Editing Unit Designations and Distinctions

This is included in the [[Jeweled Amber]] pages in order to put a basic description of troops for the use of GM & Players.  


'''<big>Unit Distinctions</big>'''

It is sometimes useful to describe a unit in a manner that quickly gives an idea of the units skills, training, and equipment. While there is a vast amount of diversity in various fighting groups these descriptions can be seen at first as a judgment on the unit; but its not.  It is merely shorthand for describing a unit's state. 

A unit can be described using 3 terms that reflect their equipment, training and on-field discipline.  A modifier reflecting the units Morale can also be included if desired. A distinction for weapon usage can be included.  Some units have a particular name which may be included. 

These terms are as follows: 
*'''Regular/Irregular''' Disciplined or Undisciplined 
*'''Grade''' A, B, or C
*'''Style''' Infantry or Cavalry

In Usage a unit would be described thus: Regular "B" Medium Infantry,  Irregular "A" Heavy Cavalry, Irregular "C" Light Infantry, Regular "A" Light Infantry.

A unit weapon usage can also be included if it is important to describing a unit. Regular "B" Light Infantry Crossbowman.  Regular "A" Medium Infantry Pike Phalanx, Irregular "A" Heavy Cavalry Lancers. 

'''''Morale''''' is some time included if it is distinctive to the unit.  Knight Templars: ''Regular "A" Heavy Cavalry with High Morale''.  Peasant levies:  ''Irregular "C" Light Infantry with poor morale.''

===<big>Regular & Irregular</Big>===

'''Regular or Irregular Units.'''
This is determined by the units ability to follows orders, remains in place when heavily pressed, and if individual members remain with their units rather then seeking actions elsewhere on the field. 

===='''Regular Units'''====
*''''' Regular Units''''' are ones that have the interior cohesion to remain together regardless of circumstances. 
*They train as a unit for multiple purposes. 
*They are able to transition from one role to another quickly and easily, upon command. 
*They maintain contact with each other and their stragglers, moving as a group. 
*They can take orders from commanders other then their own on the field.
*They have logistical support for on and off the field or while in transit.
===='''Irregular Units'''====
*'''''Irregular Unit''''' has many of the opposite virtues of a regular unit but has some advantages compared to them as well.  
*They tend to be more loose, leaving stragglers behind as fighters move at their own speeds.  
*They may not follow orders reliably, either from their own commanders or from commanders outside their group.  This may be expressed as an unwillingness to recognize the army chain of command. Some irregular units may have little or no command structure of their own.
*They may break into smaller disorganized groups that pursue different targets.
*The advantages they have is that being flexible, they can be broken into units and sent to handle flankers or wolf pack units.  
*A Regular Unit may be focused on its objective and may miss a developing situation.  Irregular units, by their nature, look around their area more often and may see a shift in battlefield situations quicker then a Regular Unit. 
*A unit comprised of fighters unfamiliar with each other such as a group collected from unaligned fighters during the establishment of sides on the day of battle. 

*Calling a unit ''Irregular'' may be seen as an insult but it is a judgment based on the units infrastructure.  If a unit or a unit leader argues this designation it can often mean they do not see the problems that make the designation accurate.  Also it needs to be stressed that this is only one part of their over all unit description and it is one that can be changed with training. 

===<big>'''Grade:'''</big>===
'''A, B or C Grade'''- This distinction list lists the fighting ability of the unit expressed in the average level of fighting ability of the fighters.   This is not a judgment of a unit worthiness since many units serve different roles on the field. It is an expression of the nits regular level of practice and fighting skills.
===='''A'''====
Elite, Extremely well trained with weapon usage. Experienced in Battle, reliable In battle, able to meet large units on equal or better terms. Well Equipped with arms and armor.  Professional. Uniform look or identifiable aspects. 

*'''A Grade'''
An '''''A''''' Grade unit is one comprised of individuals that train frequently to better their individual fighting skills.  They may attend and fight in tourneys to better their personal abilities and their personal and unit prestige.  This means an '''A''' Grade unit may have a large number  seasoned warriors.  It may mean the unit has a large number of fighters that have years, if not decades of war-field experience.   Long periods of war-field experience can be as effective as regular tourney experience as veteran fighters shepherd newer fighters on the field during actions.

An '''A''' Grade unit can take heavy stress on the field being sent to deal with royal units and reserves,  To overwhelm larger less skilled units, and otherwise shock a tactical situation.  
Such a unit might be famous in the sense that they are well known, or filled with well known and even feared fighters. 

===='''B'''====
Trained. Somewhat trained and familiar with arms and armor. Equipped with mixed quality of weapons and equipment.   Able to meet forces on equal terms. Situationally Dependable. Amateur to semi-professional.  Often wearing similar or mass produced tabards and colors. 

'''B Grade'''
A B Grade Unit is one with a mixture of skilled individual fighters. 

'''B Grade'' will be the most common grade of troop on the field, displaying a mixture of training, equipment and experience and will fill most actions on the field.
A '''B''' Grade unit can stand, fight or run away as the situation demands.

===='''C'''====
Untrained.  Poor weapon skills. Inadequate equipment.  React poorly to situational morale.  Unreliable.  Units assembled by force.

A '''C''' Grade Unit is comprised of a few skilled regular fighters, usually the unit leadership, and is filled out with fighters who may only practice a few times a year, if at all.  The unit has little experience in field drills, little understanding of battlefield commands, and may have a stubborn desire to not listen to commands even if they understand their purpose.  It will often have a large number of new fighters, or even fighters who have been put in armor and rushed to the field with as little as one practice.  

These units may not follow orders and may spread out in a manner that interferes with better trained units.  While they may be large, due to quickly armed fighters, they may be less effective in a press then a smaller unit.

A '''C''' gade unit may be its own worst enemy.  Not supporting itself in battle.
 
A '''C' Grade unit is effective for holding positions where they are not stressed.  Flag points, uncontested bridges, crossings and sally ports.  Defending stationary features like artillery. As such this means that they are effective to be seen by an enemy to be serving a role but may not be effective once battle comes to them.

===<big>''' Style; Infantry /Cavalry'''</big>===
'''Unit Equipment or Style'''-this style describes the equipment the unit uses and its mobility in it.  
* '''Light Infantry''': no armor or light padded armor. shield and one hand weapon.  spear.  
* '''Medium Infantry''': Partial metal armor, full leather armor. Leather and Chain. 
* '''Heavy Infantry''': Full metal or heavy armor.
* '''Light Cavalry''': Light or No armor, mounted on a beast of some kind.
* '''Medium Cavalry''': Partial metal armor, full leather armor. Leather and Chain. Mounted on some beast
* '''Heavy Cavalry''':Full metal or heavy armor. Mounted on some beast

Most units can move quickly when needed but a cavalry unit can run far and fast when needed with a small amount of members falling out of order. 

With these a unit may be described as Regular A Medium Infantry, or Irregular C Light infantry, Regular A Medium Cavalry, or other variations.

==Morale==
Morale-the confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of a person or group at a particular time. 

Morale is an expression of the character of a unit.  Are they eager? Pessimistic?  Do they come to the field together or in ones and twos?  Do they leave the field together?  Do they march together to the field, waving banners, singing songs?  Are they proud of each others efforts and of their leaders?  Do they complain that their foes outnumber them or didn't follow rules? 

A unit may show elements of both good and bad morale and its the average of the various influences that gives a commander a sense of how to judge a unit as having bad or good morale. 

A unit can be said to have Good Morale if it does some of the following:
Is eager to get to the field. Fields regular numbers on successive days. 
Has equipment in good order. Makes a point of getting weapons checked promptly. 
Marches to the field together and shows esprit de corp in singing, war crys, and showing their war colors boldly.
Leave the field together, or in small groups.
Includes water bearers, and support personnel. 
 
A unit can be said to have Bad Morale if it does the following:
Comes to the field and leaves the field individually and without informing their unit leaders.  
Argues among themselves on the field. Gets angry and vocally abusive on the field. 
Complains about actions on the field.  Enemy outnumbers them. Others ignoring rules.  Blow acknowledgment.  
Loses fighters do to attrition.  This may be differences in fitness, training.
Does not field on successive days do to hungover fighters.