THE FIRST GENERALISSIMO

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THE FIRST GENERALISSIMO

 

 

 

St. Thomas of Gaekrin, Prince of Kaedrin, Duke of Korath, Marquis of Ardban, Baron of Rivia, Grand Marshal of the First Empire, Master and Commander of the Order of the White Rose, and Great Knight of the Imperial Order of the Red Dragon.

 

The War Office posthumuously bestows the rank of Generalissimo, or six-star general, to the legendary fifteenth century commander and soldier, St. Thomas of Gaekrin. One of the mythic Chivay brothers and Grand Marshal to both the Exalted Godfrey and Emperor Horen ‘the Black’, St. Thomas’ primary contributions to mankind revolve around his genesis of modern military structure through his command of the largest army of his time, the Order of the White Rose. The martial legacy of the White Rose is incalculable, with countless military orders and noble lines inspired by its innovations in hierarchy, command, tradition, and martial culture. No other general since has been able to craft a military institution as his that yielded such provision to the fledgling imperial state and culture. 

 

Furthermore, on a greater level, St. Thomas presided over one of the great apexes of Orenian military might. He was both the first general to execute a subjugation on a descendent race with his conquests of Malinor and the first general to defeat a multiracial coalition designated to destroy the institutions of the empire through his triumph during The Battle of the Crossing. When coupled with his victories over both the Blackmonts and Teutonic Order, vassal armies led by five-star commanders that in any other century would have stood paramount on their own, it should come to little surprise that the greatest general of the fifteenth century would be the pious son of Kaedrin and Duke of Death.

 

Below is St. Thomas of Kaedrin’s official war record, for all services in command rendered to the Holy Orenian Empire.

 

The Cleansing of Crestfall, 1389

The White Rose and Inquisition of the First Empire cleansed the city of Crestfall from a horde of heretics and mages intent on corrupting the Empire. This was St. Thomas’ first combat command and he excelled by encircling the city with the Order’s cavalry detachments.

 

The Coalition Agreement, 1393

St. Thomas helps to broker a coalition between the White Rose, Orcish tribes, and Dwarven clans to combat the Teutonic-Syndicat pact on Elysium. A series of battles were fought that ended in success for the Coalition, obscurity for the Syndicat and the waning power of the Teutonic Order.

 

A chronicle depicting one of the legendary skirmishes between Flay and White Rose, in the Generalissmo’s favor.

 

The Tarus Insurrection, 1394

In St. Thomas’ first test as Grand Marshal, the combined armies of the First Empire descend on the Tarus rebels in Elysium and force their surrender without a fight. St. Thomas then orders the sacking of the city and the seizure of all military goods.

 

The Elysium War, 1395-1397

St. Thomas leads Imperial forces alongside their Dwarven allies against the new Orc Rex in a conflict that would consume the remainder of the First Races time on Elysium. Several large skirmishes and battles were recorded before the final Siege of Fort Rex ended in Imperial victory.

 

Westerlands-Malinor War, 1407

The White Rose declares an independent war against the Princedom of Malinor. St. Thomas leads several long range raids into Elven territory and scorches the countryside surrounding the capital city. St. Thomas would implement several outposts along the Yarra river to monitor the Elves as the conflict escalated into the First Malinor War.

 

The First Malinor War, 1408

St. Thomas leads the first forces across the Yarra once again to finally subjugate the Princedom of Malinor. The Malinorian capital is sacked and the Princedom becomes a protectorate under the First Empire, with all land south of the Yarra river ceded to the Empire and forming the Kingdom of Kaedrin.

 

The Blackmont War Against Hansetian Tyranny, 1410-1415

House Blackmont, Chivay, and Carrion combat House Denurem, Hightower, Green and the Grand King of Urguan’s personal warband in a vassal feud that would last several years and ultimately end in the disbandment of the Teutonic Order and House Blackmont becoming a direct Imperial vassal. Notable engagements where St. Thomas was a primary commander are:

Battle of Crowfield, 1410

Battle of the Black Forest, 1411

Siege of the Dreadfort, 1412

The Blue Stripes Raid, 1414

 

A chronicle depicting the Siege of the Dreadfort, the greatest siege in the history of Anthos.

 

The Blood Pact War, 1418-1420

The Dwarven Kingdom of Urguan declares war on the First Empire and the conflict develops rapidly, encompassing nearly every race and nation on either side. St. Thomas commanded the overall forces of the First Empire during the Battle of the Crossing which resulted in complete Imperial victory and a rout of Dwarven forces. The Great Exodus called St. Thomas away to Aeldin, forcing him to depart from the war in service to his Emperor’s command.