Introduction
Howdy all – here’s a preview of something I am working on for the next issue of Wyrms Footnotes: Hero Wars Army Lists! I’m a bit of a wargamer at heart, and Greg and I have long wanted to get out a canonical army list of the Lunars AND the rebels.
This is a non-exclusive and unfinished list of canonical regiments and special units in the Lunar Army during the Hero Wars period.
To further discuss this list, I’ve put a thread up in the forum.
Lunar Headquarters
The headquarters of the Lunar Army is more than merely the command center. It is the mobile household of the Red Emperor, with dignitaries, consorts, priests, clerks, servants, and slaves. It is a mobile temple, home to the wargods of the Lunar Empire, and attended to by scores of priests.
Red Emperor
- Type: Hero
The Red Emperor is the immortal, ever-reincarnating ruler of the Lunar Empire, responsible only to his mother, the Red Goddess. He is the supreme head of the political government, the highest priest of the Lunar religion, and commander-in-chief of the Lunar Army.
Bellex Maximus
- Type: Hero
The Imperial Warlord was appointed in 7/36 (1607) by the current Mask of the Red Emperor. He serves as high priest of all the Lunar wargods and wields the sacred Five Star Standard. The corps of the Lunar Army report to Bellex Maximus, who in turn reports directly to the Red Emperor.
Jar-eel
- Type: Heroine
This Heroine of the Lunar Empire is the Fourth Inspirations of Moonson and the current incarnation of the Red Goddess. She is the greatest Hero of the Lunar Empire.
Great Sister
- Type: Heroine
The Daughter of the Red Moon, this demigod is one of the very few beings not responsible to the Red Emperor, instead owing allegiance to the Red Goddess herself.
Army Standards
College of Magic
A prominent superiority of the Lunar Army is their unique use of sorcerers, shamans, and priests organized into permanent military units. Most magical units are assigned to the College of Magic, including, among others, the Field School of Magic, the Crater Makers, and the Crimson Bat.
Crimson Bat
- Type: Magical
- Magic Factor: Demigod
The Crimson Bat is a Chaos demon alive in the Middle World and bound in service to the Red Goddess. It is the most awesome exotic magical unit of the Lunar Empire, capable of devouring entire regiments and routing armies. The Crimson Bat generates its own Glowspot, extending approximately 10 miles in all directions. It is served by a cruel Chaos cult that keeps it fed with human victims.
Crater Makers
- Type: Magical
- Magic Factor: 4 High
The Crater Makers are an independent school of the Lunar Magical Corps. Their training allows them to call upon the Red Moon to hurl down huge chunks of roaring rock from the sky to fall upon their foes.
Field School of Magic
Major Class Units
- Type: Mounted Magical
- Magic Factor: 4 High
Minor Class Units
- Type: Magical
- Magic Factor: 4 Medium
The Field School of Magic consists of six priestly/magical units, each with some 200 Lunar priests, sorcerers, and shamans from the University of the Seven Phases in Glamour. The purpose of the Field School is to serve the Red Goddess by serving the Lunar army. They also oversee the coordination of other cults (except the wargods) with the Lunar army. Their magic is subject to the Lunar Cycle.
The Field School is divided into four Minor Class units and two Major Class units. Minor Class units provide as many squads of flexible Lunar magicians as possible. Each squad is organized so that its members collectively master the Seven Phases of the Moon. The members of a Minor Class Unit all dress alike.
Major Class units are composed of Illuminated Lunar magicians, each trained to master at least six of the seven phases. The Major Class magicians are mounted on horses.
University Guards
- Type: Light Infantry
- Armor: Bronze
- Weapons: Bow, kopis
- Morale: Regular
The Field School of Magic is protected by two regiments of University Guards. They worship Yanafal Tarnils and are sworn to defend their magicians to the death. Sometimes the magicians have to be quite close to the fighting, and since they are likely to be involved in otherworldly activity and utterly helpless in the mundane world, they are very dependent upon their guards for defense. As a result, the University Guards are beloved by the Field School magicians and a part of the Field School’s magic is always given to their Guards.
Blue Moon School
- Type: Magical
- Magic Factor: Medium
- Notes: Not subject to Lunar Cycle
The Blue Moon School is an independent school of the College of Magic. They preserve ancient Lunar secrets from lost Mernita that predates the rebirth of the Red Goddess.
Spell Archers
- Type: Mounted Magical
- Magic Factor: Medium
- Notes: Not subject to Lunar Cycle
The Spell Archers are an independent school of the College of Magic. They are sun priests who can cast fiery bolts down from the heavens with their spells.
Comet Seers
- Type: Mounted Magical
- Magic Factor: Medium
- Notes: Not subject to Lunar Cycle
This order of stargazers is an independent school of the College of Magic and use celestial magic to disrupt the enemy.
Imperial Bodyguard
The Imperial Bodyguard is a special group of elite regiments that serves as the bodyguard of the Red Emperor and the tactical reserve for the Lunar Army.
Full Moon Corps
- Type: Magical Heavy Infantry
- Armor:Iron with magical Silver Masks
- Weapons: Various
- Morale: Elite
- Magic Factor: High
This magical regiment assigned to the Imperial Bodyguard is feared throughout Glorantha. Its soldiers are demigod immortals, heroes in training who descend to earth from the Red Moon to fight for the Red Emperor. When they are slain, they return to their Mother, who heals them and sends them back to the Lunar armies.
Beat-Pot Aelwrin
- Type: Hero
This former kitchen slave led a successful slave rebellion, using only the tools of his trade. The rebellion was crushed by Jar-eel, but Beat-Pot became her constant companion and high priest of the Bloodspillers cult.
Bloodspillers
- Type: Heavy Cavalry
- Armor: Enchanted Silver
- Weapons: Kontos, javelin, sickle-sword
- Morale: Elite
- Magic Factor: High
- Notes: Silver Regiment
First of the Silver Regiments founded by Yanafal Tarnils to protect the Red Goddess, this regiment is made up of men and women who dedicate their lives to the martial arts and the defense of the Red Emperor.
Feathered Axe
- Type: Heavy Infantry
- Armor: Bronze
- Weapons: Two-handed battle axe, javelins
- Morale: Veteran
This ancient regiment is comprised of the followers of a ferocious wargod from Alkoth. The Carmanians set the wargod against the Red Goddess, but instead swore to serve as one of Her guardians outside of Raibanth in 0/15 (1235).
Grim Soldiers
- Type: Heavy Infantry
- Armor: Enchanted Silver
- Weapons: Long spear, oval shield, kopis
- Morale: Veteran
- Notes: Silver Shield
One of the Silver Regiments, members of this regiment must be veterans of ten years service, and have lost a close relative to enemy action before they can join.
Hell Sisters
- Type: Heavy Cavalry
- Armor: Leather
- Weapons: Kontos, bow, sickle-sword
- Morale: Elite
- Notes: All female
This regiment originally consisted of crazed followers of Jakaleel the Witch and now worship a variety of Hell deities. It is a ferocious unit feared by friends and foes alike.
Household Foot
- Type: Heavy Infantry
- Armor: Enchanted Silver
- Weapons: Long spear, rectangular shield, sickle-sword
- Morale: Veteran
- Notes: Silver Regiment
One of the Silver Regiments founded by Yanafal Tarnils to protect the Red Goddess, the soldiers of this unit wear silver facemasks.
Mother’s Guard
- Type: Heavy Cavalry
- Armor: Leather
- Weapons: Kontos, bow, sickle-sword
- Morale: Veteran
- Notes: All female
This regiment was originally founded to protect the Red Goddess as she wove her great magic at the Battle of Castle Blue.
Heartland Corps
The Heartland Corps are the heir of the pre-Lunar Dara Happan Field Army and consists of regiments of heavy and light infantry.
Phalanx Standards
Beryl Phalanx
- Type: Heavy Infantry
- Armor: Bronze
- Weapons: Long spear, large round shield, kopis
- Morale: Regular
- Notes: Stonewall Phalanx
One of the ancient Stonewall Phalanxes, this regiment has special magic for fighting against the Ram People of Talastar and Brolia.
Granite Phalanx
- Type: Heavy Infantry
- Armor: Bronze
- Weapons: Long spear, large round shield, kopis
- Morale: Regular
- Notes: Stonewall Phalanx
One of the ancient Stonewall Phalanxes, this regiment has special magic for fighting against trolls.
Jasper Phalanx
- Type: Heavy Infantry
- Armor: Bronze
- Weapons: Long spear, large round shield, kopis
- Morale: Regular
- Notes: Stonewall Phalanx
One of the ancient Stonewall Phalanxes, this regiment has special magic for fighting against the people of First Blessed.
Marble Phalanx
- Type: Heavy Infantry
- Armor: Bronze
- Weapons: Long spear, large round shield, kopis
- Morale: Regular
- Notes: Stonewall Phalanx
One of the ancient Stonewall Phalanxes, this regiment has special magic for fighting against Darkness.
Raibanth Line
- Type: Mixed
- Armor: Bronze
- Weapons: Bow, long spear, shield
- Morale: Regular
- Notes: Line Regiment
One of the surviving Line Regiments of Emperor Elmexdros, this unit consists of 300 spearmen and 700 archers. The spearmen wear bronze cuirasses and carry long spears; the archers wear leather armor, and carry medium shields and kopis swords for close combat.
Silver Shields
| Type | Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Long spear, medium round shield, kopis, javelin |
| Morale | Veteran |
| Notes | Hypaspists |
This unit of well-drilled hypaspists is capable of fast marching and operating in difficult terrain. They are named after their famous silver-plated shields.
Steel Sword Legion
| Type | Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Iron |
| Weapons | Iron sword, throwing spear, rectangular shield |
| Morale | Veteran |
| Notes | Dwarf-forged weapons and armor |
This unit originated in Second Age Fronela, and is armed with weapons made by the dwarves of Nida. They served the Carmanian Shahs until after the Battle of the Four Arrows of Light. The soldiers worship Humakt the Iron Sword.
Blessed Daughters
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | None |
| Weapons | Bow, kopis |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes | All female |
This archery unit is traditionally commanded by one of the daughters of the Red Emperor.
Copper Girls
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Javelin, sword, crescent shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes | All female |
This Darsenite regiment once guarded the Earth Temples of the Darsen Hills from despoliation by men. They are especially effective on broken ground.
Doblian Dogeaters
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | None |
| Weapons | Rhompia, javelin, crescent shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
This Old Carmanian unit is protected by an ancient Sakkar (saber-toothed tiger) spirit. They have an ancient rivalry with the Lasadag Lions.
Graineaters
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Javelin, kopis, crescent shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
This ancient Suvarian unit fights as peltasts. They carry crescent-shaped wicker shields and wear square bronze pectoral plates.
Hadrian’s Skirmishers
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Javelin, kopis, crescent shield |
| Morale | Veteran |
| Notes |
This Darjiini unit fights as peltasts. They carry crescent-shaped wicker shields and wear circular bronze pectoral plates.
Iceland Starclubs
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Two-handed mace, javelin |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
This regiment of Eolian auxiliaries is famed for its surprise attacks and skillful, tactical withdrawals.
Jintori
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Sling, small round shield, dagger |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
These slingers from the Orayan hills are skilled skirmishers in broken country. They wear their slings, made of hair and sinew, wrapped around their temples.
Lasadag Lions
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | Leather (Lion hides) |
| Weapons | Short spear, sword, rectangular shield |
| Morale | Veteran |
| Notes |
The lion-soldiers of Pelanda are an ancient and well-known regiment. They served as bodyguards to the Lion Shahs of Carmania. They wear lion hides and some can even transform into lions. They have an ancient rivalry with the Doblian Dogeaters.
Lost Sky
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Javelin, crescent shield, kopis |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
This ancient unit of Darjiini skirmishers has served the Dara Happa Empire since the First Age. They wear lamellar cuirasses of lacquered leather.
Nest Thieves
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Javelin, sword, crescent shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
The soldiers of this Darsenite regiment decorate their helmet crests with eagle feathers. They are skilled woodsmen.
Thunder Delta Slingers
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | None |
| Weapons | Sling, spear |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
These two regiments of skilled slingers come from Eol and are widely considered the best missile troops in the Lunar Army.
Yalamese
| Yalamese | |
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Javelin, small shield, kopis |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
This regiment from Doblian was founded by Hon-eel the Artess at the end of the Fourth Wane.
Blue Dragoons
| Type | Mounted Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Long spear, round shield, kopis |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes | All male |
This regiment was founded in the Second Wane by Hwarin Dalthippa for the Daughter’s Road Campaign. The soldiers fight as a phalanx, but move around the battlefield and on campaign on horseback.
Red Dragoons
| Type | Mounted Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Long spear, round shield, kopis |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes | All female |
This regiment was founded in the Second Wane by Hwarin Dalthippa for the Daughter’s Road Campaign. The soldiers fight as a phalanx, but move around the battlefield and on campaign on horseback.
Standfast
| Type | Mounted Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Long spear, large round shield, kopis |
| Morale | Veteran |
| Notes |
This superbly drilled regiment fights as a phalanx, but moves around the battlefield and on campaign on horse. The regiment was founded by Hon-eel the Artess at the beginning of the Fifth Wane.
Total: 23 Regiments out of 36
missing image?
Cavalry Corps
During the wars with Sheng Seleris, the Cavalry Corps gained in prestige and importance at the expense of the Heartland Corps.
| Antelope Lancers | |
| Type | Heavy Cavalry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Kontos, kopis |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes | Rides Sable Antelope |
The Antelope Lancers are Sable Riders from the Hungry Plateau. They worship the Twin Stars.
| Arrowstone | |
| Type | Heavy Cavalry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Kontos, bow, mace |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
This regiment was founded by Hon-eel the Artess to fight against the Pentans in the Fifth Wane.
| Char-un | |
| Type | Heavy Cavalry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Kontos, bow, kopis |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes | Pure Horse People |
This tribe of Pure Horse People have been allies of the Red Goddess since the Battle of Seven Horses in 0/8 (1228).
| Flowers of Death | |
| Type | Heavy Cavalry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Kontos, kopis |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
This regiment was founded by Hwarin Dalthippa during the resettlement of Rist in 1/49 (1296).
| Goldwave | |
| Type | Heavy Cavalry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Kontos, bow, small shield, kopis |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
This aristocratic regiment from Birin was founded by Avivath in the First Age. They are notable for the golden sun on their shields.
| Upland Horse | |
| Type | Heavy Cavalry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Kontos, sword |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes | Cataphract |
This regiment of Carmanian cataphracts comes from the province of Jhor.
| Whipstock | |
| Type | Heavy Cavalry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Kontos, sword |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes | Cataphract |
This regiment of Carmanian cataphracts comes from the province of Worion.
| Moon Arrow | |
| Type | Light Cavalry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Bow, kopis |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes | Horse Archers |
This regiment from First Blessed is always commanded by a priestess of the Red Goddess.
| Riverfork | |
| Type | Light Cavalry |
| Armor | None |
| Weapons | Bow, kopis |
| Morale | Militia |
| Notes | Horse Archers |
This regiment of Carmanian horse archers is noted for its skill at fighting Pentan cavalry.
| Starkin | |
| Type | Light Cavalry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Bow, kopis |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
This ancient regiment maintains the taboos of the Pure Horse People and worships Hyalor. They ride in the ancient manner, and do not use saddles.
| Unriver | |
| Type | Light Cavalry |
| Armor | None |
| Weapons | Bow, short sword |
| Morale | Militia |
| Notes | Horse Archers |
These mounted archers from the Redlands are noted for their ability to shoot their bows while retreating away from the enemy.
| Wine Dance | |
| Type | Light Cavalry |
| Armor | None |
| Weapons | Javelin, kopis |
| Morale | Militia |
| Notes |
These scouts from Terarir revel in reckless behavior, drunkenness, and death.
| Wing Temple | |
| Type | Light Cavalry |
| Armor | None |
| Weapons | Bow, shield |
| Morale | Militia |
| Notes | Horse Archers |
These horse archers from Oraya are scouts and skirmishers.
Provincial Army
Tarsh
| Veterans Cavalry | |
| Type | Heavy Cavalry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Kontos, sword, round shield |
| Morale | Veteran |
| Notes |
| 2nd Furthest Cavalry | |
| Type | Heavy Cavalry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Kontos, sword, round shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
| 3rd Furthest Cavalry | |
| Type | Heavy Cavalry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Kontos, sword, round shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
| Bagnot Foot | |
| Type | Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Sword, spear, round shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
| Dunstop Foot | |
| Type | Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Sword, spear, round shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
| 1st Furthest Foot | |
| Type | Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Sword, spear, round shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
| 2nd Furthest Foot | |
| Type | Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Sword, spear, round shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
| Goldedge Foot | |
| Type | Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Long spear, large round shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes | Yelmalio cultists |
Yelmalio cultists organized around their Sun Dome Temple.
| Talfort Foot | |
| Type | Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Sword, spear, round shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
| Reaching Moon | |
| Type | Magical Infantry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Kopis, javelin |
| Morale | Elite |
| Magic Factor | High |
Holay
| Bell Temple | |
| Type | Heavy Cavalry |
| Armor | Bronze |
| Weapons | Long spear, sword, round shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
Supported by the Bell Temple in Filichet.
| Dalini | |
| Type | Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Spear, sword, round shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
| Green Bows | |
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | None |
| Weapons | Bow |
| Morale | Militia |
| Notes | Male and Female units. |
| Mirin Moon Mages | |
| Type | Magical |
| Armor | None |
| Weapons | |
| Morale | Elite |
| Magic Factor | Medium |
| Queen’s Horse | |
| Type | Heavy Cavalry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Kontos, javelin |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
| Golden Shields | |
| Type | Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Long Spear, large round shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes | Yelmalio cultists |
Aggar
| Sun Dome Templars | |
| Type | Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Long Spear, large round shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes | Yelmalio cultists |
Vanch
| Foot Bison | |
| Type | Light Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Spear, javelin, sword |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |
| Sun Dome Templars | |
| Type | Heavy Infantry |
| Armor | Leather |
| Weapons | Long spear, large round shield |
| Morale | Regular |
| Notes |