Kingdom of Navaren

Basic description of memorized Sylphan strategy

The Sylphan physique was significantly different from other species, not originally from the Fae realm. The major combat difference being their wings. This made most ground based formations simply irrational, when all combat was augmented with flight patterns and the Navaren theory of targeted attrition, the phrase originally used in connection with Sylphan tactics during the Great Siege, where Navaranese troops would fly from building to building, out of reach of melee troops, repeatedly massacring non-ranged troops after picking out the ranged ones.

A basic regimental line was organized with long columns parrallel to the enemy, five Sylphs deep. There was a spacing of roughly 10 paces in depth between lines. After the enemy was within range, the quarrels, or arrows, of the first line would be released, striking the enemy. These front Sylphs would crouch, and then jump into the air with a powerful jump, launching themselves backwards and support the jump with their flying. The next rank, once having the enemy in range, would loose their projectiles, and then launch themselves back as well. Repeated enough, and done correctly, this would annihilate the enemy, while giving zero casualties to the Sylphans.

If confronted with ranged troops, a flying attack was orchestrated, where the Sylphs would fly in an arc towards the enemy, loosing arrows as they fell. En masse, especially against musket troops, this would be devastating. If it was near midday, the sun would be in the eyes of the ground troops, making accuracy even harder than it already was, resulting in low casualties for Sylph troops. If orchestrated with melee troops, units can actually land, instead of flying away at the last second. Having hundreds of well armed melee troops land in the middle of your regiment, armored and ready for combat, can be the devastating blow necessary for an already casualty ridden and morale depleted unit to break. This made Sylphan cavalry nearly obsolete, as the pure shock value of fast moving troops was already in place.

Cavalry, of course, was always going to be a sore spot. Usually, at least one unit of musketry would be available. Though not officially advised, a common in combat tactic was to have the regiment jump upwards, just high enough that the cavalry couldn’t reach them, and fire their quarrels, rounds, or arrows into the riders or horses. This usually was enough to break the cavalry’s morale, as it can be assumed they would’ve had their cohesion and morale at least partially dampened by shots loosed as the cavalry were first seen near the group. Melee troops would often simply jump up and swing downwards, hoping to catch at least a rider in the upper body or head.

The forte of Sylphan combat, of course, is siege conflict. Due to Sylphan wings and their strength, walls weren’t nearly as difficult to surmount. Siege equipment wasn’t entirely necessary, and breaking the walls wasn’t all that important. The flying up the walls was incredibly difficult most of the time, though, as neighbors of the Sylphans had several techniques of dealing with Sylphan armies. Once inside the city, defenders could be picked off, as once again melee defenders were practically useless. Shieldwalls could simply be circumvented, or fired at enough that they would eventually lose their guard and begin to be picked off.

Of course, a basic problem with the constant retreat involved with Sylphan tactics would be the mish-mash and removing of any semblance of line control. The simple solution is to have reserves capable of plugging holes in the line and defending the ground briefly while archers reform. These are usually pikemen or heavy infantry, as the simple staying power involved can keep at least one unit occupied. Supported with ranged units, this can be enough to at least temporarily drive back forces hedging on surrounding reserve troops.

These are the basics of Sylphan combat.

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-- Description of Sylphan tactics in combat.