How big is a division?

[zute]

I apologize for another lame-ass question, but in the story I'm writing now this actually has relevance. It's the difference between paranoia and reasonable concern.

When you rescue Riordan he tells you that Loghain had turned away 200 Grey Wardens and two dozen divisions of cavalry.  When I looked up division sizes I got utterly enormous numbers like 10,000 for single light infantry division, in the modern army. I'm sure that must be vastly larger than in middle ages terms.

Does anyone have a feel for how many actually people that would be? 

My thanks!

Zute

Comments

[elysium_fic]

His only qualification for the job is his bloodline.

And the fact that the Warden, who has persuaded them with proof of Loghain's crimes, vouches for him, AND the fact that Alistair or the Warden (or the Warden's champion) has defeated Loghain in single combat, thus proving him/herself a capable fighter.

In fact, the "fighter" detail is the deciding factor. You can persuade the Landsmeet, but if you can't beat Loghain in the duel, you lose. The Landsmeet follows your recommendation on Alistair because you or Alistair have proven yourselves capable in single combat.

It's a feudalistic medieval society where station is decided almost entirely by birth.

No, it's a fantasy game loosely (very loosely) based on medieval society in atmosphere. In that society, power derives from the Freeholders and Banns, not from higher nobility. The banns hold power because the freeholders GIVE it to them. The king and teyrns hold power because the arls and banns GIVE it to them, and can take it away.

In fact, a large part of the civil war is due to the fact that Loghain is making demands of the bannorn that he has no authority to make. He names himself regent, even though the ruler of Ferelden is decided by the Landsmeet. That's a no-no. He's demanding troops and provisions the bannorn have no obligation to yield to him. In short, he's acting like a tyrant and trampling all over their traditional autonomy.

And this codex assertion is totally unrealistic:

It's not meant to be realistic. It's a fantasy game world, not reality.

[zute]

In fact, the "fighter" detail is the deciding factor. You can persuade the Landsmeet, but if you can't beat Loghain in the duel, you lose. The Landsmeet follows your recommendation on Alistair because you or Alistair have proven yourselves capable in single combat.

If that's the case, then shouldn't the PC Warden, Wynne, Zev, Morrigan or the mabari be the leader of the country if they win?

I'd totally be rooting for the dog. :)

[elysium_fic]

Actually it's quite funny if you try to choose the Dog as your champion.

But, again, see the part I've said several times now about the fact that they follow your RECOMMENDATION because you won the fight, not that the winner automatically becomes leader, only that it gives their recommendation the necessary amount of weight to make the Landsmeet play along.

If the Warden's recommendation was outweighed by national/racial/magical/species prejudice on the part of the Landsmeet (as would be the case with Zev/an elf trying to make himself king/Wynne or Morrigan/Dog, the Landsmeet would still overrule him/her.

So long as the Warden makes a recommendation they can live with, such as keeping Anora (a commoner but a capable queen) on the throne, the Landsmeet will follow IF AND ONLY IF the Warden has proven him/herself a capable fighter, or a leader of capable fighters, by either personally defeating Loghain or choosing a champion who can personally defeat Loghain.

In the end, it comes down to the martial prowess, not blood, not even persuasive ability. That's the world the writers created. It may not be one familiar or realistic to those who expect it to be an exact analog of historical societies, but that's how it is.

[niniane]

<--totally wants Dog to be the next king

<--or maybe Leliana. She's also human, right? And not a mage!