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Lunar Bits n' Bobs

In vexilli favor

<Stu>: edited a little since initially posted.

Donald has posted up a very useful overview of what units might be present at the investment and siege of Whitewall. Martin Laurie has also placed up a good list of possible 'shoe-fillers' for these units, based on a muster in 1622. The following doesn't invalidate Donald or Martin's force structures; rather I hope it enriches them, and offers further options for character and GM ingenuity. I don't suggest that we break the Lunar regiments present into a multitude of companies, or for a moment suggest that all or a majority of forces used in assaults act in this way.

I hope to show how the use of vexilla at certain times in the siege can give great MGF and variety to the Lunar approach, and give a Sedenyic character to elements of the siege.

What is a vexilla?

Firstly, a naming protocol--Tarsh War uses the latin Vexillum (nom. sing.) and Vexilla (nom. pl.) to define the special lunar standards used (and by association, their units). ILH-1 uses the feminized vexilla (sing.) and vexillae (pl.) to describe the formations. So as to not confuse anybody (a forlorn hope), I use the capitalised Tarsh War notation for the flags, and the ILH-1 terms for the units. I'm sorry about that folks, but I think the flags quite important, and need some distinctor! Phew!

According to ILH-1, a vexilla is a "military hero band, formed originally as a headquarters unit to include component elements from many separate regiments brought together in a single detachment, always commanded by Yanafal Tarnils officers. These vexillae are flexible and generally formed for particular purposes. The rank of the officer limits the troops that it can include. Not even local troops are expectedto obey inferior ranking officers."

I'll leave it at that. Nice and simple.

Aren't vexillae larger, campaign units?

Roman vexillae were frequently used in an operational context, i.e. as a force to achieve local objectives, typically smaller in scale than for an army. Though it could engage in battle (and often did) the Roman vexilla was not a tactical unit.

IMO, Glorantha, and the description in ILH-1, offer more room for manoeuvre. The vexilla is at the heart of the Sedenyic influence on the Imperial Army, espousing the virtues of Open-Mindedness and Inclusion fundamental to the Lunars. Their formation is a peculiarly Lunar magic that allows Lunar commanders to forge disparate troops into a highly effective whole. Just as ILH-1 states, if a "particular purpose" presents itself on a small scale, why not use its magical and tactical benefits?

What magical and tactical benefits?

It's always good for a force to be able to possess a variety of capabilities, both to defend against enemies who do, and to maximise their options against those who don't. Any Dungeon-Basher knows the benefits of a balanced party! And any army commander knows the efficacies of an 'all-arms' approach. Those are two extremes... but should the same function in the intermediate, tactical level?

I don't argue that splitting regiments up always works. Sure, there may examples when a little flexibility is nice (on the flanks, for example), but no-one's arguing that we should split up our powerful phalanxes, or wedges of cavalry on the battlefield. For an extended battle, regiments have found a happy medium in terms of ability, power and ease of command.

A siege assault, however, might be different. Given the geography of Whitewall, the Lunars are in quite a pickle. They can't assault all areas of the walls at the same time until they have formed some considerable siege works. Even then a siege assault is a bloody process on a smaller scale than a field battle.

Regular heavy regiments are adapted to the line of battle: heavily armed and useful for shock. In a siege or small, localised fight, light or irregular forces possess many advantages: better able to negotiate difficult terrain quickly, and adapt to the melee that develops. There's always a trade-off between the good and bad parts of both. In a battle they can work together at regimental level, but at a place like Whitewall, it might be harder for regiments to cooperate.

I see a good chance for the Lunars to use the vexilla system. With special assault forces from the best troops they have at the siege, the Lunars can use all their best troops together. Rather than assaulting a section of wall with five companies of peltasts, how about assaulting it with two companies of elite Steel Swords, covered by Thunder Delta Slingers and magicians, and flanked by some nimble Lasadag lions. Acting as if they were part of the same unit, burgeoned by the power radiating from their Vexillum!

Lunar magic makes this motley lot work. A quick thinking Heortling commander (a rarity, I'll admit) might be able to marshal his defenders to accommodate an assault of one troop type, but when faced with four or five, of radically different magic and weapons, he might be tempted to soil his kilt rather quickly. A bigger challenge for PC commanders and heroes to adapt to.

What cool stuff does this allow?

I think the occasional use of vexilla can add a strong element of Lunar character to the besieging forces, which adds to the colour. Special vexilla assaults provide great local colour, as a variety of the most magically interesting and vivid forces of the Empire cooperate in a very small area, in which the PC Heroes can interact. This is good for MGF as you can go toe to toe, or magic to magic, with a multitude of foes.

The Vexilla are also incredibly evocative and powerful forces in their own right. If you've not read Tarsh War, I'd strongly advise you to. Take the statement on p. 9: "Here in the Holy of Holies, stand the regimental gods of the Lunar Empire. These are hungry gods, impatient and steeped in blood. Bats, Eagles, Images of the Moon, they all gleam with pride in the decorations that mark their service."

While regimental gods may inspire greater devotion, the Vexilla are items embedded in myth themselves. As I view it, each Vexillum has a history and legendary character of its own. Rather than new vexillae marching to war with a freshly constituted guardian, they are tapping into something older, more powerful, and primal on the battlefield. The choice of Vexillum for a given commander or formation might be a crucial factor. Some arrogant commanders might consider the formation theirs--Makhabarus' Gory Moonshine vexilla or similar--but in some cases there might be a stronger moral and magical force guiding the aspirations of the formation.

Consider the scene as troops prepare for the assault, under the glow of the moon. Many regiments will send forces under their own banners this night, but some are given the greatest honour the Goddess can bestow. A red glow shines from the open portal of the Yanafali shrine, as the Lunar commanders exit carrying the silver crescents and bats of the Vexilla they have guarded for so long. This is the moment when the commanders bestow the prized standards on the forces assembled.

The Vexilla have seen many battles over the wanes, in many different lands and accompanying many generations of the children of the Goddess. Always they have been victorious, and empowered by the examples of the victors, the spirits of the fallen. The assembled units sense their power, their hunger for the blood of those who spurn Inclusion. To receive such a standard is a great honour, yet with it comes great responsibility and expectation, the duty to uphold its traditions. Yet the glow of the spirits of thousands burns brightly from the standard, and they know that they will not fail.

So how many, and where from?

I'm not suggesting that people might consider lots. Certainly not any more than a handful of vexillae, 500-1000 strong. It's the concept rather than any number. It just might be nice to have this so very Lunar idea given a bit of freedom in the assault. Acting alongside full regiments, or detached companies from other formations.

In my own mind, I see the best potential use occurring as the siege rises to a crescendo. After the Bat Blat, elements of elite units might also be pulled from elsewhere. For example, Martin has suggested a vexilla of Shargashi coming with Tatius, and if people do accept a special vexilla from the Heartlands, it might make sense that this turned up with the College of Magic.

For MGF, consider a special vexilla that held some elements of the Imperial Bodyguard. Their appearance and preferential treatment will cause great griping among the soldiers who had had to perform the daily chores of the siege against recalcitrant defenders, while these Emperor's favourites turn up and want to get all the glory!

Adventure hooks

<Stu>