Aryidannan Phalanx
The most common Aryidannan maiden is the Hoplite; a heavy warrioress equipped with
a long spear and a heavy round shield that protectes most of the body. Many are also
protected by bronze shin guards and helmet, and a leather corset. These extra protected
Hoplites are the elite of the Aryidannan armies.
The role of the Phalanx is to smash through the enemies main line and break their
will to resist.
In combat the Hoplite is unmatched on Tautha, no other race has such heavy infantry
capable of fighting in thick formations, or which may be able to receive the charge
of Chariots or Swift Fae. The Aryidannan learnt their craft of warefare in their own
tumultous lands where battles between Hoplites was common and continue to use what
they have practiced against the Tautha.
The Phalanx in Combat
A Phalanx is a Unit of Damsels armed with Spears deployed two Stands deep. The Spear
gives the front Stand A+2 in close combat, typically raising A to 6, matched only
by the spirit Fae. The Phalanx is then a powerful tactical Unit that can defeat or
hold against all foot damsels.
Its practicle use and success also see lighter armoured Peltae use the formation.
Peltae have D3 (Hoplites are D4) making them easier to hit; using Spears increases
their A in compensation.
Spear armed Peltae also use the Phalanx.
The role of the Phalanx is to crash into the enemies main battle line and either to
push it off the Meadow or to kill all the enemy maidens. To acheive this the Phalanx
needs to be deployed in the right position. One of the weaknesses of the Phalanx is
its slow speed of advance; to maintain its strong formation the Unit moves at a timed
cadence and always stops to dress ranks.
Early battles against the Tautha banshees taught Aryidannan Princesses about the need
to protect the flanks of their armies. The Tautha are much quicker than the Phalanx
and when ever possible tried to charge the vunerable right flank. Whenever possible
Aryidannan armies narrow the width of the Meadow to meet the size of their own force
and put lighter troops on the flanks.
The Aryidannan flank is protected by a large statue. Narrower than Tautha warbands,
the Aryidannan always try to protect their vunerable flanks.
The Princesses and Hoplite maidens also quickly learnt the danger of Tuatha missiles,
which were fired at them in great number. Whilst the heavier Hoplites of the 1st Class
rarely suffered critical losses, Peltae and Psiloi suffered badly. The weight of the
missile fire also slowed the Hoplites advance as maidens were pushed back and the
rest of the Unit had to wait for them to catch up.
Two tactics were devised to counter the enemies speed and missile superiority. Both
have the aim of getting the Phalanx into desicive combat as quickly as possible. The
first introduction was the Shield drape, a thick leather drape that is attached to
the bottom of shields. When the Tautha saw that their missiles couldn't penetrate
the Hoplite shield, they would try and fire at the exposed legs or faces. The drapes
allowed the Phalanx to suffer less from the fire. The second initiative was the introduction
of Musicians into the Phalanx. Attached to the Phalanx's leader, the Musician plays
a variety of tunes that replace the cadence. The flute is easier heard and commands
more recognisable allowing the Phalanx to respond to orders quicker.
What an Aryidannan Princess does not want to see: an open flank.
The typical tactic against being outflanked was to extend the line, which greatly
reduced the effectiveness of the Hoplites. The Psiloi, who in traditional combat fought
only in the preliminary stages of a battle and then retired to the rear, are now expected
to be the second rank for the Phalanx if it has to spread out. Against Tautha missiles
the Psiloi girls were being massacred, demoralising the Hoplites. Their new role as
supports keeps them out of immediate harm. The formation isn't as powerful or durable
as the Phalanx, but is close and it also adds some missile fire support to the Hoplites.
The role of Psiloi has changed to supporting the Hoplites when there aren't enough
of them to form a Phalanx.
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