Volturnian Guard

Elite military unit of the Serenissima Centwerp. The Volturnian Guard consisted of Taznikanze mercenaries who had signed up for a life contract drilled in Kracian fighting methods, in particular, the phalanx. By combining Kracian discipline with Taznikanze ferocity, the Volturnian Guard became one of the most feared fighting forces in the World of Mana.

Similiar to hoplites, the Volturnian Guard were essentially heavy armoured spearmen. However, there were a few departures from the traditional Kracian methods. The Guard used large, square shields (called scuta) rather than the traditional, round hoplon. The first rank of soldiers was equipped with Chain mail for extra protection. (Equipping EVERYONE with chain mail was deemed too expensive; the rest used the traditional bronze cuirass). Finally, being Taznikanze, utilized axes or hammers for close-in fighting if the formation was broken. (Or if they went berserk and started attacking everything in sight, but they usually were able to 'hold it' until the formation had served its purpose.)

Additionally, the Volturnian Guard was backed up with the best spellcasters money could buy.

The Guard's reputation was so fierce that most people decided that attacking Centwerp was more trouble than it was worth.