Darknut Legion (Conquest)

The Darknut Legion is a playable faction in Hyrule: Total War. They must be unlocked by beating a Short Campaign as the Gorons or a Long Campaign as any faction.

Description
The Darknuts (the Gerudo word for Cliff Lords) are a canine race that originated from the mountain ranges west and south of the Gerudo desert. They are an ancient people, predated only by races of legend such as the Oocca and Fairies. In the past, their civilisation almost fell apart through civil warfare, and conflicts with border races such as the Gerudo and Moblins nearly resulted in the extinction of their race. Facing the end of their people, the warring leaders decided to put aside their differences and declared that from there on out every single Darknut would be trained to be a disciplined and unstoppable warrior at adolescence. After devising a rigorous code from which to follow, the Darknut Legion and its infamous armoured warriors were born. From an early age, Darknuts are trained to wield the best armour, the biggest swords, and maintain the highest order of discipline to preserve their creed. Darknut philosophy places focus on the individual: if one soldier cannot master himself, then it is impossible for him to function in a group. For this reason, Darknuts often prefer to fight alone in engagements, leaving their comrades to their own devices when fighting against groups. When assembled into an army, the Darknuts are without a doubt the single most powerful force to walk Hyrule. This has come at a price, however, as the Darknut Legion places focus on the sword. Their faction has no archers or cavalry at all, and is strictly infantry based. That, combined with their slow speed, makes them hard to master despite their obvious prowess in a hand-to-hand fight. Regardless, a wall of Darknuts shrugging off hundreds of arrows as they slowly advance is bound to put doubt into most armies that they face.

Strengths, Weaknesses and Abilities

 * Unmatched Armour: The Darknuts are infamous for their nearly impenetrable armour, making them pound for pound the most powerful soldiers in all of Hyrule.
 * Heavy Contenders: Darknuts are all very slow and most are unable to run because of their massive armour.
 * Honor Bound: The Darknuts have a strict code of ethics and honor that prevents them from using weapons other than swords. As such they lack cavalry, archers, and other specialised units outside of infantry.
 * Lord Race: In the campaign, the Darknuts are nearly worshiped by the Fokka, and generally are aided by the Zuna of the Gerudo Desert. Mercenaries are also generally more willing to work for them regardless of pay.

Freeform Campaign

 * Faction Leader: Zalunbar
 * Settlements: 2
 * Ontheon (castle, capital)
 * Unyus (large town)
 * Diplomacy:
 * Allies: None
 * At war: Stalfos
 * Goals:
 * Short Campaign: hold 25 regions
 * Long Campaign: hold 35 regions

Hyrule Historia
Several thousand years before the events of the Freeform Campaign, the Darknuts are manipulated by Vaati to march east to steal the power of the Wind Tribe. However, the plan is thwarted by King Gustaf of Hyrule, who mobilises an army to protect the Wind Tribe until they can ascend to the sky at the Tarm Ruins. After the departure of Siroc, Queen of the Wind Tribe, the Darknut commander, the Black Knight and Vaati show up before Gustaf. The Black Knight blames Vaati for letting his people die for nothing and attacks him, however he is killed.

Standard

 * Initiates
 * Adepts
 * Masters
 * Mighties
 * Legendaries
 * Deities
 * Dishonored
 * Fokka Knights

Command

 * Legion Head
 * Army Head

Heroes

 * Onan
 * Senturon
 * Zalunbar
 * The Black Knight