Hemian Royal Battalion

“Every elite battalion has a title: The Pure, The Steadfast, The Bloody... Now there’s a new one: The Damned. Spread the word, the Asylum is a death trap, and the only thing standing between hell itself and our homes is the 6th battalion. I don’t even care about Daria at this point, the rest have that sorted, but if the 6th fall, we’re next. Good thing they’re all batshit insane I suppose.”

Composition

Manpower

2000 soldiers (usually 1000 ranged, 1000 close combat) and 500 logistics and support troops. Auxillery units are sometimes attached, under the direct control of the commander, however they are usually very small elite units or artillery.

Equipment

Equipment is left to the discretion of the commander, however close combat troops are given heavy or medium armour, and ranged and support troops are given light armour.
Soldiers rarely carry more than 3 days rations, as they generally deploy from permanent or semi-permanent bases. They do however often carry deployable shields which can be used to form barricades or provide cover.

Weaponry

The standard armaments are pikes or spears and shields for close combat troops, a shorts word and either a bow or crossbow for ranged troops, and surplus weapons for the support troops.
This can change however if the Battalion is skilled or trained in a specific type of weapon, and deviations are encouraged where appropriate in order to increase flexibility and unpredictability.

Vehicles

Horses are used by the commander, the sub-commanders, and the messengers. Carts are used by supply troops for logistical purposes.

Structure

The commander is responsible for the battalion and acts based on orders from the generals. He confers with the sub-commanders before combat when possible, and explains the plan. He then stays separate from the battalion in order to gain an overview of the battle, and provides marching orders to the sub-commanders by messenger.
The sub-commanders each control a unit, consisting of 500 men, split into 5 centuries of 100 men each. Each century is commanded by a centurion and consists of 10 squads of 10 men. One man in each squad is a captain, and one is a sergeant, except for one squad in each century, which instead has a century-sergeant and the first captain, who acts as the link between the centurion and the soldiers.

Tactics

Hemian battalions fight very defensively, with ranged centuries Often forming firing lines or kill zones from behind extensive barricades. Close combat centuries however tend to either form phalanxes or shield walls, pushing forwards only rarely and attempting to force the enemy to come to them.

Training

The veterancy and training of Hemian battalions varies wildly, with elite battalions like the 4th having been formed before the Free Kingdoms, but battalions such as the 12th being little more than a peasant levy. Due to the general simplicity of their manoeuvers however, little training is needed for them to be effective.

Logistics

Logistical Support

Due to the varying equipment between battalions, logistical needs can vary from basic rations, arrows and spear-heads and hafts, to multiple full-time blacksmiths and fletchers, in addition to the needs of any auxillery units. As the supply lines in the Free Kingdoms are very short, the issue tends to be procuring these items rather than getting them to the battalion.

Auxilia

Ballista and catapults are often attached if a unit is expecting to assault or defend a heavily fortified position. Small elite units from the university or church are also sometimes attached to a battalion, however larger units are generally under their own command, only collaborating with the commander rather than taking orders from them.

Recruitment

Recruitment is a large part of life in Hemos, with a common punishment being forced conscription, and many minor nobles or desperate commoners joining voluntarily in the hopes of advancing through the ranks. Almost all recruits are human, however almost all oddities or deficiencies can be overlooked if you wish to join, although most existing battalions have their own specific requirements.

History

The first Royal Battalion was first founded by King Andrius Sorthal, the first king of Hemos during his unification of the kingdom. Finally becoming recognisable 500 years later in the Movral wars of independence, where the modern emphasis on defensive strategies and the century were formed due to close contact with the Sethian legions. While historically Hemos had fielded a standing army of 4 battalions, since the formation of Daria the number of active battalions has risen to 16, although the average quality of their training and equipment has dropped sharply.

Historical loyalties

The Royal Battalions have always been loyal to the crown of Hemos, although morale has never been lower than during the war with Daria.

Type

Infantry

Overall training Level

Semi-trained

Assumed Veterancy

Experienced

Used by

• The 6th Royal Battalion