Military of the Oda Empire
Keywords:
ODA-MILITARY
Military
The Hikaran Empire has several kinds of force.
First are the warrior aristocracy. The sons of the
ruling classes and their hereditary retainers all receive military
training in the use of traditional weapons - bow, spear and sword -
as well as allied arts including horsemanship. Children are trained
in these weapons just as young as they are inculcated with the strict
code. They fight as their lord directs them, using any of the
"noble" weapons, on foot or horseback, as guards or sent far afield.
Guards and professional soldiers. During the civil war, large numbers
of citizens were recruited and trained for battle; some of the
survivors stayed in that role, joining the ranks of low-status
retainers. These are waged soldiers, rather than a warrior by birth, so
tend to be looked down on by most people of rank, left to the
toughest tasks in battle. Despite this the stoic attitude of most
Hikarans means that most are loyal and capable, especially those
serving the Oda house itself.
Militia and irregulars. Technically, all soldiers not warriors are of
peasant status. The difference is obvious at a glance, since
professional guards are usually well, if drably, equipped. The levy
often turn up armed only with bamboo spears, perhaps a leather or
bamboo vest or breastplate, missing their homes and rice-paddies with
every step that they take. Despite this they can prove formidable,
especially should an unwary opponent charge onto a thicket of those
long sharpened spears.
Irregular forces. Every state relies, to some extent, on policing its
subjects and keeping check on threats to its stability. The Oda
empire is no different, although their resources in this area are a
closely guarded and carefully used secret.