Class: Warriors of the Wheel

This is a transcript of Gedhan Gaidin's class on Warriors of the Wheel, which took place between January, 2011 and June, 2011.

Introduction

This class is all about the military in the Wheel of Time series. We get to see a good amount of fighting and battles in the series, but there is little in the way of detail as to the various armies. This class seeks to remedy this.

We will be examining the various armies involved in the book and using their analogues in our world to get an understanding of how they functioned.

The class will consist of a number of weekly lessons followed by a couple of questions for you to mull over yourselves. There may not be a definitive answer from the book to a question I pose, don’t fret, I intend for there to be a level of discussion here. I’m a historian by education and inclination, so analysis and interpretation are more important to this class than yae or nae answers. I will try to keep military parlance to a minimum, but some will be included. If you don’t follow the meaning drop me a PM or and I’ll be happy to explain anything in the lesson in more detail.

There are at present 8 classes although this may increase as some may need to be split because of their length. The first class will be on the organisation of the WoT armies followed by lesson 2 on the Trollocks.

Be aware there will be spoilers all the way to “The Towers of Midnight” right from the very first lesson although they won’t be highlighted or referred to by the book they are from.

If you are interested, post below, Your tower name, your rank & how far you have read through the series.

I'll be posting the first lesson on Monday and be looking to post a new lesson every week.

Anybody wanting to join the class, drop me a PM and I'll add you to the list.

Lesson 1: MILITARY ORGANISATION IN “THE WHEEL OF TIME”

To begin with, military organisation for the most part of our story is about as basic as it comes without being an armed mob. What organisation there is, seems to be highly variable, therefore whenever numbers are given here always treat them as being rough figures rather than exact headcounts.

The Company

The main combat unit present in the Wheel of Time books is the Company, Squadron or Fist (Trollocks only). These units are usually 100 (more frequently larger rather than smaller) or so strong with a Captain leading them (a Myrddraal for Trollock Fists). Within the military organisation of Humans there are also Lieutenants (junior officers) and Bannermen (SNCOs) & Squadmen (JNCOs). There is no identified rank amongst Trollocks known to human soldiers or scholars, although in the borderlands it is thought that different head types indicate different roles within their military and society.

The Banner

The next formation in human armies is the Banner, although outside of the highly militarised Seanchan this is a temporary formation rather than a part of the standing army.

Banners of Horse and Foot are not the same size and would equate to something like a Brigade of Horse or Foot in the late 17th Century of our history. This gives us numbers of around 1000+ Horse and 2000+ Foot. The Command of a Banner would generally fall upon the senior Company Commander or a specially appointed officer; this man would then hold the title of Banner General (Brigadier).

Another name used for a smallish Banner is a Legion. This is a term is used most frequently by the Children of the Light and by the Taraboners.

No organisation beyond the Fist is known amongst shadowspawn although Human forces fighting for the Shadow may well adopt these standard formations although this level of organisation has not been seen in the actions fought to date. In Trollock formations there only seems to be need for enough Myrddraal to terrify the Trollocks into following orders. It is possible that larger formations than the fist exist amongst the Trollocks and so we must assume that a Myrddraal or Dreadlord may be nominated as commander, but this can not at present be verified.

Questions

1. From your own reading, what is the highest rank in the Human armies of the wheel of time?
2. Why do you think that the armies of Randland have not been better organised?

Answers

Rayonin Charin

1) Although every nation has its own military, they are generally attached to the monarch or political leader. One exception to this is the Children of the Light, lead by the Lord Captain Commander, who is in charge of overseeing all troop movements in that organization.

The other exception is the Band of the Red Hand, who is lead by Captain General Matrim Cauthon. The command structure directly below the Captain General is Lieutenant General Talmanes, who is in charge of forces on the Altaran front, and Lieutenant General Estean, who is in charge of forces on the Murandan front. Under the Lieutenant Generals are Banner Generals, who each command a banner of either horse or infantry.

While the executive position for each nation differs slightly in name, the duties are all the same, whether it be Andors "Captain General" or the Saldeaen "Marshal-General."

2)While in our own history we have a very set command structure where one can rise through the ranks, there is a bit more leniency to the armies of the nations in WoT. This is primarily due to the fact that upbringing and training make a difference in military positions. A lord's son of any nation is going to be in some sort of command position, whereas a farmer or fishermans son will be on the frontlines carrying out the commands. There is also the fact that most nations have royal guards which act as the army in times of war. Royal guards are set up in a way that rank as we now it in the real world is would be unnecessary, since rank is supposed to be quick distinction in the duties of a soldier. Standard guardsmen are to guard gates and keep watch, officers organize the watch and oversee training, and an executive or handful of executive officers make sure the entire operation runs smoothly.

A comparison of battle tactics is also required to fully understand the command structure of Randland Armies. Battle in Randland is for the most part pitting numbers against each other. Tactics are of course important, but it is important to be able to overpower your enemies. Compare this to modern battle tactics, when small teams with specific goals or orders are more effective than two armies standing on opposite sides of a field, command structure is going to by nature become more specific and rigid.[/spoiler:2lohjzm1]

Ivanor Winshaw

1: Although it may not be a "real" rank, I feel that the Great Captain is the highest rank. There are only 5 men in Randland that could be considered Great Captains, although Mat has proven time and again that he is just as Great.

2: With the type of feudal society in Randland, most nations do not require a standing army (CotL being the exception) thus there is no real organization. Bringing in farmers and craftsmen to fight in battle does not really make for an organized military unit. The last time everyone was "called into duty" was some 20 years ago during the Aiel War. We are just now seeing the need for large scale military units with the pending LB.

Jenalla Selar

1: The highest rank of human army appears to be that of a general, with the name varying among nations/organizations. The Children of the Light's Lord Captain Commander is a notable exception to this. The title "Great Captain" is assigned to generals who display remarkable strategic genius or knowledge. It appears that the Great Captain title is one more of respect than of promotable ranking as there is discussion among characters as to who qualifies as such.[/spoiler:1qjsy1pl]

2: Organization and development of an armed force is driven by need. Armies along the Blight see more frequent attacks and therefore are better organized and regimented. The citizenry of the Borderland nations lives daily with the threat of military assault and soldiering is a more common occupation. The greater the number of soldiers in an army, the greater the organization required to allow that army to reach maximum effectiveness. In the Borderlands, and army that is not effective is dead. On the other end of the scale we have areas such as the Two Rivers, prior to that fateful Winternight. With no recent assaults requiring an organized defense, the citizens rely on a militia-type mentality where crafts people and farmers form patrols or watches on an as-needed basis and return to their lives when no longer necessary.

In between these two ends of the spectrum, monarchs and rulers maintain armies sufficient to maintain their borders and support the peace. An army allowed to grow larger than that requirement or to become "too militant" can be viewed by a ruler as an increased threat to power should the leader of the army decide to seize the throne for himself.

Organization of a large-scale armed force that supersedes boundaries was unnecessary as this requires a single unified leader (as opposed to multiple monarchs) and a lack of a unifying threat. That is, of course, in the process of changing.

Gedhan's own answers

Here we go then.

1. The highest rank amongst the Officers of Randland is that of Captain General. Should The Lord Commander of the Children of the Light join an allied army he would be referred to as a Captain General outside of his own troops.
2. The military situation in Randland is the way it is because of a lack of any need to be better organised. The organisation of armed forces reflects this; mostly feudal in character with a core of household troops and of course bands of mercenaries wandering from contract to contract.

A standing army comes at a price and the monarchs of Randland prefer to raise troops as required and maintain only enough regulars to keep the peace. This is well reflected in English (later British) forces of the 17th/18th Century or that of America pre 20th Century.

Feel free to add your comments.

Lesson 2 on Monday.

Lesson 2: Trollocs

Trolloc military organisation is that of the mob. The reason for this is quite simple, then created by Aginor in the Age of Legends, these creatures were created emphasising their own petty wants rather than intelligence. We all know that the late Narg was smart, but he was a rarity; the average Trolloc has difficulty thinking beyond what he wants now, be that to eat or to kill or to avoid a Myrddraal’s wrath.

The strength of the Trolloc is in his size and ferocity; they are far larger than any human and in battle seem to display an immense rage. This however can be a real disadvantage as when taken in the flank or rear they seem to react slowly and tend to take heavier losses that would be the case in human forces.

Trolloc organisation is the Fist and as far as we know, only the fist. The Fist is generally between one and two hundred strong, and always with a Myrddraal. Should the Myrddraal need to have extra control over the Fist, they are able to link in some way and exert some sort of mental control over the Trollocs. The downside is that should the Myrddraal be killed, the entire fist of Trollocks dies almost immediately. A Myrddraal drives the fist by fear and its lust for killing; tactics are simply to overwhelm the enemy in front of them with weight of numbers or sheer ferocity. Formations are not used; such things are quite simply beyond them. A Myrddraal may well bring a Fist of Trollocs to an enemy flank, but the Trollocs themselves are too stupid to understand tactics.

Myrddraal, the leaders of the Trolloc forces are actually throwbacks to the first experiments that created the Trollocs. They are little like the Trollocs, they are intelligent and sly, well able to direct forces in battle. The Myrddraal like their bestial cousins take great pleasure in killing and suffering, they also seem to share their great strength, but combine it with a sinuous grace making them fine swordsmen. Myrddraal are frequently seen in the canon taking on enemy leaders and so removing the leadership and direction from their enemies.

Questions

1. Why do you think that Myrddraal link with their Fist, knowing that should they die the entire Fist will also die?
2. Why do you think that there is only one Myrddraal to every Fist rather than the number of Officers common in Human armies?

Answers

Jenalla Selar

1: Linking seems to provide the only means of directing and motivating the Trollocs. If the Myddraal do not form the link, the Fist would be an unruly mob and ineffective for any use beyond creating chaos within a designated area and the random destruction obtained by the violent whims the individual Trolloc. The Myddraal do not appear to lead the charge at the head of the Fist, thereby limiting their vulnerability. Anyone mounting a ground defense against the Fist would have to engage the Trollocs prior to attacking the Myddraal directly. The fear-inducing properties of a Myddraal reduce the effectiveness of an opponent in hand-to-hand combat; likewise these same properties can affect archers or those operating long-range weapons such as catapults. The fighting abilities of the Myddraal further reduce the chances of it being killed swiftly. With the reduced risk of losing the Myddraal, the benefits of the link far outweigh the possibility of losing the entire Fist. Ultimately, these are armies of the Dark One and little to no thought is given to their death unless it impacts the overall mission. Otherwise, kill all you want - they'll make more.

2: One Myddraal per Fist is sufficient to the amount of control permitted by the basic nature of the Trollocs. Trollocs possess minimal intelligence (no offense to our friend Narg) so complicated battle tactics would be lost on them. Driving the Trollocs forward is far easier than holding them in reserve for a surprise attack, flanking maneuver, or calculated reinforcement of a select section of a battle line. Once the bloodlust is on them, they want their share of the killing. Myddraals, however, show intelligence. Having more than one intelligent creature controlling an otherwise mindless horde could result in conflicting directions which would then result in confusion. I should imagine that a confused Fist would resort immediately back to Kill-Eat-Run Away mode. A chain of command is likely beyond the intellectual capacity of the average Trolloc.

Rayonin Charin

1: To fully understand the need for Myrddraal, it is important to understand the early forays of Trollocs in the battlefield. While Trollocs proved to be a terror on the battlefield, they were incredibly undisciplined, and quite fearful. Self-preservation is only a slightly higher priority than killing. Trollocs only respond to these two emotions, fear and pleasure. It is for this reason that Myrddraal must link with their fist. While Trollocs are (for the most part) not capable of complex thought or planning, Myrddraal are capable and held responsible for completing objectives. Halfmen command primarily through fear, and the best way to capitalize on this is through the link. Due to the main tactics used by shadowspawn, it is rare for a fetch to die in battle. Lurks generally push trolloc hordes, and usually fight in such overwhelming numbers that a single fist will not be destroyed in a battle. For example, at least three fists were involved in the attack on the Two Rivers at the beginning of the series, despite the fact that there should not have been any decent defense, and the fact that an Aes Sedai and Warder were in the village was not an anticipated factor.

2: Simply because there is no need for more. Human military structures are based (largely but not solely) on skill and respect. The Shadowspawn hordes are based entirely on fear. Since a Fist cannot plan to mutiny against a Myrddraal even if they were not afraid of it, any more structure would become cumbersome and detract from the ability of a fetch to command it's fist. Since there is little range in trolloc skills, it would be a useless attempt at organization.

Gedhan

Looking good, for both of you although you got a couple of factual errors.

A Myrddraal do not always or it seems from the canon in a majority of cases link with his fist.

During the Winternight incursion into the Two Rivers a single fist was involved. Other fists were sent to Andor in case of the escape of the boys, but only one Fade and his fist were in the Two Rivers and attacking the boys according to Moiraine.

I'll give a couple of days for others to post and then put in a point or two for discussion.

Good answers, as I said in the intro, I'm looking for thought on the matter rather than specific answers. I really like the kill-eat-run insight into the Trolloc mind. Here are my thoughts on the questions.

1. Linking, I can think of a couple of reasons for this. firstly must be the consideration that the Trolloc fist is not in any way a precision tool and despite the terror imparted by the Fade, there are likely to be some individuals who, left to their own devices will forget the task at hand when faced with something more interesting; the link will stop this and keep the fist together and at the specified task. Secondly there are some situations where the terror imparted by a Myrddraal just isn't enough to push Trollocs into a given situation and keep a modicum of control once they are engaged. There are many other reasons why a Myrddraal might link his fist, but I can't see any other reason where the need outweighs the risk.
2. For the organisation aspect of the fist, I get the feeling that Trollocs just aren't intellectually capable of understanding the concept of chain of command. More than one Fade in a Fist while in Human forces it would give better cohesion and control, for trollocs only confusion would follow. To look at it in its simplest form, a trolloc Fist is just that a weapon; this weapon must have a single hand to direct it. Given the Trolloc's intellectual and character deficiencies, I think that should there be more than one Myrddraal would cause such confusion that almost any concerted activity would be impossible, even if they were giving the same orders.

Lesson 3: The Two Rivers

The Two Rivers, nominally in the West of Andor has a great, if forgotten military heritage. At the time of our story however we have a series of 4 small and relatively isolated rural Towns and Villages with a good many outlying farms. There is no true central authority, whatever maps back in Caemlyn may say or for that matter a gathering of Wisdoms either.

Having no military threats, the Two Rivers region has no military what so ever and yet when trouble, in the shape of Trolloc invasion arrived local militias formed very rapidly. These militias are most notable for their unique use of the Longbow which is used nowhere else.

This mighty weapon out ranges bows used elsewhere by easily half again, even the huge Trolloc bows do not match it for range. Add to that range the rapid shooting and the weapon becomes even more formidable. To make these factors usable virtually of the men from the Two Rivers have worked with and trained with the weapon from a very young age and the devastation that a company of Two Rivers archers can cause becomes understandable.

Added to this mighty and unique weapon there is also the blood of Manetheren, the natural fighting spirit of the people that has lain virtually undisturbed since the Trolloc wars. This shows in the fact that while the men of the Two Rivers are aware of the advantage of their bows, they ore not reticent about closing with an enemy should the need arise. The Archers and those men without bows or even Women should push come to shove are generally equipped with a mish mash of hand to hand weapons with which to bludgeon, stab or cut the life out of their enemies. There is no uniformity in sidearms at all, swords, mauls, axes, bills, cleavers, if it is usable they will use it, very much like the historical prototype.

This nun uniformity of weapons however is a matter of a lack of preparedness rather than personal preference, it must be assumed that in time if an organised militia or true military units are formed from this region, then a far greater uniformity of equipment would be seen.

Questions

1. Why do you think that the Two Rivers is the only place to use the Longbow?
2. Historically there are many ideas on the proper equipment of a Longbowman some suggested as late as the 19th century, how do you think that a soldier from a more formal Two Rivers Militia would be equipped and why?

Answers

Rayonin Charin

1)The Two Rivers is one of the only places that is visited that is entirely rustic. Most other towns/villages are close enough to a major hub that is fortified and has a town watch. It is my opinion that the long bow prevailed in the Two Rivers for two main reasons.

The first is that the Two Rivers, which is for the most part removed from the technological advances of the rest of Andor, and more specifically the need for technological advancement. The bows required by the Queens Guard in Caemlyn are meant to serve a different purpose than the long bows of the Two Rivers. Guards would primarily be using the bows to keep violent protesters at bay and repel invasions. Both would require a short range bow or even close combat. The Two Rivers citizens use their bows primarily for hunting. Any military use of the bows would hopefully occur at a distance, since no walls, towers, or other battlements exist in the Two Rivers. This theory is further supported in the fact that in Rands visit to Shienar, he noted that the arrowheads of the Shienaran arrows were significantly heavier than those used in the Two Rivers, since the need to repel armored Trollocs was a primary use of the weapon.

This brings us to the second aspect, which is available materials. Since the Two Rivers do not have a wealth of metal to make their arrowheads out of, it makes sense that they would have streamlined the amount of metal necessary to make an arrowhead. Even though this arrowhead is lighter than one from Shienar, it also speaks to the tactics of the long bow, where an arching shot would use gravity to make the arrowhead more deadly. It is also noted by Mat that black yew is the wood of choice, specifically do to the braided grain of the wood. I may be wrong, but I cannot recall any mention of it outside of the Two Rivers. It is however likely that another type of wood which is not so strong, would not be able to be an effective bow at the roughly six to seven foot length the Two Rivers long bow is normally found at.[/spoiler:2w4jfejf]

2) A typical longbowman of a formal militia should be able to march with his longbow, a mail shirt and uniform tunic along with other clothing, a helmet, a bracer, a short sword. I suspect that a Two Rivers militiaman would each carry a quiver, instead of getting their arrows out of a wagon or guardhouse, even though they would most likely be just for transporting arrows.

The longbow is an obvious essential for a longbowman. Mail shirts and helmets would most likely be the extent of their necessary armor since they would be fighting at the rear of ranks, or from a distance. Uniform tunics to identify them as a militia unit. The bracer provides protection from the return of the bowstring. A short sword would be a requirement for any close quarters combat, which should be avoided, but battles do not always go according to plan. A longbowman should also carry spare bowstrings, and a short knife to keep his bow in working condition.

Ivanor Winshaw

I'm sorry for not posting sooner, but I really couldn't think of a good response for either question. Since there are no "wrong" answers, I'll just give my opinion...

1: I can really think of no good reason as to why the Two Rivers is the only place to use the longbow... I've racked my brain, but really cannot think of anything.

2: Until the advent of gunpowder, archery was viable in long range warfare. If I were to outfit my own militia in the Two Rivers, I would equip them in much the same manner as Native Americans. Native Americans used their bows to ambush their enemies and used long knives and tomahawks for close hand to hand combat. A longbowman needs to be mobile and shouldn't have to lug around heavy armor or weapons.

Jenalla Selar

1: The Two Rivers is insular. With minimal contact with outside world, no need for advanced militia developed. The best weapons were those that served the dual purpose of defense against attackers and for putting meat on the table. A longbow could defend on a long-range scale as well as take down a stag. Additionally, the longbow is a reliable weapon for farmers and shepherds defending livestock against wolves. In other countries where bows are used, it is the compact horsebow or crossbow that is popular as it can be used on horseback. The Two Rivers does not have a calvary, and the terrain of the Waterwood and and the forested areas surrounding Emonds Field do not facilitate hunting from horseback. As Masema comment in The Great Hunt, "No good from a horse." the other guard said sourly...."It's too long," Masema added, "I can shoot three arrows with a horsebow while you loose one with that monster."

2: Dual long knives would be a good accompaniment to the longbow. It would allow for hand-to-hand close quarter combat while not endangering the accuracy of the longbow while it is in use. A long sword belted to the waist could become entangled with a longbow, and a sword strapped to the back could interfere with a quiver.

Gedhan's answer

OK, well done all of you, you all seem to be hitting the sort of points I was hoping for.

Q1: The factors which were important for the development of the use of the Warbow in Wales and England were the Rural nature of the land and what is far more important, the independent nature and lack of a close feudal oversight of the people. It is important to remember that the factors that matter in the Warbow are all Human rather than technological, the bow itself is just a carved stick rather than the complex composite bows of some peoples.

The Warbow takes many years to master and required training from the age of around 7 or 8 years old to be able to draw the full size weapon (top end being around 180 to 200 pounds). The time and dedication required to do this also required very proud independent nature, Yeomen, not serfs or townsmen were the masters of the bow.

RJ wrote the Two Rivers in such a way as to emphasise those factors that made the Medieval English Longbowman. The proud blood of Manetheren left undisturbed by Feudal Nobility, The requirement to be able to hunt and defend the home from wild beasts and an availability of suitable wood (although like the Medieval prototype the best wood has to be imported).

Q2: Equipping a longbowman is really a matter of personal preference and I'd not disagree with any or the suggestions put forward. Here is what I would look at doing though.

1. The Bow and ancillaries.
2. Suitable light to medium armour, covered with an arming coat to protect the bowstring from damage.
3. A light multi-purpose hand weapon something like a North American Tomahawk.
4. A Polearm, something like the English Bill. After the Trolloc troubles this would be a necessity.
5. A horse, not the biggest or of the best stock, small and dependable to give the mobility required to operate in something of a Dragoon type role.

Lesson 4: The Borderlands

Of the borderlands we only actually get a reasonable description of Saldaean and Shienaran troops. Both of these forces are known for being the finest cavalry of their type in the known world, the Saldaeans being Light Horse and the Shienarans Heavy Cavalry.

To follow this description of a general troop type, we also get some national characteristics that seem to indicate the mentality that makes these men fit into their respective roles. The Saldaeans,are a reckless and loosely organised lot with, as we see from Davram Bashere and his men amazing horsemanship skills. The Shienarans are far more rigid in their conduct, especially their adherence to their duty.

Let us look then at just what makes a light or heavy cavalryman in the context of the Borderlands troops.

The Saldaean Light Cavalry are mostly smallish men on smallish horses, each man has excellent horsemanship skills and in action he uses this manoeuvrability to strike at the enemy flanks and rear. In combat with the Trolloc hordes of the Dark One this allows the Saldaeans a chance at destroying the larger stronger Trollocs without offering them a good target to attack in return; confusion being a most excellent weapon against Trollocs.

The Shienarans on the other hand use Heavy Lancer tactics against the Trollocs. Tending towards larger men on larger horses, these troops wear heavier armour and prefer the lance to the sabre. The Heavy Cavalry force forms up knee to knee and advances like a solid wall of steel and horseflesh to smash the enemy. This advance is carried out slowly to begin with and gradually picks up pace until by the time that they contact the enemy, they are at a gallop and are still knee to knee; the wild pell-mell charge of Hollywood films is well wide of the mark. This allows the Heavy Cavalry to strike as a single devastating blow rather than the myriad of fleeting cuts and slashes of Light Horse. It is the self discipline of the Trooper that makes the Heavy horseman as much as it is the horsemanship of the Light Cavalryman that sets him apart.

Questions

1. Can you give an example of a similar type of soldier to both Shienarans and Saldaeans from our own history (worldwide)?
2. Can you think of any reasons why the two borderlands evolved such different ways of fighting the same enemy?

Answers

Ivanor Winshaw

1: Shienarans remind me of the heavy cavalry that existed in Europe during the Middle Ages. Many images of European warfare at that time showed man and steed clad in armor, charging the enemy as a single unit.

The Saldaeans remind me more of the Middle East during the same time. The Arabs nations/tribes did not have the resources to make heavy armor economically, so they used what they had. Horses were bred for their speed and agility, and they used those attributes effectively in battle.

2: From what I have seen in the books/maps, it appears that Shienar is the nation nearest Tarwin's Gap, the largest pass through the Mountains of Dhoom. Shienarans needed the heavy cavalry to stand against a larger Trolloc force.

Saldaea, on the other hand, only has small passes through the Mountains of Dhoom and, of the Borderlands, is situated furtherest from Tarwin's Gap. Saldaea deals more with small Trolloc raids and must have cavalry that can respond quickly and deadly to a fast paced Trolloc raiding party.

Gedhan

Not bad thinking Ivanor, although you're out a wee bit historically.

The Medieval European Heavy horse was notoriously ill disciplined (I'll not go into too much detail as we'll come back to this later) and almost inevitably struck in penny packets rather than a single coordinated mass. Look a little later and you'll see Gustavus Adolfus or Oliver Cromwell using disciplined heavy horse. I see the Sheinarans more as the Byzantine Cataphracts or perhaps Arthurian/Late Roman Heavy Horse.

Your idea for the Saldaeans has more promise, although the quality of horsemanship was not comparable outside of a small group of peoples from the northern areas of the Arab conquest. The Arabs did however produce heavy cavalry although lighter than the Europeans and mounted of Arab mares rather than on European Cold Blood stock. I see the Saldaeans more in the light of the Russian Cossacks of the Renaissance or the early Mongol horsemen.

Jenalla Selar

1. Heavily armored cavalry with lances such as the Sheinarans use remind me of the Cataphract lancers used in ancient Persia. Both the horse and riders wore armor that covered nearly all of them. This cavalry used the advantage of superior protection combined with the added weight of man, beast & steel to punch holes in infantry formations. Saldaeans use a lighter cavalry such as that of the Huns and Mongols. Lightly armored, these troops could be used as both attackers during battle and for reconnaissance and scouting prior to battle. The ability to move quickly was given preference over the weight and cumbersome nature of heavy plate armor.

2: The differences in the evolution of the borderland armies may be attributed to resources and terrain. Each army would need to work within the physical capabilities of the bloodstock available to them. The horses would need to be strong and formidable to bear the weight of a rider and the armor. Likewise, an abundance of steel and sufficient availability and skill of armorers would be needed to provide the armor and weaponry for a heavy cavalry. Horeses that are slighter of build and more agile would better suit a lighter cavalry. Terrain also plays a major role in the development of an armed force and the tactics used. A heavy cavalry will be easily exhausted pounding up and down hilly terrain. Their cumbersome armament would also make fighting among trees and narrow passages extremely difficult. Light cavalry could be at a disadvantage on wide open plains as the lack of armor makes them vulnerable from many angles. However, in mountain terrains or in forest areas, they can move quickly and easily over rough terrain.

Gedhan

Glad you're back Janella.

I just noticed that I've missed ,my answer to the second question, so here we go.

As far as I see it, the answer is pretty much as both of you have mentioned, it's simply where the Trollocs are, Ish Saldaea they can cross the border in a wide variety of places and need to be harried over a wade area, in Shienar they must come through Tarwin's Gap all nicely gathered together and so must be met in numbers. The different types of cavalry are suited ideally to each task.

The next question for each of you is, do you want to continue next week or wait until after the Festival?

Lesson 5: Andor and Cairhien

These two states have been notable enemies over the years until the ascension in Andor of Tigraine and her marriage to Taringil Damordred. These two nations share a border and in many ways also a very similar military structure.

The basic structure of both nations is a core of Royal troops, known as the Queens Guards in Andor, a number of household troops directly controlled by each noble house and varying in number according to each house's prominence and wealth and finally feudal levies and civic militias.

Although the main forces of both nations are mounted the Andorans appear to be multi purpose Dragoon type troops. In the canon we see the principal troops of Andor (Royal and Household) fighting afoot as well as mounted. The Cairhienan forces however seem to be far more class conscious and less flexible (until they came into contact with Matt – a later lesson). The principal Cairhienan troops are Heavy Horse and remain so, being less able to take on the role of foot through lack of training and cultural prejudice. To the Cairhienan, foot are peasants and no noble would condescend to join them in the mud.

For the troops of both nations house colours dominate with the Royal forces of Andor always wearing Red rather than the colours and sigil of the reigning monarch as seems the fashion in Cairhien. Another notable aspect of militaqry fashion, this time from Cairhien is that Soldiers shave the front of their heads and so set themselves apart.

Questions

1: What military hairstyle from our history do you see similarities with that of Cairhien? 2: Why do you think that the Cairhienan have such a rigid cavalry culture?

Answers

Ivanor Winshaw

1: After looking into this a bit, I remembered that the Japanese samuri would sometimes shave the tops of their heads. This was to help them stay cool when wearing their helmet. I am also reminded of some Native American tribes that shaved parts of their heads, i.e. Mohawks.

2: My first impression is Napoleon Syndrome. :lol But the more I think about it, the more sense it makes. The Cairhienan people as a whole are short, which (in my mind) would make for a less than optimal infatry unit. Wouldn't a taller race of people be more manuverable on foot (i.e. Aiel)? So based solely on their genetics, I would say that fighting horseback would afford the people of Cairhienan a better advantage. Also, with their economically minded society, they have a rigid structure to their people. Very rank and file even in everyday life. This would influence how some see the military as well. Only people of a certain "class" would be able to afford a horse, much less join the cavalry. I hope some of that makes sence...

Gedhan

Not bad at all, particularly the Native American bit, it comes close to what I was thinking about it.

The Roman/Greek similarities in the Cavalry, I hadn't thought of; another good one.

Lesson 6: The Aiel

The Aiel are perhaps the most enigmatic of all of the military forces in the Westlands. Originating in a group of Aes Sedai's servants from the Age of Legends, who were bound to complete pacifism as expressed by there cousins the Tinkers as the way of the leaf, they are now something quite different. The Aiel though still remember their origins in some small way and will not even touch a sword, the Aiel warrior carries the spear and the knife.

The Aiel are organised along Clan, Sept and (Warrior) Society lines with little in the way of formal military structure. The real formality in Aiel warfare comes with their sense of honour, Ji'e'toh, which holds the actions of all Aiel to set limits. For instance the members of a society from one clan will not fight members of the same society from another clan, even if the clans are in blood feud.

The Aiel, despite their lack of formal military structure are incredibly effective troops, well able to overwhelm most western troops they may face at a considerable disadvantage in numbers. The Aiel warrior is fit agile and expert with his weapons. All are trained in open handed combat as well as in spear fencing and the use of the short bow.

The key to Aiel success is a combination of surprise, tactical flexibility and superior training, if one or more of these can be negated, then the fight becomes far more even and the Aiel fare less well. Matt Killed Couladin outside Cairhien by taking away the flexibility of Aiel tactics and taking surprise as his own, even so the Aiel were terrible foes even against Pike block and a surprise cavalry attack.

Questions

1. Describe the Aiel War Spear and give an example of the weapon from our history.
2. Can you see any parallels between Aiel military structure and our world?

Answers

Ivanor Winshaw

1: The Aiel spear is classified as a short spear with a long spearhead. Though most short spears in our history were used more for throwing, the Aiel mainly used their spears similar to a shortened staff. The Aiel spear appears to be crafted after a Spartan fashion and are generally used with a buckler instead of a full shield.

2: It appears that the Aiel had a mindset similar to Spartan military as well, where no one was above another in battle. Clan chiefs fought side-by-side with others. And every adult in the society could pick up a spear and fight if they needed to. I'm not really able to find a military structure that the Aiel particularly imitate, so I'll have to rely on your expertise...

Gedhan

I'm thinking that you have missed the parallels by a couple of thousand years Ivanor. The original Spear carried by the breakaway Aiel would have been similar to the typical medieval spear, not the type used by the ancient Greeks (there is a marked design difference), but the weapon we would recognise from the books seems to be very different. I'll post again and explain after I've given Jenalla time to post.

Jenalla Selar

1: The Aiel spear is a relatively short shafted weapon with a long head. It can be used defensively to block the thrust or slash or another weapon, or offensively by stabbing or throwing. Much like the Two Rivers long bow, the Aiel spear doubles as a hunting weapon. It is this distinction that feeds the Aiel's cultural disdain for swords which are only good for fighting and killing. Multiple spears are carried along with a buckler. This is similar to the arsenal carried by the early Celts of Ireland and Scotland and the Vikings. These weapons were considered the forerunners of what would become halberds. As a throwing weapon, the spear was a specialty of the Spanish Almogavars.[/spoiler:2rwy3896]

2: Modern American military shares some similarities with the Aiel structure. Certain groups within the military are arranged around a specialty such as the Paratroopers, Recon, or Special Forces units. These units take on a name (such as Seals) in addition to numerical designation of regiment, unit, etc. Within the Aiel, warriors with similar styles, specialties (such as scouting, or standing ground despite the need for retreat/regrouping) or in the case of the Maidens, gender, congregate into societies and further their training and development to the tactics of their specific group. Being a member of these societies creates a tighter bond that crosses cultural boundaries of Sept and Clan, much in the same way that being a member of special tactical unit creates a brotherhood that may be stronger than even the loyalty to members of the same sector of armed forces (Army, Navy. Marine, etc.) to which the individual soldier belongs.

Gedhan

OK, both of you have a good visual idea of the Aiel spear and its use. The only historical prototype for this weapon however is the Zulu Iklawa (often referred to as an Assegai), it is of the same pattern as the Aiel spear and is used in the same fencing manner, with being thrown at an enemy of prey animal as a secondary capability as with the Aiel spear.

As for organisation, the Aiel are notable for their very loose and informal manner of organisation. Members of the different societies seem almost instinctively to know who should lead (not the "discussion" within the Maidens on the Road to Dumais Wells). The only thing that I have come across along these lines is the society structure of the Native Americans and even here the parallel is not exact.

Another point that was raised by Ivanor is the training of the whole society in warfare, this could fits in well with the Spatans of the first and early second millennium BC. Like the Aiel the Spartans were man for man the best troops of the time. The comparison with modern military is erroneous in that the modern military are structured in a very rigid hierarchical manner. You might look at the British and some old Empire nations (Australia & Canada particularly) and say that the Regimental System fosters something of an Aiel Society feel to their customs and behaviour, but I know of no other similarities.

Next lesson tomorrow morning.

Lesson 7: Shadowspawn

These creatures are, with the Exception of Grey Men, like Trollocs the creations of Aginor during the last days of the Age of Legends. There are a wide variety of these creatures, but here we will only discuss those Shadowspawn that are actually involved in battle for the Dark One.

Myrddraal are regressive offshoots of Trolloc bloodstock. The Myrddraal are always male, they are smaller and far more human looking, with the exception that they are without eyes, although able to see or sense there surroundings as well or better than a normal human. Myrddraal are if anything even more cruel than Trollocks and are able to command their bestial brethren through intimidation and cruelty. Should this be insufficient incentive to obey, the Myrddraal can also bind a hundred or so Trollocs to him through some sort of telepathic link that overcomes the Trolloc's willpower and forces obedience.

Outside of Command of the Trollocs, these creatures use their natural abilities to perform a variety of other duties for the Dark One. One of these abilities is that they are able to move over great distances through shadows. How this id done, nobody not even Aginor knows for sure, but they are certainly able to gain entrance to any place where there are dark shadows. A second is the ability to intimidate, coming under the gaze of the "Eyeless" is said to cause even brave warriors to quail. Another thing about Myrddraal is that they are very difficult to kill and even once dead they will frequently refuse to give up. Finally, they are quick, both physically and mentally; This physical and mental agility makes them deadly foes and more adaptable servants for the Shadow.

The Draghkar are a type of flying shadowspawn that appears human with the addition of large bat-like wings. These creatures are relatively stupid, but being able to fly and to communicate with Myrddraal in some fashion they are useful scouts. In battle these creatures are able to drop various things onto the heads of the enemy and also attack enemy forces on new fronts, possibly taking out commanders. The attack of a Draghkar is through its voice, this voice soothes the victim and draws him close enough for the creature to drain its soul and so kill the victim or leave him little more than a husk.

Darkhounds are the last of the constructed shadowspawn up for discussion. They are different from other types as they were created from Wolves and not humans. These are huge black wolves with corrosive and poisonous saliva, making them exceptionally deadly foes. There are several stories about just how many packs of Darkhounds there actually are, but the wide differences make it clear that while there are not massive numbers of them, there is no accurate information. The deadliest foes of the Darkhounds are natural wolves who hate all shadowspawn, but hate and fear their shadowbrothers most of all.

Greymen are different from all of the other shadowsawn in that they are not constructs, but rather they are Darkfreinds who are convinced by some unknown means to give their souls (literally) to the Dark one. These soulless, are very unremarkable in that the eye just skips over them and a normal person, even a warder, with his superior senses is most likely to ignore the presence of a Grey man. The Grey Men are assassins, able to close with and kill just about anyone with impunity, only great luck or the intervention of greater forces will save the intended victim of a Grey Man.

Questions

1. Trollocs aside, what military functions do you think a Myrddraal could perform?
2. What military functions do you think that a Darkhound pack could perform?

Answers

Jenalla Selar

1: I think Fades would be successful at scouting/reconnoitering. The are intelligent, stealthy, and agile. Their ability to move between shadows would allow them to spy and scout unnoticed. Their fearsome fighting skills and their ability to "freeze" a man with their stare would allow them to kill quickly and quietly in the event of being discovered.

2: Darkhound packs could be used for tracking. Additionally, they would be good a causing a panic and driving their enemies before them into an ambush.

Ivanor Winshaw

1: Given the Fades ability to hide and move via shadows, I would use them as spies and saboteurs. I don't think the Shadow has been using the Fades to there full potential. I would make a squad of Fades, get them behind enemy lines and let them do their thing.

2: Not only are they good for scouting, tracking, or reconnaissance, but I see them as a form of cavalry. They are quicker than men afoot and can be used in flanking and harrying enemy troops.

Gedhan

I'm in total agreement with both of your answers. The only thing I would look at differently would be regarding the Darkhounds driving a force into an ambush. The Darkhounds are devastating enough by themselves that any force they could drive into an ambush, they could destroy by themselves; they don't need assistance.

Lesson 8: Seanchan

The Ever victorious army is probably the nest organised military force, with the exception of the band of the red hand, in the world. The other key thing about the Seanchan military is the wide variety of different troop types it fields.

The most common troops in the Empire are foot soldiers, the majority of whom push the pike. Other foot troops include engineers, archers and the highly flexible marines. On a more specialist note, there are the Fists of heaven and bloodknives, who I equate to Air Assault and Special Forces must be seen to be present in small numbers; being significant only due to their quality and their ability to open a new front literally anywhere.

There is also the Deathwatch guard, a mixed unit, probably of multiple Regiment size, made up of Elite Dragoons (trained to fight mounted or on foot) and armed Ogier “Gardeners”. Although this unit seems large they seem to be dispersed in penny packets with their main strength retained as personal protection for the Empress. When deployed in battle however they will certainly have an effect beyond what could be expected from their numbers.

The Seanchan Cavalry are pretty much as cavalry in other parts of the world with the exception of Torm mounted troops. The method of using these troops must be similar to how light cavalry are used, but with a far greater combat effect. Their utility in a knee to knee heavy cavalry charge would be little better than horse mounted forces and so I can not see a General using them in such a manner. In woodland or other rough country though or especially in a built up area the flexibility and natural manoeuvrability of the Torm along with their carnivore’s fighting ability would make them immeasurably superior to horsed cavalry.

The Seanchan use of beasts to break up enemy formations, Grolm and S’redit, is another example of the flexibility of military thinking on the part of the Seanchan generals. These powerful creatures can be used in areas where heavy horse are not viable as a combat force. S’redit also have another function in that they are an excellent adjunct to engineers for heavy field works.

Both the flying Raken and the lithe Torm also have a reconnaissance function. The Raken are obviously the unit of choice for spying out the land and enemy dispositions, due to their range, but again the ability of Torm to operate in close, dense country and report back with some speed is not something to be overlooked. In the absence of such troops Light horse will perform such duties, frequently these will be locally recruited troops.

The last of the beasts that are significant to the Ever Victorious army are the lumbering To’Raken. These huge creatures are able to fly for some distance carrying a useful load of troops (Fists of Heaven, Bloodknives or Damane & Suldam) and deposit them where it will do most damage.

The Damane are perhaps the most terrifying of all of the Seanchan “Exotics”, used in a military context as a direct fire artillery system, these channellers rip enemy formations to shreds at the command of their Suldam. The Damane are less useful in close conditions, really requiring open battle to be at their most dangerous.

The last aspect of the Seanchn forces that must be touched on is the number of allied/locally recruited troops in the army. A large proportion of the army in the eastern continent is made up of these volunteers/pressed men. Not as reliable as the remainder they are never the less useful for secondary roles and making up numbers in a pinch.

The Ever Victorious Army is highly flexible, learning from experience and adapting to new challenges, their organisation and strong command and staff structures are far beyond what is generally seen in the rest of the known world. It is these strengths that take the EVA further than even its strength of numbers could be expected to go.

Questions

1. What army from our history has parallels with the Seanchan and why?
2. Why do you think that the Seanchan has such a wide variety of troop types in its army?

Answers

Jenalla Selar

1: A real-world parallel would be with the Romans. Both involve large, regimented armies efficiently using available resources (human, animal, and material) to expand and support an empire. Both conquered lands outside of their home area, folding large populations with cultures different from their own into the Empire. Both Empires see their conquests as improving the lives of the conquered people, and in many instances this was true. Both armies were founded on discipline, knowledge of one's place in the chain of command, and built their legions from the population of the conquered areas.

2: Seanchan pulls their armies from a large land mass. This would encompass multiple terrains with fighters trained in warfare specific to these terrains. Additionally, the large population creates an enormous pool from which many talents can be drawn. Specialties can develop based on recognizing talents among the general soldiers and then furthering training in that area. Having a wide array of specialties also gives the common soldier something to aspire to. A new recruit who wants to become a member of the specialized group would strive to hone his or her skills. Finally, the variety of specialties allows a greater physical range of soldier. Smaller lighter men and women who may not find success has part of an infantry may find great skill and use to the EVA as a member of the Fists of Heavan.

Gedhan

All to the good Janalla, I agree with your comparison of the EVA and the Imperial Roman army. As for the why so diverse question, an army develops to deal with the difficulties it faces or it is slaughtered. Your post describes this nicely. The final post of this course will go up next week all being well.

The Final Lesson!

During this class we have looked at various of the military organisations of Randland. We have seen how they are organised and how and why they developed as they did. I know that we have not discussed all of the nations of Randland, this is because of repetition, frequently there is little new to learn at the level we are discussing the subject and much to muddy the waters. Now it is time to take a step back and see what we can take from the picture as a whole.

We see on the whole a fairly advanced pre-industrial military organisation, with some groups (Shadowspawn and Aiel) working on a tribal basis. Nowhere amongst the various nations do we see anything that goes beyond the technology or military sophistication present at the time of our Early Renaissance period. The Seanchan in fact resemble a far earlier and concept, yet with technology comparable with the rest of the world.

The fact that Black Powder weapons are in their very early stages differs from this time line, but the books seem to have compensated in ways that reflect the historical reality and have expanded on the real life denial of Feudal military classes. In Tear and Cairhien we see a brilliant interpretation of a military elite facing the unthinkable and having trouble accepting it (this time its the Aiel rather than the Musket).

The description of troops and armies in the books covers a wide variety of historically recognisable troop types which are all rationally based upon the circumstances, geographical, political, historical or a combination of these and sundry other factors. All in all the forces are believable in this setting, even the fantastic creatures that feature in the wars fit well into the world setting without too much of a stretching of credulity that is found in some fantasy works.

After that summing up only one question to finish off the class.

Question 1: Which of the military organisations depicted in the books (you may choose one that I have not discussed) is superior and why?

Jenalla Selar

I believe the EVA is superior. They have the following advantages:

1. Numbers. They brought a large force with them and amass even larger numbers with each conquered land.
2. Centralization of Command - Unlike the armies the EVA has encountered since landing, the EVA is under a centralized command structure with an over-all goal and plan. Each separate country in Randland fields and commands their own army and has at the center of their goals, what is best for that individual country - not the continent as a whole. Divide and conquer is much easier to achieve when the division is already in place.
3. Long-range scouting and intelligence - the EVA has aerial reconnaissance abilities which were unheard of on this side of the ocean. Having just the capability is an advantage, but using it against a force that has never encountered it increases that advantage. The opponents of the EVA take time to learn how to mislead aerial scouts through hiding their forces or outfitting civilians to look like trained soldiers. Having intelligence of troop size, movements, terrain, and fortifications allow the EVA to make better tactical decisions.
4. Variety of troops - Having a large and differentiated armed force allows the EVA to use trained soldiers to their best advantage. Specialized troops are utilized to bring a swift victory, thereby limiting casualties and resources.
5. Supplies - In each land conquered by the EVA, the local folk have very little of their life impacted. They swear the oaths and go about their daily lives, which in most cases involves raising crops and/or livestock or creating goods which can be used by the EVA. This continuity of farming (insomuch as the weather permits) and trading allows the EVA to operate and draw supplies from a stable economic structure. Long, drawn-out and difficult to defend supply trains are not as necessary as they would be in a chaotic conquered land.
6. Personal stake in the performance and outcome of fighting - The average EVA soldier has a chance to rise above his station through loyalty, dedication, and hard work. Likewise, his/her family may also receive additional benefits through the actions of the soldier. Dishonor and disloyalty are punished individually, either by death, demotion, or being made da'co'vale. Outstanding performance is rewarded by elevation in the military ranks as well as elevation of personal standing (i.e. being raised to the Blood.) In Randland, many of the common soldiers are in the army only because of a lack of options. While most seem to have a sense of honor, the class system of Randland discourages raising a commoner above his station.
7. Damane and Sul'dam - The One Power is a tremendous tactical weapon. Being able to strike at the enemy from a safe distance and to do it in a manner such as lightening or the ground erupting from beneath the army's feet is a huge advantage. It is an effective means of destroying an army physically as well as striking fear into the hearts of the survivors. Randland, prior to the Ash'aman, have surrendered this advantage in favor of moral high ground. Lightening and firestorms beat moral high grounds on most battlefields.[/spoiler:1sdw9w70]

I have very much enjoyed this class! I am sorry that my classmates were unable to complete it as I enjoyed reading their thoughts and opinions as well.

Thank you for taking the time to continue providing excellent lessons and insight just for little ol' me!

Graduated Students

• Ivanor Winshaw
• Jenalla Selar