Old Dwarven Ways O' War

[Cracker 4570]

*Hildr quickly finishes etching out a long parchment's worth of information. She places it upon the board in the upcoming noble district for all to see. She quickly nails it up, and leaves a few loose sheets of parchment for comments and concerns.*

(Written, so no dwarf accent)

To all those who it may concern....

I've spoken around with many-kin, and noticed they've all agreed that the prior Legion's and Armies have not accomplished as desired. Even to me, a Dawnsworn, these ideas of standing armies, one led by strangers and men one does not know, one that are not linked by family or culture but just of job employment, seems not of our culture, but of humans and elves, kin who are not as binded by clan bonds and traditions as we. Not only that, but typically of what I've heard, most battles are rounded up by prominent members of clan or clan leaders thrown into fray, rather then organized legion arms.

I was raised in the old way of fight and war, and this is how it entails. Perhaps, as we revive some of the older ways, we may revive this and find light to utilize the old way of the Warbands.

*Below lies a quick, colorful sketch of a dwarven noble leading his clan among commoner clans to battle on a snowy tundra*

The Warbands work fairly simple. Rather then have soldiers who nary from the same background work together and meet together for training, we divy the clans to the responsibility. Noble clan leaders or exceptional commoner clan leaders will act as commanders to the king. They will organize milita based warbands of their clans, and any vassal commoner clans who wish to aid them. The King and his royal guard will issue military tasks to the noble clans, who will then relegate them to the clan members and commoner clans. This will accomplish the same as a supposed Legion, but with greater efficiency due to clan bonds being strong and tight, thus clans acting more to accomplish the goals of the kingdom.

It also encourages good communication between clans, and creates a good relationship as noble clans sally out to recruit commoner clans to act as vassals and help defend the kingdom. The royal guard also keeps the clans in line, to insure these noble clans do not abuse their Warbands for nefarious deeds. They act as the driving force above the clans and warbands, the chiefs who monitor and adjust the battle plan along with the king. The King's personal warband is his clan, their vassals, clan-less dwarves, and the royal guard.

An example of how it can work, is that the King issues the Ironguts to patrol the Deep Roads for bandits and scum. The Ironguts, a noble clan in this situation, work with vassal commoner clans such as grimmhalls and starbreakers to help clear the deep roads. The Royal Guard will supervise the actions of the military commanders of the Ironguts to insure of no foul play.

This system will not only bring back the old way of warbands forming to quell enemy forces, but also be more effective than traditional Legion-work due to it revolving around clan unity, then a non-existent Legion unity. Clans will work hard to keep the peace and act as a standing milita. Of what I know, the dwarves of Asulon have mainly operated on a militia system anyway, and this would would only add rather then detract. It is far easier than to conjure a great Legion leader, anywho.

~Signed Hildr Dawnsworn

[no longer active 734]

*Reads the message, smiling as he does*

Ah loike it! Ah 'ave in question t'oug'. Wud royal guards be required to not be in a clan?

[Cracker 4570]

Nay, Royal Guards could still be of a clan. It just be det when dey become a royal guard dey put de' life o' de' king and de' kingdom over de' clan.

[no longer active 734]

Aye, maybe 'ave in guard per clan?

[Boomack21 124]

((Approved on my part, wait for Kjells.))

[Charles_Grimlie 1072]

Dis seems foine, Ah can see dis be da dwarvern way as dis be 'ow we always duh it! W'y duh we need a legion? W'en we 'ave dis!

[no longer active 734]

Let the clans start recruiting!

[Arbrek the Ancient 140]

((OH SWEET LORD!! MANTIC ARTWORK!! BURN IT WITH FIRE!!))

[Aryon 679]

*Velir ***** an eyebrow.*

Well then. Who gets my weapons?

[no longer active 734]

Which clan are ye lad?

[Aryon 679]

I be Braveaxe. I was jus' wonderin', 'case Kjell wan'ed dem for da kingdom.

[no longer active 734]

Ah believe ye are a noble clan.

[Boomack21 124]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.