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Imperator-Zor — Men at Arms

Published: 2011-08-22 01:54:32 +0000 UTC; Views: 2382; Favourites: 5; Downloads: 22
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Description Men at Arms are a level of infantry superior to mere peasant levies. Men at Arms are layfolk permanently kept under arms to serve as soldiers, either by kings, the local nobility and occasionally by some guilds, and are generally identifiable by wearing their employer's heraldry on their clothing. Men at Arms are typically recruited by muster in terms of training. Calls for volunteers are made every now and again for young men, those that seem the best suited after inspection are accepted. Others are peasant levies that preform well in battle. Others are violent criminals force to serve as punishment. Men at Arms train regularly, generally practicing amongst themselves while giving the newcomers pointers. In peace times will do various odd jobs requiring a surplus of muscle, in war times they will often help out peasants. Because of this, they are better at combat than mere levies. Where levies would attack in loose mobs, men at arms would hold formation. Men at Arms would hold the line while levies would have long since broken and fled. While peasants generally have poor morale when being away from home for more than a few days, men at arms will stand resolute. Men at Arms are armed with a variety of weapons. At the bare minimum they will receive a helmet, a dagger and a main weapon, and generally a suit of chainmail or a breastplate is common enough. Swordsmen are used to engage infantry, pikemen against cavalry, halberdiers against both and crossbowmen and archers to fight from a distance. A few are given horses and serve as light cavalry. Most men at arms are employed for brief periods (generally during wars) of a few years while a few others remain in service all their lives. Men at arms are generally loosely organized, every ten to thirty men at arms is commanded by a Sergeant, while every eighty to two hundred that is not commanded by a nobleman is commanded by a captain. Men at Arms are well paid and also pillage for loot, although they generally must buy their food and weapons from their lords. Inn keepers typically like it when a force of friendly men at arms comes through town, so long as their superiors keep them from getting too roudy
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