The Royal Armies branches of service

Part of a series about the Royal Armies.

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The Royal Armies comprise the entirety of the Crown’s armed forces and as such they are highly diverse. Numerous branches of service exist, the most important of which are described here.

Infantry

The core of the Armies is their infantry. Unglamorous but vital, these soldiers are the largest branch of service and the ones most likely to see front-line combat. They are known for being tough and stoic, with a robust sense of humour.

Infantry gear tends to be plain, practical, and well-used. The high demand for recruits has meant that some have only very basic equipment, but where possible the infantry wear heavy armour and carry shields, greatswords, and polearms. Longbows and crossbows are also common.

Scouts

On every campaign it is vital for the commander to know the nature of their surroundings. The scouts fulfil this role, seeking out enemies and obstacles as well as foraging for supplies. Unsurprisingly they have a reputation for poor discipline and occasional theft, which is tolerated on the grounds of their usefulness.

Scouts tend to use light armour and favour bows, knives, and sometimes javelins. Many scouting squadrons enjoy the support of a magician who can use elemental divination or communion with the spirits to discover information about their location.

Cavalry

In a nation where horses are uncommon and valuable, the cavalry regiments are the very élite of the armies. They are a favourite destination for younger children of noble households, and enjoy a well-deserved reputation for flair and panache. Of course, the rarity of horses in Arginet means that the cavalry are deployed rather sparingly - which is viewed by many as a blessing but by some as a curse. It also means that while off-duty they are expected to go on foot just like everyone else.

Cavalry equipment is typically elaborate and flashy. One-handed swords, hammers, and lances are all commonly used.

Engineers

The Armies always have a need for building things and knocking them down, both of which are the purview of the engineers. They are a varied lot, with artisans, channellers, and evokers all very much in evidence. Some view the engineers as eccentric - but it takes a special kind of person to deal with the combination of artillery, alchemy, and volatile spirits involved in demolishing a bridge or breaking a siege.

Engineers tend to carry the tools of their trade (mundane or magical) with them, and are often seen festooned with bags and pouches for this purpose.

Medics

No army can fight for long without healers, and the Royal Armies accordingly maintain an excellent medical corps. Both magical and mundane healing are used to full effect to bring injured soldiers back from crippling injuries to the front line.

Army medics vary in their appearance, but most make their presence known by wearing an item coloured red or white (or both).

Wagoneers

If the infantry are the muscle of the Armies, the wagoneers are the backbone. They provide logistical support by moving food, equipment, and other supplies to the troops. Though sometimes derided as glorified carters, they are a resilient and resourceful lot, working with the other branches of service to keep the fight going - they have a particularly close relationship with the Army scouts.

Wagoneers are usually plainly dressed and simply equipped. They most often carry weapons suitable for defence, such as spears and crossbows.

Navy

Unlike every other branch of service, the Arginese Navy has languished since the Breaking. Attacks by monsters have become a major hazard of sea travel and a few naval commanders have taken the view that leaving harbour simply isn’t worth the risk. Given the present situation there have been rumours of mutiny in the Navy - particularly in Suddene, a crowded city now full of frustrated and underpaid sailors.

Sailors are known for being superstitious, often adhering to odd animist sects, and typically carry an assortment of trinkets and charms of dubious spiritual value. They also have a habit of adopting foreign fashions such as Rathanna facepaint. For weapons, they will use whatever is most suited to shipboard fighting, including axes, short swords, and boarding pikes.

Intelligence

It is generally known that the Armies collect information through more than the usual channels. Certainly every barracks and encampment seems to hide a few desk officers whose job it is to sift through reports and rumours and to divine (sometimes with a little magical help) the right course of action for their superiors. But presumably there is more to Army intelligence than this...