AKSHEBA

This land is ruled by hereditary queens all of whom, on taking the throne, adopt the title/name Qandaqe (or Candace or Kandake).  It is a hilly and forested land flanked by wide, deep rivers.  The land produces vast quantities of high quality iron, gold, silver, excellent wine and beef.  The rivers are the main routes and boats the main means of transport and virtually all settlements (other than mines) lie along them. 

Due to prevalence of what Korinithian doctors call hippomoiraios (horse death), a disease carried by stinging flies that infects non-native horses, drives them uncontrollably mad and then kills them in a matter of a few days.  Conventional cavalry, therefore, is seldom seen on the battlefield though their place is taken by zebra centaurs who are immune.  Recruited from the youths of the aristocracy a light cavalry force can occasionally be found mounted on some of the very few local horses.  They generally perform scouting, foraging, skirmishing and occasionally combat missions.  The bulk of the armies are fast moving okapi satyr, tribal infantry backed by some heavy infantry in Greek style armour and equipment.  When shock action is needed Great Rhino, Great Buffalo and Giant Elephants are deployed.

The ruling class claim that their ancestors are descended from ancient Korinthia and over the centuries of interbreeding with the local population the paler skins have all but disappeared.  Very occasionally a white skinned child is born who is then educated by the priests to be the oracle of the gods. 

Here we have the Queen herself, her priestess Msia (girls born with the lighter skin inherited from Korinthian or Atlantean ancestors are educated to become priestesses) and personal  guards.

Princess Adhama, Lady Imara, Zeugon Tambo and Princess Bakhari

Sacrada Inira Priestess of Prudella They accompany the army on campaign where the singing and dancing raises the spirits of the troops and, of course, delights the goddess.

Some, as yet unnamed, courtiers

Heavy Cavalry led by Zeugon Kinjia.  The figures are Hasslefree and the Cape Buffalo are from Poundland

Zebra Centaurs led by Vreni - these are Wargames Atlantic centaurs slightly converted

Satyrs, again Wargames Atlantic, that I tried not very successfully to paint as if okapis.

This is a unit of the permanent army dressed entirely in Greek style bronze armour and equipment except that their shields are partly covered with the traditional hide.  Recruited from the best and fittest young men.  They are armed with their long spears and strong discipline they are formidable and almost invulnerable to their tribal opponents. Simple paint job conversions except for the officer who is a converted Zulu

Usually flanking these troops are the lighter armoured infantry of the tribes. This regiment is also a royal one with Romanesque helmets, Greek style shields similar in pattern to those of the heavy infantry.  Armed with spears, javelins and axes they are capable of the clearing the way through the jungle and the enemy troops.  Simple head swops with left over Republican Roman heads and the shield arms from the hoplites above onto plastic Zulus.

This armoured infantry unit is raised from the richer tribes.  Again armoured in Greek style but with predominantly linen armour but with traditional tribal cow hide shields while many also prefer their traditional headdress.  They are armed with long spears and heavy single edged stabbing and slashing swords.  They are faster moving than the heavier royal troops. Made by using Hoplites, spare Zulu heads and shields.

This is a tribal light infantry unit with spears, knobkerries, javelins, tribal shields and Republican Roman heads.  Again Zulus, Republican Roman heads and a few weapon swops. 

The Queen's Scouts whose motto is "Where we lead, the men follow".  These young women are all orphans of military families taken into care and trained in reconnaissance and archery. The unit is renowned for its endurance, swimming skills and unarmed combat.

The Moran are young unmarried men.  They are armed with heavy spears, swords and clubs.

Chief Tubbifelli's Hunters or more accurately brigands. 

One weekend I picked up a toy elephant from a bargain bin in the local toy shop for £2.  After a bit of cutting and adding card, toothpicks, chain, milliput and paint the result is ready for war.  As it was an impulse buy it lacks a crew (so far).  When I showed it to my grandson he decided that it should be added to his LOTR Harad army.  So it will serve in both.

The Holiphaunt comes from the far reaches of Aksheba, the verdant grasslands to the east of Harachan, where they graze at the foot of the mountains. The adult Holiphaunt is too wild and dangerous to capture and train, so the young are taken for training. It takes many long years to train a Holiphaunt but they live very long lives, often three or even four times that of the lifespan of a man.  A very few bull holiphaunts grow to absolutely enormous proportions dwarfing even the largest of their brethren. Thus they require a stream of hereditary mahouts and trainers.