Army of the Rioni Union
| Army of the Rioni Union | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1456-1714 |
| Country |  Rioni Union |
| Branch | Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Debrecen Myzova |
| Engagements | Rioni War of Independence |
The Army of the Rioni Union, also known as the Ruvelkan-Syaran Army or simply the Rioni Army was the unified land forces of the Rioni Union.
The Army was composed of conscripted and professional troops drawn up from across the various states of Syara and Ruvelka that were part of the Rioni Union at the time. Ostensibly, the Rioni Army was intended to serve as a levy force to the Arkoennite Empire, to be called upon by the Arkoennites when military forces were needed. The Rioni Army was also at times employed to subjugate rebellious duchies and principalities of the Union at the behest of either the Union itself or the Arkoennites. During peace time certain elements of the army could also be used to garrison border outposts and assist in internal security.
The Rioni Army was composed of troops levied from across both Syara and Ruvelka. The army originally lacked a standing professional force but this gradually changed starting in the 17th Century. Originally the primary purpose of the army was simply to raise troops at the request of the Arkoennite Empire to assist the Arkoennite armies in their wars against the other major powers of Siduri. As Arkoennite influence waned and the Union grew more powerful and influential the Rioni Armys increasingly employed at the behest of the Union's government first and foremost. Towards the end of Arkoennite rule the Rioni Army was effectively independent of Arkoennite rule, although some soldiers of the army remained in Arkoennite service until the very end.
The composition of the army varied considerably given the expanse of its pool of manpower and the various petty kingdoms and states the formed the Union. Troops could be mustered from across the Union and included Makedonian, Galanian, Scitarian, Hayren, Ruvelkan, Karvelebi, and Khiyzan soldiers. This gave the army an very wide array of troop types to call upon, although linguistic and cultural differences also regularly plagued the army's operations. Fueled by Ruvelkan mineral resources, fed by Galanian agriculture, and financed by commerce along the Syaran coast, the Rioni Army gradually grew into a proficient combined arms force that saw the rapid adoption of firearms and cannons; at its peak the army consisted of Makedonain pike formations, Galanian and Khizyan cavalry, Scitarian and Ruvelkan light infantry, Hayren and Karvelebi shock troops, and ample amounts of arquebusiers. The Rioni Army's final campaign was against the Arkoennite during the Rioni War of Independence, after which it dissolved along with the rest of the Rioni Union.