[This was posted to rec.arts.sf.written by Michael Major mmajor@bigdog.engr.arizona.edu. The article was written by him with help from Chad C. D'Amour Orzel oilcan@wam.umd.edu] Concerning the situation at the end of TFOH, has anyone figured out the military balance of the world? There seem to be armies being built everywhere. This is how I see the situation (with help from Mr. Orzel, i.e. oilcan@wam.umd.edu, who corrected many of my numbers after I sent this via email for his view- numbers in () are his, comments in () are mine.). 1) The official Army of the Dragon ----------------------------------- Conventional Forces ------------------- 400,000 Aiel - light infantry / special forces (30-40,000) Tairens - mixture heavy infantry / light cavalry 20-30,000 Cairheinen - " " " / " " (30-40,000) (reduced numbers due to civil war) 10,000? Mayenens - standard army mixture (on the march for linkup w/ rest of forces) 9,000 Saldaeans - light cavalry 5,000 Band of the Red Hand - 1/2 heavy inf. / 1/2 light cavalry special missions force (Note: from TFOH, it was stated at 3,000 after several battles and the resultant casualties. After the Battle of Cair. volunteers returned this unit to full strength. Thus, the 5,000 estimate.) (I'm assuming no Andorans since Rand just took the castle so none of the Andoran army knows that he is tentatively in charge. Also, I figure that he won't be doing much with the army anyway because it is 1) infiltrated with corrupt personnel, 2) widely scattered, and 3) Elaine would be ticked off to return to find the nobles ticked off with her, while her army is off doing Rand's bidding. :) ) Strategic Forces ---------------- 1 male channeler - class AAA 2 female channelers - class A (20-30) female channlers - class C (non-offensive) Command Structure ----------------- Chief Commander - Rand al'Thor Chief Tactician, Commander of BotRH, Commander of "Wetlander" forces - Mat Cauthon (forced into all these roles) Tactical Advisors, Aiel divisional leaders - Aiel clan chiefs Tactical Advisor, Saldean commander - Davrim Bashere * ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2) Army of the Exiled Aes Sedai (Blue Army) --------------------------------------------- Conventional Forces ------------------- 5,000? mixed nationality - probably mostly infantry (200) Warders - elite warrier force Strategic Forces ---------------- 1 female channeler - class AA 1 female channeler - class A (200) female channelers - classes B - D *Note: temporarily threw Elaine and Nyneave here Command Structure ----------------- Commander - Gareth Bryne * ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 3) Army of the Towered Aes Sedai (Red Army) --------------------------------------------- Conventional Forces ------------------- (2,000 Tar Valon Guards, etc.) - infantry 100 Warders - elite warrier force lots of reds, so lower number (O(100)) Younglings - equiv. to warders (Chad, thanks for reminding me of these) Strategic Forces ---------------- (200) female channelers - classes B - D Command Structure ----------------- unknown ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 4) Couladin's Former Aiel Army on the Run ------------------------------------------ Conventional Forces ------------------- (30,000-40,000) Aiel - light infantry / special forces (I had initially guessed 80K. My quick assumption was 50% casualties for both sides. This is probably closer.) Strategic Forces ---------------- none Command Structure ----------------- confused if existent at all ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ * Member of Who's Who of Randlandian Generals ======================================================== other opposing armies that I know exist but can't detail Illianer Army - (30-40,000) Whitecloak Army - (30-40,000) Seanchan Army The Shadow Army - (beyond count) forces yet to (officially) choose a side % Andorans Shienarians [sp.] + the other nations %-not as of end of TFOH ======================================================== I hope this provides some new discussion fodder other than the X is also Y discussions. Besides, all these armies should be making some very interesting fight scenes in the next book. (I apologize for any wrap around problems that may occur. My editor exhibits unusual behaviour in this regard.) In closing this lengthy post, Michael Major