Sadly the reverse is also occasionally true. During times when the infrastructure of army supply breaks down, a great many officers are forced to increasingly resort to their own pocket to keep their troops at the 'proper level' (sub judice). The exactitudes will vary immensely, but when funds are short, proud commanders will rapidly have to resort to their own funds to keep their formations in business. John Lynn estimated that such measures equated to 25% to 30% of military expense for the French in the Grand Siecle. Reimbursement was frequenttly slow and/or non-existant. For every Kelly's Hero or Spiv there's a Kelly's Poor Sod of a Ruined Officer.
In Glorantha this might affect differing units in different measures (if at all), depending on funds available and political precedence. Older nobles and rich citizens effectively militarily enfranchised in the polyglot Lunar Empire may be hit hard. Of course, some might not care in the slightest; but proud, caring and/or conscientious officers placed 'out of the influence loop' may be forced to resort to considerable personal expense to keep their troops well-fed and equipped, and try and preserve hundreds or thousands of years of heritage and glory. Even if it's only so that your Khordavian phalanx looks better than those damned Daxdarian beggars.
This was common in the 17th and early-mid 18th centuries; Turenne sold his family silver to help keep his army in the field (unless my memory fails me). When that lowly (if pro-Lunar) stead in Sartar boasts a hearth full of finest Pelandan statuery, you know times are hard. In pro-Lunar territory, exempt from the harshest levels of contributions and taxes of violence, trying to trade your poor commander's ornately carved Carmanian writing desk for some cows and grain proves a rather different interlude.
The poor Lunar beggars aren't all Wallensteins!
Cheerio,
Stu.
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