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[GlyphGryph]

So I've been thinking it would be cool if eventually you could recruit kids into the military. They wouldn't fight unless forced, and would tend to run away first if attacked, and they would generally follow around whoever their personal assigned dwarf is (or squad leader, whatever, but for purposes of this post I will call it assigned dwarf, and the children themselves can't BE a squad leader either, so with only kids you have no military as you can't order them around), but they will do the following:

Train their fighting skills
Follow their lead dwarf around, and make sure that if he is injured they drag him back to bed but quick.
Carry extra food and water and equipment like shields and ammo (more important when you can attack enemy sites, obviously)
Retrieve expended ammo and return it to the stockpiles in barracks
Take care of the soldiers animals (when mounts are eventually used in the fort)

and so on. Just little stuff, and all the while they practice for when they are soldiers in their own rights.

What do ya think?

[Dasleah]

I like the general idea of experienced Dwarves taking on apprentices or wards, like this in a combat / military context.

Honestly, I clicked on this thread hoping it'd be suggesting the addition of events like the Children's Crusade and child soldiers. I'm a bit disappointed that it's not, honestly.

[inaluct]

I too want child soldiers.

[Pilsu]

Squires were from 13 to 14 years old. If we ever do away with the 12 year old "adults", this might become relevant

Yeah, some training would probably be provided before that age but the way training works, they'd be highly skilled far too soon

[Jakkarra]

dorfs ages are diff, just say they can become squires as soon as they get out of nappies.

dwarves are notoriously mature (if retardedness can be called maturity)



Love, jakkarra

[tigrex]

I like the suggestion - but include apprenticeships for non-military careers, or else every rugrat in my fort will be cleaning chain mail by default.   

I think its irrelevant to discuss dwarf life stages.  As far as the game is concerned, 12=adult, so I'm fine with that.  We have no way to verify if that is the case or not.  (Dwarven biology, gameplay convenience, mass secret child labour ... you decide.)

I'm thinking that there should be some variable that dictates if a race or a culture supports child soldiers.  That way you could have dwarven squires, and goblin child warriors, and dwarven children abducted would face compulsory military service - at age 3. 

[Aspgren]

Child soldiers ...

As in dwarven captives coming to fight on the sides of goblins.
As in dwarves cutting down dwarven children.

... that should create some unhappy thoughts and added difficulties. I support it!

[Craftling]

Drummer Boyz!!!!!
(I am trying to not sound like a pervert)