Chronicles of Sha'Lazar

Battle is a high-risk strategy. It brings matters to a decision and can save the country from the horrors of rampaging armies. On the other hand, if one lost a battle one risked losing everything, including, of course, one’s life.

No quarter was given to high-status prisoners. Even sovereigns were summarily knocked on the head. A sensible commander therefore did everything possible to avoid battle unless he was confident of winning. Battles tended to happen when two forces were more or less equally matched, or thought they were, or when the commander had run out of other options.

Once battle had become inevitable, commanders would choose their ground carefully.


The Warriors of The Rash’ani fought many battles. Some involved rather small numbers of combatants, but there were also mass battles in which at least tens of thousands participated. However, The Rash’ani warriors seem to have been much less used to fighting in formations and organized units. The Rash’ani warriors engage their enemy as if they would defeat them simply by overrunning them, trusting their brute force more than elaborate tactics and clever strategies. This may well be due to a trait of The Rash’ani warlord mentality, which valued individual prowess with arms and heroic feats more than fighting in tight groups and trusting in the combined power of many men in close military formations. Military organization seems to be based, in case of the Rijal (infantry), more on where one comes from than the type of weapons one carried, although chariots and/or Fursan (cavalry) were set aside to fight together. The warbands, who were most likely the high response troops of the Rash’ani, often formed the first line of the Rijal (infantry), hurling themselves upon the enemy in the first assault.

Rijal, the Infantry, is the branch of an army who fight on foot — soldiers specifically trained to engage, fight, and defeat the enemy in face-to-face combat; infantrymen thus bear the brunt of warfare, and suffer the greatest number of casualties.

Rumat, Archers are especially destructive against unarmored masses and the use of archers often prove decisive on the battlefield. Mounted Rumat (archers) combined range with speed and mobility.

Za’gatin, the Spearman, a force employing the pole weapon for throwing or hurling, usually a light spear or javelin made of hard wood and pointed with a forged iron tip. Spearmen may use weapon as both a projectile and melee weapon. Spears used primarily for thrusting may be used with either one or two hands and tend to have heavier and sturdier designs than those intended exclusively for throwing. Those designed for throwing, often referred to as javelins, tend to be lighter and have a more streamlined head, and they may be thrown either by hand or with the assistance of a spear thrower such as the atlatl or woomera. From the atlatl dart, the arrow for use with bows eventually developed.

Fursan, the Cavalry, are warriors who fight mounted on horseback. They are an instrument which multiplied the fighting value of even the smallest forces, allowing them to outflank and avoid, to surprise and overpower, to retreat and escape according to the requirements of the moment. A man fighting from horseback also has the advantages of greater height, speed, and inertial mass over an opponent on foot. Another element of horse mounted warfare is the psychological impact a mounted soldier can inflict on an opponent.

Chariot, is a light, two-wheeled vehicle drawn by a pair of yoked horses, little more than four meters in length and less than two meters wide. Even though it is not used always and everywhere in the kingdom and is dependent upon recommended tactics and terrain; the chariot is not considered a very typical part of warfare and is limited in its use except in major engagements, when it may be used extensively. The chariot consists of the main metal parts that are the iron tires and the iron fittings to strengthen the hubs. Metal rings and connectors are used to strengthen joints and flexible connections. What made the chariot so special from others, however, is that the chariot-platform is not fixed to the axle but hung free in a rope suspension. This makes it a lot more comfortable to drive and a lot easier to fight from. Usually two persons ride in the chariot. The charioteer stands or sits in the open front of the chariot and actually drives. The warrior stands behind the charioteer and throws his spears from the chariot before alighting to fight on foot. The charioteer stays close enough to retrieve his warrior and carry him away from the battle if he is wounded or killed.

Tali'ah, individuals or patrols to keep watch over the movements of the enemy.

Auxilia, Allied contingents, often providing light Rijal (infantry) and specialist fighting services, like Rumat (archers), slingers, or javelin men. They usually form into the light Rijal (infantry).

The Ruk’ban, camel cavalry, is warriors or soldiers who fought from camel-back with spears, or bows. Ruk’ban were a common element in desert warfare due in part to the animal's high level of adaptability. They provided a mobile element better suited to work and survive in an arid and waterless environment than the horses of conventional Fursan (cavalry). The smell of the camel alarms and disorients horses, making camels an effective anti-cavalry weapon.

Naval warfare developed when humans first fought from water-borne vessels; warfare primarily involving ramming and boarding actions. And even the best ruler should know that if the country has waters as at least one of its borders, or even rivers, tis wise to have a Navy as a combat multiplier.