Dalran Military

Structure

Every man in Dalra who's capable to is expected to fight in battle at least once in his lifetime from the age of twenty-five, and to be ready for the call-to-arms afterwards at any time until the age of fifty. Most soldiers however return to their farms and mansions in between, the only standing army are general, officers and the royal guard, the latter whom are picked by the emperor for their skills and bravery in battle, regardless of their wealth and ethnicity.
Soldiers hailing from the highlands and lowlands are generally kept separate, to prevent the latter from suffering from altitude sickness when on the march.
Most of the dalran army is composed of slingers, light infantry and cavalry, along with elite heavy infantry- and cavalry, including mounted slingers. The navy is a relatively recent addition, dating back to the invasion of Pakalos and the Rexans.

Dalran royal guard by Lappalingur

Weapons

Swords

Three kinds of swords are most widespread in the dalran army: short, double edged swords similar to traditional daggers¹; broad-tipped swords like those used by Enans and Ænateans; and double edged swords with jagged edges, introduced by the Húlpakrans and generally similar to those used throughout Laxilþía.
They are mostly used by those of higher rank.

Dalro-laxilþían swords and enan sword by Lappalingur

Spears

Spears are commonly used by infantry and heavy cavalry, often adorned with a fringe of feathers or dyed horsehair along the shaft.

Dalran spear by Lappalingur

Axes

Axes are a common sidearm for all soldiers, and much more widespread than swords. They are especially common among Nalóxans and Þekkals serving in the army.

Dalran axes by Lappalingur

Maces

Maces are preferred by dalrans and Vanrans over axes, especially a type where the head is attached to a string rather than a wooden handle, as wood is often scarce in the highlands.

Dalran maces by Lappalingur

Ranged weapons

Bow and arrows

Dalrans generally associate archery with hunting rather than war, and thus rely mostly on enans and nalóxans as archers, though Orrólans or Imkalans often use bow and arrows in combat as well.

Slings

The sling is the traditional weapon of the dalrans, as wool and leather are far more plentiful than wood for bows up in the Zamra Mountains. Most learn to use it from early age, both for hunting and to keep vermin and predators away, and aristocrats are generally skilled at using slings while riding.

Dalran slinger by Lappalingur

Armour

Traditional dalran armour is similar to that of the other tribes in Zamran Mountains, made of padded or quilted woolen cloth constructed in similar way to rexan cotton armour². Heavier variety, reinforced with small iron plates, emerged as the empire expanded into the lowland and became especially common during the wars with the rexans.

Heavy dalran amour by Lappalingur

Shields

Dalran shields are come in three types, all made of wicker and leather: large, rectangular ones that cover its user almost entirely; medium-sized ones shaped like a semicircle, often with cloth hanging from the bottom to catch arrows; and small, crescent shaped ones designed to be used with a spear.

Helmets

Traditional dalran helmets are usually conical and decorated with tufts or crests made of dyed horsehair or feathers, though a number of different varieties are used throughout the empire. Most, though not all, are adorned with a rainbow motif at the front.

Vanro-dalran helmet by Lappalingur

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¹Similar to our world's acinaces.
²Similar to our world's linothorax.

Dalran standard bearer by Lappalingur

Related Organizations
Dalra