The mountain realms that surround the mighty polis of Akros serve as shield between its holdings and the rest of Theros. The Akroans are half-mythical even within their own time. They are known to be the most feared warriors of Theros. They have lived and died by the spear in the name of countless kings, hardening their armies generation after generation by fostering a culture that revolves around perfecting the body and the mind for combat.
Scattered throughout Akros are several outposts—staging grounds for Stratians to venture out and seek plunder or patrol for monsters and invaders. Some of these include One-Eyed Pass, Pharagax Bridge, and The Titan's Stairs.
There are a few temples in Akros dedicated to the major gods - mainly Purphoros and Iroas - but due to the Stratian duties of many Akroans, the major temples are located afield, in mountainous places.
Although the center of Akroan culture is located within the great walls of the Kolophon, the main body of the population consists of wandering bands of warriors that make up the Akroan army: the Stratians. These warrior bands are entirely self sufficient, relying on hunting and plunder to feed their numbers and to train the young soldiers in the field. The Stratians are tasked with scouring the countryside for monsters that have strayed from their domains seeking to attack merchants and traders who travel the roads between poleis.
- Alamon (wanderers) are the forces that are always on the move about the borders of the kingdom of Akros. They are tough and rugged warriors armed for speed, so they can move and strike without warning. They are the forces who find new domains for conquering.
- Lukos (wolves) are the elite of the Akroan forces called in after the Alamon have spotted a target and have begun attacking it in their guerrilla style of assault. The Lukos march in and take over the village, capturing slaves to haul plunder back to the Kolophon.
- Oromai (watchers). These are the forces that never stray far from the Kolophon, protecting the fortress from invaders. The Oromai also keep the large population of serfs in check while the main part of the Akroan army is away for long periods of time.
"Fair fight? How could it be a fair fight? We're Akroans. They're not." - (Akroan Legionnaire)
An Akroan soldier's worth is measured by the number of swords raised by his battle cry. (Akroan Crusader)
The current king of Akros is a fierce warrior named Anax. The current, and equally fierce queen is Cymede.
Flamespeakers are shamans of Purphoros who worship strange eidolons said to inhabit the volcanoes and cracks in the great mountains of Akros. The Flamespeakers still have the ear and belief of many modern Akroans, and some make the pilgrimage far up into the mountains to be blessed by Flamespeakers or to receive prophecy from them.
Androphages: During training, every Stratian is warned about the threat of Mogis, because it is during battle when the god can slip into the hearts of warriors, making them crave ever more blood and pain. All Akroans know how Mogis can take a small flame of revenge and grow it into an inferno of madness. Those who are overcome by such desires flee the polis to find enclaves of those who worship Mogis. Not all who worship the twisted god are cannibals, but all crave rage and bloodlust—and some do crave human flesh as the minotaurs do.
Because of their warrior culture and discipline, the god Iroas favors the Akroans. The Iroan Games are held every year in the withering heat of the summer to weed out pretenders and to allow only the most hardy of athletes to prevail. The central podium where athletes receive awards is also the main temple of Iroas.
The Iroan Games award no medals. Athletes vie for a visit from Iroas, god of victory.
Geographical Features in Akros
| Name | Geography Type |
|---|---|
| One-Eyed Pass | Pass |
| Phoberos | Badlands |
