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Originally Posted by Webstral
I know I've had my ideas about the definitions of marauder, warlords, and so on, but I'm wondering if we every really tried to come up with clear definitions. When does a marauder band change sufficiently for its leader to become a warlord? When does a warlord's army become a marauder band? How do free corps fit into the picture? When does a military governor become a warlord? What would be required for a warlord to become a military governor? As the US (or any nation) rebuilds, the powers that be are going to have to make some deals. Co-option is the term, I believe. The Shogun in Nevada (Silver Shogunate) is a good example of someone who could be either warlord or marauder, depending on one's definition. Suppose Milgov concludes that destroying the Gunryo, his army, would cost more than Milgov wants to pay. The decide instead to co-opt him and offer him a job commanding his force for Milgov. Is the Shogun now a military governor?
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Short answer: yes. Powerful marauder captains with solid control of a certain area would probably be considered by most to be warlords. I'm sure that most of them would prefer this title to marauder or bandit leader. In many cases, it would probably be easier and less expensive for the local regional/national government to co-opt these warlords rather than trying to drive them out using military force. I can see a lot of these warlords accepting offers of military governorship as means of gaining legitimacy. It's a way to parlay being a war criminal into being a de facto feudal lord with formal recognition from whatever "legitimate" government still exists in the region. It's a win-win situation.
Would it be cheaper/easier for MilGov to try to win over the Shogun with money, resources, and clemency than to assemble/supply/lead sufficient military forces to try to eliminate him? It very well could be.
It also depends on how open the warlord is to such offers. Individual psychology would play a deciding factor here. I can't remember if the Polish government made any such offers to the Margrave of Silesia or Black Baron Czarny but, if so, I suspect that theose two would likely reject the offer, believing themselves to have the power to expand their control (or at least dominate their respective holdings) without having to make
any concessions.
I might take a stab at writing up a history of a local warlord type, from his desertion, to the assembly of his Free Company, to his dominance of a particular region, to his recognition as the legitimate military governor of his holdings. A case study or two would be helpful and it sounds like a fun challenge to this writer.