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

[klarabella]

1) The occupation lasted decades and ended thirty years ago, like many occupations in history these where dark times. Things do change, though, especially when leaders change.

2) Yes, they are just outside the borders on Cailan's request and they are waiting because they were turned back. Good thing about invading armies: You can easily stop them in their tracks by telling them to stop at the border. They just do that.

3) As of RtO, we learn that Cailan and Celen were planning a permanent alliance, this was postponed because there was this Blight problem. Celen tells Cailan that the Wardens assured her that this is a Blight and that they'll have to deal with it first. Celene is obviously not so inclined to invade rather than resorting to other means (like a political marriage).

[niniane]

1) Oh, I agree, things change. (And Loghain likely had a particularly nasty experience with the Orlesians to boot.) That said, occupations have almost never been good things for the occupied, so concern is warranted.

2) Invading armies don't always stop at borders when asked. But depending on the circumstances, there may be a lot of logic for it. If there's a natural barrier or pass with poor supply chains, the army may prefer to wait it out rather than to risk being starved/attacked from a good vantage point. We don't really know all the details about what might cause problems did they press further. Again, maybe they're just being polite and hanging out waiting just in case they're needed. Maybe they're biding their time, waiting for the Blight to do their work for them.

3) Again, Celene seems to be a competent ruler, and she's probably going to go the easy route if she wants to reclaim Ferelden. Marriage wastes a lot fewer resources than does conquest. It's a sensible solution, if Ferelden is willing to go that route (which they seem to be).