Primer of Numbers Beneath the Sky
Because the Khuzaits control both migratory clans and settled towns, their population splits into two groups:
Nomadic Clans (Steppe-born): ~450,000–550,000
Settled Town & Village Population (Conquered & Integrated): ~300,000–400,000
Total Khanate Population: ~750,000–950,000
This makes them comparable in size to Vlandia, but far less densely concentrated. The land is vast. People are mobile.
Of the ~500,000 nomadic Khuzaits:
~50% are children and elders
~30% are herders and civilian labor
~20% are combat-capable riders
That gives roughly:
80,000–100,000 riders capable of fighting
But that does not mean 100,000 elite cavalry.
Of those combat-capable riders:
~50% are basic mounted fighters
~30% are trained skirmishers
~15% are professional warband cavalry
~5% are elite mounted archers or noble retainers
So the true high-tier mounted force across the entire Khanate likely numbers:
4,000–6,000 elite riders
That small number is what terrifies Calradia.
The conquered towns and villages contribute:
Tax revenue
Infantry garrison forces
Supply caravans
Auxiliary troops
Settled Khuzaits and subject peoples can field:
15,000–25,000 infantry and support troops
(rarely the Khanate’s main strength, but useful in sieges and defense)
Khuzait musters are not feudal levies like Vlandia.
They function through banner summons.
When the nine-horsetail banner is raised:
Each Beg is obligated to provide riders proportional to herd wealth and territory.
Failure to respond weakens that Beg politically.
Open refusal risks deposition or war.
A mid-level Beg might command:
200–500 riders directly loyal to them
1,000–3,000 total clan population
80–150 professional war-ready cavalry
100–200 light skirmish riders
A powerful clan under a major Beg could field:
800–1,500 riders
If fully united under Monchug Khan:
25,000–35,000 total riders
Of those, ~10,000 are hardened campaign veterans
~3,000–5,000 elite mounted archers
That is the maximum. It is rarely achieved.
Full musters are dangerous politically.
When too many riders gather, ambition grows.
Khuzait wars are rarely fought with full musters.
Instead they deploy:
2,000–5,000 fast-moving rider columns
500–1,500 raiding detachments
8,000–12,000 in major offensive pushes
They win through mobility and repeated engagement, not single crushing field battles.
By custom and Khanate law:
The Khan may call full confederate muster.
Begs may call clan-level warbands for defense or sanctioned raids.
Noyans may assemble temporary cavalry columns with Khan approval.
Private unsanctioned raiding is tolerated only in border zones.
If a Beg gathers large forces without approval, it is seen as a potential rebellion.
On a battlefield:
Vlandia might field 12,000–18,000 structured troops.
Battania might gather 8,000–14,000 mixed infantry and archers.
The Khuzaits may only bring 9,000 riders — but those 9,000 can strike five times in different places before the others reposition.
That’s their edge.
The Khanate’s greatest weakness is not lack of numbers.
It is:
Distance between clans
Herd survival priorities
Rival ambitions
The Khan must balance:
Not calling too often (herds need grazing)
Not calling too rarely (unity fades)
Every muster strains the steppe.