Letters from Baator 9: The War Effort

Department of Humanities

Psychology/Sociology Section

For: Chief Engineer

Subject: Baatezu military structure

When the Baatorian armies march off to fight another Blood War battle, they bolster their ranks with mercenaries and slaves. Supply trains for these forces are controlled directly by the pit fiends in charge of the whole operation. Slaves and mercenaries help build defenses and add flexibility to the Baatezu lines.

Larvae serve as foodstuff. When the slaves become too much of a liability, they too serve as food. Mercenaries are rarely used in such a manner, as they are too valuable as diversion forces. However, this doesn't mean they won't be eaten.

The Baatezu are primarily an infantry-based force. With their innate abilities to teleport and the like, they have no need for cavalry. Baatezu have few support elements since every task they need to accomplish can be done by lemures most of the time. However, they learned by observing the Acheronian armies that a few support troops are necessary.

The few Baatezu who have specialized in such areas are highly prized for their ability to help shift battles into the Baatezu's favor. These Baatezu are normally pit fiends or gelugons. When tasked, they take with them a force of lemures and abishai to carry out their mission. Lemures serve as little else than buffers while the abishai do the actual labor.

The military machine of the Baatezu is structured like their politics. The position is the power. If someone else can do the job more effectively, they will replace the current Baatezu holding the position. Due to the high mortality rate of the Blood War, ambitious Baatezu see it as a way to quickly advance in rank by killing their leaders.

Now, this may seem to be a recant, but keep in mind that stipulations in the laws exist. Baatezu who leave themselves exposed to attack deserve what comes to them.

These members are seen as weak links to the society and are dealt with harshly. All a subordinate needs to do is prove their superior was unfit for their station.

The body politic of the military survives through a judicial system that scrutinizes everything. The overall effect creates unit cohesion and allows the army to take the field and fight unimpeded by the political maneuvering of the upper echelons. The psychological prowess of the Baatezu is their real key to victory.