Roman ramblings from Jose Ramos on 1997-03-14 (Glorantha Digest Vol 04)

From: Jose Ramos <Jose.Ramos_at_univ-angers.fr>
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 1997 10:37:46 +0000

As there are still three of us talking on it, I will go on.

I agree with Martin Laurie's analysis of Lunar cavalry problems, and that ties in with that old Dragon Pass question, does not the empire have more missilemen, and where are all those Char Un. In roman style, they are raiding the "friendly" Redlands and holding the border against Pent. Until Sheng returns.

Chris Lemens however misinterpretes me, saying the romans ran from cavalry. Just the opposite. The cavalry ran from the romans, and as it is hard to chase a horse, and to compete with a pilum against a bow (even a javelin), they only won when the cavalry had to come at them (i. e. defence).

That famous combat machine, Alexander's macedonians, were noteworthy for one other thing, besides the phalanx. Charging cavalry. Alexander's companions charged with a twelve-fifteen feet sarissa (lance) held in both hands, and supported by a well designed saddle. And they charged formed infantry, usually to strike the decisive blow. They did not charge pikemen, on the front, but only pikemen usually charge pikemen.

Later, in the successor states, the companions evolved to elite heavy cavalry (think a man covered in full scale armor, alternating bronze and iron for esthetical effects, in a horse armored in the same way, with a fifteen foot lance) and calling them skirmishers is a bit excessive. They had to charge infantry, as it was the only thing in the battlefield that could not ran away from them.

It is a curious thing horse armour. Its main use is to protect against missiles, the main weakness of horse cavalry. However that makes it very hard for you to beat other cavalry. As the byzantines found in Italy, when you charg at a trot, and your enemy charges at a gallop, and both carry lances, they win. And chasing light horse archers is out of the question.

So what is the Gloranthan content?

Gloranthan warfare is highly modified by magical effects. These are at three levels:

Individual magic. This is part of the soldier equipment, as his armour or his weapons. The only problem is in the West, where you may have enormous magical effects in the War equipment, as blessings. The general effect is that the quality of "equipment" of malkioni elites is much higher than the rest of Glorantha.
Communal Magics. This are the special magics used at a higher level. Group prayers, ceremonies, demands of help from the gods. The cultic power, or hero support is usually felt at this level. Shaman cultures, invoking thousands of spirits, ancestors and entities, are the masters of this level, usually bringing great powerful helpers, giving them a shot at the next level.
Specialist Magic. Circumscribed to very powerful individuals, and the Lunar and Dara Happan college magic (and soon Sartar's). This includes calling stones from the moon, the fist of the Sun burning the heretics, or Argin Terror sinking all the Partanian fleet. Superheroes and college magic mostly.

The usual effect in Glorantha is that Prepared Theists beat Shamanics, Shamanics beat sorcerers, and sorcerers beat theists. Mixed cultures and special circumstances will change all this.

Jose

End of Glorantha Digest V4 #276

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