>People whose writing can compare to that of native speaker authors are
>rare (not sure I fall into that category, since I am quite painfully
>aware of the limited active vocabulary I am using when writing in
>English). Good enough for discussion purposes, and even gaming, but
>severly challenged when writing prose.
Well decent authors are unrepresentative of the English speaking population. I've got an above average vocabulary yet don't feel I'm a good author. But I know I'm better than a lot of fan fiction authors on the internet. You're aware of what's you're missing, many people aren't.
>I'd like to address the objection that their loyalty to Fazzur could
>have been greater than that to the Tarshite kings or the Lunar Empire.
>
>First off, as far as I am concerned these are units created by Fazzur
>for the Tarshite conquest of Dragon Pass. Fazzur trains them, equips
>them, and leads them (when not falling into disgrace). In 1605 these
>units gain rich loot, experience, and pride in their Volsaxi campaign.
>After Fazzur's removal from command, they remain the Tarshite
>contribution to the Provincial Army. I suppose that they are part of
>the 1610 Praxian campaign, too, again serving under Fazzur. They are
>the core of the reaction force that trapped Kallyr's rebel army on
>Larnste's Table, again under Fazzur's command. They are the spearhead
>in the Volsaxi conquest of 1619, and Heortland 1620. All the time
>receiving loot, honors, etc. under Fazzur's command.
>
>Let's assume a 7 year term of service, and we get another nice coincidence.
>
>If they fought in 1605 in Volsaxar, they will have been called to arms
>maybe already for 1602, or in 1604 in preparation for the Holy Country
>campaign. This means they leave the service between 1608 and 1612. In
>1613, Fazzur raises their standards again, calling them in for another
>7 year term - which ends in 1620. While on campaign, they won't be
>sent home, but as soon as Tatius removes Fazzur, the active campaign
>effectively ends, and many of the veterans may be sent home.
>
>Next call to arms will be in 1625, after the Dragonrise.
>
>So, we get a body of veterans with only good experiences serving under
>Fazzur, recalled for Kallyr's rebellion. Yes, I do think that they
>will retire to Fazzur's lands after 1621...
The dates do fit in rather nicely.
However the difficulty I have is that Tarsh provides a high proportion of the basic infantry for the invasions and occupation. That's usually the arm that suffers the worst casualties. So either the units will be continually be being reinforced. Or, more likely, units will be sent home to rebuild and be replaced in the interim. Whichever, there are going to be a significant proportion who weren't recruited at those times.
I would also have expected Heartland units to be given priority for return home when the active campaign ends because of their higher status. Also if troops are wanted on the Pentan frontier it makes more sense to use Heartland troops.
Another angle is that if Fazzur has achieved this level of loyalty he has done so in opposition to the Seven Mothers cult in Tarsh who should be making sure that the army is loyal to the Emperor and the Goddess. So they've failed, but that failure is part of the story and we need to write it.
>>> Lunar taxmen quite likely have mercenary guards along with Lunar
>>> auxiliary troops.
>
>> Hire the PCs.... yes, it's got story, let's have it.
>
>Naughty, yes... Guard the tax farmer against angry Heortlings,
>warband's honor...
Well they aren't our clan, if they don't pay their taxes we'll probably have to pay more.
>>> Lunar engineers doing surveys or (somewhat futilely) trying to
>>> keep the Sartarite roads from falling apart will have some
>>> protection forces that may be recognizable as "legionaires" -
>>> Peltasts.
>
>> I'm sure they can have hoplites, too. The fact that they'd be no
>> good at the job is almost irrelevant.
>
>Yes. But my point is that they are unlikely to be sent on patrol into
>the roadless outbacks where your average Sartarite clan lives.
From the map in Dragon Pass there seem to be few clans that far away from a road and I'm sure there are decent paths, if not proper roads, from the clan centres to the main roads. Sure many steads will be pretty remote and may even be cut off in winter but even there the clan warband will need to be able to get there in a reasonable time. I expect Lunar patrols often visit clan centres just to keep an eye on the chief and make sure he knows they are watching.
-- Donald Oddy http://www.grove.demon.co.uk/
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