Editing The Barony of Laesmoor (section)

=Society=
The realm of the Fallen Empire is tech level 3, and was about to transition to TL 4 when the Cataclysm struck. So while it appears medieval because of the physical tech level other advances make the society much different than any medieval society.

Schools are common in every town. While children are not required to go parents often send them, especially in the towns and cities. They recognize that their children will do better if they are educated. This primary school lasts for 8 years, and is free to attend. After that are private trade schools, which do cost money to attend, but virtually guarantee a well paying career. Each of the fasts also has a University. Mostly it is the wealthy that can afford to send their children to a university, there are a small number of scholarships made available to those students that prove their intelligence and ability to learn. Fully 50% of the people of Laesmoor are literate to some extent.

Business models include actual planning, mathematics, and statistics. Town newspapers are given out freely, paid for not by the reader, but by advertisements stamped on the top and bottom of the folded pages. Many workers belong to Guilds which act like modern workers unions.

Medical care is tech level 4, with the added benefits of what would nowadays be called common sense. While surgery isn't possible yet, magical healing is occasionally available. Simple things like washing hands, and wounds, and doctors not killing their patients with leaches means that medical care in the realm of the Fallen Empire is leaps and bounds more effective than medieval medical care. People shun the sick, and are careful to keep latrines away from houses and food. This alone makes a huge difference in preventing outbreaks of disease.

===Law and Order===
Though the Baron is something of a dictator, the council of cities does have some input into things and can actually veto the Barons laws with a supermajority. The idea that free people have certain rights is guaranteed by the laws of the land. Constables cannot simply attack or kill people on a whim as was common in medieval society. While suspects cannot be forced to testify against their will, everyone who takes the stand in court is forced to tell the truth by magic. This simplifies laws, court rules, and trials considerably. Imprisonment is rare. It's expensive and doesn't benefit the Barony. Rather those found guilty of crimes are either fined, given a few lashes, enslaved to work in the mines or build walls, or in some cases executed. Punishments are generally carried out immediately, though occasionally a good barrister will be able to arrange for an appeal to a higher magistrate.

Constables are not part of the army, they are separate and answerable to the mayor of the city, or to the sheriff for those that patrol between the towns. They patrol the streets of the cities and towns day and night. Armed with a metal-shod club and a very loud whistle. Some basic forensics do exist, mostly based on magic. Most larger departments also employ a few detectives to work on high crimes not immediately solved by the patrolmen. Often these detectives will know a spell or two, or will be a priest or mage working to help the department.

While freemen have the right to arm themselves, walking around a city in with full armor and weapons will eventually get the attention of a large group of constables, usually with a few soldiers to back them up. If you don't have good reason to be walking around with said arms and armor they will persuade you to go home and remove them. Generally wearing a cloth gambeson, a leather jerkin, or nothing larger than a short sword is fine, and even common in the towns on the bank of the Mount River.

===The Army===
The Baron's army is a professional one, modeled after the Legions of the Empire. They carry crossbows, and are trained to fire them in unison for maximum effect. The foot soldiers also have broadswords, and use spears from the rearward ranks. The army's tight formations can be devastating when used correctly against the lighter, unorganized orcs. Since they have the stirrup, the army also has heavy cavalry units. These units are small, and are generally employed by striking the flank of an engaged unit.

The army also has special forces units called Raiders. These groups operate in company or platoon strength much like the historical Rogers Rangers. They strike deep into the heartlands of the orcs, hoping to draw the orcs back to guard their own villages, and to get some payback for the crimes of the orcs. Because the orclands are badlands with little vegetation raiders don't usually have horses. Instead they are trained runners, fit and capable of running for hours at a time.

===Fighting Styles===


Abinbyrgh Axe-Fighting  4 points.

Taught only in the town of Abinbyrgh, this traditional art is looked on as strange and barbaric by the rest of Laesmor.  Abinbyrgh doesn’t care.  It is the style of their forefathers and it is brutally effective.

Skills:  Brawling, Melee Weapon (Axe/Mace), Shield.
Techniques: Target Attack (Axe/Mace / Leg).
Perks:  Grip Mastery (Axe/Mace), Weapon Bond.


Belfast School  4 points

The warriors of Belfast are famous for their courage and skill and the Belfast School has become popular beyond the confines of their town.  The Belfast School of fighting emphasizes being aggressive and unpredictable.

Skills:  Melee Weapon (Broadsword), Shield, Spear, Wrestling.
Techniques:  Arm Lock (Wrestling), Feint (Broadsword), Ground Fighting, Targeted Attack (Broadsword Swing / Head, Targeted Attack (Broadsword Swing / Neck).
Perks:  Grip Mastery (Broadsword), Ground Guard, Weapon Bond.


Classical  4 points

The art of swordsmanship is centuries old in Laesmoor and traditional fighting schools are found everywhere.  Masters of the classical style care nothing for fashion or gimmicks, trusting in proven techniques and skill.

Skills:  Melee Weapon (Broadsword), Riding, Shield, Spear.
Techniques:  Feint (Broadsword), Targeted Attack (Broadsword Swing / Neck).
Perks: Grip Mastery (Broadsword), Weapon Bond.


Lavernfast School  4 points

The warriors of Levernfast have proved themselves again and again on the battlefield and the sword style of Lavernfast has won reputation and popularity throughout Laesmoor.  Training emphasizes timing and perfect balance.

Skills:  Boxing, Melee Weapon (Broadsword), Shield, Spear.
Techniques:  Counterattack (Broadsword), Feint (Broadsword), Targeted Attack (Broadsword Swing / Arm), Targeted Attack (Broadsword Swing / Neck).
Perks: Grip Mastery (Broadsword), Weapon Bond.


Remen  4 points

Remen fighting survived the death of the empire, due to emulation by the nobility of the borderlands.  In Laesmoor, the army of Conwrightfast had already entirely adapted the Remen style of battle by the time the cataclysm destroyed the empire.  Involving more economy of movement than local styles, some look on it as decadent and mechanical.  Others romanticize it as a great lost secret of the Remen empire.

Skills:  Melee Weapon (Broadsword), Shield, Thrown Weapon (Spear).
Techniques:  Retain Weapon, Target Attack (Broadsword Thrust / Chinks Vitals).
Perks: Grip Mastery (Broadsword), Weapon Bond.