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Many warlords and others throughout history used witches, soothsayers, the occult to help them predict the outcome of a war or a take over or to find a traitor.

do you think because of using the occult they were this successful or just plain luck?

They were successful because they use the occult to trick people into revealing themselves and their tendencies. However, there are many uses of our minds we have yet to discover; our potential is unfathomable.

They were successful, not because of those things...But because they were efficient, and knew well the art and tactics of war. Which was the experiance needed to be a "Warlord" in the first place. You dont think they earned or took the title of "Warlord" just because they talked to some supposed witches or soothsayers did you? If the individual thinks this, then they have more research to do when it comes to studying the "Warlords" of the past.

They are successful when they can convince those around them that they are strong and invincible.
Right now there are currently warlords with the gift of persuasion in many warring countries in sub-Saharan Africa - they use a combination of 'magic' and intimidation to get what they want.

Most tribes had some kind of 'supernatural' advisor, as to what difference if any this made in any kind of conquest is the same as both sides of an army in this day and age calling on God to secure them a victory.

Well Stated Sinora. If the name of a tribes diety impresses, or rumors of marveled weapons intimidated people with lesser developed religions, or superstitious at a degree of disadvantage. Imagine a whole division of a defensive army shifting allegaince to country, to devotion to a religion, or philosophy. Fanatics utilize this to fuel mass movements, mostly negatively, with a few rare , and debatable exceptions.

I think every bit helped but i really think it was the strength of the forces and the weapons they had..

If your soldiers fight with disregard to death ( promise of a Celestial Award)
!!!

Ah...War and Religion. One of My favorite subjects. *Smiles Evilly* But seriously. The Occult or Religion has been a standard in Military Propaganda for aslong as both has existed. While there have been Warlords who may have be faithful to these occultic and religious beliefs, I feel a majority of them took them for what they were. A way to motivate thier soldiers and strike fear into thier enemies.

..."divine sanction" from almost
any perceived credible source
for even the
most vile of dictators casts more
than a taint of legitimacy....
who wouldn't follow and
who wouldn't cower...
if everyone really believed
it was fate or ordained...

warlords are masters of cobat and tactices and the got their victories through the skill and knowadge and experiance they have and beilief place a majore part in combat as well. if the warlord advisor get the masses to belive along the same line that he dose then u can have an army of unstoppable force if all belive in the same cause and give everything to that one cause. that is why they succede. look at the spartains do i need to say any more?