Post by breadandcircuses on Mar 17, 2013 11:31:45 GMT -5
This treatise has begun to appear in the booksellers carts across the kingdom. The front cover is emblazoned with the crest of Cormyr, and it is made of good leather. Above and below the crest extend the title; no author is given.
The price is surprisingly cheap at only a single silver piece, and any savvy business person would realize that it's been artificially kept down
Index:
0. Dedication
1. Foreword
2. On Nobility
3. Noble Conduct
-Chastity
-Temperance
-Charity
-Diligence
-Patience
-Kindness
-Humility
4. Noble Responsibilities
5. On Military Matters
-Infantry
-Cavalry
-On the use of mercenaries
-On the use of adventurers
6. A Practical Summary
Dedicated to the Steel Regent, the Crown, the Kingdom, all her people, and all the brave men and women who die in service to them all.
As we begin to approach the end of the millennium, the kingdom of Cormyr sits on a razors edge. Sembia and Thay both threaten the noble nation, her armies are depleted from the brutal goblin war, and while the steel regent leads at this time the true king has not yet claimed his throne.
In this time more then ever, we must look to the nobility to lead us forward, and in this time more then ever, we have found them lacking.
Many died in the goblin war; whole swathes of the population were wiped out and as of this writing Arabel remains unrecovered though reclaimed. Much of our land is now untamed with orcs and other monstrous humanoids and creatures, and tales thought once only true in the stonelands have come south.
In this guide I hope to remind and aid the nobility in reclaiming their lost purpose and respect, so that this kingdom may continue to function in the form it always as; at the forefront of technology, warfare, social advancement, and economics.
Know that this is a general guide meant for the use of all the nobility, not any specific rank.
Hail Cormyr!
What is a noble? This basic question must be answered before any further questions may be raised.
Under the systems of Cormyr, a noble acts as an authority extension of the crown; just as the Purple Dragons act as a military extension of the crowns wishes and orders, the nobles act as an extension of the law and authority of the crown.
Each noble is entrusted with a holding and title, and in exchange they are held responsible for these holdings and the people within, both in their conduct and safety, and though the responsibilities may be lesser or greater depending on ones rank, there is a core of both conduct and responsibility that all nobility must share.
3. Noble Conduct
Key to the conduct of the nobility within Cormyrs borders has been and should be the practice of the seven heavenly virtues. Any noble who wishes to remain worthy of their title must conduct themselves in a manner befitting a member of their station, and the chief among these manners are the seven heavenly virtues.
Originally penned by philosophers and priest, they are as follows.
While each is important in and of itself, it is only through a combination of all these virtues that men can hope to achieve something closer to perfection; and being nobles, it is a responsibility of their office to cling much closer to these then the average man.
For being a noble means that the entire realm looks to you as a guide and measuring stick for behavior. If a lord is drunken, why should not his people be? If he is lustful, why should not the men below him be? Nobles must hold themselves to a higher standard because they are considered to be a higher standard.
The following is a helpful guide to what each of these virtues truly mean for the modern noble; endeavor always to strive towards perfection, for it benefits not only yourself but your kingdom and your people.
Remember that it requires all the parts of a thing to make a whole of a thing, though since we are human we often fail in this regard, hence why we 'practice' the virtues and do not claim to live them.
While all of these virtues are necessary to truly be noble, it is almost impossible for any one man to achieve in himself all of them; instead, endeavor to achieve as many of them as you possibly can, and push yourself every day to achieve more of their scope.
As the nobles go, so do the common people, and the kingdom itself. A kingdom imbued with these virtues shall be the most powerful in the world, and it is only through the conduct of the nobles in such a manner that allows the kingdom to achieve this perfection.
Also, keep in mind that the pursuance of any virtue to an extreme can rapidly result in it becoming a vice; always remember temperance, even in these matters.
Chastity – Not to be confused with celibacy, which is the state of being both unmarried and not having sexual congress. Chastity is instead the rejection of base sexuality in favor of a higher form of sexuality. Courtly love and romantic friendship both fall under this virtue, as well as the idea of cleanliness through cultivated good health (such as exercise) and hygiene (bathing), and moderation in consumption of intoxicants such as alcohol. To be honest is to be chaste, both to ones friends and family and strangers. The best way to achieve all these things is through education. The practice of chastity is also heavily influenced by the ability to refrain from being distracted and influenced by hostility, temptation, and corruption. A noble will not rise to a challenge meant to draw him into a compromising position; he will not be tempted by the pleasures of the flesh in an unseemly manner; and he will not accept bribery or extortion or blackmail under his reign.
Gloss: Purity, knowledge, honesty, wisdom
Temperance – One of the most important virtues for a noble; a temperate noble is one who practices restraint in all things and ultimately aims to dispense justice as evenly and fairly as possible. The ability to put off ones immediate desires in order to obtain a larger goal is an amazing trait to have in the political world, and a key to the virtue of temperance. It contains the idea of prudence to judge between actions with regard to appropriate actions at a given time, and proper moderation between self-interest, versus public-interest, and against the rights and needs of others.
Gloss: Self Control, justice, honour, abstention
Charity – To be charitable is to love all equally, even those you consider your enemies or lessers. This love is the love that resides within the will, rather then in the emotions such as the love between a wife and husband. It is the ability to be willing to sacrifice oneself for others in the cause of a greater good, even people whom you have never met and shall never know.
Gloss: Will, benevolence, generosity, sacrifice
Diligence – Most likely the second most important virtue for the nobility to imbue; A dedication and careful nature on all of ones labors and actions, a strong work ethic, steadfastness in ones beliefs, fortitude, and the capability of not giving up, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Perhaps the most important ideal in diligence is that one must always conduct ones convictions at all times, especially when no one else is watching.
Gloss: Persistence, effort, ethics, rectitude
Patience – Forbearance and endurance through moderation. The ability and desire to resolve conflicts and injustice through peaceful actions rather then immediately through violence. Accepting the grace to forgive transgressions, and to show mercy to others. For the noble, this trait imbues the desire to create a sense of peaceful stability and community rather then suffering, hostility, and antagonism.
Gloss: Peace, mercy, ahimsa, sufferance
Kindness - Charity, compassion, and friendship for its own sake. Empathy and trust without prejudiced or resentment. Unselfish love and voluntary kindness without bias or spite. Remaining positive and cheerful in ones demeanor. Inspiring kindness in others.
Gloss: Satisfaction, loyalty, compassion, integrity
Humility – The strongest virtue and far and away most important for a nobles conduct befitting their station. Modest behavior, selflessness, and the giving of respect. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. It is a spirit of self-examination; a hermeneutic of suspicion toward yourself and charity toward people you disagree with. The courage of the heart necessary to undertake tasks which are difficult, tedious or unglamorous, and to graciously accept the sacrifices involved. Reverence for those who have wisdom and those who selflessly teach in love. Giving credit where credit is due; not unfairly glorifying one's own self. Being faithful to promises, no matter how big or small they may be. Refraining from despair and the ability to confront fear and uncertainty, or intimidation.
Gloss: Bravery, modesty, reverence, altruism
So we have covered what a noble is, what conduct a noble must practice, but what of the responsibilities that come with the title and holdings? Without these a noble is nothing. For no title, no holding, no name, can hold any meaning if it does not accept the responsibilities tied to these things.
The first and highest responsibility of the noble is to the liege from which his authority derives. A nobles title is granted and upheld by the crown, and so a noble acts with the full authority of the crown, and in doing so accepts also the full judgment of the crown in their failure in their duties.
A noble is expected to uphold the law within their holding, appoint officers of the peace, maintain the road networks, collect taxes, and maintain records of trade, judgments, movement, deaths, and births. It is only through their responsibility to the crown and the authority of the crown that they are given this responsibility, and the privilege they are given in exchange for this manifest in a lifestyle that does not require them to work twelve hours a day at backbreaking work.
The second responsibility is to the nobles people. Without the people of their holding, a noble is nothing, a ruler of the dead or stagnant who does nothing and contributes nothing to the greater people, the kingdom. A kingdoms people are what makes it a kingdom and not simply a piece of territory or wilderness.
The noble must endeavor to do everything they can do enhance the well being of their holding and its inhabitants. The wealth of the people translates directly into the wealth of the noble, and in turn the wealth of a kingdom. A poor person does not pay taxes as a rich person does, so it is better indeed to make as many as rich as possible, so that they may live comfortably and fully. To this end a noble should always endeavor to expand the industry and knowledge of his people, whether it is in the field, the mine, the artificer, the bank, or any other thing that may benefit his people and make them grow.
It is often said that everyone fights over the largest slice of the cake, but the truly enlightened noble endeavors instead to take a smaller slice, but make the cake as a whole bigger. In this way you obtain as much as you would have in selfishness, but everyone gains more, thus expanding the power of the kingdom.
Food, shelter, and security, in that order, are what a nobles holding should have. If any one of these fails the rest of the structure crumbles and the holding will fail.
A nobles final responsibility is to maintain order within his or her own household. A noble must be ready to field troops at the call of the crown, and in that way must in turn have armor, weapons, and men trained for battle, both militia and house guards. The noble must not squander their personal money, nor the money of the holdings, but instead use it as a way to make more money; they must invest in both business and defense, in maintenance and equipment.
As with conduct, a nobles actions set the tone for not just themselves, but t heir holdings and the entire kingdom. The more influence you have, the more are influenced. If a noble fails in any of their responsibilities, they should and will be taken to task for it by those above and below. Content men do not rebel.
One of the prime responsibilities of the noble, especially in these times with the reduced number of purple dragons, is the maintaining and training of military forces, to be called upon by the crown when needed.
To this end, the smallest holdings should at the very least be able to field a Kadrath worth of men. A Kadrath consist of a lionar that leads three companies and has a staff consisting of at least a guidon, two swordmajors holding the responsibility of drillmaster and campmaster, and if possible, two royal scouts and two battle priest.
Each Kadrath holds ninety two men, being broken further down into companies, which consist of a swordcaptain who leads two squads, a sword major, a royal scout, and a guidon. Each company is further broken down into two squads, each consisting of at least ten men led by a first sword, and containing a scout.
While technically not required until so summoned, the intelligent and wise noble will endeavor to maintain a militia with as best training as possible, and who shall exercise and practice in drill at least once every tenday. He will train them in the manner of the purple dragons, so that when they are called upon they may be useful to the crown and better keep themselves alive in the harsh reality of battle.
It is better to have these men trained and equipped ahead of time rather then scrambling in order to fulfill the need for bodies; as we learned harshly during the dragon wars, lord holdings were woefully unprepared for the realities of the battlefield.
Since access to royal scouts is limited, it is often better to instead use local hunters or other trackers in lieu of this, and teach them alongside their tracking ability, the discipline of soldiering.
Above all else, discipline must be imbued within the men no matter what station or rank they hold. Battlefield cohesiveness wins both battles and wars, and while cavalry may obtain much glory on the field, it is infantry who truly win battles, whether siege or on plain.
To that end, most nobles will field infantry kadraths of medium infantry. The three types are:
Light infantry. These are lightly armored men used mostly for skirmishing, who use their mobility to attack their enemy at a distance and then withdraw before the enemy can respond. The standard issue for the enlisted light infantryman in Cormyr consist of studded leather chest armor with hardened leather on other spots, an optional shield, a sword, and a longbow.
Some light infantry units prefer the use of a war dart or light javelin in lieu of a bow. The bow allows greater heft and range, but requires more training. The war dart is more easily used and can at the point it hits cause more devastation to a body then a longbow, but lacks the range. The war dart and javelin can also be very useful in breaking up shielded formations, as the long nature of the weapons causes the shield to become almost useless against a trained swordsman. A light javelin can also become a fearsome melee weapon if used correctly.
Ultimately the choice of armament is up to the noble lord, and should be developed with the thought of supporting purple dragon units in combat. Note that light infantry are NOT meant to replace traditional archer specialist units, but are instead meant to supplement them and use their mobility in order to head off enemy flank attacks against such units. They are also the mainstay of patrols around garrisons, as their mobility allows them to cover ground and withdraw if they encounter a superior force.
Medium infantry. Medium infantry make up the bulk of all fighting forces in Faerun, from the mercenary companies of the Sword Coast to the more professional fighting force of the purple dragons. In Cormyrs doctrine, they represent the defensive line. Standard medium infantry units wear scale mail or chain mail with shields, usually armed with a sword and halberd.
The medium infantry Kadrath is the rock on which all military strategy is built. If you are to field a kadrath or a regiment consisting of medium infantry, they must be disciplined and ready to hold the line, meaning they must be equipped befitting their duty, which is to hold the line against mass attacks by enemies. Never skimp or cut cost on equipment. It is better to have 100 trained and well equipped men then a 1000 untrained and ill-equipped ones.
It is absolutely necessary for medium infantry units be trained to withstand the massive shock of a cavalry charge. The use of the halberd as a anti-cavalry weapon is invaluable in battle.
Heavy infantry. These units consist largely of dismounted knights, and wear heavy platemail or banded mail. The standard is equipped with a shield and a sword. These are the shock troops of the strategy; their job, after the archers and skirmishers have managed to either harass the enemy to the point where they will commit, or their lines have been loosened. At that point it is the heavy infantrys job to engage the enemy and cause devastation, which allows for flanking.
Fielding heavy infantry is the most expensive of the options, and requires a massive amount of training on the part of the men to be able to do it effectively. Only the largest and wealthiest of noble holdings can afford to put out a full kadrath of heavy infantry.
Cavalry in Cormyr largely consist of light lance cavalry. The focus of cavalry in the strategy of warfare for Cormyr is that of mobility and rapid strikes; hence the lack of heavy cavalry, which role is replaced by the heavy infantry.
There is only one medium cavalry unit in the kingdom, and that is the royal cavalry regiment, on which I will spend no further time as their reputation is well known and you will not be expected to field a unit such as theirs.
In the case of large set piece battles, Cormyte cavalry acts as flankers, hitting an enemies flank with a mixture of lance and sword. Almost all cavalry troops are also equipped with a longbow, but they are not horseback bowmen; rather they will move into position on their horse, dismount, use the bow, and then remount as needed. This allows for mobility almost unheard of along the sword coast.
Generally they are attired in studded leather, and most will be riding golden trotters, Duskwood Skewbalds, or Emberhawks. Those who can afford better mounts should be allowed to use them assuming they pay for them themselves. They should be equipped with a sword and light lance at minimum, though some units will favor a sword and shield and longbow, or a sword and shield and light lance.
Remember that it is up to you, as a noble, to train and equip a unit, and be ready to be called to war at any time. The enemies of Cormyr are greedy and many, and it is your duty to keep them at bay as the crown deems necessary.
Do not rely on mercenary forces in lieu of a proper garrison or military unit. While Arabel is famous for the training of mercenaries, it exports them to the west and east. They do not stay here. One need only to look at the town of Greatgaunt in order to understand the issue of using mercenaries as a law force in a permanent manner, and the use of a 'council' versus a solid noble family holding that area.
It is often that in a holding a certain event will take place that defies the abilities of the common soldier or lord, and yet does not hold the danger that would require the involvement of the Royal Cormyr Monster Hunters.
In these cases, the hiring of a chartered adventuring party or several individual chartered adventurers is usually enough to handle the problem. If you find it goes beyond that, then it would be time to appeal to the RCMH.
Always pay your debts to the adventurers and endeavor to get them out of your hold as soon as possible after the job is complete. Be polite but firm. Adventurers bring trouble with them and the longer they stay in a location the greater the chance of something bad happening. Therefore, allow them to do the job, congratulate them, pay them the previously agreed amount, and wish them well on their way in the world. In this way you save the lives of Cormytes, both soldiers and otherwise, remove a problem, gain an ally, and move said ally far enough away that you need not worry about the aftereffects of having adventurers within your hold.
As a noble of cormyr, you lead the way in all our endeavors. You are the beacon that draws forth men from a more primal state of being. It is up to you to act in a manner that will not only improve yourself, but all of cormyr, and it is up to you to show all Cormytes how to behavior. You are the standard that the people will hold themselves too, and if you fail in your duties and obligations you will be held responsible by the people.
Loyalty to the crown, your people, and the kingdom, the embracing of the Virtues, and the improvement of the lives of all people of cormyr.
Long Live Cormyr, Long Live the Crown
The price is surprisingly cheap at only a single silver piece, and any savvy business person would realize that it's been artificially kept down
On the Conduct and Purpose of Nobles in Modern Cormyr c. 1377 DR 1352 CR
Index:
0. Dedication
1. Foreword
2. On Nobility
3. Noble Conduct
-Chastity
-Temperance
-Charity
-Diligence
-Patience
-Kindness
-Humility
4. Noble Responsibilities
5. On Military Matters
-Infantry
-Cavalry
-On the use of mercenaries
-On the use of adventurers
6. A Practical Summary
0. Dedication
Dedicated to the Steel Regent, the Crown, the Kingdom, all her people, and all the brave men and women who die in service to them all.
1. Foreword
As we begin to approach the end of the millennium, the kingdom of Cormyr sits on a razors edge. Sembia and Thay both threaten the noble nation, her armies are depleted from the brutal goblin war, and while the steel regent leads at this time the true king has not yet claimed his throne.
In this time more then ever, we must look to the nobility to lead us forward, and in this time more then ever, we have found them lacking.
Many died in the goblin war; whole swathes of the population were wiped out and as of this writing Arabel remains unrecovered though reclaimed. Much of our land is now untamed with orcs and other monstrous humanoids and creatures, and tales thought once only true in the stonelands have come south.
In this guide I hope to remind and aid the nobility in reclaiming their lost purpose and respect, so that this kingdom may continue to function in the form it always as; at the forefront of technology, warfare, social advancement, and economics.
Know that this is a general guide meant for the use of all the nobility, not any specific rank.
Hail Cormyr!
2. On Nobility
What is a noble? This basic question must be answered before any further questions may be raised.
Under the systems of Cormyr, a noble acts as an authority extension of the crown; just as the Purple Dragons act as a military extension of the crowns wishes and orders, the nobles act as an extension of the law and authority of the crown.
Each noble is entrusted with a holding and title, and in exchange they are held responsible for these holdings and the people within, both in their conduct and safety, and though the responsibilities may be lesser or greater depending on ones rank, there is a core of both conduct and responsibility that all nobility must share.
3. Noble Conduct
Key to the conduct of the nobility within Cormyrs borders has been and should be the practice of the seven heavenly virtues. Any noble who wishes to remain worthy of their title must conduct themselves in a manner befitting a member of their station, and the chief among these manners are the seven heavenly virtues.
Originally penned by philosophers and priest, they are as follows.
- Chastity
- Temperance
- Charity
- Diligence
- Patience
- Kindness
- Humility
While each is important in and of itself, it is only through a combination of all these virtues that men can hope to achieve something closer to perfection; and being nobles, it is a responsibility of their office to cling much closer to these then the average man.
For being a noble means that the entire realm looks to you as a guide and measuring stick for behavior. If a lord is drunken, why should not his people be? If he is lustful, why should not the men below him be? Nobles must hold themselves to a higher standard because they are considered to be a higher standard.
The following is a helpful guide to what each of these virtues truly mean for the modern noble; endeavor always to strive towards perfection, for it benefits not only yourself but your kingdom and your people.
Remember that it requires all the parts of a thing to make a whole of a thing, though since we are human we often fail in this regard, hence why we 'practice' the virtues and do not claim to live them.
While all of these virtues are necessary to truly be noble, it is almost impossible for any one man to achieve in himself all of them; instead, endeavor to achieve as many of them as you possibly can, and push yourself every day to achieve more of their scope.
As the nobles go, so do the common people, and the kingdom itself. A kingdom imbued with these virtues shall be the most powerful in the world, and it is only through the conduct of the nobles in such a manner that allows the kingdom to achieve this perfection.
Also, keep in mind that the pursuance of any virtue to an extreme can rapidly result in it becoming a vice; always remember temperance, even in these matters.
Chastity – Not to be confused with celibacy, which is the state of being both unmarried and not having sexual congress. Chastity is instead the rejection of base sexuality in favor of a higher form of sexuality. Courtly love and romantic friendship both fall under this virtue, as well as the idea of cleanliness through cultivated good health (such as exercise) and hygiene (bathing), and moderation in consumption of intoxicants such as alcohol. To be honest is to be chaste, both to ones friends and family and strangers. The best way to achieve all these things is through education. The practice of chastity is also heavily influenced by the ability to refrain from being distracted and influenced by hostility, temptation, and corruption. A noble will not rise to a challenge meant to draw him into a compromising position; he will not be tempted by the pleasures of the flesh in an unseemly manner; and he will not accept bribery or extortion or blackmail under his reign.
Gloss: Purity, knowledge, honesty, wisdom
Temperance – One of the most important virtues for a noble; a temperate noble is one who practices restraint in all things and ultimately aims to dispense justice as evenly and fairly as possible. The ability to put off ones immediate desires in order to obtain a larger goal is an amazing trait to have in the political world, and a key to the virtue of temperance. It contains the idea of prudence to judge between actions with regard to appropriate actions at a given time, and proper moderation between self-interest, versus public-interest, and against the rights and needs of others.
Gloss: Self Control, justice, honour, abstention
Charity – To be charitable is to love all equally, even those you consider your enemies or lessers. This love is the love that resides within the will, rather then in the emotions such as the love between a wife and husband. It is the ability to be willing to sacrifice oneself for others in the cause of a greater good, even people whom you have never met and shall never know.
Gloss: Will, benevolence, generosity, sacrifice
Diligence – Most likely the second most important virtue for the nobility to imbue; A dedication and careful nature on all of ones labors and actions, a strong work ethic, steadfastness in ones beliefs, fortitude, and the capability of not giving up, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Perhaps the most important ideal in diligence is that one must always conduct ones convictions at all times, especially when no one else is watching.
Gloss: Persistence, effort, ethics, rectitude
Patience – Forbearance and endurance through moderation. The ability and desire to resolve conflicts and injustice through peaceful actions rather then immediately through violence. Accepting the grace to forgive transgressions, and to show mercy to others. For the noble, this trait imbues the desire to create a sense of peaceful stability and community rather then suffering, hostility, and antagonism.
Gloss: Peace, mercy, ahimsa, sufferance
Kindness - Charity, compassion, and friendship for its own sake. Empathy and trust without prejudiced or resentment. Unselfish love and voluntary kindness without bias or spite. Remaining positive and cheerful in ones demeanor. Inspiring kindness in others.
Gloss: Satisfaction, loyalty, compassion, integrity
Humility – The strongest virtue and far and away most important for a nobles conduct befitting their station. Modest behavior, selflessness, and the giving of respect. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. It is a spirit of self-examination; a hermeneutic of suspicion toward yourself and charity toward people you disagree with. The courage of the heart necessary to undertake tasks which are difficult, tedious or unglamorous, and to graciously accept the sacrifices involved. Reverence for those who have wisdom and those who selflessly teach in love. Giving credit where credit is due; not unfairly glorifying one's own self. Being faithful to promises, no matter how big or small they may be. Refraining from despair and the ability to confront fear and uncertainty, or intimidation.
Gloss: Bravery, modesty, reverence, altruism
4. Noble Responsibilities
So we have covered what a noble is, what conduct a noble must practice, but what of the responsibilities that come with the title and holdings? Without these a noble is nothing. For no title, no holding, no name, can hold any meaning if it does not accept the responsibilities tied to these things.
The first and highest responsibility of the noble is to the liege from which his authority derives. A nobles title is granted and upheld by the crown, and so a noble acts with the full authority of the crown, and in doing so accepts also the full judgment of the crown in their failure in their duties.
A noble is expected to uphold the law within their holding, appoint officers of the peace, maintain the road networks, collect taxes, and maintain records of trade, judgments, movement, deaths, and births. It is only through their responsibility to the crown and the authority of the crown that they are given this responsibility, and the privilege they are given in exchange for this manifest in a lifestyle that does not require them to work twelve hours a day at backbreaking work.
The second responsibility is to the nobles people. Without the people of their holding, a noble is nothing, a ruler of the dead or stagnant who does nothing and contributes nothing to the greater people, the kingdom. A kingdoms people are what makes it a kingdom and not simply a piece of territory or wilderness.
The noble must endeavor to do everything they can do enhance the well being of their holding and its inhabitants. The wealth of the people translates directly into the wealth of the noble, and in turn the wealth of a kingdom. A poor person does not pay taxes as a rich person does, so it is better indeed to make as many as rich as possible, so that they may live comfortably and fully. To this end a noble should always endeavor to expand the industry and knowledge of his people, whether it is in the field, the mine, the artificer, the bank, or any other thing that may benefit his people and make them grow.
It is often said that everyone fights over the largest slice of the cake, but the truly enlightened noble endeavors instead to take a smaller slice, but make the cake as a whole bigger. In this way you obtain as much as you would have in selfishness, but everyone gains more, thus expanding the power of the kingdom.
Food, shelter, and security, in that order, are what a nobles holding should have. If any one of these fails the rest of the structure crumbles and the holding will fail.
A nobles final responsibility is to maintain order within his or her own household. A noble must be ready to field troops at the call of the crown, and in that way must in turn have armor, weapons, and men trained for battle, both militia and house guards. The noble must not squander their personal money, nor the money of the holdings, but instead use it as a way to make more money; they must invest in both business and defense, in maintenance and equipment.
As with conduct, a nobles actions set the tone for not just themselves, but t heir holdings and the entire kingdom. The more influence you have, the more are influenced. If a noble fails in any of their responsibilities, they should and will be taken to task for it by those above and below. Content men do not rebel.
5. On Military Matters
One of the prime responsibilities of the noble, especially in these times with the reduced number of purple dragons, is the maintaining and training of military forces, to be called upon by the crown when needed.
To this end, the smallest holdings should at the very least be able to field a Kadrath worth of men. A Kadrath consist of a lionar that leads three companies and has a staff consisting of at least a guidon, two swordmajors holding the responsibility of drillmaster and campmaster, and if possible, two royal scouts and two battle priest.
Each Kadrath holds ninety two men, being broken further down into companies, which consist of a swordcaptain who leads two squads, a sword major, a royal scout, and a guidon. Each company is further broken down into two squads, each consisting of at least ten men led by a first sword, and containing a scout.
While technically not required until so summoned, the intelligent and wise noble will endeavor to maintain a militia with as best training as possible, and who shall exercise and practice in drill at least once every tenday. He will train them in the manner of the purple dragons, so that when they are called upon they may be useful to the crown and better keep themselves alive in the harsh reality of battle.
It is better to have these men trained and equipped ahead of time rather then scrambling in order to fulfill the need for bodies; as we learned harshly during the dragon wars, lord holdings were woefully unprepared for the realities of the battlefield.
Since access to royal scouts is limited, it is often better to instead use local hunters or other trackers in lieu of this, and teach them alongside their tracking ability, the discipline of soldiering.
Above all else, discipline must be imbued within the men no matter what station or rank they hold. Battlefield cohesiveness wins both battles and wars, and while cavalry may obtain much glory on the field, it is infantry who truly win battles, whether siege or on plain.
To that end, most nobles will field infantry kadraths of medium infantry. The three types are:
Light infantry. These are lightly armored men used mostly for skirmishing, who use their mobility to attack their enemy at a distance and then withdraw before the enemy can respond. The standard issue for the enlisted light infantryman in Cormyr consist of studded leather chest armor with hardened leather on other spots, an optional shield, a sword, and a longbow.
Some light infantry units prefer the use of a war dart or light javelin in lieu of a bow. The bow allows greater heft and range, but requires more training. The war dart is more easily used and can at the point it hits cause more devastation to a body then a longbow, but lacks the range. The war dart and javelin can also be very useful in breaking up shielded formations, as the long nature of the weapons causes the shield to become almost useless against a trained swordsman. A light javelin can also become a fearsome melee weapon if used correctly.
Ultimately the choice of armament is up to the noble lord, and should be developed with the thought of supporting purple dragon units in combat. Note that light infantry are NOT meant to replace traditional archer specialist units, but are instead meant to supplement them and use their mobility in order to head off enemy flank attacks against such units. They are also the mainstay of patrols around garrisons, as their mobility allows them to cover ground and withdraw if they encounter a superior force.
Medium infantry. Medium infantry make up the bulk of all fighting forces in Faerun, from the mercenary companies of the Sword Coast to the more professional fighting force of the purple dragons. In Cormyrs doctrine, they represent the defensive line. Standard medium infantry units wear scale mail or chain mail with shields, usually armed with a sword and halberd.
The medium infantry Kadrath is the rock on which all military strategy is built. If you are to field a kadrath or a regiment consisting of medium infantry, they must be disciplined and ready to hold the line, meaning they must be equipped befitting their duty, which is to hold the line against mass attacks by enemies. Never skimp or cut cost on equipment. It is better to have 100 trained and well equipped men then a 1000 untrained and ill-equipped ones.
It is absolutely necessary for medium infantry units be trained to withstand the massive shock of a cavalry charge. The use of the halberd as a anti-cavalry weapon is invaluable in battle.
Heavy infantry. These units consist largely of dismounted knights, and wear heavy platemail or banded mail. The standard is equipped with a shield and a sword. These are the shock troops of the strategy; their job, after the archers and skirmishers have managed to either harass the enemy to the point where they will commit, or their lines have been loosened. At that point it is the heavy infantrys job to engage the enemy and cause devastation, which allows for flanking.
Fielding heavy infantry is the most expensive of the options, and requires a massive amount of training on the part of the men to be able to do it effectively. Only the largest and wealthiest of noble holdings can afford to put out a full kadrath of heavy infantry.
Cavalry
Cavalry in Cormyr largely consist of light lance cavalry. The focus of cavalry in the strategy of warfare for Cormyr is that of mobility and rapid strikes; hence the lack of heavy cavalry, which role is replaced by the heavy infantry.
There is only one medium cavalry unit in the kingdom, and that is the royal cavalry regiment, on which I will spend no further time as their reputation is well known and you will not be expected to field a unit such as theirs.
In the case of large set piece battles, Cormyte cavalry acts as flankers, hitting an enemies flank with a mixture of lance and sword. Almost all cavalry troops are also equipped with a longbow, but they are not horseback bowmen; rather they will move into position on their horse, dismount, use the bow, and then remount as needed. This allows for mobility almost unheard of along the sword coast.
Generally they are attired in studded leather, and most will be riding golden trotters, Duskwood Skewbalds, or Emberhawks. Those who can afford better mounts should be allowed to use them assuming they pay for them themselves. They should be equipped with a sword and light lance at minimum, though some units will favor a sword and shield and longbow, or a sword and shield and light lance.
Remember that it is up to you, as a noble, to train and equip a unit, and be ready to be called to war at any time. The enemies of Cormyr are greedy and many, and it is your duty to keep them at bay as the crown deems necessary.
On the use of Mercenaries
Do not rely on mercenary forces in lieu of a proper garrison or military unit. While Arabel is famous for the training of mercenaries, it exports them to the west and east. They do not stay here. One need only to look at the town of Greatgaunt in order to understand the issue of using mercenaries as a law force in a permanent manner, and the use of a 'council' versus a solid noble family holding that area.
On the use of Adventurers
It is often that in a holding a certain event will take place that defies the abilities of the common soldier or lord, and yet does not hold the danger that would require the involvement of the Royal Cormyr Monster Hunters.
In these cases, the hiring of a chartered adventuring party or several individual chartered adventurers is usually enough to handle the problem. If you find it goes beyond that, then it would be time to appeal to the RCMH.
Always pay your debts to the adventurers and endeavor to get them out of your hold as soon as possible after the job is complete. Be polite but firm. Adventurers bring trouble with them and the longer they stay in a location the greater the chance of something bad happening. Therefore, allow them to do the job, congratulate them, pay them the previously agreed amount, and wish them well on their way in the world. In this way you save the lives of Cormytes, both soldiers and otherwise, remove a problem, gain an ally, and move said ally far enough away that you need not worry about the aftereffects of having adventurers within your hold.
A Summary
As a noble of cormyr, you lead the way in all our endeavors. You are the beacon that draws forth men from a more primal state of being. It is up to you to act in a manner that will not only improve yourself, but all of cormyr, and it is up to you to show all Cormytes how to behavior. You are the standard that the people will hold themselves too, and if you fail in your duties and obligations you will be held responsible by the people.
Loyalty to the crown, your people, and the kingdom, the embracing of the Virtues, and the improvement of the lives of all people of cormyr.
Long Live Cormyr, Long Live the Crown