In the Fergana, war has always been special. The pantheon taught the people that they must improve themselves, profit their families, and take what they deserve, and this leads so naturally to a warriors tradition. These ethics have so far been at the heart of the military force that serves as Guli's army, a binding philosophy that keeps the force united.

But times are changing. Military Fronts are further and further away, enemies faced are either insignificant or organised. Soldiers flood in from other territories outside of the valley. Technology grows and shifts more and more into unusual shapes. Iron from the east is coming, and it looks like the world is on the precipice of another great shift in warfare. Gunpowder, Elephants, Iron. These are the forces of the future. But these things will come regardless of the actions of the military, they are economic forces, gifts from statesmen and craftsmen. How can the Military evolve?

Simple: Take the art of the Hunter, and make it the art of War.

About one kilometer west of the new capital at Kan-Uy, sits another town - a fortified camp site. As the Grand Assembly is the heart of the domestic state, this camp is the heart of it's violent sibling. Within, Guli has established a system of generals and staff from those who prove their worth, and bound them into a new Family of their own. These warriors receive reports daily, send out expeditions to map and explore isolated regions within the Confederacy, and nearby regions without. They set up camps around the country, police passes, and are even making plans to patrol the entire length of the countries borders.

But their improvements to themselves are the most important. Here they study logistics, strategy, tactics. Any fool can win a battle, but here they learn how to win wars. Faceless riders arrive with reports and messages at all hours of the day from their informants across the country, and here they have a clearer idea of the makeup of the Alai Confederacy than even the Assembly does.

Below all that, lies a reorganised force below. There is much, much work to be done, but for a start, the army is organised into several distinct groups:

The Tulku are the lighter forces, the light bowmen, horsemen, or footmen. They come in those three flavours but aside from equipment they don't vary so much. They are quick, and taught to engage the enemy in hit and run tactics. They lay traps, ambush, avoid drawn out combat. In a full battle, they can stand in formation and fight with he rest, but their main use is bulk and asymmetrical warfare.

The Uloo are the Hunters. They are well armed and equipped, and extremely well trained in melee and ranged fire. They fight as the heart of the army, designed to lay down blistering ranged fire on command and to stand firm no matter what is occurring. Uloo fall back, but they do not run. These soldiers, above all else, are the closest to a professional force as can be mustered.

The Chesik are mounted Hunters, those who prefer thick armour. Their job is to break anyone who would not otherwise run, and were the first to claim the incoming Iron for their own improvised armour. They are few in number, but just as professional.

The Sikuluu are the crudely named apparatus that launch the Dragon Fire upon the Alai's enemies. Their numbers have increased drastically over the past year, and they are now more common than not inside even the smallest Alai expedition. Their ability to sear or scare most organised enemies is valued above any gems or gold. In a fixed battle, few enemies can withstand a mass barrage of fire.

Finally, the Sopushil. These are Elephants, trumpeting beasts of fury and power, who have been the most successful at pacifying the east so far. What hope does any horsemen have against such a huge lumbering beast?

These groups form the nucleus of a new army, a new means of war. Even as the new system forms, it know it will be broken and rebuilt, times beyond counting, as each innovation comes into play. The new leadership have already met with Guli with new, fresh ideas to reforge their force, and many craftsmen have been assembled to investigate the secrets of Iron in Tashkent.

War is Wind. Always changing. And we will adapt, as we always have. Adapt and Prosper.