This is for my Erebor, whenever we get to the LOTR season.
Light Infantry
Though not as diverse or large as the medium or heavy infantry fields of Erebor, light infantry still perform a useful role in Dwarven armies. They provide some much needed mobility, and allow for some degree of guerilla tactics to exist within Dwarven hosts.
Dwarf Rangers: Dwarves typically don’t leave the region they were born, regardless of where they are. However, there are some that do leave home, by necessity or by choice. Sometimes, the more militant of these Dwarves are recruited and trained to become part of the hardy Rangers. These Rangers form the first line of defense the Dwarves have, tasked with delaying enemy armies and warning nearby settlements of incoming raids. Armed with powerful crossbows, deadly axes (throwing, battle, and war), and a variety of different tools, these lighty armored warriors are feared by even the greatest of warriors for their skill.
Dwarf Grudgebearers: To direct an insult at a Dwarf is to direct the wrath of the Dwarf against you. The Grudgebearers are Dwarves that bear grudges so great that they take up arms to direct the hatred and shame they bear at the foe. Wielding a variety of melee weapons and wearing leather armor, they are fierce and skilled warriors, albeit ill-disciplined ones. They work with Rangers occasionally, but are most commonly following the armies of allies or of their own kin.
Medium Infantry
The Dwarven definition for medium infantry is the human definition for heavy infantry. Ranging from the Warrior to the Halberdier to the Iron Crossbows, each warrior is heavily armored, well-trained, skilled with their weapons, and fearsome in battle. The Dalian auxiliary units joining them grant them much needed diversity, and form the bulk of their foreign garrisons. The medium infantry form the backbone of every army, and serving with them is seen as a great honor.
Dwarf Warrior: The Warrior is the main unit within the Dwarven army, the stalwart core of their infantry. Armored in a full suit of well-forged steel armor and wielding a sharp, deadly axe, these virtually unbreakable warriors fight to the death in defense of their home. Some are known to wield throwing weapons, though these Warriors typically don’t use them very often in battle. They are renowned for their great stamina, capable of running great distances nonstop, albeit slowly.
Iron Crossbows: These marksmen are some of the most feared members of Erebor’s legions. They form orderly regiments of ironclad marksmen, each wielding an accurate crossbow, a one-handed weapon (axe, mace, sword), and a round shield. Formidable in melee, and even more deadly with their ranged weapon, their volleys of iron death have changed the course of many battles. Like their Warrior brethren, they are incredibly difficult to break and are able to fight for a very long time before becoming exhausted.
Dwarf Guardians: To be a Guardian is to embody a core value of Thorgrund that he holds dear: No retreat, no surrender. Never give up the fight. Stalwart defenders of Erebor, these Dwarves wear full steel armor, and wield a pike. Though not as maneuverable as Warriors, they are perfect at defending the narrow corridors of Erebor, cutting down any that dare to assault the halls of the Lonely Mountain with incredible ease. As with all Dwarves, they don’t break ranks easily, and have a great stamina.
Dwarf Ironbeards: At some point, Dwarf Warriors with a degree of skill above that of their peers will be accepted into the Ironbeards. These are some of the finest warriors Erebor can field, given finely forged full steel plate armor, an axe or mace, and a round shield. In battle, these warriors sing songs of battle as they hack through the enemy ranks with ease. Like all their comrades, they are virtually unbreakable, but these veterans are willing to die to the last, and the experience they bring to the table grants them much better stamina than many.
Dalian Yeomanry: Under the rule of Thorgrund, the military of Erebor was expanded into include human elements. Among them are the Yeomanry, recruited from the sons of landowners settled among the northern banks of the Celduin. These men are skilled archers and ambushers, practicing their skill against many foes, ranging from bears to bandits to mighty Rhunnic hordes. Armed with a longbow and a melee weapon of their choice, they are protected by padded leather, giving them a fair deal of armor while still also allowing for a fair deal of mobility. However, they lack the unbreakable morale and great stamina of the Dwarves.
Dalian Men-at-Arms: Under of rule of Thorgrund, the military of Erebor was expanded to include human elements. Chief among them are the Men-at-Arms, hired from the tough townsfolk that live in Esgaroth and the upper Celduin. Each man is a hardy and deadly warrior, capable of holding the line or assaulting the foe with sword and shield. Equipped with a Dwarven sword and a round shield, they are protected in a Dwarven-made mail hauberk, granting these men great survivability in battle. They have significantly better morale than their Yeomanry kin, along with better stamina.
Dalian Guards: As every fort needs stout guards, Thorgrund decided to train regiments of guards to protect the small villages and forts dotting the area between Erebor and the Iron Hills. Each man is armed with a bill or a shield and spear, making them prime defensive units capable of destroying cavalry and other large units swiftly. The bill-wielding troops are effective against armored foes, making them as effective against infantry as they are against cavalry. In battle, these stalwart soldiers are a solid unit for holding the flanks of a force, cutting down enemies with a quick thrust. Like all men in the Ereborian army, they lack the morale and stamina of the Dwarves.
