader along the Loop of Reck-chal. The Amazoi later turned to the merchants of Torik for supply of fine fabric direct from the Southlands and across the sea. |
| Amazoi Boots | Notes |
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amazoi-na thish One of the popular trade items of the Amazoi, it resembled the modern shoe.Unique points being two sides that tied together at the front, with a 'tongue' to keep out dirt or water. Usually ankle high, rabbit fur was wrapped at the top at the lower portion of the leg to keep out poku-ha (the small bits and pieces that gets in one's clothes and shoes while in the forest). |
| Heavy Pants | Notes |
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bier tukar Despite it's name, the cloth that made up the Heavy Pants could be thick or thin. Usually separated into penu-na tukar (Winter Pants) and tolra-na tukar (Summer Pants). The distinctive feature being it's baggy-ness This type of pants originated from previous generations of the Amazoi and were favoured when training as their loose fit was cool and made movement easy. |
| Light Pants | Notes |
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upla tukar Despite it's name, the Light Pants were generally made from leather to withstand harsher use in the forest. The distinctive feature was it's tighter fit, resembling the modern 'pant'. This type of pants was introduced by Taysha who created the design out of frustration of constantly catching her Heavy Pants on branches. These pants were made of either leather or a leather-fabric mixture and used on hunting or scouting. |
The Surroundings
| Book I | Taysha's Escape |
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Looking back on the valley from where she came. (Clicking the photo will show rough trail of Taysha's journey) |
| Book I | Wedic Valley |
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Although the terrain of the field has changed, and there is no sign of the old swamp (and noticeably fewer trees), the angle of this view would be south of The Pass, at the rise before the Wolf's Lair at the mountains to the rear. (Clicking the photo will show notable points of the valley) |
| Book II | Anshe Village |
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Though the lake's shore-line has obviously changed over the last 2,300 years, this view from The Eagle's Nest at the Amazoi village clearly shows where the Anshe village once sat. (Clicking the photo will show notable points) |
| Book II | Bedchamber of the Gods |
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This is the view from an outlook to the west of the valley. To the left of the full sized image is a cliff. The trail of the Loop of Rekchal would be beyond that cliff to the viewer's far left. Of course, there would be no road going through the Bedchamber as it does now. (Clicking the photo will show notable points of the valley) |
| Book III | To the Southlands |
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The single trail starting the Loop of Rekchal. This view is typical of the terrain between the lands of the Lolak-Touratak and the lands of the Bakat (Flatlands). This includes the Touratak Ambush, the run-in with the Borak, and the route of Pechka's attempted escape. (Clicking the photo will show notable points) |
| Book III | The Blue Pool |
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Yes, it really exists. The Blue Pool, home of the River-god Torak that the Amazoi named their 6th village after, was clearly the one shown here. (Clicking the photo will show enlarged photo) |
| Book IV | The Coast of the Great Water |
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This view is up coast of the Black Sea. (Clicking the photo will show details of location) |
| Book IV | The Small Mountains |
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This view is looking from the Black Sea at the coast-line of the area the Amazoi and their allies established defenses against the invading Southlanders. (Clicking the photo will show details of location) |