Overview

Very disciplined, highly mobile warriors generally operating in smaller, self-contained units. Prefer fluid warfare with hit and run or guerrilla tactics using magic and missile weapons.

Organization

The estimated strength of the military is 127,400 professional soldiers and sailors. In wartime they are supplemented by local militias and highly proficient scouts. Confederacy units (platoons, companies, and sometimes battalions from larger Houses) are highly decentralized and consist of a leader and warriors from a single House. Larger formations combine units from the different Houses. There is always lots of competition between the units at every level, even between those of the same House.

Units, (particularly company and above) are named for either their current or former commanders. Some units have carried the name of a legendary commander for centuries.

Order of the Basenji: The covert operations arm of the Crown, serving for the benefit of the Confederacy. They are highly proficient in covert operations including intelligence, counter-intelligence, sabotage, assassinations, etc.

Naval forces: Built on fast, light ships designed to harry enemy forces or to move ground forces over long distances quickly.

Equipment

The Confederacy army is lightly armored, although some Houses are famous for their heavy units. Light armor is often a couple layers of quilted cotton gambeson and a helmet. The cotton is soaked in salt brine and hung to dry which strengthens the material as the salt crystallizes. Some Houses also utilize wood in their armor. Common weapons include spears, short swords, short bows, and wooden shields.

Tactics

The Confederacy prefers to avoid open field battle if possible. Utilizing their superior discipline and mobility they exhaust enemies while avoiding large pitched battles. It is said there are few things more dangerous than a retreating elven unit.

Naval forces will attack shipping, raid vulnerable targets, and transport ground units to raid, cut off supply lines, or envelop forward enemy forces.

History

Elven Houses engage in many low-level conflicts with each other as they vie for power and position. Invaders cause the Houses to put aside their differences until they are driven out. The Confederacy frequently mentions that they were the only nation to defeat the Alvenians (and their goblin allies of that time are never mentioned).

The Confederacy generally retains good relations with Garaeth, who respect their mercenary companies, particularly the archers. The Hill Tribes can be an annoyance but rarely a real threat. Constant vigilance against The Goblin Marches is maintained and the border area varies between minor incidences, skirmishes, and occasionally open warfare.