How can nations afford armies?

[Cedric]

Also,

The idea of a typical standing army having scale mail, large wooden shield and longsword is a bit unrealistic.

More then likely they'd have some inexpensive padded armor, wooden shield and shortsword or shortspear. None of these will be of very good quality.

The only empires or countries to have fielded well equipped armies (like the one you describe) are either,

1. HUGE!!! (Roman empire, etc.)

2. Dedicated to war (Byzantine Empire, Mongol's)

OR

3. Required their primary combatants to own their own equipment (Feudal Knights, etc)

Cedric

 

[Carnifex]

OR

3. Required their primary combatants to own their own equipment (Feudal Knights, etc)

Yes, this is an important point indeed. It was not up to the rulers to provide their troops with arms in feudal systems (except for their own household troops). It was instead the responsibility of the lords, barons and knights to arm themselves and their followers - most knights had their equipment paid for by their lords, the same with men-at-arms and common infantry.

 

[Frostmarrow]

But really, why would any kingdom bother to have an army in a world based on D&D. We all know that a well balanced group of adventurers of high level can destroy an enemy force of 5,000 commoners almost as easy as a 500 commoners. The only thing that seem to be able to stop such a party is another party. Not even dragons (sorry about that B.A.D.D) can stop them.

Perhaps I'm exaggerating but who in their right mind would send an army against a threat as lethal as adventurers. Even if you succeed the cost is staggering. The adventurers probably destroys a couple of hundred people before swiftly escaping the battlefield. Really, they should match the adventurers with a group of equals or betters.

It seems to me that the military in for example Greyhawk ought to be organized more like modern day military with highly trained professionals who can execute lightning strikes against enemy command.

Perhaps SHARK can help me out on this but I recall seeing a documentary about how modern day warfare differs from the medieval kind. I mean with the advent of helicopters, bombers and commandos it's possible to attack your enemy's citizens (who creates the weapons), support forces (who bring the weapons to the frontline) and leadership that there is no longer a need to cut down lots of rank and file troops first.

Still, armies and fortresses are cool so I gladly keep them in my game even though it's illogical.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

But really, why would any kingdom bother to have an army in a world based on D&D.

While it's true that adventurers are able to deal out massive damage in comparison to armies, in war it is still necessary to occupy the conquered area, otherwise nothing is truly gained.

 

[Frostmarrow]

While it's true that adventurers are able to deal out massive damage in comparison to armies, in war it is still necessary to occupy the conquered area, otherwise nothing is truly gained.

That's just a staple of strategy games. In the really real world we don't occupy territory with soldiers. We use settlers to occupy territory - and we always have.

Besides, if the adventurers can destroy an army piece by piece and can strike anywhere at anytime the opposition must be pretty foolish not to try to establish such a force themselves.

 

[Aaron L]

Settlers occupying a battlefield during war? No, I am afraid Kid Charlemagne is right, you need infantry to take up space or else the enemy will simply run to places that you have already have left behind, "secured".

However, that doesn't mean the vangard of an army couldn't be say, a group of 20 10th-15th level fighters, sorcerers, and psychic warriors.

 

[MavrickWeirdo]

Also,

The idea of a typical standing army having scale mail, large wooden shield and longsword is a bit unrealistic.

More then likely they'd have some inexpensive padded armor, wooden shield and shortsword or shortspear. None of these will be of very good quality.

The only empires or countries to have fielded well equipped armies (like the one you describe) are either,

1. HUGE!!! (Roman empire, etc.)

2. Dedicated to war (Byzantine Empire, Mongol's)

OR

3. Required their primary combatants to own their own equipment (Feudal Knights, etc)

Cedric

I agree with point #2, but I don't think those are good examples.

The Byzantine Empire should qualify under number 1 (HUGE).
The Mongols were nomadic hunter/warriors (i.e. barbarians) while at times they had large numbers warriors fighting a common foe they were not strictly a "standing army"

I feel a better example would be Crete. They trained their young men in the arts of war, sent them off as mercinaries and the ones who were sucessful got to come home and teach the next generation.

 

[Frostmarrow]

Settlers occupying a battlefield during war? No, I am afraid Kid Charlemagne is right, you need infantry to take up space or else the enemy will simply run to places that you have already have left behind, "secured".

However, that doesn't mean the vangard of an army couldn't be say, a group of 20 10th-15th level fighters, sorcerers, and psychic warriors.

Settlers are very good at occupying territory. Even during war. At least that's what recent events have lead me to believe.

The enemy (if it's an army of low level commoners) can't escape the scry, teleport and destory tactics of the high level adventuring group. I mean most kings in a D&D world are capable of doing this themselves. They don't need an army. The king just need as many 10th-15th level fighters, sorcerers, and psychic warriors as he can befriend. Well, that and his trusty mount Ember.

 

[Dieter]

I'm surprised (or maybe I just missed it) that no one has said the age old act of conscription.

Why pay someone to serve in the army when you can force someone at knife/gunpoint to do so. This was popular with the British navy during their time of expansion and colonialism.

Find the local seaside watering hole, get a few downtrodden chaps drunk on cheap ale and rum...the next morning they wake up to find themselves in the Royal Navy.

A less dubious version of conscription is the draft. While the draftee is pretty much still forced into service, they at least see the recruiter coming.

 

[Darklone]

Low quality

I agree with most guys about the lower equipment (no scalemails, but leather, shortspear, wooden shield).

Roman armies... Think about the war against Hanibal. 70000 Romans in one battle? Yeah, that WAS expensive. But take into account the difference of coinage. Roman gold coins are easily ten times worth an D&D gold coin.

About that adventurer group ... Ok, they start to bug an enemy empire. Wait a week and your loved ones are dead and your home town burned to the ground. You can't be everywhere. You don't believe me? You better would. Or take FR: Which village does not own their own epic level militia?