Armies of Stonehold

Following the successful invasion of the westernmost reaches of Cruski, the armies of the newly-renamed Stonehold are in flux. The Rhelt’s personal army numbers but a thousand guards, while the Fists are raised and led by four war chiefs selected by the Rhelt himself. The

Rhelt’s guard

consists of the following:

• 700 medium infantry with swords or axes, wearing chainmail and shield

• 300 light cavalry with lance and sword, wearing chainmail and shield

The organization of Stonehold’s

“fists” is unique

in the Flanaess. Each fist consists of five “fingers” of 25 men each, plus a “palm” of 75-150 men, for a total of 200-275 warriors per fist, for cavalry and infantry, respectively. All fists consist of light troops.

Cavalry

fists wear padded or studded leather armor, and carry shields. They are armed as follows:

• 125 with lance

• 75 with lance and bow

Infantry

fists wear either padded armor or no armor plus shields, and are armed thusly:

• 200 with spear

• 75 with bow

The command of the Fists is divided amongst four

War Chiefs.

They have raised troops as follows:

• Northern War Chief

• 12 cavalry fists

• 5 infantry fists

• Southern War Chief

• 8 cavalry fists

• 7 infantry fists

• Eastern War Chief

• 6 cavalry fists

• 14 infantry fists (7 are woodsmen)

• Western War Chief

• 4 cavalry fists

• 11 infantry fists

Fists have a unique combat style that relies on them fighting together as a unit. Depending on the rules you are using, either a bonus can be applied when units of a fist are within a certain radius of one another, or penalties applied when they are outside that range.

Figures for the fists of Stonehold can be challenging, but it is recommended that you seek out medieval Lithuanian (including Boyar), Wallachian, or Moldavian troops. Early medieval Russian troops can also be put to effective use.