Some Basic Definitions for Fratricidal Combat

Heavy Infantry.
    The backbone of any Markland army is its heavy infantry.  Plate armor is common, as is heavy leather armor.  Weapons include the sword and shield combination (a.k.a. 'sword and board'), glaives, spears, two-handed swords, and the peasant's flail. 
    Minimum armor requirements are a helmet, gorget, knee pads, elbow pads, cup (for men), hockey or lacross gloves, a gambeson, and a kidney belt. 
    Armor counts for "what it is."  For instance, hockey gloves count as no armor but gauntlets do count.  A freon can helmet does not count as armor but a heavy guage steel helmet does.

Light Infantry. 
    A rare sight on most Markland battlefields.  A light infantry soldier is essentially an unarmored heavy.  Since the mere touch of a 'heavy' can kill a 'light', the lights usually fight with spears so that they keep the heavies at a good distance. 
    The picture at left, while grainy and old, shows two light fighters using spears.

Archers 
    Like the light infantry the light archer can be killed by the touch of a heavy.  Their choice of weapon allows them to keep the heavies at a considerable distance.  The heavies despise the archers - BUT they always want theym on their side! 
    The heavy archer combines this ranged weapon with the armor of a heavy.  This allows the heavy archer to enter combat as a heavy if need be.  Most heavy archers wear a fair amount of armor.  Since steel plate armor is usually 'proof' against arrows the heavy archers are often protected from the enemy's archers making them an even more valuable asset.

Artillerist.

    These troops operate the war machines on the battlefield.  Over the last few years a few catapults and cannons have been experimented with - with varying success.  There are no official rules regarding these troops and they are usually designated light infantry (or heavy depending on their armor). 

Handgunner. 

    The handgun is another experimental weapon in Markland.  It is essentially a 'potato gun' that is made to fire foam 'bullets' instead of potatos.  The effectiveness of the weapon is uncertain.  Like the artillery weapons there are no official rules regarding these weapons.  Handgunners may be heavy or light depending upon their armor. 

Reeve. 
    The reeve is a referee.  The reeves insure that the rules are being followed and maintain a level of safety.  They also determine the melee scenarios.  Each war has a Head Reeve who selects reeves from amongst the experienced fighters.  There are usually volunteers but the occasional need for drafting is not unheard of.  The power of the reeve is a hotly debated subject in Markland.  The general rule is, the reeve's word is gospel and you don't argue with the reeve. 

 


 
Since Markland has not yet seen fit to include it on their web page, I have endeavored to type in and make available the Markland Rules for Fratricidal Combat.

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page last updated September 10, 2003