The Nauzica Brigade

[osumanduas 1442]

 

 

 

“The stars themselves once lived and died at our command; they will once again.”

Edwyn Harwyn to his men, upon his ascent as Captain.

 

 

THE NAUZICA BRIGADE

His Imperial Majesty’s Most Dedicated and Honourable Bodyguard of the Nauzica Brigade

 

 

 

The Nauzica Brigade is a mixed unit; comprised at its core by a cavalcade of mounted infantry. Once the shining exemplars of Johannian etiquette and status, the gentleman’s corp at present has something to prove; mired, broken, and reforged beneath the burden of a history spanning near three hundred years old.

 

Restyled and reorganized to accommodate the Imperial Household, the Aurelian Dynasts, they serve and protect the line no matter the cost, whatever it’s severity. The duty of one within the Brigade is to be at the side of the Emperor, his kin, and his council at all times; to be his eyes, his ears, and on occasion, his conscience. They are his personal retinue, a reflection of the Empire’s will which aspires to grasp the excellence of old while maintaining the adaptability and prestige that has permitted the corp to persist so long after it’s prime.

 

HISTORY

 

“This is the Emperor’s palace, the Emperor’s throne damn you. You want it, you whoresons? Come take it!”

Stefan Morovic to palace infiltrators

 

The time of the establishment of the Nauzica Brigade can be attributed to the onset of the Hexer Uprisings in the Aeldinic province of Agathor. There, in 1487, the exiled prince Charles Henry of the House of Horen found himself charged by his host the governor Benda Chivay to quell an arcane insurrection in the prefecture of Nauzica. The governor invested the young pretender a body of two-hundred archers, one-hundred men-at-arms, and two dozen demi lancers to serve as his personal escort. Along with this host, Charles was granted command over the Bullion Band, a landsknecht-mercenary company led by the infamous cavalier and minstrel Frederick ver de Linde. The Prince of Alstion and ver de Linde soon grew to be close companions in their travels hunting down seditious practitioners of maleficium. Their exploits on the field of battle earned them immense renown; it was not long until the Audemar, Emperor of Aeldin, son of Horos the Usurper, caught wind of their feats. In an uncommonly merciful ploy to secure the Horen claimant's allegiance and neutralize him as a threat, Audemar had the pair and their armies return to Nova Horos, the seat of the Horosid usurpers, to serve the empire as a vanguard.

 

This new and sumptuous company of soldiers was christened the Nauzica Brigade, a regiment and company in service to the Empire of Aeldin. Charles Henry had no intent of betraying his new liege; already used as a pawn prior in countless Aeldinic civil wars, he contented himself with this pardon and bore no indignities over his birthright. Yet the ambition of Frederick ver de Linde knew few bounds. Sowing the seeds of dissent, he inflicted the young prince the notion that he could challenge the might of Aeldin and reclaim his father’s rightful position.

 

Their rebellion in the early winter months of 1498 collapsed within a year’s time. The expected de Sola detachments needed so desperately for the Horen claimant to prevail had arrived after the Battle of Ronda, where Emperor Audemar decisively prevailed over Frederick’s armies through the tactical brilliance of a double envelopment. The skulls of the avaricious Lieutenant ver de Linde’s along with thirteen of his senior officers were sent to the Horen prince’s camp; forced into exile in face of this staggering defeat, Charles fled to the continent of Athera in hopes of gathering fresh hosts to press his claim once more, leaving his wife and infant son at Governor Benda’s palace. Yet he would arrive in King Andrew’s court to only be forced to the cloisters, the paranoid sovereign wary of the prince’s intentions. Henceforth, the might of the Nauzican Brigade had dwindled; once a standing army, it now consisted of ill-more than a minor retinue in service of The Old Pretender Polycarp, Prince Charles’ new moniker as a friar of faith They took a new sigil thereafter, fourteen skulls on a black field in honor of those defiled at the Battle of Ronda.

 

Yet in 1526 with the ascent of Polycarp’s son, John Frederick, to the title of Holy Orenian Emperor, the Nauzican Brigade was once again granted imperial authority. At his coronation, the whole corps was on duty at the Cathedral of Saint Lucien, being formed into two guard companies in homage to the brigade’s roots. Under the helm of the veteran knight Vulpes Roke, ardent Horen loyalist, the Brigade once-more attained a level of distinction they had lost in exile. It was remarked that the band of soldiery lingered to the Emperor as wraiths, their presence never unnoticed by the courtiers of Praha Palace.

 

When Vulpes had expired of natural causes, the emperor’s baseborn son, John of Peremont presided over the palace guard. His ineptitudes, missteps, and greed had caused a decline in the corps’ ability; choosing to restyle the force as the Impera Brigade to appease Vailor natives, he lost the support of many veterans of the band who cherished their Aeldinic heritage and replaced them with the unsavoury sons of Felsen’s political elite in turn for bribes. John Jrent was exiled and the Nauzicans disbanded in 1546, after the imperial bastard and the corps were found embezzling city funds.

 

For ten years, the security of the imperial line and the palace of Ancelcourt was left to watchmen and conscripted courtiers of the palace. This martial atrophy was not noticed until the reign of John II, where incessant dreadlander raids managed to threaten the governance of the state. In an effort to restore order in court and defend the imperial household, he proclaimed the Nauzican Brigade to be reinstated once more, and charged Ser Drevin de Sarkozy as its Captain. Composed of of noble cadets, various members of the gentry, and a smattering of lowborns.

 

Beneath the command of Ser Drevin the Brave the Brigade reached its peak, a golden status forged in the heat of turmoil which gave rise to the moniker of his liege; John Sigismund, ‘the Quarreler.’ Uncountable rebellions and conflicts were fought in this era beneath his tutelage, the Rurikid Rebellions, the Battle of Dogger Bay, the Burning of Seahelm from 1556 to 1558. Ser Drevin had taken the Brigade to the heights of power and politik in the Empire, the Captain himself would sit, the foremost counselor to the crown which rivalled even the whispers of the Archchancellor.

 

The influence of the Brigade at this time was left unbroken upon Ser Drevin’s death in 1560 with the ascent of the Lieutenant Ser Michael Sunfield, known as ‘the Aengul,’ a promising and successful man who carried well, the now enormous privileges and stature held. The Aengul served through the slow burning conflicts of the Rigan War, which spanned the later years of John Sigismund’s reign. The strife of internal conflict which had plagued the Empire during the span of his predecessor would continue to plague the young Captain, borne to the Gentleman corp and raised to manhood in the palace alongside his brothers of the Brigade; He would be aided by his loyal Lieutenant, the former Adjutant, Ser Thomas Wettlock. Kraken’s Watch is retaken in 1562, the Krajian Hetmanate is subdued in the siege of 1565 after a series of renown skirmishes known by the ‘Battles of Baranya.’ Ser Sunfield’s command would be the longest in the Brigade’s long history, spanning the late length of John Sigismund, and the earliest of John Owyn’s reigns respectively (1560-1570).

 

Ser Sunfield-Hightower would save the Lion from death upon the bank of the Eroch River in 1567 and retire three years later with the finishing of Johannesburg at a ripe old age. The Aengul’s retirement would mark the beginnings of decline. The mantle of leadership given not to a man of deeds well earned, but by accident of birth and the luck of battle; Prince Alexander Sigismund brother to the Lion, John III. The men to serve during this interregnum are known simply as the ‘undistinguished.’

 

Though decline was evident some glory was still earned despite degradation in quality and it’s assimilation into the common military. There was resurgence under the 7th Captain of the Brigade, Ser Edwyn Harwyn. During his service it was said that his men were liberators, in 1579 Ser Harwyn lead Imperial forces to victory over the Orcish Uzg in the Battle of Atlay and completely ended the practice of human slavery with the capture of San’Kharak-on-Asul in 1580.

 

Upon the death of the Prince of Alstion, in 1585, now known as the Year of the Four Emperors; the Empire’s forces were in disarray, and the Emperor’s sword and shield were proven to have failed in their duties to a critical extent. This lead to their brief disbandment within the year by the Duke of Marna, the Monk, Robert II; only to be resurrected by the third son of the late John III, Phillip Frederick,‘ the Arrogant’, by the years end. Upon the Emperor’s whim, command was given to Philip Louis, Duke of Mardon and scion of Alexander-Louis, second son of Emperor John I. During his chaotic and war ridden reign the effectively came full circle, being little more than war dogs. The destruction of Johannesburg in 1595 sealed the fall from grace, the last of the old guard stripped of their flesh in the Thanhium explosion which concluded the Coalition War.

 

After the degradation of the Fifth Empire the iterations that came after remained as simple shadows of the past, nothing more than ceremonial pomp and decorum, the true essence of the Sixth Empire which succeeded it. The usurpation of the old was completed utterly with Aurelius supremacy and the sacking of Adelsburg. Under the new regime of a newly united humanity the Emperor Augustus, grandson of Aurelius; sought to breath life into his Imperial Legion upon his ascent. With this purpose in mind. In the year 1700 upon his ascent to the throne, the Aurelian Dynast repurposed the legacy of the Nauzica Brigade and formally incorporated it into his formal armed forces. In 1705 it’s command given to Ser Stefan Morovic, who succeeds Sir Phillip Marshal

 

OFFICER RANKS

 

Captain of the Nauzica Brigade

The Captain of the Nauzica Brigade serves as paramount officer. He is expected to maintain order among Nauzican rank and lead efforts in defending the monarch and palace. The Captain wears the gold badge of office.

 

Lieutenant of the Nauzica Brigade

The Lieutenant of the Nauzica Brigade acts as the penultimate authority in the corps. He serves as deputy to the Captain and commands when the Captain is unable to. He holds a prominent advisory and administrative position by aiding his superior in his duties. The Lieutenant wears a silver badge of office.

 

Standard-Bearer of the Nauzica Brigade

Oft-regarded as the greatest duelist or most chivalrous of the officer corps, the Standard-Bearer bears the imperial standard of the Emperor’s honorguard into battle. Given the standard’s critical role in maintaining morale and order on the battlefield, he is entrusted high honors to preserve it. The Standard-Bearer wears an ivory badge of office.

 

The Adjutant of the Nauzican Brigade

The disciplinarian of the Brigade, the Adjutant is responsible for drilling the gentlemen corps in both arms and etiquette. The Adjutant wears an ivory badge of office.

 

The Quartermaster of the Nauzica Brigade

The Quartermaster is responsible for ensuring that the corps remain well-supplied. As chief supplier and manager of both ordnance and finance, he must arrange all lodging, equipment, and pensions to the brigade to ensure their well-being. The Quartermaster wears an ivory badge of office.

 

In an honorary capacity…

 

The Colonel of the Nauzica Brigade

The Colonel of the Nauzica Brigade is the Imperial sovereign, who functions as figurehead of the corps.

 

THE GENTLEMAN’S CORP

 

 

The Gentlemen Corps are made up of noble cadets and honored commoners who function as the brunt of the Brigade. Many are the sons of gentry and burghers aspiring to gain influence at court. However, it is up to the discretion of the high command on who may don the Nauzica uniform. Rank and file members of the Brigade are regarded as gentlemen and accompany the Emperor in his duties. The troop of gentlemen vary in size, according to funding and accommodations available. Those that aspire to the corps must be invited by one of the presiding officers, though one may petition to them in hopes of enlisting.

 

BATTLE HONOURS

 

 

1487 — The Sack of Caer Mant

• The inaugural major battle of the Nauzica Brigade, the Sack of Caer Mant was where the Hexer School of the Griffin’s uprising was quelled on behalf of Governor Benda Chivay. The stronghold of Caer Mant was devastated through siegeworks, with the Nauzican Brigade assuming the vanguard and thrashing the host of seditious Marked Men in bloody assault. The legendary duel between Prince Charles and Hexer Hieronymous of Lex is recorded in the song The Half-Hand Hexer, recounting Charles’ feat in maiming the Hexer against considerable odds.

1492 — The Battle of the Westgate

• The most famous of the original Nauzica Brigade’s exploits, where under the joint command of Charles Henry and ver de Linde the detachment successfully held off the vastly numerically superior army of Marcus Antipatros (Coincidentally the paternal uncle of Charles’ future wife, Clara de Sola) in a narrow pass in Exeter known as the Westgate, thereby preventing the rebels against Emperor Audemar’s rule of the Province of Exeter from advancing to the region’s capital, Vesetta, and winning the revolt for the Horosids.

1498 — The Battle of Ronda

• At the hamlet of Ronda, the Nauzican Brigade suffered an emasculating defeat at the hands of Emperor Audemar. Commanded by ver de Linde, the Brigade attempted to ford the Rond river at the stroke of dusk in an attempt of ambushing Audemar’s own camp and capturing the Aeldinic emperor.  Their feint was uncovered by forward sentries, who promptly stirred the armies from their slumber and apprehended the Nauzican skirmishers in pitched conflict. The battle ended in gristly defeat as an entire contingent of the brigade were massacred.

1536 — The Battle of White Mountain

• The last battle in which the Nauzica Brigade were commanded by Ser Vulpes Roke, the Nauzica Brigade served with distinction in safeguarding the Emperor’s life. They managed to preserve perfect order throughout the onslaught, not losing a single soldier to the dwarven legions.

1558 — The Battle of Dogger Bay

• Led by the Nauzican youth Michael Sunfield, the Nauzica Brigade prevailed over Rurikid rebels and Dreadlanders. They commanded from the rear before charging into battle to mop up the retreating enemy forces.

1559 — The Sack of Seahelm

• The Nauzica Brigade played an instrumental role in the swift victory at Seahelm. Captain Drevin de Sarkozy was charged with leading the imperial vanguard into the city. Nauzicans served with distinction as they decimated the enemy force in a fierce blitz, leaving only stragglers in their wake.

1561 — The First Battle of Baranya

• In the Baranya Valley, the combined Nauzica Brigade and levy of the Duke of Carnatia suffered a loss at the hands of Krajian dissenters. Coming on request for the Duke of Carnatia’s efforts in repelling the incursion, the newly christened Ser Michael Hightower led the cavalry in joint with Ser Thomas Ashes, only to be repelled back by the light mounted skirmishers of the Hetman Sveneld, and forced to retreat south.

1562 — The Second Battle of Baranya

• In the spring of 1562, the Krajian insurgents attempted another raid upon the County of Kvasz, in order to replenish their food supplies after the winter and to prepare for a full assault south. Ser Michael Hightower commanded the Nauzican cavalry along with Prince Henry Joseph flanking.

1563 — The Battle of 'aelaa Alththuluj

• With the empire stretched to the limit Ser Hightower orchestrated a brilliant defense in the field which bought the Empire much needed time to regroup in the lull after the battle was considered a draw. Lacking the drive it held before the battle the Southern Axis crumbled and the Empire was no longer under threat. Although not considered a victory in terms of battle Ser Hightower took charge of the situation and avoided what could’ve been a disastrous blow for the empire.

1565 — The Battle of Krajia

• Upon the news of Nauzican Bradshaw’s capture, the Nauzica Brigade led by Ser Michael Hightower marches north in attempted rescue. Later joined by the Carmatian headed by Ser Rickard Barrow, the swelling force successfully breaches and pillages the fortified rebel stronghold of Krajia. After hearing of John Owyn, Prince of Alstion’s capture during the Watchman’s Riot of 1567, the joint forces of Lothar, Archduke of Lorraine and Ser Rickard Barrow, who commanded the Carnatian and Erochlander levy, marched south from Metterden in order to intercept the dreadlander party. Ser Michael Hightower joins the armed group with a contingent of Nauzicans, where the Imperial forces crush the rebel band and successfully rescue the Prince of Alstion.

 

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Those inducted to the Nauzica Brigade are to recite the Oath of Allegiance;

 

I swear to be true to the Lord, the Emperor, and his realm and not to maintain silence about any evil that I may know which is being contemplated against them. I swear also not to eat or drink with traitors and not to have anything in common with them. On this I kiss the cross.

 

ENLISTMENT

 

Enlisting into the Impera Brigade involves being handpicked the officer corps. Youths are preferred as they may be molded by their military and civil service into enduring loyalty, but there have been exceptions where adults have been permitted to enlist. Those interested in joining should seek out and win over the troop of gentlemen in order to be raised to the office.