| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Nicolai Withander |
Posted - 24 Jul 2013 : 21:21:07
Hi...
Can anyone tell my what cormyr army units are called?
From group, platoon, company, battalion, brigade, division, army corp, army, army group?
Thanks! |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| The Sage |
Posted - 02 Aug 2013 : 02:49:21
quote:
Originally posted by Jeremy Grenemyer
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I know it's not as reliable, but I seem to recall the Cormyr supplement providing *some* breakdown of military units for Cormyr's army.
I gave that supplement a look (thinking the same as you, Sage) but all I could find was mention of Duke Bherue wanting to keep the Purple Dragons swift and mobile, so as to avoid set piece battles that might lead to the slaughter of a lot of loyal dragons.
Thanks Jeremy.
It's been a long time since I read Cormyr, and I know a lot of folk often tend to look at this source as somewhat out-of-step with how Cormyr should be detailed in the Realmslore. But it does offer some curious insights into the Forest Kingdom that aren't available anywhere else in the lore. So I often refer to it as a reliable source for that reason. |
| Garen Thal |
Posted - 01 Aug 2013 : 22:33:17
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
The Roman Century and thus corresponding Legion varied in size over the years of the Republic and the Empire. The numbers can change in a unit having the same name.
Quite so.
What I mean by the above, though, is that unit sizes aren't standard.
In modern military thinking, a "platoon" has a specific meaning, as does "company," "brigade," "regiment," and every other unit title. A military unit with a particular name has this many soldiers in it, of this and that type, commanded by an officer of this rank, divided into these subunits. There's a reason such rigidity in thought is called "regimented thinking," after all.
Not so in Cormyr and other places in the Realms. A swordcaptain might independently lead his own company of a hundred men, answering only to the High Marshal, while a lionar (the next rank up) serves as the garrison commander in a small outpost which houses only fifty, or as a lieutenant to an ornrion in command of that same hundred men, in a brigade of four companies commanded by a constal. The swordcaptain has two "bosses" (the High Marshal and the king); the lionar has at least four, and significantly less actual authority and command. |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 01 Aug 2013 : 21:32:00
The Roman Century and thus corresponding Legion varied in size over the years of the Republic and the Empire. The numbers can change in a unit having the same name. |
| Garen Thal |
Posted - 01 Aug 2013 : 19:30:14
quote:
Originally posted by Nicolai Withander
Can anyone tell my what cormyr army units are called?
From group, platoon, company, battalion, brigade, division, army corp, army, army group?
Most of these titles are not used in Cormyrean military organization. Any attempt to map Cormyr's army to a real-world military organization table will fail, for a number of reasons, not least of which is that there are nobles and royals around to screw everything up.
The two basic units around which Cormyr's Purple Dragons are based around are the company (for field units) and garrisons (for location-based groups, like city garrisons and the Dragons out of High Horn). Individual dragons are part of a company or brigade, and can be assigned within that unit based on the commanding officer's needs.
A "patrol" is not a unit as such, but a group of dragons set to patrol an area for a period of time. Patrols often--but don't always--have the same dragons in them day after day, and usually have a telsword or first sword at their head, depending on the size of the patrol. Patrols are not standing units; they're assigned as needed, and are often the result of a first sword sending out specific men or saying something to the effect of "Bron, Gyr, Caffer, you're with me." In terms of duties, patrols are roughly equivalent to modern-day fire teams or squads (in U.S. terminology), depending on size.
In times of war, when companies fight side by side one another and larger organization is needed, temporary kadrathen are formed. These units are groups of specifically trained and outfitted soldiers (cavalry, for example, or heavy infantry) that can be deployed as a group.
Companies can vary greatly in size based on need, location, purpose, and rank of commander; they range anywhere from just over 40 to upwards of 200.
A brigade is a grouping of companies that answer to a single officer (constal or higher). A brigade of field troops is often set to cover a set geographic area for a period of time, while some garrisons (in particular the watch in Arabel) are simply too large to be properly called "companies." |
| Jeremy Grenemyer |
Posted - 01 Aug 2013 : 17:35:38
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I know it's not as reliable, but I seem to recall the Cormyr supplement providing *some* breakdown of military units for Cormyr's army.
I gave that supplement a look (thinking the same as you, Sage) but all I could find was mention of Duke Bherue wanting to keep the Purple Dragons swift and mobile, so as to avoid set piece battles that might lead to the slaughter of a lot of loyal dragons.
This LINK is to information that is NOT canon Realmslore, but is otherwise well thought out on the subject of Cormyrean military units.
EDIT: I checked Power of Faerūn. It had info on ranks in the Purple Dragons, the main keep at High Horn and medals/decorations for service, but no military unit breakdowns. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 01 Aug 2013 : 03:53:41
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I don't have the book with me... Was there anything about this in Power of Faerūn?
I know it's not as reliable, but I seem to recall the Cormyr supplement providing *some* breakdown of military units for Cormyr's army. |
| BEAST |
Posted - 01 Aug 2013 : 00:03:02
Drow brigade (Homeland, P1:C1) - 60 drow + 100 slaves (Home., P1:C2)
Drow patrol group - 5 drow (Menzoberranzan [Boxed Set], B2:p8); 12 drow (Home., P3:C14); 13 drow (Home., P4:C17); 14 drow (Home., P4:C20); 18 drow (M[BS], B2:p22)
Passing reference to a battalion of dwarves (Siege of Darkness, P2:C8)
Dwarven brigade - of various sizes & types (The Legacy, P1;C3; as in "the Gutbuster Brigade"; SOD, P1:C2) |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 31 Jul 2013 : 17:49:10
I don't have the book with me... Was there anything about this in Power of Faerūn? |
| Jeremy Grenemyer |
Posted - 31 Jul 2013 : 17:08:30
I double checked Brian Cortijo's "Crowns and Mantles: the Ranks and Titles of Cormyr" and found only references to patrols, companies and brigades.
You might want to try Brian's thread instead/also. |
| hashimashadoo |
Posted - 31 Jul 2013 : 16:58:08
I'm not sure military units have ever been known as anything out of the ordinary (in real world terms). Army ranks each have unique names (as seen on p29 of Power of Faerun) but most sources I can think of just give a number of troops and don't split them into battalions and whatnot. Ultimately, I think this a question better posted on Ed's thread. |
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