Some of these regiments consist of mercenaries such as crossbowmen from Tilea or recruited from the peasantry such as archers, but much of it consists of local militias and levied servicemen to fight as a support unit should the need for quantity over quality be required. Many if not all of these militias are outfitted with a motley variety of weaponry and armour that are more often then not provided by the individuals themselves.[1a][2a] On rare occasions, some of these militia groups consist of retired, grizzled veterans who have left the Imperial military and settled down in a peaceful life many years ago, and it is their wisdom and courage that has held many militia regiments together.[1a]