Driran Kingdom: Military

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The Driran Kingdom's focus is toward reconstruction; however, due to the tensions to the south, the military cannot be ignored. The small yet sturdy navy stands proud, and the army makes up for its lack of discipline with quickness, precision, and unconventional tactics. The professional navy, inherited from Dragonsong during the division, lays anchored in Fort Kilm and is under the command of Admiral Strabo Memnon. The navy's mission is to patrol local waters, keep shipping and fishing lanes open, and provide escort to trading ships that come from foreign lands. The fleet is composed of ships of the line, chase frigates, clippers and supply ships built primarily in Driran, and the crew, mostly human, which is seasoned and known for their discipline. Former fishermen and veteran seamen form the bulk of the navy, which draws its hulls and masts from the abundant supply just outside of Fort Kilm; a lively dry dock that produces not only the fleets ships but also high-quality fishing boats. The navy's current relationship with their southern neighbor is relaxed compared to the army's because Dragonsong's fleet is many times weaker. This allows Driran to manage to do at sea what cannot be done on land'peacefully coexist with its neighbor.

The army, led by General Teucer Tros and based primarily in Eastern Gate, gives preference to light and medium troops, including a large number of bowmen. This gives the general the flexibility he needs for his preferred tactic: guerrilla strikes. The bulk of the army is divided into small platoons. Strong leadership only appears at groupings of 10 or more platoons; this allows larger areas to be covered with fewer men but with a cost to discipline. Hardened, heavier, and disciplined troops, a tradition kept from the old Dominion, are also part of the corps with heavy armor, large round shields, helms, and pole arms, but their numbers are much smaller compared to the lighter divisions.

The frontier is kept mainly by the light troops as most of it lies within the border forest, while the heavy companies hold opposite their Dragonsong counterparts on the eastern fields, which are miles up the road from Eastspirit Fort. The woodland corps' lack of discipline has led to skirmishes as they wander into enemy territory to seek excitement or just to harass and goad their adversaries. This is strictly against the official Driran policy because it results in political embarrassments for the Regina, but she seems reluctant to take any firm action against them.

Driran's army consists of 8,000 troops, with 70% in the lighter corps (30% archers, 20% light infantry, and 20% medium infantry) and 30% in the heavy corps. A general call to arms can gather 2,000 more troops, mostly for the lighter divisions. The navy consists of 5,000 worthy seamen and naval engineers.