Lore Dump: House Deagrin Army
The sigil of House Deagrin, the dwarf-rune D. The shape is a stylized representation of an axe blade.
House Deagrin Army
The army of House Deagrin is in many ways typical of a Dwarven force. It's composition and tactics reflect their leader's worldview, with an emphasis strongly on defense as opposed to mobility.
Organization:
The military of Kogansunan is organized into three branches. The largest branch is the militia. As with militias in other civilization, Kogansunan's militia is composed of military-aged common citizens. The militia is organized into squads of 10, usually close relatives, neighbors, and/or tradesmen of the same guild. They are legally required to report to training grounds at least two days each month for training under a single full-time commander, and each week a different set of squads is considered on-call to be first to respond to alarms.
These dwarves purchase their own arms and armor from local smiths, though the basic equipment they are required to own by law (mail or plate, a helmet, shield, a crossbow, and either a warhammer or axe) are heavily subsidized. Thus these militia levies would be considered well equipped heavy infantry by most surface armies.
Guards are full-time soldiers, paid and equipped by the Master. They are organized into similar sized squads as the militia, commanded by dedicated officers. Their equipment tends to be higher quality than militia, and their training tends to be more specialized, either in the crossbow, melee weapons, or operating siege equipment. They man their posts in a rotating schedule between active duty, training, and rest. The rank and file of the guards are made up of younger Dwarves who have opted to take up arms instead of a craft. It is thus an odd mix of Dwarves from the lower, poorer trades (such as porters), sons of the aristocracy, and extraneous sons of higher class craftsmen who cannot secure an apprenticeship. It is the primary means of social mobility, and it is entirely possible for the son of a porter to rise to the nobility through brave service in the guards.
Sworn Shields are similar to guards, but are a much smaller, more elite group. They are the household troops of the Master or another high noble. They are the dwarves most likely to accompany their Master when he travels, or to be sent on dangerous adventures. Their equipment is typically the best their lord can possibly afford, and they live in his own estate in the Citadel. Unflinching loyalty is rewarded not only with honor, but with a lifestyle that rivals the aristocrats themselves. The finest foods and liquors, beautiful gems, and the highest quality barracks and dining halls are some of the main perks of being a Sworn Shield. Most lords insist that their Sworn Shields remain unmarried, so that their loyalty can remain devoted entirely to their liege, so these elite dwarves typically marry in their 90s, "retiring" to a post commanding a guard squad to make room for younger, stronger dwarves.
Eqiupment:
As is typical for Dwarves, Kogansunan's soldiers are heavily armored, with even specialized marksdwarves wearing at least some plate in combination with mail. Militia are armed with various forms of battle axes and warhammers, or sometimes swords. The axe may be the archetypical Dwarven weapon, but among the guards and Sworn Shields of Kogansunan it has been eclipsed in popularity by a hybrid axe and hammer, considered a more versatile sidearm.
Marksdwarves and militia are typically armed with a variety of crossbow unique to dwarves. The
Chokonu Crossbow (so named after its inventor) sacrifices range and accuracy for a faster rate of fire. This allows a fairly unskilled militia dwarf to fill the air with a high number of lethal bolts from murder holes and guard stations.
The most common siege weapons are Ballistae, either small mobile ones or large ones fixed into batteries. In assaults Dwarves have been known to employ catapults and trebuchets with deadly effect.
Sworn shields will usually forego the crossbow in favor of some variety of pole arm.
Strategy and tactics:
Deagrin armies are built around the defense of their Mountainhome, not open field battles above ground. Their preferred strategy is to employ their high quality heavy infantry as a shieldwall at a choke point, forcing attackers into kill zones where they can be ravaged by traps, siege weapons and crossbow fire. While this tactic can be devastatingly effective under ground, it has limitations in above-ground warfare. When forced to fight under the sky, Deagrin troops will typically attempt to form into a defensive formation. Their preferred formation is a shiltrom, a shield wall that forms a full circle of steel, leaving no exposed flanks. While highly effective as a defense, by nature this formation is immobile, leaving the dwarves potentially vulnerable to skirmishers and archers. When faced with such foes, the typical Deagrin strategy is to rely on their armor and shields (more than adequate to deflect most arrows) until the enemy has exhausted their men and ammunition.
On offense, Deagrin Dwarves will often employ a unique variety of small throwing axe to disrupt the enemy formation prior to the impact of their charge. The leading edge of the impact is usually berserkers, a rare class of Dwarves who enter a martial trance and are propelled by terrifying bloodlust. Berserkers are born, not trained, and the battle-frenzy is usually hereditary. Berserkers forego shields and are comparatively lightly armored (only mail and a helmet), wielding weapons in both hands. The typical strategy is to try to shatter the enemy line with the impact of the charge, then consolidate into wedges to exploit the gaps. Whenever possible they prefer to soften up a target with siege engines.
As with other Dwarves, the Deagrins entirely lack mounted troops. While they will use ponies, mules, and other pack animals on the march, experiments at using these and other animals in battle have proven failures. This can put them at a serious disadvantage unless they are supported by mercenary or allied cavalry.
Game's going great and I really appreciate all of you playing, Assembly coming soon so we can kill some ZOMBIES! 
