Military Potential of Realistic Westeros

[Aldarion]

Military Potential of Realistic Westeros

Westeros is not exactly a well-designed and realistic example of fantasy worldbuilding on any level. While far superior in every aspect to trainwreck that is Essos, it still has major issues. But o…

warfantasy.wordpress.com

Westeros is not exactly a well-designed and realistic example of fantasy worldbuilding on any level. While far superior in every aspect to trainwreck that is Essos, it still has major issues. But one major issue I have to adress here is demography and military potential.

Now, let us be clear: there is a difference between military power and military potential. Medieval feudal societies, for one reason or another, almost never actually mobilized their full theoretical military power.

*****

TL;DR, Martin has no knowledge about actual historical warfare, and his "realistic" approach to fantasy results in something that is far inferior to its historical equivalents in every way imaginable.

 

[ThinkerX]

That was a lot of work.
I am almost tempted to ask for a similar breakdown of the quasi-Roman Solarian Empire in my books.

 

[Aldarion]

That was a lot of work.
I am almost tempted to ask for a similar breakdown of the quasi-Roman Solarian Empire in my books.

Well, if you have data, why not? At least, when I catch time.

 

[ThinkerX]

I might revamp my old notes sometime.

The Solarian Empire is a 'Restored Roman Empire.' The closest historical equivalent would be if Charlemagne had reunited the Roman Empire instead of what happened. There are regions that vaguely resemble ancient Egypt (Kheff), Greece (Carbone), the Heartland (Roman Countryside), Celtic lands (Avar), and others. There are quasi-independent cities. Tech ranges from savages with swords to provinces with knowledge and tech roughly on a par with the mid 19th century. Of special note - Niteroi, a giant traditionalist slave state; Equitant, a semi-isolated northerly province noted for its extremely innovative artisans; Kitrin, a vaguely middle eastern autocracy made into a rebellious vassal state; Marfak, a vassal state noted for its horsemen descended from nomadic invaders); and Sancti Isle, the overpopulated Church stronghold.

Social strife between the old 'manpower' (slave) provinces and those with emerging technology is a major driver - the former managed to keep the later 'confined' for a long while, but then the Traag War happened, and the emperors got desperate.

There are four or five cities with populations of about a million - which drain everything within a hundred miles to support themselves. There is also about a dozen other cities with population well over 500,000.

The core of the empire is roughly 1200-1500 miles north-south, by about 2500 miles east-west. A central sea, the mare imperium, dominates the center - about 600-800 miles north-south by about 1800 miles east-west. Total population is 35-40 million.

Nonhumans: the most common are the dwarves - short humans (generally under 4-feet tall, but with longer lifespans (150+ years) innate resistance to disease and poison, and a knack for craftsmanship. While not great warriors, they do serve in the legions as immunes (artisans). The long-conquered goblins are another group. While humanoid, these short green-skinned creatures are aliens - they are hatched, not born, and males outnumber females by 100 to 1. They are a permanent underclass, not allowed to serve in the military. Elfland (Sinaliel) abuts the Empire. Small enclaves of elves are present in places, but elves are viewed with suspicion at best. As their remote ancestors were human, they can interbreed with humans and there rea few half-elf's running around. All elves and half elves have PSI (Magic).

Noteworthy but not in the empire: Hobgoblins - supersized militant goblins, and rachasa (near feral cat-people, far stronger and quicker than humans, and extremely dangerous) Traag recruited large numbers of these races into their army.


The relevant widespread tech was the centuries old network of signal (semaphore) towers that crisscrossed the empire, and bicycles, introduced in the Traag War. Bicycles gave the troops unprecedented mobility. Blasting powder was introduced at the end of the war.

The core of the military is the old Roman legion model - 10 legions, each with 10 Cohorts of 1000 mem each or 10,000 total. Yes, that is double the size of the old Roman legions.) If need be, the legions can be 'twinned' in short order. A legionnaire who survived a 20-year stint got land and citizenship for himself and immediate family (parents, children, brothers, sisters.)

There are also 7 'Liberator Legions,' patterned after the regular legions but with inferior training. There were also lots of local militias that stayed in their home provinces, and 'auxiliary' units or differing quality that did go long distances. There were also upwards of 10,000 knights, mostly an Avar thing, though a lot were sworn to Church orders as 'Templars.'

Traag - no precise Earth equivalent, though with middle eastern / South Asian elements. They were ruled by 'The Three' - puppets for a Lovecraftian abomination, and presided over an alliance of renegade Avar States, the demon worshipping Agban city states, barbarians, goblins, hobgoblins, and rachasa. The total population of this alliance was probably 30-40 million.

Traag's regular troops were generally inferior to Solaria's legions. Their 'Invincibles' - magically enhanced warriors - were damn dangerous, as were the hobgoblins and rachasa. They also had a lot of knights. They also had far superior magic, thanks to their demonic sponsors.

Magic is mostly PSI ability - scrying (remote viewing), multiple variations of telekinesis, pyrokinesis, mental magic (hypnotism ramped up to 11) and metabolic (faith healing plus extras.) 'Magic' is mostly hereditary (genetic). It is on the weaker side. The Church claims jurisdiction over all spellcasters - those not in the Church are still subject to frequent evaluations.
.
Traag used PSI combined with 'true names' to summon demons.

 

[Aldarion]

From your setup, you might want to look at the Holy Roman Empire and other feudal-type armies. I feel your empire is simply too diverse for any sort of centralized management.

That however means that the "Roman legions" would only be employed by the core of the empire, which is to say, central government (I presume human?). Of other races, as well as of each state within the Empire, each would have their own military tradition and organization, and then these would be integrated ad hoc into central command structure.

 

[ThinkerX]

From your setup, you might want to look at the Holy Roman Empire and other feudal-type armies. I feel your empire is simply too diverse for any sort of centralized management.

That however means that the "Roman legions" would only be employed by the core of the empire, which is to say, central government (I presume human?). Of other races, as well as of each state within the Empire, each would have their own military tradition and organization, and then these would be integrated ad hoc into central command structure.

Not quite.

That - a quasi- 'Holy Roman Empire' - *was* the situation until 100-200 years ago. Then a series of strong emperors abolished the individual provincial (state) armies apart from the knights and strictly local militias. The imperial government has a monopoly on military power. The imperial government has officials and agents everywhere, who keep in touch with the capital via a network of thousands of semaphore towers that can transmit messages 1000+ miles in days instead of months. Others use the towers as well for hefty fees. Bicycles let the legions travel 100+ miles a day on land, and others crisscross the Mare Imperium in fast sailing ships.

Strong regional difference remain - the slave states of the south detest the innovative northern provinces, and both dislike the 'barbarian' western fiefs. There is a informal agreement/tradition among these factions that the benefits of unity outweigh the downsides. Instead, they contest with each other in the Senate while vying for top positions.

Also - the Empire is human. Dwarves do have a few cities, but most are integrated into the human populace. It is the same story for goblins.