Perrenland's Military

Report to the Circle of Eight on Perrenland's Armed Forces

by Gandalin the Grey

You asked me to find out about the military strength of Perrenland. In my report I will detail what is actually fact, but later I also wish to pass on some of the many rumours that abound - most of which I cannot verify, but neither can I ignore.

Known Facts

The armed forces of Perrenland fit into three categories:

The Auszug - generally 17-30 year old troops, mostly unmarried. These are the elite, standing army of Perrenland.
The Landwehr - Older troops, and those 17-30 year olds not in the Auszug, who are prepared to leave their homes if required for national service.
The Landstrum - the Levy. This is the emergency-only force, taking all troops able to fight, including those older than otherwise accepted.

Cantonal and Clan troops - these are too varied to list, but each clan and canton, all canton leaders, and some rich merchants maintain their own elite group of warriors - no more than 200 though, and often less (perhaps 6 or 8), who form the persons guard and general personal forces.

Rumours

It appears that every known type of fighter can be found somewhere in Perrenland. It is known that by the 21st year all Perrenlanders have some fighting prowess - male and female. At the age of 17, all Perrenlanders enter Military Service with the Auszug. After three years they can choose to stay, or join the Landwehr.
Some of the most amazing stories of archery skill have come from women; even to the extent that some can "magically enchant" their weapons for greater success.
It is rumoured that the Quagfludt canton has a great hidden fortress run by Dwarves which trains Perrenlanders in the Dwarven defence skills.
There is supposed to be a castle where Halflings train forward scouts who are skilled enough to hide in plain sight and who are also fine with bow and sling!
Aquatic elves have supposedly been developing underwater boat sinking tactics in the lake.
Gnomes are working on all sorts of crazy things! I have been told their latest idea is to make a long piece of hollow metal produce the fireball spell.
Even the reclusive Elves pass on their archery and magic to selected people, and despite Perrenland's inherent suspicion of things magical, there are some place where one can develop latent sorcery talents.
Some religious orders teach their clerics to be fighters as well.
It is known that Clan Rosrijder has some fine mounted troops, but the rumour also exists that some mounted troops use magical horses in combat.
The troops from northern regions are nearly all berserks!
Users of the dark arts (necromancy and such) keep well out of sight, although they are also rumoured to be found if you search properly.
Perrenland armies have been known to surprise the enemy with a sudden appearance by arcane magic users... little more is known about these "troops".

Gentlemen, things have become a little hectic recently. I can confirm that there are arcane magic users in Perrenland. I tried to cast a spell on a high level officer, only to find my hands and lips paralysed, virtually instantly. It must have been a swiftly spell, and there needs to have been more than one to defeat me! I saw nobody, but from then on it was obvious I wasn’t welcome at that Auszug.

May I also caution the Circle about the validity of my information - whilst you know me to be an honest man, and you know that my magic can ensure that the people I use as sources of information believe they are telling the truth, I cannot guarantee that all I report is perfect truth. I am concerned about my information, as any historian would be, and I do my best.

You also asked for details on their organisation, including ranks, numbers and possible strategy! I think at times that you want me dead...

Gandalin the Grey