HISTORY OF WARFARE

Q: What is war?
A: There are many definitions of what war is! Those laconically witty, might say simply: A tragedy! Famous strategist Claus believed that war is but a duel, set in a large scale. War is a conflict between two groups or entities - typically countries.

Q: How long has war existed?
A: We know for a fact that before the Enlightenment over 300 years ago, our kind had a very basic grasp on warfare. Weaponry was crude and primitive. Weapons did not exist at least to the quality standards of a proper artisan.

Over time the gods graced our ancestors with knowledge, and we as a civilization received the secrets of forging, ore smelting and warcraft. From here, society made their own advances.

Q: Why have there been so few wars in history?
A: The modern world is still young. But the largest contributor to this is due to the fact that every country is isolated on their own continent.

Q: Were the continents always united?
A: The empire was not formed in a day. However, due to scarce historical evidence of other autonomous powers in the early days of our world, it is safe to assume that there either were not any or that they were quickly absorbed into the greater whole.

Q: What are the risks of performing warfare with the goal of conquering territory?
A: One risk is due to the geography of the world the defending nation has a significant advantage. The attacker has to not only send armies of ships through dangerous dark zones at sea, but maintain that position with an equally dangerous supply chain as the war rages on.

Q: What will these classes be covering over the next semester?
A: We will be going through every nations military might and how their practices and resources have differed. Each military also has their own 'quirks'. To do so we will be diving deeper into every nations warrior caste. This will teach of not only of history, but their culture as well.

Q: What is a significant battle that Egwyn has taken part in?
A: We can, from what is common knowledge, as well as your accounts, safely say that Egwyn does not exist as a traditational nation. Conflicts are mostly limited to inter-tribal fights and skirmishes. This is not to say Egwyn does not possess a military force, or that it would not be capable of organizing one. In fact, the way most militaries function is directly tied to the way that the state is organized. Due to the isolationist nature of Egwyn we are left with many holes in our knowledge, as well as their general history.


Q: What are some defining traits Egwyn exhibits?
A: Egwyn has a strange system called... Democracy. The thirty two larger tribes would gather in Kaelia, and through vote and discussion, determine what is best for the Kaelensian people as a whole. Now, in regards to its military, we can assume they would be able to assemble a force to counter any threat that comes their way. Despite the land being rich in resources, none have so far tried to conquer it, leaving us to only assume...


Q: What does the rest of the world govern itself with?
A: Feudalism. Up until around the second century, this system had a much greater impact on the lives of the common people. Though today we have progressed as a society, having found more efficient ways of doing things. Yet, as the core structure remains the same - we will gain much from studying it.

Q: Who owns this school?
A: [Serenity] The Headmaster acquired the rights to property through the Empire, but he still pays taxes and dues to live here, does he not? | And because the situation is like that - all the land in the Empire is owned by the Emperor.

Q: [Ard] How is that fair?
A: That is how every country in our world, save for Egwyn governs itself. Fair or not, it is a system that is based on the exchange of goods, rights and labour. A ruler passes on parts of his land to a greater lord, who then does the same to a lesser lord. And so on until one reaches the peasant.

Q: What are important terms of feudalism?
A: Lords receiving land are referred to as 'Tenats in Chief'. Those below them are called 'vassals'. If you are granted land, the one granting it to you is your 'overlord'.

Q: What are the obligations of feudalism?
A: The main exchange of feudalism is that in exchange for the land one is given, the recipient offers their political power in support, as well wealth. Likewise a vassal is under obligation to answer a call to arms from their overlord.

Q: Today we have standing armies instead. Can anyone tell me why this is the case? What would be the main weakness of a military force that is mostly under control of other, lesser lords?
A: [Serenity] Giving a lesser lord control of such executive authority runs the risk of a coup, does it not?

Q: [Cleo] Would the other lords not oppose them should they attempt to perform a coup?
A: Some definitely would, however if one would perform a coup, two things stand certain. One has great reason to do such a risky thing, - and a tyrant for example, is not a tyrant to one person alone. Secondly, it is reasonable to assume they have support of other lords -enough for a fighting chance, at least.

Q: Does Gold not still follow these practices?
A: We can say that Gold is somewhat lagging behind the rest of the world - in feudal matters. They paid the price for this when the Tennou was assasinated.

Q: After the desertification of Gold had began, does anyone know how the people of the land reacted?
A: War does take a toll on the people of the coutnries involved. Now, when we add the fact that their home was being swallowed whole by the beaches the people ended up rebelling and the Tennou was asssassinated.

Q: What is Golds Elite Warrior Caste called?
A: The Kensei of Oniga. The higher echelon of the samurai, which will be covered in a future class.

Q: What happened in the Winter of 294?
A: This was an important year because the Desertification of Gold had progressed already to the outskirts of the Sandstorm Oasis. The curse was done by the Druids of Egwyn and while the Oasis is far from the capital, the revolution was prompted into full swing. The standing army of Gold had opted to not interfere at the time, as they wished for the war to end as well. Lord Sakamoto had trusted that the initiative the forces of Gold had lost, whilst fighting on the eastern front of the Empire could easily be regained. He had supporters to the cause including chief general Homura.

However, he would not get the chance to do so - for he had met the rebel forces in Mira's ravine on the beginning of January 295. There, he suffered a crushing defeat.

Q: How did a force of several hundred samurai lose to a band of peasants at Mira's Ravine?
A: The samurai did not study the lane at all and the peasants led the men to their deaths by using the ravine itself to their advantage. In addition to this General Homura and Lord Sakamoto - despite being allies in ideology - viewed each other as rivals. This came to play into how their forces were encamped. When soldiers are loyal to their lord, instead of the state, it is not difficult to believe that they have decided to camp on seperate places, away from one another. Likewise the people who had lived on the land, knew it better than the samurai forces. Sandstorm Oasis is well known for its sandstorms. Homura's forces were drawn into the ravine, by a much smaller part of the rebel forces - who were led by a carpenter named Mahai of Oko.

Mahai had his men work, in the days before to fashion a thick plank of wood with leather straps that hung down the sides. It has two slits in it and were considered primitive goggles. Such a tool allowed Mahai's forces to flank Homura's during the sandstorm and soundly defeat them.

Q: Had Homura won that battle, and the war had continued, what sort of consequences could we observe today?
A: [Serenity] Given the curse was still happening and the Onigans were heavily undersupplied, continuing the war effort would have likely resutled in a very crushing defeat for Gold. Perhaps even to the point where it would become an Imperial territory. | Even if general Humora had won that particular battle, it would do little to erase both the pressing, and underlying problems that Gold had, at the time. This, I believe, serves well to show that having a competent military force is desirable for any entity. This being a fact only drives forward the point that the current system, is a better one. Gold is not without military successes, however. During the first month sof the war, they have gained much of a foothold in the lands of the Empire. Namely, the siege of Soren and the battle at Kataran Coast. These will be covered in another class.

Q: What will be covered in the next lecture?
A: We will finish the overview of the different military powers - as well as take a deeper look into knights as a whole. Their training, equipment, variations throughout the world, impact on society, as well as the major battle sthey had taken part in.






After Class Question:

Q [Serenity]: You mentioned that Egwyn was the only one that practiced democracy and the rest of the world practiced Feudalism. The Zeran Council in Alstalsia is an Oligarchy, is it not? While not every has a democratic say, it is far more than an emperor and his advisors. Many families of influence have different stakes and desires.

A: We have long since abandoned /true/ feudalism, where one was bound to the place they were born, and could do little to improve their standing. The Zeran council, as well as that of the Karaten mages does resemble democracy - however, it goes a little past that. There is a great imbalance of power, as you can assume. On the other hand, Egwyn is incredibly rich, and there is enough... to go around as they say, no?