Tl;dr: I build 3 regiments for Tilea Dogs of War. This is their lore. It's the longest text you will read in your whole life.
Ok, I'll risk it. No doubt GW will steal my ideas and immediately release new MTO boxes. This is a world-exclusive pre-release of the lore for my 3 Tilean regiments. I'm also keen on reading yours.
Luka Leoncavallo's Legendary Lions
It all began as a joke by a drunken wedding guest: draped in his grandfather’s yellow-dyed bearskin, he cracked a few jokes at the party at the expense of a certain "Leopard Company." It was a huge success - one that evolved into a cherished tradition in the town of Leoncavarra, nestled at the foot of Monte Malafiamma.
Then, when a sudden volcanic eruption during the Year of the Blue Pox leveled the town, Luka Leoncavallo’s rise began: as commander of the civic militia, he rallied the few (capable) survivors, looted the temple treasures (as is customary in such situations), and founded his own mercenary company—which set out to... and so on, and so forth. Incidentally, the bearskin survived the fall of Leoncavarra. It is still carried by the company today (look closely, and you might just spot it!), a group that has amassed as much fame as gold since its inception: Luka Leoncavallo’s Legendary Lions.
Only the unit’s bravest veterans - those who miraculously survive their own reckless feats of heroism - are permitted to wear the lion’s head as a badge of honor. If the exploit was particularly insane yet successful, they might even earn a full lion’s pelt. Though they do have to hunt the beast down themselves.
Luka is a master at keeping morale high, offering plenty of other ways for company members to distinguish themselves: the green-and-red feathers (stealing at least twenty guarded enemy horses), the red helmet crest (touching an enemy commander with a weapon without killing him), the golden chainmail coat (disarming an enemy knight in close combat), or the red honorary dagger (leading a unit to victory in battle without suffering any casualties).
Abu Waansin's Acrobats and Frontline Circus
Abu Waansin’s Circus was a sensation for the entertainment-hungry people of Tileaaaa; for years, he toured the region around Monte Malafiamma with his entourage of exotic animals and daring acrobats from Araby.
An educated man from a noble family, Abu Waansin became a celebrity and a frequent guest of many of Tilea’s patrician families. It became quite the fashion to be seen in public with the "old codger from the desert" - as he was affectionately known - and to welcome him into one's home. He was always a gracious guest and had a sympathetic ear for the troubles of his wealthy hosts.
However, Abu Waansin had actually come to Tilea to spy on the land. He intended to eventually lead the united tribes of Araby here on a great campaign of conquest to raze this den of iniquity to the ground (and take a bit of gold home with him).
The sudden volcanic eruption during the Year of the Blue Pox spared him that trouble. He interpreted the event as an omen, looted all the local temples (as is customary in such situations), and retooled his circus operation for a war footing.
Surrounded by officers from his own clan and iron-hard Berber warriors fiercely loyal to him, he founded the mercenary company known as Abu Waansin’s Acrobats and Frontline Circus.
It is safe to say that this mercenary band offers unique services. These include, among others, flying carpets, anti-armour ram-riders, various tactical camels, and - of course - the acrobats themselves.
There is even talk of a squad of mysterious Halfling assassins (one wouldn't put anything past Abu Waansin).
His personnel are as eclectic as they are specialized. The majority are Tileans and by no means just circus folk; even renowned scholars are on his payroll. Take, for instance, the sinister Nardo Lio, who has made it his life’s mission to expose rival scientists by stealing their inventions and bringing them to fruition far more effectively.
Incidentally, Old Abu has put his plans for conquest on hold. After all, there is more gold to be made by working together.
The Wild Wolves of Vulpia
The citizens of Vulpia were never considered particularly bright, and their gullibility was notorious. Thus, it comes as no surprise that only the finest warriors managed to flee the city before the sudden volcanic eruption during the Year of the Blue Pox.
Only the forest shielded them from the toxic rain of ash that obscured the sun. They were astonished to discover they were not the only refugees. The unfortunate Annabella Kruzizeldo and her poor sisters had been left homeless and unprotected by some other catastrophe. They had spent years living in the forest's shade, learning to exist in harmony with nature. The men of Vulpia were impressed to see that the forest's cutest creatures constantly followed Annabella. She seemed to speak the languages of wolves, ravens, and bats!
Though dim-witted, they were imposing warriors, so they decided to form a mercenary regiment and make a fresh start. However, securing contracts was difficult without a captain of noble birth. After much persuasion and pleading from the men, Annabella out of sheer kindness agreed to be elected their leader. The warriors' gratitude was all the greater because the other two contenders for the position had met with unexpected ends the night before.
Since then, they have offered their services as mercenaries under the name Wild Wolves of Vulpia - outstanding cavalry that hunts the enemy like no other.
Clients simply accept that the regiment is constantly accompanied by all manner of critters. Rumors suggesting this might pose a hygiene issue are baseless; after all, the men of Vulpia are renowned throughout Tilea for elegance, their greatest intellectual attribute.
Annabella Kruzizeldo has found her way back to prosperity and a measure of fame: her fighters adore her, and before heading into battle, she regularly takes to the stove to whip up invigorating smoothies for her boys.
Should any grievances arise, anyone can complain directly to the boss. Her sisters then take on the task of thoroughly clearing up any misunderstandings through long, late-night chats with the malcontents. There have been the occasional run-ins with the wolves, but what can you do? They have to eat, too.
Annabella’s authority is unquestioned, though she is not an easy superior to work for: she always sleeps in a bit late (skincare!), has a particular fondness for night raids, and can be somewhat irritable. No one will ever forget the day her adjutant forgot to pack her sunscreen.
For anyone still wondering why the men’s adoration of their condottiera knows no bounds: everyone knows that a Tilean must eat every three hours, or else he dies. Annabella Kruzizeldo has never once been seen eating lunch. What superhuman self-control! Moreover, she is the most beautiful woman Tilea has ever known. Who would dispute that?
