Myrddraal
10-09-2005, 17:21
https://img213.imageshack.us/img213/1236/ad7ee.jpg
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/3813/symbolillian0gk.gif
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/2668/standardillian4bl.gif
Here are just SOME of the units...
Companions:
See pic at top
In the history of Illian, no group of soldiers has distinguished themselves as much as the Companions. These men have a storied history of gruelling training followed by herioc battlefield exploits, and as such are famed in legend for their resolute bravery and almost god-like battlefield prowess. This elite cavalry unit forms the solid core around which the Illianer army is based. Although these heavily armed and hard-hitting soldiers are primarily the King’s bodyguard, in times of war and peace, they are also mobile, disciplined and highly effective troops. In any conflict, the Companions can always be found where the fighting is thickest, ready to give their lives for their King, whom it is their sworn duty to protect. They are not only superb soldiers, they are also expert bodyguards, protecting their King from assassination in its many guises.
It is a matter of national pride to see that these men are equipped with the best weapons and armour that money can buy, and their steel breastplates, helmets, gauntlets and greaves are visibly the finest in the land, bought directly from the King’s vast treasury. They are armed with a heavy thrusting spear, a cavalry sabre, a large shield and extreme patriotism. On foot they fight as heavy infantry, carving a gory path through enemy formations and grinding firm pike lines into bloody messes. Their prowess and discipline means that on foot as well as on horseback they are a match for almost any unit in the known world.
Royal Armsmen:
https://img345.imageshack.us/img345/1061/illianroyalarmsmen11ah.jpg
https://img345.imageshack.us/img345/7632/illianroyalarmsmen25nq.jpg
When a monarch comes to power, he or she will want to ensure military superiority over any contenders to the throne, namely other major houses. With this in mind, monarchs usually create their own private armies drawn from the ranks of their House Armsmen. These men receive the best equipment, training and, crucially, wages.
The fact that they are drawn from trusted House Armsmen combined with their excellent pay ensures their loyalty and a monarch will be certain to keep them close at hand in the eventuality of unrest or civil war.
Illian has a strong martial tradition, and is widely recognized as one of the most powerful militaries in the Westlands. Its citizens and soldiers know this and take pride in their heritage, and will always try their best to live up to it on the battlefield.
Armoured Pikemen:
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/7272/illianarmouredpikemen6xs.jpg
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/2424/illianarmouredpikemen26lk.jpg
Armoured pikemen are a step up from regular pikemen. They are often a fully professional unit which forms part of the standing army. Their good training and regular drill allows them to stand firm against most enemies, and their heavy armour allows them to withstand arrow fire and gives them durability in prolonged fighting.
Although many nobles still shun them on the basis that they fight on foot, a wise commander knows the value of their solid discipline and good defensive abilities. They are often used to provide anchorage on the flanks to protect a battle line from cavalry or are deployed in a central block to push forward attacks. These soldiers play less of a support role than regular pikemen and are quite capable of forming the disciplined core of an army.
In Illian however, the eternal quarrels with Tear have stimulated the development of the pike to counter the strength and power of Tairen cavalry. Illianer pikemen tend to be well-schooled in dealing with mounted enemies and have learnt not to rout or scatter in the face of a cavalry charge. Illian also has a strong martial tradition, and is widely recognized as one of the most powerful militaries in the Westlands. Its citizens and soldiers know this and take pride in their heritage, and will always try their best to live up to it on the battlefield.
Sailors:
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/336/illiansailors11ww.jpg
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1298/illiansailors26uy.jpg
Illian is a maritime nation and has not only a standing army but also a well-manned and funded navy, equal to that of Tear and second only to the Sea Folk. Illianer Sailors, in times of need, can be pressed into service on land, and nobles are usually keen to include them in their armies. They are well-disciplined and trained, and their light composite bows are accurate and capable of piercing most armour, although they lack the range of crossbows.
Their light equipment and loose formation makes them good skirmishers, and although they are unarmoured, their shortswords and cutlasses, combined with their extensive training, makes them more than a match for levied peasants in hand-to-hand fighting.
Levy:
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1135/illianlevy17su.jpg
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/7655/illianlevy26xg.jpg
In times of war nobles and monarchs will raise levies as needed. These troops are not a standing army as such, but are a step above the hastily formed militias and local watches. These troops normally show up with a spear, bill or equivalent farm implement, and the occasional axe. Few, if any, can afford any kind of armour; the majority make do with a padded or leather jerkin. They carry long knives as a secondary weapon, although these are more likely to be used for cutting bread and cheese than anything else.
They are not uniformly equipped or armoured, rarely even with weapons of the same length and balance. Levy are really just organised peasants, lacking proper training and discipline. They will hold against light cavalry, militia or true peasantry, but will stand no chance against a determined assault by armsmen or heavy cavalry.
Illian has a strong martial tradition, and is widely recognized as one of the most powerful militaries in the Westlands. Its citizens and soldiers know this and take pride in their heritage and will always try their best to live up to it on the battlefield.
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/3813/symbolillian0gk.gif
http://img200.echo.cx/img200/2668/standardillian4bl.gif
Here are just SOME of the units...
Companions:
See pic at top
In the history of Illian, no group of soldiers has distinguished themselves as much as the Companions. These men have a storied history of gruelling training followed by herioc battlefield exploits, and as such are famed in legend for their resolute bravery and almost god-like battlefield prowess. This elite cavalry unit forms the solid core around which the Illianer army is based. Although these heavily armed and hard-hitting soldiers are primarily the King’s bodyguard, in times of war and peace, they are also mobile, disciplined and highly effective troops. In any conflict, the Companions can always be found where the fighting is thickest, ready to give their lives for their King, whom it is their sworn duty to protect. They are not only superb soldiers, they are also expert bodyguards, protecting their King from assassination in its many guises.
It is a matter of national pride to see that these men are equipped with the best weapons and armour that money can buy, and their steel breastplates, helmets, gauntlets and greaves are visibly the finest in the land, bought directly from the King’s vast treasury. They are armed with a heavy thrusting spear, a cavalry sabre, a large shield and extreme patriotism. On foot they fight as heavy infantry, carving a gory path through enemy formations and grinding firm pike lines into bloody messes. Their prowess and discipline means that on foot as well as on horseback they are a match for almost any unit in the known world.
Royal Armsmen:
https://img345.imageshack.us/img345/1061/illianroyalarmsmen11ah.jpg
https://img345.imageshack.us/img345/7632/illianroyalarmsmen25nq.jpg
When a monarch comes to power, he or she will want to ensure military superiority over any contenders to the throne, namely other major houses. With this in mind, monarchs usually create their own private armies drawn from the ranks of their House Armsmen. These men receive the best equipment, training and, crucially, wages.
The fact that they are drawn from trusted House Armsmen combined with their excellent pay ensures their loyalty and a monarch will be certain to keep them close at hand in the eventuality of unrest or civil war.
Illian has a strong martial tradition, and is widely recognized as one of the most powerful militaries in the Westlands. Its citizens and soldiers know this and take pride in their heritage, and will always try their best to live up to it on the battlefield.
Armoured Pikemen:
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/7272/illianarmouredpikemen6xs.jpg
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/2424/illianarmouredpikemen26lk.jpg
Armoured pikemen are a step up from regular pikemen. They are often a fully professional unit which forms part of the standing army. Their good training and regular drill allows them to stand firm against most enemies, and their heavy armour allows them to withstand arrow fire and gives them durability in prolonged fighting.
Although many nobles still shun them on the basis that they fight on foot, a wise commander knows the value of their solid discipline and good defensive abilities. They are often used to provide anchorage on the flanks to protect a battle line from cavalry or are deployed in a central block to push forward attacks. These soldiers play less of a support role than regular pikemen and are quite capable of forming the disciplined core of an army.
In Illian however, the eternal quarrels with Tear have stimulated the development of the pike to counter the strength and power of Tairen cavalry. Illianer pikemen tend to be well-schooled in dealing with mounted enemies and have learnt not to rout or scatter in the face of a cavalry charge. Illian also has a strong martial tradition, and is widely recognized as one of the most powerful militaries in the Westlands. Its citizens and soldiers know this and take pride in their heritage, and will always try their best to live up to it on the battlefield.
Sailors:
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/336/illiansailors11ww.jpg
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1298/illiansailors26uy.jpg
Illian is a maritime nation and has not only a standing army but also a well-manned and funded navy, equal to that of Tear and second only to the Sea Folk. Illianer Sailors, in times of need, can be pressed into service on land, and nobles are usually keen to include them in their armies. They are well-disciplined and trained, and their light composite bows are accurate and capable of piercing most armour, although they lack the range of crossbows.
Their light equipment and loose formation makes them good skirmishers, and although they are unarmoured, their shortswords and cutlasses, combined with their extensive training, makes them more than a match for levied peasants in hand-to-hand fighting.
Levy:
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1135/illianlevy17su.jpg
https://img329.imageshack.us/img329/7655/illianlevy26xg.jpg
In times of war nobles and monarchs will raise levies as needed. These troops are not a standing army as such, but are a step above the hastily formed militias and local watches. These troops normally show up with a spear, bill or equivalent farm implement, and the occasional axe. Few, if any, can afford any kind of armour; the majority make do with a padded or leather jerkin. They carry long knives as a secondary weapon, although these are more likely to be used for cutting bread and cheese than anything else.
They are not uniformly equipped or armoured, rarely even with weapons of the same length and balance. Levy are really just organised peasants, lacking proper training and discipline. They will hold against light cavalry, militia or true peasantry, but will stand no chance against a determined assault by armsmen or heavy cavalry.
Illian has a strong martial tradition, and is widely recognized as one of the most powerful militaries in the Westlands. Its citizens and soldiers know this and take pride in their heritage and will always try their best to live up to it on the battlefield.