Trînasti Free Army

*Part of Armies of Juhnvechteya*

The Trînasti Free Army is a large contingent of semi-professional mercenaries which operates on the coast of Joraje during the War of Joran Succession. Originally funded by Sāltu Trînasti, the Trînasti were founded using his resources and extant private army and naval forces, which he used to train new soldiers. After his death, the Trînasti joined Albrecht’s service directly.

The force, while not as professional or disciplined as the White Regiment, is still a potent force. Comprising some 5,000 soldiers at the time of Sāltu Trînasti’s death, is composed of well-disciplined soldiers drawn from the footpads and bandits of the region, morphed into a professional fighting force by the Early-Comers Free Company, hired by Sāltu Trînasti for that purpose. With the death of their employer in early 615, a significant number of soldiers would desert, but over 3,000 would remain, expecting that Albrecht of Taepe would hire them should they prove themselves.

At the Battle of Biswald, near Hôrza, the remaining Trînasti, led by Ignák Bēržinaš, would fight off the small Amastrii force led by Duke Gerneko of the Estreve, in service to Duke Johann an Taepe of Stribrna Joraje. While taking heavy casualties, the Trînasti would force the Johannist army to march south along the coast and through Tanderland, rather than using the Pass of Zelky to enter Karred directly. The Trînasti would then march south themselves, trusting the security of the Pass to the great castle at Kostravald, whereupon they would link with the White Army in Summer of 615. They would be integrated into the command structure of the White Regiment, though would remain an independent unit for the duration of their existence.

The Trînasti are equipped in the best armor and weapons available in Juhnvechteya, with half-plate being quite common among their ranks, and heavy crossbows abounding. That said, melee weapons are highly varied among them, ranging from poleaxes to grain-threshers to pikes.

The Trînasti have few horsemen; only about 500 mounted warriors among them, though they have access to many draft horses and oxen. The Trînasti employ this excess of pack animals to pull large quantities of wagons, which are often modified with the addition of wood or even iron armor. Similar to the ancient tactics of Herzent an Taepe, when engaging in battle, the Trînasti will circle these wagons and lash them with chains, creating a Wagenbaurg.

The Mobile fortress will then be manned by the Trînasti, who will use the wagons to shoot large quantities of bolts and darts with immunity to heavy cavalry and most other skirmishers. The wagons also provide protection from infantry, who must assault the wagenbaurg as though it were a castle. The wagenbaurg allows the Trînasti to dominate the battlefield and employ defensive tactics from static positions immune to flanking attacks.

The wagons do not only allow for defense, however. As shown at the Battle of Valy, the wagons can be used as a form of heavy shock cavalry, used to smash through enemy formations, while infantry and skirmishes in the wagon’s hold loose hundreds of darts into the disorganized enemies.