Medec Battle Heralds

2006-06-29T20:27:35Z

Eef:

{{Entry|user=Eef}}
Medec and art have a long history together. The land has sprouted many famous musicians, and children of well-off families are generally educated in at least one musical imstrument. Playwrights and bardic troupes are not uncommon either, and at the spring and harvest festivities many plays are performed upon stages erected in the capital for the ocasion. During the year, most of these troupes travel around the country, going from village to village to perform. Some are famous abroad as well.

One such troupe, a rather successful one, the Fairwater Thespians, consisted mainly of young men. They were led by one Oliver Oflottigo, the main actor and playwright.
Unfortunately, in this time, bandit raids plagued the south of Medec, and many young men were conscripted into military service. The entire troupe had to serve as soldiers.

The freespirited Thespians had quite some trouble adjusting to the rigour of military life. They had always been able to make their own decisions and follow their own feelings. Having to follow orders did not go well, and they chafed at being told what to do all the time. They often ended up on sanitary duty, having to clean the latrines usually right after Lt. Legrasse, father of Sgt. Maj. Legrasse, had served his family recipy for spiced sausage stew.

One night the stew was especially spicy and the cleaning took until well into the night. The Fairwater Thespians took their punishment equanimously, and were halfway through composing the Latrine Song, when one of them went outside for a much-needed breath of fresh air, and writing equipment, lest the Latrine Song was lost to posterity. As an afterthought he decided to bring his lute to the latrines, they could take turns at entertaining their scrubbing comrades while figuring out the proper chording.

When he was walking back, he suddenly saw something on the hills around the camp. Bandits were approaching! Without hesitation he raised the alarm, letting his clear voice ring through the camp. Since he did not have his weapons on him, he did not join the soldiers hurrying into readiness in the fray. Instead he started singing battle hymns to encourage them. With his voice strengthening them, the drowsy army was soon into full readiness.

It was this event which led the commanding officer to recognize the worth of the Thespians, as long as they were allowed to use their own strengths. They were encouraged to bring their instruments into battle and improve the morale of their troops (1). The Fairwater Thespians were in a way Medec's first Battle Heralds. Later, a large official unit was formed.

(1) This is the official reading in the officer's report. Eyewitnesses report that the commander's actual words were "Let them play around, then, since that is all they are good for, as long as they don't get in my way."

[[Category:History]]

Medec Troops

2006-06-29T20:27:15Z

Eef: /* Medec Battle Bards */

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[[Category:Medec]]
==Overview==
[[Image:New_medec_troops.jpg|thumb|Medec Trade Guards]]As a trading hub, the rulers of [[Medec]] never saw the need for a large standing army. Instead, they relied on the local Militia, which traditionally kept the inner peace of the fief, and ensured that trade run smoothly. Only recently, under the regency of Reinhart IV., a standing army began to form. Nonetheless, the traditional militia troops form the backbone of that army.

==Trade Guards==
Ever since the Kurathene Empire broke apart, caravans that transported goods have been in danger. The Medec traders quickly understood that they would have to protect their investment, or otherwise that order of three carts of silk, twenty barrels of elven wine, one hundred crates with ferrell corn and those ten boxes of silver from Deglos wouldn't arrive at their destination.

The medecian Trade Guards are known throughout the Kurathene for their effectiveness in repelling even the most ambitious bandit. In case of an attack they quickly assess the situation, protect their caravan while another detachmant makes sure that the attacker won't try this again.

One half of a Trade Guard unit usually consists of stout men armed with tower shields and good parrying weapons. Their aim is to make sure that no one gets close enough to the goods.

The other half is a fast attack unit, designed to quickly drive the foes away.

Trade Guards are not suited for invasion, but there are very few who can penetrate their defenses.

==Caravan Scouts==
A vastly more mobile variant of the Trade Guards: Caravan Scouts usually work in groups of three or four, roaming the area the caravan will move into over the next few days. They are good at hiding, and do their best at remaining unseen to anyone who they bump into.

Only if they are sure that they can easily overcome an enemy they will strike. Otherwise, they quickly return to the caravan, so that the Trade Guards know where they have to expect an attack.

==Medec City Guards & Irregulars==
===Medec City Guard===
Medec is a trade center, and it's city reflects this, with merchant stalls everywhere and the great temple to Hurine in it's midst. To ensure smooth trade, the city has very harsh laws against all trade related crimes, as counterfeiting or stealing. The guards are trained and empowered to enact swift justice. The Patrician employs enough of them so that they are usually seen in pairs or small groups at most parts of the city.

===The Watchers===
Any merchantplace automatically qualifies for a thief/rogue heaven at the same time. Given the low military and the need to recruit, the rulers thought to create a special group made of these rogues. Some members are bought, the rest are those who have been deemed trustworthy enough to be given a second chance after being caught.

This loose band of information sellers, former housebreakers, thieves and con-men is called "The Watchers". Their job is to be the eyes by the gates, and on the walls, to watch for anyone odd comming in, or sneaking, and inside the city, to watch for anything odd to happen.

===Medec Battle Bards===
When Reinhart IV. needed to reform his military, he realized that he had a less than typical population to recruit from. The citizens of Medec have become used to prosperity and fine art. Decidedly not the kind of rugged type one would want to wear heavy armor and carry large weapons. Reinhart decided to use what was given and recruit Battle Bards into his force. The result was a musically talented soldier, able to inspire his fellow Medecians with songs and tales of bravery, or curse his enemy with dischordant songs: the [[Medec_Battle_Heralds|Medec Battle Heralds]].

==River Wardens==
The Nomad River is called Medecs lifeblood. It is a small wonder that the River Wardens are set to protect the river and the commerce on it at all cost. They are skilled archers, who can easily shower any smuggler ship or upstart pirate with arrows and bolts.

==Custos Domus==
The literal translation "house guard" doesn't do this corps justice: They are hand picked soldiers who have excelled over several years. Custos Domus have been chosen for their experience and their loyality to the da Medican family. Whenever they leave the palace, they have absolute authority over any other troops.

They tend to view the other parts of the Medec militia with a bit of contempt, thinking of them as "lowly trader folk". This is a bit strange (most of them stem from that "lowly trader folk"), but nonetheless they are highly respected among the other troops for their experience.