Grand Batallion

A Grand battalion is formed by eight thousand fighting men divided into 4 standard battalions of two thousand.Each battalion is equipped with its own assortment of siege weapon specialists called poliruptors who crew the ballistae, catapults and projectile based weapons.The standard infantry is educated in these areas whenever possible since siege warfare is a specialty of the Order's military.Three thousand men work in the supply train as drivers,blacksmiths and other support elements.

The standard soldiers are divided into two categories differentiated by their equipment,weaponry and consequently their tactics.The heavy infantry form the bulk of formations, are known as Varystratos and are equipped with multipurpose shovels for construction work, a backpack of rations and other necessities in order to lighten the supply train.The kintostratos are the light infantry and are a minority in a standard formation.Due to their purpose as light infantry and ranged combatants they are equipped with the standard backpack and ballistas in order to man forts and bombard enemy formations or defenders in concert with the Poliruptors and their siege engines.

The Varystratos are equipped with a tower shield, combat spear and three shortened throwing spears.If their spear is broken or the situation calls for it varystratos can use a shortsword.   The kinostratos are equipped with short swords, a targe and a crossbow in order to stay mobile,scout if no stratosnoimos are available, harry, ambush,raid,sap and other wise unbalance the enemy.   The elite shock troops of of the order are the Tyranthicos.They wear plate armour, use round shields and whatever weapon they are most proficient with.Due to the hallowed nature of this rank many Tyranthicos are clerics and so supplement their weapons with magic.

Cavalry is eschewed for military purposes in lochos since the hard and uneven terrain of the orders territory is unfavorable to them.So horses or mules are delegated to pulling the numerous supply carts of the supply train.Twentyfive carts are assigned to each battalion and one hundred and eight being assigned to a Grand Battalion eight of which are light siege carts mounting multipurpose ballistae in a standard complement with more and larger carts in a specialised siege train.

A Grand battalion is composed of four lesser battalions commanded by a lieutenant that are themselves composed of companies of five hundred men commanded by a captain.Companies are composed of three hundred Varystratos and two hundred Kintostratos grouped into numbered squads divided into plus the attached specialist complement(this typically consists of at least two squads of poliruptors).The complements are attached according to the Stratomithos orders but can be requisitioned by Lieutenant.

The standard formations set piece tactics consist of a set of sustained volleys by kintostratos and varystratos alike before the former commences harassment tactics and the latter forms a phalanx.In an ideal scenario the kintostratos harry and disrupt the enemy before retreating and continuing the volleys until the Varystratos advance and clash with the enemy advancing relentlessly and attempting to divide the enemy formation by cutting a blunt wedge through the enemy and delegating squads or companies in larger engagements to cut down the enemy in a brutal and seemingly unstructured melee until the restructure order comes through.Then depleted squads fold into each other and reform the phalanx while runners resupply them with throwing spears.

Grand battalions have been loyal to the Order of Lochos since they are a formation exclusive to them.