A lot of useful information Chirine. I have broken down your reply to my earlier post.Originally Posted by chirine ba kal
1. I think that this kind of question is part of why this thread exists...
2. The size of battles depends entirely on the strategic situation on that particular front. Chanis, for example, which was fought as part of the 2020 War, had two full legions of Mu'uglavyani and detachments of several more. The Tsolyani had one full legion, and assorted detachments. Ry, on the other hand, was a slugfest with a single legion on each side.
Usually, multiple legions are deployed to a front; Tsolyani legions are specialists, so you'll see 'battle groups' of usually two or three heavy legions, the same number of mediums, and detachements of specialists like lights or missile troops. The Mu'uglavyani and Livyani tend to do the same thing, while the Yan Koryani and Salarvyani - having mixed legions - tend to go for numbers.
In our own battles, Tilketl saw us fighting two full Gureks (Tleku Miriya I and II) with three cohorts of heavies. Third Mar had the GG with his one legion, some Shen, and me all facing something like four or five full legions' worth of Yan Koryani. Anch'ke saw me facing down something like 15,000 tribesmen with one legion plus four cohorts.
3. Our big battle with the Ssu had us with four cohorts - my personal troops - facing Vimuhla only knows how many Ssu.
4. So, a large campaign, such as NW Frontier or NE Frontier, would see a force like you describe - but they would be divided into battle groups, under a Kerdudali, and advance on different route due to the supply issues. (Even a small legion can eat everything out of an area...) Non-human mercenaries are rare; they are a strategic-level asset, and get parceled out to commanders based on perceived need and the commander's 'pull' with Avanthar.
5. (Try Steve Pisani's "Missumdalikoi" wargame; it's a strategic-level board game, and it is a great way to generate battle scenarios.)
6. Warfare in the Five Empires is pretty formal; the 'champion duels' are almost required for the 'little wars', and considered good form for the 'great wars'> Third Mar was considered a huge 'social gaffe' on the part of the Yan Koryani, as their commander opened the battle with a general onslaught and no formalities - too new at the business, and too impatient, and it cost him the battle and his life.
Does this help? I can say a lot more on this, of course...
1. I agree, but I don't think everyone shares our interest and or enthusiasm in military things. So better safe that sorry.
2. What you describe above is kind of what I thought. Even though there may be more legions present in the ToO, the logistics involved and the terrain may not necessarily conducive to employing a larger formation than a cohort or gurek for most battles, although several cohorts or gureks may be engaged in specific battles. To actually employ many full legions a side in a single battle would be atypical. Is this about right?
I guess that these detachments (cohorts & gureks) would be considered the "typical" size when it came to battles?
3. In your experience with the Ssu have you seen them formed up in some kind formation that would be recognizable? I presume that when they emerge in force, as they are want to do in Pechano, the numbers of troops employed by the "Foes of Man" are quite significant. Several hundred perhaps?
Also, when you faced the Shunned Ones, as I believe you mentioned in an earlier post, did you see them using military formations, or were the numbers too small?
4. As in modern warfare logistics are the ultimate key to victory. If your troops are too hungry or thirsty to consolidate a gain, then what kind of victory has been achieved? A lot of people forget that it was due to his logistical acumen that Eisenhower was appointed overall Supreme Allied Commander by Marshall and Roosevelt. Many don't realize that he had never seen battle first hand, as a junior officer or otherwise. Unless of course you take into account his actions in Washington DC during the Bonus March.
5. Never heard of this work until you mentioned it. I took a look for it on line, but I only found really expensive copies of Seal of the Imperium where it was initially published. I would like to get a hold of these rules as I am interested in exploring large scale strategic level battles with my gaming group, but not at the prices I found. I'll have to keep my eyes open for them.
6. I am not surprised at this, and in fact would not have expected any less.
I have some follow up questions, but I'll wait to post them until I read your answers to some of the new questions I posted above. BTW, We're getting that same weather system up here as lots of freezing rain, ice pellets and snow. Oh joy! Oh bliss! I wouldn't mind some of the weather in Jakalla right about now.
Shemek
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