Valyrian Army Structure and Legion Organization
[Valyrian Army Command Hierarchy]
- Head of House Draceryos: Supreme authority over all military forces, vassal houses, and Demon Forts.
- Marshal: Supreme military leader under House Draceryos.
* Current: Lord Gelionar.
* Second only to the Head of House Draceryos in military matters.
- General: Commands up to five legions in wartime.
* Current: Lord Kostagar and Lord Tyvaros.
* Note: Tyvaros also leads the elite cavalry legion.
- Commander: Directly leads one legion, answers to the Marshal, but to the General in war times or when present.
- Captain: Commands a division of a Cohort; a 1000 troops within a legion. Answers to a Commander.
- Lieutenant: Commands a division of a Century within a Cohort; up to 100 troops within the Legion's Cohort. Answers to a Captain.
- Sergeant: Commands a division of a Squad/Tent Group; up to 10 troops within the Legion's Century. Answers to a Lieutenant.
[Standard Legion Structure (×12)]
Total strength: 6,000 personnel per legion.
Each standard legion contains:
- 4,000 Dragonguards (elite infantry)
- 1,000 Dragonhunters (elite archers)5
- 500 Dragoons (heavy cavalry)
- 200 Dragon Scouts (light infantry / reconnaissance)
- 300 Support Personnel, including:
*Medics/Herbalists
*Engineers and Siege Specialists
*Logisticians and Quartermasters
*Sorcerers from both Orders (Fire Dragon & Blood Dragon)
*Other specialists as needed
This structure is meant to keep the legion self-sufficient on long campaigns and more stable logistically.
[Specialized Legions]
Cavalry Legions (×5)
Each cavalry legion contains:
- 1,000 Dragoons (heavy cavalry)
- 400 Dragon Scouts (light cavalry / mounted scouts)
These legions are designed for shock action, flanking maneuvers, pursuit, and rapid response.
All cavalry legions fall under centralized cavalry doctrine overseen by an appointed General, in this case Lord Tyvaros.
[Ranged Legions (×4)]
Each ranged legion contains:
- 1,000 Dragonhunters (elite archers)
- 400 Dragon Scouts (light infantry support)
These legions provide long-range dominance, defensive depth, and battlefield control. They often operate in support of standard legions or independently in difficult terrain.
[Unit Descriptions]
Dragonguards (Elite Infantry)
- Role: Core fighting force of the Valyrian legions; disciplined, versatile, and able to fight in varied climates and terrain.
- Armor:
* Light, well-protective plate armor of Valyrian Dark-Forged Steel from shoulder to lower torso.
* A compact padded garment worn beneath, fitted like a tunic.
* Lower body protection is a mix of light plate and padding, open past the knee for mobility.
* Knees, shins, and ankles are protected by wrapped light plate armor.
* This armor standard is designed to balance protection, endurance, and comfort in hot or cold environments.
-Weapons:
* Valyrian pilum (designed for both throwing and sustained melee use).
* Valyrian Dark-Forged short sword (gladius-style, about 70 cm).
* Dagger.
* Large, curved shield (dragon motif).
- Mounts: Armored, battle-bred warhorses for speed and power.
Dragonhunters (Archers)
- Armor: Similar to the Dragon-Guards, but instead of plate, they wear a light chainmail.
- Weapons:
* Goldenheart bows
* Short sword & Dagger
* Small round shield
Dragon Scouts (Light Infantry / Recon)
- Armor: Light, mobile protection built for speed and endurance.
- Weapons:
* Composite Bow
* Short Sword & Dagger
Valyrian Shieldbearers (Honor Guard/Heavy Infantry)
- Role: Guard Demon Forts and noble families under House Draceryos. In some cases, due to them being a Heavy Infantry, they are deployed with the legions.
- Armor: Their armor is much more protective, a full heavy suit of armor, yet still allowing functional mobility.
- Weapon:
* Spear
* Arming Sword
* Shield
* Composition: Half if not most are Veterans of the Valyrian Army; often elite retainers.
{A/N: The following, the Heavy Cavalry/Heavy Shock Cavalry, the Dragoons, are inspired entirely by the Polish Winged Hussars.}
Dragoons (Heavy Cavalry) - Winged Shock Cavalry
- Role: Elite shock cavalry used to break infantry lines, smash enemy cavalry, and decide battles with repeated, disciplined charges. They are more like a "battering ram" than skirmish horse.
- Armor:
* Cuirass-style plate (dark-forged steel): a fitted breastplate/backplate built light enough for long campaigns, with reinforced chest and shoulders for impact.
* Mail or segmented sleeves + padded underlayer: protects arms while keeping mobility for lance control and sword work.
* Helmet: open-faced or visor-light helm with a strong brow and neck protection.
- Wings (draconic version):
* Construction: a pair of rigid "wings" mounted to the rear harness, Iron Wood with blackened leather made to resemble Dragonhide/Dragonscale.
- Weapons:
* Primary:Heavy lance ("Dragonlance"). Has a long reach, optimized for the charge. Despite being made from Dark-Forged Steel, it was intentionally made hollow to make it even lighter. Yet it still retains its strength.
* Secondary blade:curved sabre for close combat after the lance breaks or is discarded.
* Backup thrusting weapon: long stiff thrusting sword or estoc-like blade for armor gaps.
* Sidearms: dagger; some carry a warhammer/mace for finishing armored foes.
* Ranged: a compact bow or short composite bow carried for harassment and pursuit, not as their main job.
- Mounts:
* Type: large, fast, high-stamina warhorses bred and trained specifically for shock action, able to carry heavy kit and still charge hard.
* Protection: partial barding (chest/neck plates and reinforced caparison), focused on keeping the horse alive through arrow fire and the first collision.
[Equipment and Forging]
- Dragonsteel: Reserved for Commanders and exceptional Captains; forged with dragonflame and blood magic.
- Valyrian Dark-Forged Steel: Standard for all legions, crafted with volcanic ash for extreme durability (some consider it superior to Qohorik steel).
- Non-powered Runes: Engraved for aesthetics, heritage, and symbolism, no effect on durability or strength.
[Recruitment Restrictions]
- Only Valyrians may serve in the legions.
- Rare exceptions exist for non-Valyrians, but they seldom rise beyond soldier rank.
Background: Since the reforms of Vaemor Draceryos and his descendants, Valyrian population in the Lands of the Long Summer has surged due to immigration from Volantis, Lys, Tolos, Mantarys, and Elyria, enabling the massive standing army.
[Vassal House Military Integration]
- Demon Fort Garrisons: Each Demon Fort is primarily guarded by Valyrian Shield-Bearers; heavily armed and armored, elite troops specialized in defense rather than offense. These soldiers are veterans and are tasked with holding the forts under any circumstance.
- Fort Military Garrison: In addition to Shield-Bearers, each fort also maintains a garrison of Dragonguards, Dragonhunters, Dragoons, and Dragon Scouts for offensive operations and rapid deployment.
- Personal Guards: Vassal Houses may raise up to 150 personal guards for family defense, often veterans from Draceryos legions.
- Magical Orders:
* Order of the Fire Dragon – Led by Lady Kaella Magyros (House Magyros).
* Order of the Blood Dragon – Led by Maeryn Aerralis.
* Both orders are directly under House Draceryos authority.
- Intelligence Agency:
* Order of Shadows – The covert intelligence and espionage network of House Draceryos, specializing in infiltration, counterintelligence, sabotage, and silent elimination of threats. Operates independently from the military but reports directly to the Head of House Draceryos.
- Naval Command:
* Currently held by House Kostagar.
* Historically held by House Mataeryon, famed for naval mastery and shipbuilding. The former Fleet Admiral was of House Mataeryon and has trained both Lord Maerys Kostagar and Lord Baenarr Mataeryon in naval tactics.