(Author: Belodin Bronzeboots)
As taken from the the book "About Dwarven culture and Warfare"
Written by Dilby Dulfer from Dale
-But as fast as the Dwarven collection of weapons is, maybe non of them are as unkown as the Dwarven halberd spears.
Duo to the many iconic and perhaps even more practical weapons of Durin's Children ( Axes,hammers and broadswords) history has forgotten about the Dwarven phalanx and its weaponary.
Many of even the Dwarven elders do not know where in their history these kind of weapons where firstly used and or tested. But it is A common known fact that it is one of the most feared formations in recent (Orc)memory.
A single Dwarven phalanx often holds but is not restricted to around A hundred warriors. All wielding long Halbert-spears and wide,thick shield their quality depending on which regiment and rank they hold. The most famed example of A Dwarven phalanx are the Sons of the Fallen( Khazád-Udül). Unlike many other of the Kings warriors these Dwarves consist out of men taken from all our Halls.
A phalanx is formed in three ranks, the front, middle and closing line. The front line is where the warriors put their shields close towards their chest and their spear fiercely in stab position ( this usually consisting out of spears/halberts not longer then 3 meters)
The middle line is there to support any potential back lash of enemy attacks, this forming the foundation of the wall. They are also called upon to replace the fallen warriors in the front line to take upon their task of fending of the foe's in active combat.
The closing line ( Or Drázdum, the sleepy line) Is often tasked with watching the flanks and fulling up the fallen position of the second line, many commanders prefer not to use the closing line duo to the lack of warriors, making the formation thicker but les wide, thus lessening the effective coverage of the phalanx.
The phalanx commander has the main task of guiding and forming when seemed fit. There are four very important battlecries in A phalanx formation:
"DROKA-UGH(From up Phalanx!)": Or Form ranks, this will inform the phalanx to take form, it is said that when heared the lines will be set up in under 10 seconds.
"UGH-DROMEDA(Phalanx Advance!)" Push forth, this informs the phalanx to push up, this is A marching order.
"UGH-DO'BA(Phalanx halt!)" Stop advancing, this inform the phalanx to stop their push ofward.
"KHUZDREM-UGH(Disband Phalanx!)" This inform the phalanx to abandon or abort formation.
The preferred weapon in A Dwarven phalanx are the Dwarven Halbert-spears, these heavy and dreadfull weapons are the main weapon in any Dwarven phalanx formation. (Spears and smaller weapons would only be used if either the art of halbert making is unknown to the clan or there are simply non available).
A Dwarven phalanx is A very rare sight to behold as they are often only linked in royal battles and only their greater holds have access to such specialized and skilled warriors.
In short, spotting on of the formations often means that the sons of Durin mean serieus business with whom ever is their foe. In this day and age though, it is often speculated that the Dwarven phalanx is A forgotten art by the stubborn folk, other say its simply of their dwindling numbers that such large formation are simply not practical any more.
