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Vania's Military</b>
The largest Vanian unit is the legion, which is roughly 4,000-5,000 soldiers. This
includes cavalry (horsemen), and artillery (archers, crossbowmen, and ballista machine
operators). Infantry consists of foot soldiers, their main weapon being spears, then a
sword for close fighting. The legion is commanded by a Knight Commander, and they report to the Emperor. Each legion carries a golden banner emblazoned with Vania's crest into battle. Each cohort also carries a smaller banner. If all the golden banners fall, the battle is lost.
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-A cohort has about 500 soldiers, so there are about ten cohorts in a legion. A cohort is commanded by a Commander (usually a knight).
-A company has about 250 soldiers, so there are two companies in a cohort. A company is commanded by a Captain (sometimes a knight).
-A squad has about 40-50 soldiers, so there are five squads in a company. The squad leader is called the “First Sword”, and he or she is commanded by Sergeant.
-A patrol has about 8-10 soldiers, so there are about five patrols in a squad. A patrol shares a tent together during military campaigns.
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Every soldier carries his or her own equipment, which consists of a bedroll, small shovel, mess kit, and their armour and weapons. There are severe infractions for disobeying an officer or for cowardice in battle, but great rewards for achievement on the battlefield.
A soldier enlisted for a minimum of seven years. The minimum age for enlistment was sixteen. A soldier was not allowed to leave the army (or marry) before their seven years unless they received special dispensation from an officer.
Weapons and Armour
A typical foot soldier has two kinds of spears–one for throwing (called a pilum), and
a slightly longer and stouter one for closer fighting. They also carry a shortsword, a large, rectangular-shaped shield, and a helmet. Their main armour during campaign is a fine-linked chain mail shirt, with a belted tabard (short tunic-like coat which could be sleeveless, or have short sleeves or shoulder pieces, with a coat-of-arms on the front and back) over it, in addition to pieces of plate armour that cover the shoulders (pauldrons) and legs (greaves). For light missions, scouting, traveling, or guard parties, the chain mail is replaced by a toughened leather cuirass, which is a breastplate that covers the chest and torso. The Vanian soldier is trained to fight as a unit, and not as individuals, and that has been their military success.
Other soldiers include skirmishers who wear much lighter leather armour, cavalry, engineers trained to use and repair ballista machines such as scorpions and catapults, as well as scribes who kept a record of the company’s exploits, and treasurers who paid the soldiers.
Officers with the rank of Captain or higher, as well as knights, wear a more ornate helmet and decorated cloak.
Knights
A Vanian knight is an upper-class citizen who is in military service. They are not nobility, however, they can attain that status if they acquire enough wealth. They rank below nobility, royalty, and Councilmen (or councilwomen), but rank above ordinary citizens. A soldier may become a knight after achieving a certain military rank, and then only after doing an exemplary job in the field as an officer. An officer could also be knighted during a remarkable show of bravery on the battlefield.
The knight-to-be is given an official ceremony. In the evening they have a ritual bath in specially-blessed oils, then spend the night praying in their god’s temple for protection, strength, and honor. In the morning, they are dubbed a knight by a superior, who must be from the knighthood themselves.
Women
Women are accorded the same right and citizenship as their male counterparts, as long as they are not slaves. They can vote for the Councils and even become a Councilman to the Emperor. If they marry, they have equal rights and properties as their husbands. Little girls of nobility are taught to read and write Common and Elvish just like boys, with the added extent that they are also taught the traditional womanly arts like cooking, learning to run a household, music, and so forth. They are also taught a small amount of self defense such as archery and basic fencing. Regular daughters of citizens are also taught reading and writing in the public schools, but only Common, and they do not learn defensive skills. Some slaves, if their master permit it, are taught some reading and writing.
In the earlier centuries of Vania, the only position women could not attain was in the military. Women were prized for their intellect, beauty, and diplomatic skills, but a woman entering the military was unheard of, especially one from a noble house.
All this changed during the drought and wars of Emperor Aurelian's reign: after Vania's prime conquering era, a long drought and endless war with the Southern Kingdoms, as well as creatures from the Empty Mountains, brought the men's population down. Sensing weakness, Vania's neighbors began raiding her provinces and even the Citadel. Emperor Aurelian allowed women to enter the military, and was surprised at the swelling numbers. They proved themselves to be worthy, and from then on, women were allowed to be soldiers and even gained the right to become high-ranking officers and knights.
Relations between men and women in the military are frowned upon, although it is not unheard of for two people to receive dispensation from the army to be married.
The largest Vanian unit is the legion, which is roughly 4,000-5,000 soldiers. This
includes cavalry (horsemen), and artillery (archers, crossbowmen, and ballista machine
operators). Infantry consists of foot soldiers, their main weapon being spears, then a
sword for close fighting. The legion is commanded by a Knight Commander, and they report to the Emperor. Each legion carries a golden banner emblazoned with Vania's crest into battle. Each cohort also carries a smaller banner. If all the golden banners fall, the battle is lost.
---------------------
-A cohort has about 500 soldiers, so there are about ten cohorts in a legion. A cohort is commanded by a Commander (usually a knight).
-A company has about 250 soldiers, so there are two companies in a cohort. A company is commanded by a Captain (sometimes a knight).
-A squad has about 40-50 soldiers, so there are five squads in a company. The squad leader is called the “First Sword”, and he or she is commanded by Sergeant.
-A patrol has about 8-10 soldiers, so there are about five patrols in a squad. A patrol shares a tent together during military campaigns.
--------------------
Every soldier carries his or her own equipment, which consists of a bedroll, small shovel, mess kit, and their armour and weapons. There are severe infractions for disobeying an officer or for cowardice in battle, but great rewards for achievement on the battlefield.
A soldier enlisted for a minimum of seven years. The minimum age for enlistment was sixteen. A soldier was not allowed to leave the army (or marry) before their seven years unless they received special dispensation from an officer.
Weapons and Armour
A typical foot soldier has two kinds of spears–one for throwing (called a pilum), and
a slightly longer and stouter one for closer fighting. They also carry a shortsword, a large, rectangular-shaped shield, and a helmet. Their main armour during campaign is a fine-linked chain mail shirt, with a belted tabard (short tunic-like coat which could be sleeveless, or have short sleeves or shoulder pieces, with a coat-of-arms on the front and back) over it, in addition to pieces of plate armour that cover the shoulders (pauldrons) and legs (greaves). For light missions, scouting, traveling, or guard parties, the chain mail is replaced by a toughened leather cuirass, which is a breastplate that covers the chest and torso. The Vanian soldier is trained to fight as a unit, and not as individuals, and that has been their military success.
Other soldiers include skirmishers who wear much lighter leather armour, cavalry, engineers trained to use and repair ballista machines such as scorpions and catapults, as well as scribes who kept a record of the company’s exploits, and treasurers who paid the soldiers.
Officers with the rank of Captain or higher, as well as knights, wear a more ornate helmet and decorated cloak.
Knights
A Vanian knight is an upper-class citizen who is in military service. They are not nobility, however, they can attain that status if they acquire enough wealth. They rank below nobility, royalty, and Councilmen (or councilwomen), but rank above ordinary citizens. A soldier may become a knight after achieving a certain military rank, and then only after doing an exemplary job in the field as an officer. An officer could also be knighted during a remarkable show of bravery on the battlefield.
The knight-to-be is given an official ceremony. In the evening they have a ritual bath in specially-blessed oils, then spend the night praying in their god’s temple for protection, strength, and honor. In the morning, they are dubbed a knight by a superior, who must be from the knighthood themselves.
Women
Women are accorded the same right and citizenship as their male counterparts, as long as they are not slaves. They can vote for the Councils and even become a Councilman to the Emperor. If they marry, they have equal rights and properties as their husbands. Little girls of nobility are taught to read and write Common and Elvish just like boys, with the added extent that they are also taught the traditional womanly arts like cooking, learning to run a household, music, and so forth. They are also taught a small amount of self defense such as archery and basic fencing. Regular daughters of citizens are also taught reading and writing in the public schools, but only Common, and they do not learn defensive skills. Some slaves, if their master permit it, are taught some reading and writing.
In the earlier centuries of Vania, the only position women could not attain was in the military. Women were prized for their intellect, beauty, and diplomatic skills, but a woman entering the military was unheard of, especially one from a noble house.
All this changed during the drought and wars of Emperor Aurelian's reign: after Vania's prime conquering era, a long drought and endless war with the Southern Kingdoms, as well as creatures from the Empty Mountains, brought the men's population down. Sensing weakness, Vania's neighbors began raiding her provinces and even the Citadel. Emperor Aurelian allowed women to enter the military, and was surprised at the swelling numbers. They proved themselves to be worthy, and from then on, women were allowed to be soldiers and even gained the right to become high-ranking officers and knights.
Relations between men and women in the military are frowned upon, although it is not unheard of for two people to receive dispensation from the army to be married.
Suggested Collections
Upon request (sorry it took so long, I'm ever the procrastinator sometimes!), here are some notes from my novel, Mage's Fire, detailing some military history of the Empire of Vania. The last bit recounts the role of women. As you can see, my Vanian military is inspired by Roman and early medieval formations and armour.
Next time I'll try to draw some portraits of the characters in their battle regalia.
Next time I'll try to draw some portraits of the characters in their battle regalia.
© 2007 - 2024 SarawenArt
Comments11
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As someone who knows far more than I ought to about Roman and medieval combat, this very interesting to read, to see what inspired you where, and where you deviated from the historical influences. Very well researched, and very informative. Well done, hun!