Nirvan Military Reforms

Over the course of their history, the Nirvan Republic and Kingdom of Nirva have had many different Military Reforms in order to update and evolve their army in order to deal with various enemies. It is so entrenched in their culture that if they are to lose a battle they will heavily research why and learn how they can avoid it again, making them incredibly adaptable.

## Phalanx

The Phalanx was the original military formation and tactic by the Kingdom of Nirva. It allowed them to defeat the unorganised tribes around them, slaughtering them when they came closer.

To describe the phalanx is difficult, with the best description being a clumped square of individuals all with spears facing forward. When in melee combat, a phalanx is like a rock, pushing back almost any enemy formation unless they are also a phalanx.

Though it had problems, the phalanx were very slow and could not fight on both sides. To stop the problems, spearmen were added to the sides in a loose formation so that they could fight much easier and at all sides.

## Octan Reforms

When the Lorenzen War began in **392PR** with the raiding of Nirvan land, the Nirvan military was quickly showing a lacking ability to gain early victories. King Octan at the time decided that it was time to change their tactics in order to stop the Kingdom being overrun.

These reforms have been called the Octan Reforms.

The Octan Reforms address two key issues that were facing the Nirvan Phalanxes and the Lorenzens:

1. The enemy had good mobility.
2. The enemy had a strong ranged contingent.

### Maniple

The Maniple Reform was one of the biggest reforms to the infantry itself. It stopped using the reliance on the Phalanx and instead changed it to the use of swords and shields instead. The infantry were split into 3 groups, giving the commanders further ability to separate and use them in a way they deemed fit.

#### Hastati

The Hastati are the young and inexperienced soldiers. They are equipped with two javelins to deal with a moving enemy, giving them a little bit of range and the ability to severely damage and disorientate a charging enemy with a single volley.

#### Principes

The Principes are the older and veteran soldiers that were once Hastati. They have the same equipment, just usually better (due to their own purchase) and can be used in the same way as they were previously, just with added reliability.

#### Triarii

The Triarii (Tree-Ar-E-I) are the oldest and the most experienced troops in the Nirvan Military. Rather than holding onto the sword and shield, they are spearman, though are deadly accurate with it. These troops are used as a final card for a commander.

### Second Problem

To deal with the second problem, the Nirvans understood that they would need to develop their own ranged ability and a cavalry unit that could reach them for melee.

#### Equites

The Equites are the cavalry of the Nirvan military. They are made up of the rich individuals in their society that could afford the training with the horse before their training with the military. Thus, they made expert cavalry for the Nirvans to use. Experienced soldiers were also able to become Equite if both they and the commander were willing.

For equipment, they have a long spear that hangs out in front of them, along with a bit of armour on their horse as well. Though, they are used mainly as light cavalry, built to fight the enemy cavalry or to hit the enemy from the side.

Most of the other cavalry is made up of Auxiliaries in current day.

#### Sagittarii

The Sagittarii are the skirmishers or ranged units of the Nirvan Military. Using either slings or bows, they were made in response to the Lorenzen ranged units, hitting their soldiers from range while also being able to run around the enemy and hit their archers directly.

They are not normal archers, being trained in the use of the bow, sling and javelin, while also gaining a small amount of melee training. Their main use is instead their mobility, being lightly armoured, they can run to the enemy flanks and send a volley on them, or reach the enemy archers and fight in both ranged and melee combat.

## Calenus Reforms

Vibius Calenus is mainly known for his military command in the Nirvan Republic, with notable accomplishments in leading in the Arenian Campaign, Thurim War and the Second Lorenzen War. Though the idea for the reforms came to him in the Battle of Thurnik Hold, when he saw the difficulty placed on the Thurim commanders when leading such a large force. Knowing that the Nirvans would eventually need to field such a force, he wanted to create a command structure to avoid the problem. When he became Consul in **489PR**, he implemented these changes.

Thus, the legislation and reforms focus was on creating an easy and effective command structure that could be implemented into the already used army. When discussing the legislation he discovered other problems that he made a bid to fix as well.

### Command Structure

#### Decanus (Contubernium)

A Decanus is a leader of a group of 8 soldiers called the Contubernium. This is the smallest group within a legion, building a close bond by eating and drinking together. To help the contubernium they are given a single pack animal that they had to share, along with two slaves to aid them when needed. The Decanus is selected from the group, by the group.

#### Centurion and Optio (Century)

A Centurion leads 10 Contubernia, or 80 men. A Century contains their own culture, having their own standard, tradition and friendly rivalry with other centuries. The Centurion who leads the men is promoted to the position by their superiors, while their second in command, the Optio, was chosen by the Centurion. The Optio is given the tasks of training the men and keeping the discipline. In battle, the Centurion leads from the front while the Optio leads from the back, taking control if the Centurion dies.

#### Cohort Centurion (Cohort)

A Cohort Centurion leads 6 Centuries, or 480 men. There are 10 cohorts in every legion, being the smallest number of men that a general individually commands. Like a century, each cohort has their own unique trumpet call and tradition.

The leader of the Cohort, named a Cohort Centurion, is the most experienced of the Centurions, the rest acting as advisors when not commanding over their own century.

#### Camp Prefect

The Camp Prefect is the 3rd in command of the legion, a former Cohort Centurion, usually leading the most experienced and prestigious cohort in the legion. They have years of experience under their belt and are heavily respected. Though they have high respect and influence, their job is essentially a quartermaster, in charge of the construction of forts and the supplies of the legion. The position is chosen by command, remaining in that position until retirement.

#### Military Tribune

In a legion there are 6 military tribunes. Of the 6 there are two types, 5 are called thin striped, essentially acting as personal assistants to the Legate, only there for training and lacking in responsibility and influence.

The other time is the thick striped, they are the second-in-command of the legion, elected separately. If the Legate is occupied, they have the power to lead the legion.

This position was already in the Nirvan military but was assigned to the general, having 10 military tribunes instead of 6 under a Legate.

#### Legate (Legion)

The Legate was a position already in the Nirvan army but was seen more as an officer, not the direct leader of a legion. The changes Vibius made meant that they lead the legion, and are a Senator appointed by the Senate. Under a general, they act as an advisor, otherwise they command their own soldiers independently. It is a lucrative position as they receive a share of the rewards at the end of the campaign.

### Removal of the Maniple System

With the legions being organised, the Maniple system was no longer needed for the Nirvans. Now, they were all simply equipped similarly to a Principe, with the terms only being used when describing the experience of the legion.

For the current triarii this meant a small amount of grumbling, while they lost their prestigious position it meant that they could join the fight a lot more, something they desperately wanted after sitting out of so many battles.

### Professionalising the Nirvan Armies

Another problem addressed by Vibius was that the armies weren’t professional, meaning they just as quickly disbanded as they were formed. A solution was professionalising the Nirvan Armies, meaning that soldiers would serve a 10 year term in the military, having their equipment paid for by the Senate and given a wage and reward at the end of their service.

This fixed a lot of problems that the Nirvan Republic currently had, stopping the strain on their manpower during the campaign season, reducing the confusion of how many troops were out on the field and giving control to the Senate about how many legions were out at once.