-=Soldiers Patrolling the King’s Road, year 1880=-

The soldiers rallied early at a day like any other. The month Owvyn’s Flame had begun around a dozen or so days ago and with the recent tensions soldiers were eager to ensure the safety of Orenian lands. 

Under my command with George Obedia as second in command we set out, our force was of considerable size and armed with horses at the front to serve as a scouting force and shock troops if need be.

The initial departure from the capital had no noteworthy events, no hostiles were seen near the majestic gates of Vienne, only local citizens making their way to the city.

Crossing The bridge over River Petra we observed its currents, the speed of which was noticeable, and as such it could be noted that it would be ill advised to cross the river by swimming or boat at this time of year. Most likely such a situation shall remain unchanged for the whole month of Owvyn’s Flame.

Moving further we finally reached the region of Lower Petra, its forests giving us a grand view, especially noteworthy in this time of year. Yet the woods restricted our sight as well, their branches robbing us of any chance to see past the few first trees.

As we continued onward we passed the Knight’s Estate and marched under the Victors Arch making our way deeper into the lush forest.

A short moment later we passed a distributary of River Reden, the wooden bridge creaking under the weight of the Horses and allowing us to venture further.

Finally we had reached the crossroads. A grand memorial stood there, a reminder of an old and bloody conflict with The Eternal Stone not far from it.

Moving further we passed outpost Cinder and checked in on the troops stationed there. After making sure that the stationed troops were good on supplies we took a small detour to view the ruins of Haverlock. Not finding anybody there we continued onward with our original route.

At the end of our long march we made it to the Aurelian Border Post greeting the local troops stationed there and taking a pause to rest.

As the men rested I observed many merchants and travelers moving from the eastern travel hub towards our glorious Kingdom. It was not long until we rose from our short respite and set out to return to Vienne.

The march back occurred without incident. As we returned to the city the soldiers formed up and a short speech was given to congratulate the participating men.

Overall the King’s Road was clear of any hostiles, no foes were encountered and the stationed men were doing their duty in their posts. 

This concludes the Report about the patrol.

Signed

Sergeant Viktor van Darkwood

CONCERNING DISTURBANCES IN THE UPPER PETRA

A depiction of the Petran forest and woodlands near Acre, just below the Adriatic tent.

TO THE LECTORS OF OWYN, LEX ARCANA, AND THOSE WHO SEEK TO CULL EVIL FROM OUR LANDS,

In recent months, the King’s third Adriatic was fleeced of its original intention by a disturbance so grave it risked the lives of all its high-priority participants, including the King himself. The apparition of our departed Emperor, Philip III, was manifest in the center of the Adriatic Tent, preceded by the rumbling of tree roots that slithered up from nought to swathe the pavilion in a deadlock, where none could escape from either flank or front. 

Our brave guards attempted to beat down the stalks with their swords illuminated by the flame of Owyn. However, the illuminations of the ghostly being diverted this flame and set the tent into a blaze, smoke clouding the vision of our nobles and disorienting His Majesty, whose shock at the sight of his late father reduced him to a still for a moment.

Before Our King, the figure spoke strong, and verily claimed the following:

* The existence of beastly creatures within the forests, by the name of ghouls and skinwalkers,

* The gravity of fighting back said beasts should the King desire peace,

* A prophesied death of one of His Majesty’s peers within the next tensome years. 

We humbly request the assistance of any man or woman of knowledge regarding the mystic and/or dark arts to enlighten the Petran Legion regarding the ghost’s nature and objective, as well as to study the beasts, so called “ghouls and skinwalkers” (as dubbed by the residents of Acre), that foul the lands of the Vienne Forests and Acre province alongside the King’s Guard and the Knights of the Order of the Red Eagle.

For the time being, our knights and Legionnaires are urged to carry aurum armaments at all times, and to pray to St. Edmond of Lachsin, St. Amyas of Yore, and St. Lucien of Ulmsbottom in order to protect them on their travels north of the Upper Petra.

GOD WILLING,

His Royal Excellency, Conrad Armande Ashford de Falstaff, Lord Chancellor to the Kingdom of Oren

Sir Hannes de Vilain, Baron of Acre, Lord Commander of the Petran Legion

T H E  S E C O N D  C O H O R T

“A Rivian may die, but he will never surrender.”
Montgomery Potte at the Battle for New Providence (c. 1868)

Preamble

The 2nd Cohort of the Stallion was officially founded in 1874, though its mercenary predecessor, the Backwater Company, was founded far earlier. The founding fathers of the 2nd Cohort were a combination of Rivian and Arichsdorf peasant militiamen who, despite their humble origins, became renowned bannermen and sellswords over the course of the War of Two Brothers and the Orc-Elysium War. 

Upon the conclusion of the Siege of Elysium, and thus, the expiration of the mercenary contract which binded the joint forces of Rivia and Arichsdorf to Elysium, Lord-Commander Anton Draskovic offered the freeriders a Cohort within the esteemed Petrine Legion, impressed by the exceptional martial talent demonstrated by the bannermen.

As a result of its Rivian roots, the Cohort borrows heavily from the military traditions and culture of the Rivian Band, with former Lord-Commander of the Band, Montgomery Potte acting as the First Captain of the Cohort.

Structure

The Rivian Heavy Cavalry readying to charge into the combined elven-orc infantry during the Battle of Forêt du Roi (c. 1868)

The 2nd Cohort of the Stallion follows the rank structure of the Petrine Legion with the exception of the rank of Footman. Alternatively, the 2nd Cohort utilises the term Horseman, so as to avoid confusion.

Under the command of the Captain of the 2nd Cohort are two Sergeants. At present, the Captain of the 2nd Cohort is Captain Montgomery “Pisspot” Potte, and the current Sergeants are Sergeant Godric Grafton and Sergeant William “Small” Potte. Additionally, the Cohort includes a chaplain and a farrier, however, these duties are independent of the ranks of the Cohort, and are currently vacant. 

Each Sergeant carries the responsibility of overseeing one half of the Cohort - that being the Curisarius and the Celeres. Sergeants are expected to keep their units in a fit state and ensure discipline within the Cohort while the Captain is predisposed.

The Cursarius

The Cursarius are a unit composed of lightly armoured riders. The primary duties of the unit therefore are reconnaissance and skirmishing. In battle, the Cursarius are expected to act as a mobile force, able to effectively engage and disengage from battle, and constantly harass the flanks of the opponent. The ranks of the Cursarius are typically taken from the Horsemen, though it is not uncommon for soldiers of higher ranks and veterancy to stay within the Cursarius.

The Celeres

The Celeres, conversely, are composed of heavily armoured riders. These cavalrymen are typically veteran members of the Cohort, well versed in warfare and adept at close-range combat, regardless of whether atop their steed or on foot. Their equipment is noticeably different from the Cursarius - especially when noting that typically, the horses of the Celeres are of a slower, but sturdier build, and typically clad in armour too. These men are expected to act as shock troops who trample over the bulk of the opposing infantry. The Celeres are typically expected to turn the tides of battle - and as such, are held in high esteem by the Legion as a whole.

Initiates

Despite the nature of the Cohort, Initiates of the Stallion are not given steeds until they have achieved the rank of Horseman. As such, Initiates are typically deployed as support for the cavalry units in a skirmishing capacity. Though the Cohort has far higher Initiate mortality rates compared to other Cohorts as a result of the policy, soldiers who become Horsemen are typically of a higher standard. The large Initiate force is typically commanded by a single Man-at-Arms.

Culture

A Rivian tavern in the preliminary hours before battle (c. 1862)

In accordance with the customs of the Rivian Band and the Backwater Company, soldiers are permitted a pint before every battle, as it is believed to be an act that bestows the blessing of luck upon a soldier. Additionally, in accordance with tradition, special emphasis is placed on the promotion to Man-At-Arms. Soldiers who have been promoted to the rank of Man-At-Arms are given a set of golden spurs in recognition of their exceptional service. By this time it is expected that the soldier has garnered a nickname usually chosen by the Captain of the Cohort. Typically, soldiers are named in honour of their most embarrassing feats before becoming a Man-At-Arms. It is reasoned that it is a way of encouraging humility in such a prestigious force - however, it has been disputed that Rivian peasantry are simply rude people, and enjoy making cruel japes at others’ expenses.

“Fides Gladio”
Words of House Potte (c. 1850)

While technically, the Cohort traces its history back to the Backwater Company of the Rivians and Arichsdorfers, it also borrows heavily from the traditions of the Imperial State Army’s Third Brigade. The Pottes of Rivia, being the bastard line as well as levy of House Galbraith, learnt the art of warfare from the esteemed Major Sir Robert Galbraith in the closing years of his life, and as such, the cohort follows the same Kaedreni discipline of the Galbraith-led Third Brigade. Punishments unique to the 2nd Cohort include the removal of the hands from horse thieves, and a short joust or round of fisticuffs to settle conflicts between soldiers - all of which are often heavily publicised among members of the cohort and used as a means of entertainment.

Signed,
Captain Montgomery Potte,
2nd Cohort of the Stallion