Tratto da "CORMYR", un'espansione ufficiale per i forgotten realms di 2a edzione. Il manuale si articola in 78 pagine in cui viene descritto nei dettagli il regno. Il codice del prodotto per quanti volessero cercarlo nei negozi specializzati è 9410.
To enforce the royal word, Cormyr maintains a large standing
army, which has increased dramatically in the last decade.
There are more than 12,000 Purple Dragons (so-called
because of their banner) garrisoned in the major cities and
fortifications. A 25-ship Imperial Navy patrols the Lake of
Dragons, the Palace Guard numbers 150 trained elite warriors, and the nation maintains a mounted force of 500 warriors trained in sword and bow, led by 30 knights out of the Royal Court. Most of these elite units are veterans of the Crusade against the Horde, and are members of the Order of the Golden Way, a military award commemorating those battles. But the most
deadly unit in the army is the feared War Wizards, a unit of magicians recognizable by their black-and-purple robes.
The Purple Dragons
The Lord High Marshal of the Kingdom, Duke Bhereu, commands the
king's standing army.
Tactics
Throughout Cormyrís history, the army has fought few pitched battles. Historically, the Purple Dragons fight using guerrilla warfare tactics, making quick strikes at sensitive enemy areas or concentrations and moving quickly to another location.
Many of the Purple Dragonsí adversaries use similar tactics. Duke Bhereu firmly believes in keeping his forces as mobile as possible to prevent his men from being ambushed or otherwise outflanked. Duke Bhereu sees a standing army that fights with old ways of prearranged fields of battle and lines of men carefully organized to face each other to be an invitation for disaster.
Before Bhereu had established his reputation, his tactics were called into question as less than honorable. The results of the tacticsóthe benefits of the low casualty rate and the efficiency and quickness of achieving objectives have quelled all rumblings about conforming to age-old rules of war.
Missions
The mission of King Azoun's army is a simple one: defend Cormyr. The realization of that goal, however, is complex.
Stonelands
The most significant threat to Cormyrís borders comes from the Stonelands, an area of rocky land, craggy valleys, plateaus, and other confusing and hostile terrain. This topography makes for ideal hiding places for bandits, monsters, and other nefarious beings.
Raiders from the Stonelands have been harassing Cormyte interests for decades. In particular danger are caravans that travel the road between Tilverton and Castle Crag. The garrison in Castle Crag guards the Gnoll Pass from border raiders coming from the Goblin Marches but can do little to protect traffic on the Moonsea Ride. Cormyr occupied Tilverton in 1357 DR, declared Tilverton a protectorate, and stationed 850 Purple Dragons there. These troops now regularly conduct patrols into the Stonelands in an effort to clear the region of monsters and bandits. Thus far, the results have been mixed. There are still raids on caravans and there are still reports of monster strongholds within the Stonelands, but there is no doubt that organized bandit activity has substantially
decreased. This may change in the future, however, as the Zhentarim and others attempt to organize criminal elements within the Stonelands against the Purple Dragons.
Goblin Marches
This area to the north of Cormyr has been a threat to Cormyte security since the beginnings of the kingdom. Today, the Goblin Marches are a shadow of the threat they once were. Long ago, the marches were filled with the troops of an organized goblin empire that conducted regular raids as far south as Suzail, then a nearly defenseless cluster of buildings. As Cormyr grew, it became more effective at repelling goblin raids. With the creation of Castle Crag, Cormyr put an end to goblin raids farther south into Cormyr. Castle Crag became the most important military location in Cormyr.
Over time, the Anauroch Desert grew, disrupting life in the goblin empire. The empire began to break up, and factions migrated to other regions or generally dissipated. As the goblin
threat waned, so did Castle Cragís importance.
Castle Crag still stands sentinel against raids by goblin or other demihuman bands. There are approximately 500 Purple Dragons and a detachment of War Wizards at the castle.
This force has prevented the progress of any goblin tribe to date, but there are troubles on the horizon for Crag. The Zhentarim are recruiting goblin bands into Zhentarim service against other Goblin Marches tribes and raiding parties.
Should this army become powerful and organized enough, it would pose a serious threat to Cormyr.
High Horn
Border raiders were once a constant problem.
They would sweep in from the west, through a pass in the Stormhorn Mountains, and raid towns like Tyrluk, Eveningstar, and even Arabel.
High Horn was built to prevent such raids. It is a massive complex of walls and buildings that can house half of Cormyrís standing army.
Approximately 400 Purple Dragons are stationed there in addition to War Wizards and other miscellaneous forces.
Since the founding of High Horn, border raids through the Stormhorns have all but stopped.
[...]
Adventurers in Cormyr
Associated with keeping the peace within Cormyr is monitoring the ìlawless freeswordsî to make sure they start no trouble.
The Purple Dragons are particularly watchful of groups of people who wander the countryside with their own weapons and agendas. Groups of adventurers are perhaps the most dangerous, for
they have their own missions, are often from distant lands, and almost always care little for the wellbeing of Cormyr.
The custom of tying a cord to oneís sword hilt and scabbard is actually a law enforced by the Purple Dragons. Should the Purple Dragons spot anyone bearing weapons that arenít peacebonded,
they will stop such people and inform them of Cormyrís ìcustom.î If the armed individuals have been hired by a company that is authorized to hire mercenaries, they may carry unbonded weapons but must display proof of their employment and employer (usually a scroll bearing the mark of the company and the number of individuals hired as a group, and the name of the group leader).
The Purple Dragons are authorized to imprison violators and seize their goods. Note that chartered adventurers are allowed to bear unbonded weapons in Cormyr. (See p. 63 for more information.)
Hullack Forest
The Purple Dragons are charged with major responsibility for clearing the forest and ridding the area of monsters. Once this is done, the people of Cormyr will be able to safely lumber the
forest and use its resources. Of course, Hullack Forest is large, and the Purple Dragons are not expected to clear the entire area, but they are charged with clearing enough land each year to allow Cormyr to use some part of the forestís resources.
The Purple Dragons are not alone in this endeavor. A number of merchant companies are interested in finding their own sources of fresh lumber. These companies have hired adventurers to clear specific areas of monster infestation.
The Imperial Navy
The Imperial Navyís primary duty is to protect Cormyrean ships sailing through the Lake of Dragons to and from ìThe Neck,î the
narrows that connects Cormyr with other parts of the world through this lake.
Trading in spices and other goods is quite productive for Cormyr and certainly well worth the investment in ship construction and sailing. To protect such shipping from pirates, Cormyr has
stationed 12 warships in its busiest port, Marsember. At any one time, there are more warships docked in Suzail, but most of these ships are there to protect noble families or the king personally. Patrolling along the coast of the lake is the most common mission for the Imperial Navy.
Ayesunder Truesilver is the commander of these forces and is generally regarded as the head of the Cormyrean Navy. He has constantly lobbied the king for more ships and sea warriors so that he may patrol the lake more efficiently. Unfortunately, the kingís military attentions have been with the Stonelands and the Goblin Marches.
Local Militias
Each town, no matter how small, has a militia force responsible for keeping the peace and for emergency defense against outside attacks. Each militia banner is half Purple Dragon and
half the townís own banner, divided per fess (vertically).
Normally, the lord of the town commands its militia.
An unusual aspect of Cormyrean militias is that most require that their members know how to read. Writing is optional, but each militiaman must be able to read bulletins, orders, and the like from their local lord and commanders. In addition, there is always at least one person who can write in any detachment of militia that leaves the town.
Adventurers and unregistered adventuring companies are a substantial threat to small towns. To prevent damage and trouble from lawless behavior, virtually every town in Cormyr has at least one militiaman at the border of the town. This person, usually referred to as an ìIntroducer, î is responsible for introducing the town and its laws to those who cannot read. The Introducer also makes it clear that raucous behavior causing damage to property (whether deliberate or accidental) will result in imprisonment and fines.
Within the town, militiamen patrol the streets, keeping a special watch on the main cause of trouble: travelers passing through town.
Perhaps the worst thing an adventuring group or company can do is to bring hostile forces to the town.
When faced with this situation, militias typically impress the adventurers into service to defend the town. The militia then assigns the adventurers the most dangerous task to minimize local casualties.
Sometimes a village has the luck of having a resident mage. Such individuals, especially those that possess combative magics or powers, are automatically considered a part of the militia.
War Wizards who have retired to pursue their own goals are typical examples of a ìtown wizard. î There are a surprising number of these, and even the smallest hamlet may have a powerful wizard somewhere about.
[...]
The War Wizards
From the founding of the kingdom, mages have been important to Cormyr, in warfare and other matters as well. Mages most loyal to the crown sign an agreement with the king and make a secret oath that involves a geas spell, thus becoming War Wizards. These mages are an integral part of Cormyrís army, and they are respected and feared across the land.
Only Vangerdahast, Royal Magician and Chairman Emeritus of the College of War Wizards, knows how many there are. As their leader, he chairs War Wizards meetings. In his absence, Laspeera (NG hf W14) stands in.
Besides those two, the most well-known War Wizard is Maxer (NG hm
W (In) 11), who defeated four dragons attacking Suzail, earning the honorary title ìDefender of Suzailî from King Azoun.
Also widely known is Valantha Shimmerstar (CG hf W13), who has gained both fame and notoriety, not through military exploits, but with her beautiful singing and her propensity for mischief at festivals and other gatherings.
SERVE ALTRO RAGAZZI?
ByEz!!!
This is The End, beautiful friend....This is The End, my only friend....The End....
[Modificato da Lord Kaos 13/03/2002 03:43]