Soldier

Found throughout the Disputed Plane, soldiers find themselves in an odd position. They are both useful and redundant as the Lasting Peace has brought an end to large scale wars but some smaller, local wars still wage on. They are also seen as the promise of the future, a future that is certain to end in the continuation of wars between major sovereignties.

Career

Qualifications

Many soldiers in the sovereignties are only semi-professionals going to war only when their government demands it and after the campaign returning to work as farmers, fishers, craftspeople, or other trades. Those with more specialized skills like scribes, herbalists, or smiths are assigned to special jobs that relate to make use of their skills. The only qualifications these soldiers have is the ability to hold a weapon. Many sovereignties supplement these troops with elite units and mercenaries who are much more qualified. These soldiers have had quite a bit of combat experience and training. Mercenary companies especially make sure to maintain a good reputation of effectiveness, skill, and loyalty. New Cadrial is unique in the fact that it requires all citizens of a certain age to be a part of the army. Outside of the sovereignties, every person that can fight is a soldier when they must be.

Career Progression

As they participate in more campaigns, part time soldiers are put in more experienced groups. Those that demonstrate good leadership or tactician skills are usually promoted to higher ranks. Generally more wealthy people are officers or part of elite soldiers as they can afford more expensive armour and weapons. Elite soldiers or those that are part of a mercenary group generally only move up if the commander or one of their lieutenants dies and the person demonstrates to their comrades that they would be an appropriate replacement. Usually when a commander dies one of their lieutenants replaces them. The armies not associated with a sovereignty tend to follow these same rules.

Payment & Reimbursement

Part time soldiers tend to be conscripted, paid only in the rations that they are provided since their service is considered simply part of their duties as citizens of a particular sovereignty. Sovereignties will often give those that perform impressive deeds or service monetary rewards or special goods. Since elite soldiers tend to be full time they are typically paid by the government in coin and goods, typically food. Mercenaries are paid in the same manner.

Perception

Social Status

The social status of soldiers varies wildly depending on sovereignty, group of people, and type of soldier. In more militaristic sovereignties like New Cadrial, Zhaliya, and the Ostarin Empire, soldiers are generally regarded with respect and admiration. In other sovereignties they are less so and regarded as symbols of an older, less enlightened age regardless of the fact that wars still wage on in the world. Certain groups of people like those who live in areas that see more war can hold different opinions than what's typical in their sovereignty. A particularly notable example are the Charrans of the Ostarin Empire who are pacifists and hold a more neutral or negative view of soldiers than others in their sovereignty. Generally part time soldiers are held in the highest esteem amongst less militaristic groups as they're seen as having adjusted to the changing world. Some people fear that as long as there are professional soldiers, the Lasting Peace will forever be in a state of uncertainty and vulnerability. Outside of the sovereignties, war is regarded as simply a part of life and everyone who can be a soldier is one, which leads no particular opinion on soldiers themselves.

Demographics

There tends to be slightly less women soldiers as pregnant people are not required to serve. Regardless of this, some do. They are usually highly respected and it is considered a mark of great courage and power to do so. Many consider anyone born or who gave birth during battle to be blessed by Atar . Due to their additional challenges, there also tends to be less soldiers who have a disability. Older soldiers are rarer for similar reasons.

Operations

Tools

Most soldiers wear armour made of padded cloth or leather with bronze helmets. Leather armour with bronze plates sew onto and shields are also very common. Those that can afford it wear armour with larger bronze plates like scale armour or a bronze breastplate. It is possible to have an entire suit of armour made of bronze plates but this is very expensive and almost never seen. Many melee soldiers wield spears with a few javelins for them to throw as they approach the enemy. Besides spears, other common melee weapons are battleaxes, maces, clubs, and swords. Most ranged units wield either slings or bows. Weapons used by soldiers of a sovereignty are usually made out of bronze and wood while those outside usually make weapons out of wood, bones, or stone.

Dangers & Hazards

More dangerous than battle is the increased risk of disease soldiers face. Diseases kill far more soldiers than the enemy does. Battles themselves do pose the risk of death but also injury including permanent injuries like the loss of a limb or lingering mental trauma.