In discussing the Rocarian army, we must first look at the reasons which drive the men of Rocaria to the fields of honor. They are not an overly bellicose people, yet they seem to be at odds with one another constantly over land, politics, or wealth, as there is an abundance of sin in the kingdom which draws mens' souls toward the worst and most reprehensible sorts of wickedness like flies to dung. However, there have been just wars fought in the name of religion by the warrior-monks known as the Knights of Saint Talonia of Metz, and may these brave men save our souls through the eradication of sin.
The noblemen of Rocaria are required to provide a fighting force for the King for up to forty days out of the year in exchange for his highness' protection, and the wealthier ones will undoubtedly equip their warriors in better fashion than their poorer counterparts. Since the blacksmiths of Rocaria are possessed of such talent as the world has never seen, they can create many weapons of great quality. Quite a variety of these will you find amongst the warriors. The knights will be equipped in the most lavish fashion, wearing coats of mail and helmets, often covering themselves from head to toe in metal rings. Most will wear some sort of helmet which covers the full face, though some still wear the older style of helmet with no covering for the face. In either case, they will always take the field with a lance or longspear, and with swords, maces, axes, or javelins. The latter are especially popular with the knights of the Grand Duchy of Rhosmawr, who often throw them before charging.
In reference to the infantry, they are armored in a somewhat haphazard manner, some with a jacket of chain mail and a large helmet, others with leather jackets and brigantines, but most with little more than the clothes on their backs. Their weapons are as varied as their armor, being a combination of swords, spears, and axes of varying styles. The common thing with all Rocarian men-at-arms is the shield, for this is crucial to their manner of warfare, as we shall see. The bow is a popular weapon among the poorer men, and crossbows are becoming increasingly common due to their ease of use and decreasing cost. At this point, the style is for Westerners to be better armored and wear conical helmets, also to carry tear-drop-shaped shields. The Men of the Grand Duchy, on the other hand, are lighter armored and carry slightly smaller, round shields, as befits their history of fighting in mobile fashion in the hilly terrain of their homeland.
As to the manner of battle, the infantry is the crucial arm. They draw up shoulder-to-shoulder in a thin and wide line, and lock their shields together in a nigh-unstoppable "wall". The archers tend to cluster behind their braver counterparts and lob arrows over the shieldwall. Once the men of the shieldwall are in place, they do not like to move at all, preferring sturdiness to maneuverability. Once the shieldwall is broken or outmaneuvered, they tend to be picked apart by cavalry, as by those of King Cunobelinos of the River Clans at the battle of Bluemoors(532); or by more organized foes, as by the dismounted knights of Grensmark at the battle of Kaltenheim(599).
The knights and nobles fight mounted, unless it is wholly impractical to do so. They form up in a single rank and charge at a gallop, wildly and impetuously riding down their foes. There are stories of Rocarian knights crashing into trees in their enthusiasm when they are taken with the joy of battle, though I doubt such foolishness. Some, like those of Rhosmawr, will throw javelins and spears before they charge. They use their lances couched underarm or over their heads, but the impact of their charge is the same regardless. They like to be first to fight, as befits their status, and this often leads to hot-headedness, charging ahead of the infantry regardless of tactical considerations. In these cases, their unquenchable bravery is their greatest weapon, as the infantry are usually too far behind to provide any meaningful support if passion gets the better of their common sense!
When the men of Rocaria go to battle, they divide all their warriors into wings or lines: A left, right, and center; or a vanguard, main, and rearguard. Sometimes a small group will be kept as a reserve or guard for the army's supplies. Each is led by a lord or great knight. In any case, the wings will be drawn up with the cavalry in the front or on one flank.
It should be noted that the Brethren of the Ordo Talonius mentioned above fight in the same manner as their secular counterparts, only they are fanatically brave, and the brethren have taken vows to fight to the last man, regardless of the odds stacked against them.
The noblemen of Rocaria are required to provide a fighting force for the King for up to forty days out of the year in exchange for his highness' protection, and the wealthier ones will undoubtedly equip their warriors in better fashion than their poorer counterparts. Since the blacksmiths of Rocaria are possessed of such talent as the world has never seen, they can create many weapons of great quality. Quite a variety of these will you find amongst the warriors. The knights will be equipped in the most lavish fashion, wearing coats of mail and helmets, often covering themselves from head to toe in metal rings. Most will wear some sort of helmet which covers the full face, though some still wear the older style of helmet with no covering for the face. In either case, they will always take the field with a lance or longspear, and with swords, maces, axes, or javelins. The latter are especially popular with the knights of the Grand Duchy of Rhosmawr, who often throw them before charging.
In reference to the infantry, they are armored in a somewhat haphazard manner, some with a jacket of chain mail and a large helmet, others with leather jackets and brigantines, but most with little more than the clothes on their backs. Their weapons are as varied as their armor, being a combination of swords, spears, and axes of varying styles. The common thing with all Rocarian men-at-arms is the shield, for this is crucial to their manner of warfare, as we shall see. The bow is a popular weapon among the poorer men, and crossbows are becoming increasingly common due to their ease of use and decreasing cost. At this point, the style is for Westerners to be better armored and wear conical helmets, also to carry tear-drop-shaped shields. The Men of the Grand Duchy, on the other hand, are lighter armored and carry slightly smaller, round shields, as befits their history of fighting in mobile fashion in the hilly terrain of their homeland.
As to the manner of battle, the infantry is the crucial arm. They draw up shoulder-to-shoulder in a thin and wide line, and lock their shields together in a nigh-unstoppable "wall". The archers tend to cluster behind their braver counterparts and lob arrows over the shieldwall. Once the men of the shieldwall are in place, they do not like to move at all, preferring sturdiness to maneuverability. Once the shieldwall is broken or outmaneuvered, they tend to be picked apart by cavalry, as by those of King Cunobelinos of the River Clans at the battle of Bluemoors(532); or by more organized foes, as by the dismounted knights of Grensmark at the battle of Kaltenheim(599).
The knights and nobles fight mounted, unless it is wholly impractical to do so. They form up in a single rank and charge at a gallop, wildly and impetuously riding down their foes. There are stories of Rocarian knights crashing into trees in their enthusiasm when they are taken with the joy of battle, though I doubt such foolishness. Some, like those of Rhosmawr, will throw javelins and spears before they charge. They use their lances couched underarm or over their heads, but the impact of their charge is the same regardless. They like to be first to fight, as befits their status, and this often leads to hot-headedness, charging ahead of the infantry regardless of tactical considerations. In these cases, their unquenchable bravery is their greatest weapon, as the infantry are usually too far behind to provide any meaningful support if passion gets the better of their common sense!
When the men of Rocaria go to battle, they divide all their warriors into wings or lines: A left, right, and center; or a vanguard, main, and rearguard. Sometimes a small group will be kept as a reserve or guard for the army's supplies. Each is led by a lord or great knight. In any case, the wings will be drawn up with the cavalry in the front or on one flank.
It should be noted that the Brethren of the Ordo Talonius mentioned above fight in the same manner as their secular counterparts, only they are fanatically brave, and the brethren have taken vows to fight to the last man, regardless of the odds stacked against them.
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