Introduction:
In an effort to get an edge against being both outnumbered by a significantly large margin, and fighting on unknown terrain, as well as a plethora of other disadvantages. Astrian, along with Tei'hi and Lui-eya devised a set of military reforms.
These reforms take a full focus on using magic to the army's advantage, as well as using hit-and-run skirmishing tactics to soften up the enemy force for an all-out attack. It also takes a huge focus on the deception aspect of warfare, whereby they would use spies and saboteurs to place their advantage upon the enemy.
Introduction to magic:
Magic, as thought by Lui-eya to the soldiers, is a not so complicated subject. Firstly, one has to realize that mana, that which forms the elements, is naturally omnipresent but they are more present in leylines that stretch all around the continent. The path that they took six months ago before getting ambushed was laid on top of a leyline, giving Lui-eya a massive boost on mana.
The limiting factor of these is the fact that all form of elemental manipulation has a select range depending on the skill of the user. With the most powerful that Lui-eya has seen stretching in an area of 20 square kilometers. Another thing lies in the user's capabilities in using a certain element. An example would be the army'selite fire-force. They're pretty much capable of destruction with their usage of fire, but they are very incapable of using other forms of magic such as protection or ice.
As such, soldiers are trained in different ways depending on the role they are most suited for.
Equipment:
The most vital piece of equipment in a witch-soldier's equipment is their weapon. The weapons from each of the roles vary, but the general idea is that they are made to extend the range and capabilities of a user without the need for extensive training. Equipment such as staves and containers for condensed mana which could then be used as bombs are a prime example.
Next would be their armor. They vary between each role, with the ground forces using more mobile armor pieces as they don't have much need of it following their capabilities with protection and hardening magic. Or the raid bombing group needing more lighter armor to compensate for their aerial capabilities and at the same time addressing the issue of arrows being fired towards them. This and many more in the later section pertaining each role.
One may ask, what about the non-magical combatant's equipment? And to address that, you may look into the details about the Nydoan imperial army. As the equipment they used there does not vary from the equipment they used here. Simply put, soldiers that did not partake in the usage of magical warfare are still using their old equipment and are still being commanded by Tei'hi. Although by the time of these reforms took place, the witch-soldiers counted to 3,000 strong soldiers compared to Tei'hi's 1,000.
Roles:
The first role we get to look at and, in Astrian's opinion, the most vital, is the aerial strike force. Also known as the raid bombing group, it is 10 groups of 50 whose mission involves not only aerial preemptive bombing strikes, but also aerial reconnaissance, hit and run tactics, and generally supporting the ground forces through smokescreens or other ways.
Their equipment consists mostly of three main things, their vehicle which, using air manipulation, could float and fly, serves as one of their most important pieces. As it is not standardized, it could be anything, from brooms to tables. So long as it gets the job done under the skill of the pilot, it is alright.
The second would be their defensive equipment, as mentioned earlier, they wear lighter armor as per weight concerns. But even then they still wear some to protect them from potential arrow fire.
And the third would be their bomb canisters. These canisters can carry in them condensed mana, which could be manipulated in such a way that their yield is stronger than the average magic. These condensed mana canisters are the most vital piece of equipment in the entire army and would either make or break a battle with their capabilities.
The second role is the ground units. They specialize in protection and hardening magic and are the tanks in the forefront of the battle. They are the largest force, totaling 2,000 from Astrian's 3,000. This is due to the fact that it was still a number's game, and that protection and hardening magic is much easier to teach and be great at than other such forms of magic.
But even so, they were thought to learn lesser forms of elements. As such they could cast basic spells using other elements. Such as using fire and ice, etc. But seeing as they are less skilled in the craft, they were deemed inferior to using swords and spears and rushing down the enemy.
Because of their capabilities in both protection and hardening, they need little armor as it would be highly redundant. As such they can be also very mobile groups, only limited by their stamina. Their weapons, their swords and spears are regular ironworks, although they could use their hardening magic to make it a bit more durable.
The third and last role is the 500-strong elite group. These are the troops extensively trained by Lui-eya to partake in a variety of missions that are more high-profile than regular battles. Such as assassination ploys, escorts, or generally messing on the headquarters of the enemy. They are trained to specialize in a variety of elements such as the aforementioned hardening magic, as well as fire, ice, lightning, and for one member, time. Only to be used under a period of near collapse.
Their equipment is hand-made specifically by Lui-eya and 13 other magical researchers such that they are perfectly capable in a variety of field usage. Their armor is also the same, being more effective in line with hardening magic.
Unit Formations:
As mentioned earlier, the first role, which is the raid bombing group, is separated into 10 groups of 50 units. This general idea comes true for the others, with the ground force being separated into 10 groups of 100 with at least one raid bombing group escorting them at all times. This is to ensure the speed at which captures can take place. As well as the general idea of encircling an enemy force.
As for the elite group, their versatility allows them to take on either larger groups of 100 or smaller groups of 10, but on average they retain the medium-sized group of 50 units at all times. The general idea of speed is still present. As moving larger armies is significantly harder than moving a separated bunch of smaller armies.
And thus conclude the paper discussing the Astrian reforms. Although basic, it covers the essentials that will be present in the following stories. As for the lesser talked-about aspect which is logistics. Maybe soon. I shall get them ready eventually.
- Titus, historian of the Arcadian Empire