Ghanima Atreides (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
atreideslioness) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2012-09-10 10:52 am
atreideslioness) wrote in fandomhigh2012-09-10 10:52 am
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A Tale of Two Lions, Monday, 9/10
"Today we discuss power through military might," Ghanima began crisply. "This does not always mean strength through numbers - a small, well-trained force has advantages that a larger army does not, although the reverse is also true."
"The important thing," Tyrion began, "is knowing what you need to accomplish. You wouldn't send a small band of assassins to cow a city into submission, and you wouldn't send an army of five thousand men to take down a king in his chambers. Start with your goal, then build the army you need from that goal." He paused, paced. "I'm assuming, of course, that you have access to the forces you need. If you don't, find them. Buy them, rouse them with speeches, conscript them, but only a fool would set out to battle with less than the numbers he needs."
"To decide what those numbers are," he added, "I'm afraid you'll have to read. War is ancient; it's likely the city you want to sack, or one very much like it, has been sacked before. Learn from the mistakes and the successes of those who came before you. Take a class on military strategy, if it's an area of particular interest. Today we can discuss the topic in only the broadest terms.."
"If you've sat through my Art of War class, you'll know what Lord Tyrion is talking about," Ghanima added. "Although another thing to keep in mind is that no would-be ruler commands their army alone. There are advisers, generals, individuals...and no plan survives contact with the enemy intact."
"Not to mention that to hold power once you've gained it through military might, you will need to continue to fund and feed that military. You cannot simply disband an armed force after you win; there will be little rebellions, large rebellions, borders to defend...not to mention that for many of your soldiers, this is how they earn the money to feed their families. Suddenly putting them out of a job will not make you popular."
"And if you killed a beloved -- or at least widely tolerated -- leader, you won't be popular to start with," Tyrion added. "Your plan cannot end with winning the battle."
"It can, however, start there," Ghanima noted cheerfully. "So pair up. Congratulations, you are all would-be heroes and/or well-beloved leaders trying to hold territory. The game is called 'Risk,' and you get to learn how to operate an army without unlimited funding and while trying to settle on a strategy with another person."
"The important thing," Tyrion began, "is knowing what you need to accomplish. You wouldn't send a small band of assassins to cow a city into submission, and you wouldn't send an army of five thousand men to take down a king in his chambers. Start with your goal, then build the army you need from that goal." He paused, paced. "I'm assuming, of course, that you have access to the forces you need. If you don't, find them. Buy them, rouse them with speeches, conscript them, but only a fool would set out to battle with less than the numbers he needs."
"To decide what those numbers are," he added, "I'm afraid you'll have to read. War is ancient; it's likely the city you want to sack, or one very much like it, has been sacked before. Learn from the mistakes and the successes of those who came before you. Take a class on military strategy, if it's an area of particular interest. Today we can discuss the topic in only the broadest terms.."
"If you've sat through my Art of War class, you'll know what Lord Tyrion is talking about," Ghanima added. "Although another thing to keep in mind is that no would-be ruler commands their army alone. There are advisers, generals, individuals...and no plan survives contact with the enemy intact."
"Not to mention that to hold power once you've gained it through military might, you will need to continue to fund and feed that military. You cannot simply disband an armed force after you win; there will be little rebellions, large rebellions, borders to defend...not to mention that for many of your soldiers, this is how they earn the money to feed their families. Suddenly putting them out of a job will not make you popular."
"And if you killed a beloved -- or at least widely tolerated -- leader, you won't be popular to start with," Tyrion added. "Your plan cannot end with winning the battle."
"It can, however, start there," Ghanima noted cheerfully. "So pair up. Congratulations, you are all would-be heroes and/or well-beloved leaders trying to hold territory. The game is called 'Risk,' and you get to learn how to operate an army without unlimited funding and while trying to settle on a strategy with another person."
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