The Daylami were a hardy mountain people living in the Caspian region.

They mainly served as mercenaries in the armies of their more 'civilised' neighbours but were a force to be reckoned with if pressed on their home ground. They were employed as mercenaries by the following: Sassanids, Samanids, Buyid, Fatamids, Saffarids, Ghaznavids and Seljuks.

Most troops were unarmoured (other than a brightly painted shield and a helmet) but armed with javelins and to a lesser extent bows and later on crossbows. Like their Isaurian counterparts in Asia Minor, from their inaccessible mountain villages they raided the civilised low-lands around them almost at will. Often to ensure speed of surprize the entire army was mounted on mules, donkeys and camels (with the leaders on horseback) - using the cover of night or sand-storms to further increase the element of surprize. These 'raids' could range from a few small bands to a full scale incursion and their neighbours soon learned that the best tactic to deal with them was to recruit them into their own army or if that failed, ambush the raiders on their return journey when they were slowed down with loot!

Era: Triumph of Cavalry		Daylami Tribal, C9th to C11th	CR: H: 1 L: 5			BP: 2	Init: 6
Core
Number	Type	Description	Key	FV	PROT	Weapon	Cost
4	LHI		k	4[1]2	+1	Javelins	7
2	LI		k	4[1]2	+1	Javelins	7
8	SI			3[1]2	+2	Javelins	2
3	SI			2[1]1	+2	Bows	2
Bonus:
8	LHI		k	4[1]2	+1	Javelins	7
4	LI		k	4[1]2	+1	Javelins	7
10	SI			3[1]2	+2	Javelins	2
4	SI			2[1]1	+2	Bows	2
4	SI			2[1]1	+2	Xbows	2
2	HC	Ghulams	k	4[1]0	+1	Various/Bows	10
4	LC	Ghulams	k	2[0]0	+1	Various/Bows	8

Terrain:

Core: 1 - SH

Bonus: (Max: 5 ) 2-GR; 4-SH; 2-RG; 1-WD

Notes:

Core: 95 Bonus: 172

LHI represent troops more prepared to enter into hand to hand melee, the LI being troops detailed off to ambush or fight from rough terrain. LHI also include the few armoured immediate retinues & relatives of tribal chiefs.

NB: Daylami in Sassanid service may have developed more of a close-order fighting technique (FT) but I have assumed that they did not bring this practice home with them on leave!

For each Bonus Si xbows or bows bought at least 2 Si jav must also be bought

Ghulams are mercenary Turks and if any are bought at least 2 units of either type must be.

Xbows should only be used at the end of this period C9th to C11th.

This army can also be used against Age of Chivalry opponoents. Ordo Link: Daylami Tribal

Last Edited: 14 August 2008 (Age of Chivalry note added).

List Author: Aetius