Cavalry and Chariotry in Primeval Thule - by Judith

There are two main factors limiting the military utility of the horse in Thule: much of the continent is unsuitable for raising horses or for using horses in large numbers; and the horse in Thule is a comparatively small animal, typically between 11hh and 13hh, with commensurate strength and endurance.  This has meant that tack and saddlery is fairly rudimentary: stirrups are unknown and frame saddles a rarity, limited to only the largest horses due to their weight.  Because of this unstable seat, horses are not viewed as a high status conveyance and are deemed a poor alternative to carriages or especially palanquins for shorter distances.

That is not to say horses are unused by military forces: mounted horsemen are most often used as scouts and messengers even if the horses are unable to carry an armed man for any length of time.  Unarmoured horse archers make up rare but expensive freeblade companies, often made up of tribesmen from the Nar Highlands where some of the best horses in Thule originate.

The solution to the problem of military mobility is the chariot.  Military chariots are typically divided into heavy and light versions: both carry two passengers and are drawn by two horses.  The parade chariot is an impractically heavy although magnificently decorated vehicle drawn by four horses.  The so-called racing chariot is another light chariot drawn by two or four horses and, as well as its use in races, may be the vehicle of choice for a wealthy noble.

The light chariot is almost always constructed using a frame of bent wood secured with wooden pins and rawhide strips which give it a high degree of flex and thus durability.  The wheels are normally four spokes, although six spokes may be used where the strength of the timber is in question.  The frame of the chariot box is protected by at most a rawhide cover, often brightly painted in national livery.  The chariot is designed to be quickly and easily disassembled as its easily obtained rawhide fixtures make for easy use and repair by charioteers with limited training.  This means it is entirely practical to break down the chariot to transport by ship as well as it being light enough for it to be carried over difficult terrain by its two man team.  Katagia specifically trains its light chariot teams to swiftly embark and disembark using specially designed ships.

The excessive use of rawhide has a several disadvantages: under pressure it stretches so all ties must be regularly tightened when the chariot is in use.  When it gets wet rawhide stretches even further making crossing streams or fighting in wet weather difficult.  In such areas the rawhide is usually replaced by fixtures of leather, rope or bronze which, although they retain their integrity, are heavier and less straightforward to maintain.

The heavy chariot is similar in basic design using heavier timbers and stronger fixtures.  As it is too heavy to easily carry, the fixtures are more often leather or bronze for added strength.  The chariot box is surrounded with wooden planks which give some cover to the driver and warrior.  Heavy chariots may carry three passengers, the third acting as a shield bearer to protect both driver and warrior.

The light chariot is most often used for skirmishing and against undisciplined mobs in open order.  The heavy chariot is more suited to pitched battle and heavy chariot forces may press home a charge against an enemy, although such charges are almost always futile against a disciplined phalanx.  The lower cost, more simple construction and all round versatility of the light chariot means that typically between 60%-80% of a city state’s chariot force will be made up of light chariots.

The least common type of military chariot may be described as a super-heavy chariot.  It is a heavy, sturdy vehicle lacking the speed or manoeuvrability of the other types but it is armoured and provides a high vantage point.  It can carry up to four armoured passengers and is generally used as a mobile command post as its height allows a commanding general to see the field of battle.  In their wars against Quodeth the Lomari have experimented with varying degrees of success using units of super-heavy chariots as shock troops to break the integrity of a phalanx.

The infamous scythe-wheeled chariot is favoured by Marg when pursuing escaped slaves and acts as a powerful deterrent.  Other city states have occasionally attempted to use scythed chariots in battle but in a general melee they have generally proved as much risk to their own side as to their enemies.