Tandisch Army

*Part of Armies of Juhnvechteya*

In Tanderland, armies are professional in nature, recruited for the campaign in question, before being released from service. They are comprised primarily of career soldiers, organized very differently from the armies of the states surrounding.

### Organization

The lowest level of organization is the individual soldier. Above him is the Swekdeset, a host of 20 men organized into a fighting unit. It is led by a Swekdesetdovor, a Captain of Twenty. It is considered the smallest effective fighting unit.

Five of these Swekdesetan make up a Stov, comprised of a hundred men. Led by a Stovdovor, a “captain of a hundred”, it is considered the smallest size for a group of men to be considered a true company, and is the smallest force which can effectively operate independently of the main bulk of the army, having its own specialist craftsmen to support the unit, as well as enough wagons and horses to carry their supplies.

Above the Stov is the Stovan, comprising 10 Stov. Led by a Gorsdovor, or “great captain”, the Stovan is the largest body of soldiers employed by the Duke of Tanderland. Each Stovan is capable of independent operation, and has within it battalions of specialists such as engineers, pioneers and more. It also contains enough wagons to maintain long supply lines.

The Gorsdovor reports to the Count Marshall of the campaign, who then reports directly to the Duke. Under this system, each man reports to and issues orders to no more than 20, and there is only 6 rungs of the ladder of communication, ensuring swift transfer of knowledge up and down the ranks, and allows for tactical flexibility in combat.

### Supply Train

In addition, the recent reforms of Willem of Muntz has seen the army turn from large wagons to small oxcarts to carry their supplies, allowing them to move down smaller roads and outmaneuver their enemies strategically, who are bound to the large thoroughfares which can support their heavy wagons.

The oxcarts used are small, single-item carts, no different from common haycarts. Each is dedicated to hauling a single type of item, from food to tents to fodder for the oxen that pull it. These carts are light enough that they can be pulled along nearly any track through the countryside, bypassing the roads to which armies are typically bound.

Before the supply convoys typically march bands of pioneers, who are equipped with axes, billhooks, hatchets and other such weapons. The pioneers clear obstacles from the roads and prepare the way for the caravan, as well as scouting ahead for ambushers who would target the train.

### Mustering

When the Duke prepares for war, he sends an appointed official, titled the Commissioners of the Mustering, to the various cities, towns and villages of the country. There, the commissioner will array all men willing to fight, as well as those whose duty demands it, and view their equipment and their skills. For instance, a footman must supply a sword, shield, polearm and a jacket. while an archer must provide a bow or crossbow, 20 arrows, and sidearm.

From that point, the arrayed men must commute to the muster-point designated by the Duke, and there the rest of their supplies shall be bestowed unto them. The various Swekdeset are formed and arrayed into companies, regardless of to whom the soldier may owe fealty to. For instance, the retinue supplied by a knight will be divided into the host which their skills best suit, and they will be placed under the respective commander of that host, rather than the knight who brought them.

Once all the men have been arrayed and brought to the muster point, the army will march to war.