@ThunderPony
Who serves in your army? Is it a professional or a conscript army?
Men of a certain age, not already in the regular army or otherwise unfit for duty are allowed to volunteer in the Golden Militia. This militia is made up of local volunteers with the aimed purpose of keeping the Golden North safe.
The Golden North is Obrexia’s northernmost region. Its sweeping, flat, fertile land and plenty of rainfall make it excellent for growing most of the food in the realm. But where there’s honey there are also stingers. The land is, or rather was, plagued by monstrous beasts. The people that tamed the land were backed by the Obrexia army, of course, but they wouldn’t allow themselves to be defenseless. This bred a culture of athleticism, honor, brotherhood and duty that led to the formation of the Golden Militia. To this day, the official army does most of the monster hunting and patrolling, but the militia is always ready to support.
Some that fill the ranks are retired army veterans, many are hunters, all are commoners. The militia is made of farmers, fishers and tradesmen, all who mill about their normal days, until duty calls. The Golden Militia will not fight other peoples, they answer to local lords, only to defend against beasts and natural disasters.
How is your military trained in its tactics?
The militia trains once for a few days every month outside the major settlements to run training drills. The leadership is mostly made up of retired army officers, so the drills tend to watered down versions of the official army drills.
Each month, the volunteers are assessed and must pass a physical examination or risk being retired from the militia. This exam includes marching, a timed run, and some strength tests such as push-ups or pushing a log. Most people, being laborers, pass the exam with ease. The only people that fail are those who are sick, injured, old or a combination of the three.
The exams are followed by lectures and drills. The lectures typically teach about common monsters seen in the Golden North, emergency responses, following orders from military commanders, and a bit of propaganda. The drills train group tactics, cavalry maneuvers, archery practice, and spear and shield fighting.
For most, a few days per month of training is not enough, so the government encourages the general population to participate in sporting competitions, such as archery, jousting and racing. Athletic culture is huge in the Golden North, forming strong tribalism among the major holds.
What are your army's favored tactics and formations?
By and large, the tacticians of the Golden Militia favor keeping distance from the monsters that roam the plains. Horseback fighting is favored as horses can often outrun smaller predators. Long lances are given to the cavalry as well as swords. The swords are used as last defense however, as it is preferred to fall back to archers in the event of a broken or used lance. Those not on horses are often given longbows or crossbows. The militia relies on the army to do any fighting up close, as the militia is not often equipped with armor or well tuned gear.
Is it highly hierarchized, how important is rank or social status?
Nobles are ranked as generals of the militia, however, this title is mostly a formality, as most nobles do not often take personal interest in the militia. The title allows them to call for reinforcements from other holds and command troops in times of emergency. For the most part, nobles rely on their lieutenants to handle the operation of the militia. Outside the militia, these ranks do not affect one’s social status much, save for the rare discount here and there by grateful citizens.
