Útonálló
The Útonálló are a class of special mixed light infantry and very-light cavalry that originated from the Imperial Central within The Empire that originated from the Proto-Imperial Era. The Útonálló are specifically originated from the northernmost regions and primarily sourced soldiers from Salgó, Kassa and the Észak-Felvidék. Útonálló are most noted for their signature hatwear. Infantry Útonálló wear a cap with a set of large feathers, while mounted Útonálló wear a cap with a singular feather. Both feathers are sourced from white-tailed eagles. During the Proto-Imperial Era, Útonálló were famous for their hatwear and their curved sabre that was used primarily by mounted Útonálló.
The Útonálló were used extensively during the Proto-Imperial Era as mercenary infantry and cavalry. They were used primarily by four different factions: The Northern Coalition, the Kassa Republic, the Salgó-Kassa Republic and the Jeno Coalition. The first official unit comprised of Útonálló was organized by Bálint Balassi for the Kassa Republic as the Hegyi Légió, comprised of mainly Salgó and Kassa bandits as part of a directive to create an elite light infantry unit to send to aid the Northern Coalition during the War of the Northern Coalition. Since their debut as a unit when deployed the Northern Coalition, they became a much more utilized and organized force during the Proto-Imperial Era, becoming a formal elite light infantry and light shock cavalry unit. The Útonálló saw massive usage during the Hegyhat Wars and the Lorevi Conquest by a variety of factions that employed both Salgó and Kassa people. During the Hegyhat War and the participation of the unified Salgó-Kassa Republic, Észak-Felvidék people became included as members of the Útonálló. After the Unificiation of the Empire, the Útonálló were reorganized in their own battalion called the Útonálló Special Battalion under the Central Army Division. Since their debut in the Proto-Imperial Era, the Útonálló on a large scale have retained as many traditions set by the Salgó and Kassa peoples.
Origins
The Útonálló during the Proto-Imperial era referred to bands of generally unorganized bandits, mercenaries and highwaymen that originated fromeiter the Salgó Republic or the Kassa Republic. These early forms of Útonálló branded themselves through brutality against non-Salgó or non-Kassa citizens and nobility that crossed through the Imperial Central. Written sources of the Útonálló within the Kassa Republic called attention to their notoriety, specifically in their brutal nature.
The creation of the Útonálló is credited to renowned Kassa military strategist Bálint Balassi, who conceptualized the Útonálló as a double measure to answer two issues the Kassa Republic faced in sending desperately needed light and flexible soldiers to support the War of the Northern Coalition; as well as solving the ongoing bandit crisis within the Republic. The hat and symbolism the Útonálló wore became synonymous with idea of heroic outlaws that had redeemed their roots into society as soldiers.
History
Before Balassi
The Útonálló trace their origins to Kassa light infantry, which emphasized the idea of shock and awe in its military strategy. Parts of the Kassa light infantry were made up of conscripts from destitute or proscribed populations, giving them very little outside of a spear and a light sword. These were considered to be a form of irregular military. Most of the Kassa light infantry made up of these bandit warriors were often recorded to having been wiped out during battles during the Kassa-Felvidék Wars. Soldiers of this class were ill-equipped, often with little armor and soldiers. These early renditions of bandit warriors in this form of irregular military were often described to have been cannon fodder by military strategists.
During the Seventh Kassa-Felvidék War, the Kassa Republic organized several bandit regiments in Hernád, which were more well armed. Kassa military observer Balassi and Salgó military observer Óváry Klapka saw command of these bandit regiments against the Felvidék. The two took note of their feverous behavior in battle, as well as their adeptness in battle. These bandit regiments often experimented and improvised more with difficult situations.
During Balassi & Kassa Útonálló
Once the War of the Northern Coalition eventually dragged the Kassa Republic in, Balassi was at the forefront of the Kassa military operation. After pulling a victory at the Battle of Mátra, he observed the Mórahalom Csikós, the only cavalry units made up of Mórahalom herdsmen that were adept at using a spear. These Mórahalom Csikós were the only real cavalry unit that the Northern Coalition had fully utilized that also utilized a very striking uniform. Csikós often wore extremely long coats that would make them appear larger and much more threatening from a distance. Originally used as a means of clothing in the climate of Morahalom, Balassi took note of this to bring back.
Balassi requested special authorization from the Kassa Minister Artúr Toporc to raise a new regiment of bandit soldiery. He also took note of the symbolism of the Csikós, noting that the use of special equipment to denote their status as special warriors would help to lower enemy morale. Alongside this, he wished for type of soldier that was mixed in both infantry and cavalry. This logistical set-back required these units to be somewhat light and shock based.
The Útonálló were specifically designed and trained by Balassi to be at the forefront of shock-and-awe war efforts. This first formal unit was called the Hegyi Légió, which was entirely cavalry based. Útonálló armor and weaponry was designed to be lighter as to allow soldiers to mount and dismount with ease.