So I enjoy fantasy settings in which the military tech reflects serious consideration of the practical demands of whatever combat its peoples are likely to engage in.
Here are three elements that might feature in the world I am currently toying with. Historically they are an odd amalgamation, so my question is whether my (brief) justification below makes sense.
Primary body armour: Gambeson, some mail; very little plate (actually I would prefer to omit it alogether).
Primary sidearm: Basket hilt swords
Primary shields: boss-held, migration-era swords (I am open to rondache shields, but I still need to learn combat techniques for them)
The setting is a mercantile kingdom in which travel by river is the most expedient. Consequently, rapid response along the river routes shapes military conventions, especially given a rise in small scale enemy raids. This necessitates a lighter armour than plate. The likelihood of ship-to-ship fighting and of small scale skirmishes renders swords with adequate hand protection attractive (hence the preference for early basket hilt swords over arming swords). Given the prevalence of light to medium armour, boss-held shields are preferred over smaller bucklers. Kite shields and pavises are still in use for large-scale engagements.
Here are three elements that might feature in the world I am currently toying with. Historically they are an odd amalgamation, so my question is whether my (brief) justification below makes sense.
Primary body armour: Gambeson, some mail; very little plate (actually I would prefer to omit it alogether).
Primary sidearm: Basket hilt swords
Primary shields: boss-held, migration-era swords (I am open to rondache shields, but I still need to learn combat techniques for them)
The setting is a mercantile kingdom in which travel by river is the most expedient. Consequently, rapid response along the river routes shapes military conventions, especially given a rise in small scale enemy raids. This necessitates a lighter armour than plate. The likelihood of ship-to-ship fighting and of small scale skirmishes renders swords with adequate hand protection attractive (hence the preference for early basket hilt swords over arming swords). Given the prevalence of light to medium armour, boss-held shields are preferred over smaller bucklers. Kite shields and pavises are still in use for large-scale engagements.