HIS MAJESTY'S FIFTH BRIGADE; Arcane, Alchemy, Artillery

[Mescaffier 6197]

IMPERIAL STATE ARMY 

 His Imperial Majesty’s Fifth Brigade - 

 The Imperial State Engineering, Medical, & Arcane Corps 

 

“Integrity & Initiative!”

Penned by Captain Dame Viktoriya DeNurem KL

 

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PREAMBLE:

Out of all, once four, Imperial brigades; Infantry, Recruitment, Cavalry, & the Royal Guard, not one gave a true home nor base to rarer niches like field medics, mages, nor engineers. The origins of the 5th brigade were steeped in a shaky foundation, difficult first assignment, and premature activation to solve a problem that simply wasn’t worth addressing at the time. The largest contributing factor to the gradual demise of the former 5th Brigade mostly came from the lack of clear purpose or overall unifying goal of its members. It’s original conception was meant to expand the intellectual endeavors of the Imperial State Army- which previously relied on external or 3rd party organizations for any sort of technological advancement. Even now, the need to study and develop new weapons, arcane entities, or enhancement remains a vital aspect of a successful military.

 

Now has it been declared that the Fifth should seek a wider range of specialties; these being the arts of Engineering, Medicine, & Arcane [Magic]. For each ensures a safer future for our glorious empire, and the progression of our civil state with every innovation and every discovery made. The 5th Brigade is meant to be the primary source of all military advancements covering a wide range of disciplines and fields. It is an assignment that cultivates and utilizes the more intellectual or studious members of the ISA. Previous designations pitted the 5th brigade as an amalgamation of scouting, building, and siegeworks. However, the new designation has the 5th handling classical innovation, biological innovation, and esoteric innovation.

 

Through each of these focus areas, they will expand the capabilities and understanding of any subject of interest and seek to apply these discoveries to the improvement of ISA lives and operation. As well, the groundbreaking new inventions or discoveries yielded will furthermore go to progress the prosperity and supremacy of the Empire on a world stage. It’s an acceptable decision to place those who might be wasted in administration or field combat within the roster of the 5th, this is most notably exercised with ISA soldiers who possess voidal talents or have been rendered unable to fight but wish to continue to serve. The mind is the biggest asset in the 5th!

 

Finally, the 5th Brigade will now be responsible for studying and harnessing the powers of the void or any other magical discipline deemed worthy of exploration for the ISA. As well, hailing to some of the early roots of the brigade, the 5th will be concerned with the discovery, collection, and study of ancient or arcane artifacts- braving uncharted or ancient abandoned territory in search of what time forgot. Of particular note, the ISA Battle Mage program will be managed by the 5th brigade, effectively employing those who possess unconventional powers in combat. These agents may be formed into their own company or assigned to others to augment whatever mission, operation, or project might require their talents.

 

Overall, this field of expertise is unprecedented by the ISA and much of how it will all work is currently ambiguous and open for development. The important thing to remember is to not fall victim to heresy or the abandonment of Imperial morality in pursuit of these unknown entities. The occult must be understood to be destroyed, but suffer not what seeks to corrupt. Due to the inherent danger of interacting with incomprehensible dangers, the 5th brigade will have resident Commissar implanted with the brigade at all times. Should the brigade lack a Commissar for whatever reason, all research and exploration efforts must be halted until a suitable replacement is determined.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

SECTION I: Ranks & Personnel

SECTION II: Brigade Corps Specializations

      SECTION II-A: The Imperial State Engineering Corps

      SECTION II-B: The Imperial State Medical Corps

      SECTION II-C: The Imperial State Arcane Corps

SECTION III: Culture & Courtesies 

 

RANKS & PERSONNEL:

The 5th is a brigade much like the 4th, that isn't meant to be very large; instead, a specialized force. It is the concentrated location of ISA soldiers who have talents in writing, studying ‘lore’, instructing peers, exploring strange concepts, and/or inventing new things.

 

CAPTAIN

The Right Honorable Dame Viktoriya DeNurem Tsecsar KL

apt. 1st of Horen’s Calling, 1802

 

The Fifth Brigade Captain deals with the 1st regiment’s ability to insert and establish itself into new regions, unexplored territory, or behind enemy lines. Their main responsibilities include exploration, dealing with the dangers of unknown areas, building initial support/defense systems for future expansions or campaigns, creating supply lines in preparation for larger occupation, and understanding as many aspects of the area as possible. Their duties require them to manage projects and guide their lieutenants to efficiently and effectively complete their primary objective. The Fifth Brigade’s first official Captain in its second coming had been John Pruvia, retired 1802.

In summary, this billet is tasked with; 

• Providing insight and assisting the Lieutenant Billets with their projects

• Developing and maintaining positive relationships with smiths, alchemists, tinkerers, and enchanters to assist with research & development

• The deployment of 5th Brigadier & Infantrymen into unknown lands (i.e., the North-Eastern territories).

• The creation & moderation of supply lines, expansion plans, & future campaigns into unknown land

• The creation & maintaining of fortifications used for supportive/defensive measures

 

LIEUTENANT[S]

1st Lieutenant Heath Linnord

apt.  5th of the Sun’s Smile, 1808

 

The Fifth Brigade’s Lieutenants are divided between 3 sects; Alchemical [Or, Medical], Arcane, and Artillery. They all serve different purposes, but serve the same purpose of obtaining and studying new concepts for the Imperial Army. Neither of the three will have command over each other, unless by seniority or grade [i.e., one is the Brigade’s Executive Officer]. 

 

The Billets

Master of Siege Engineer Corps -- 1st. Lt. Heath Linnord

The Master of the Siege Engineer Corps M-SEC is a Lieutenant billet under the 5th brigade that is responsible for the management of the SEC across the 1st regiment. Much of their work deals with the development, maintenance, deployment, employment, and training for all siege engines and non-standard weaponry. Much like the Medical Corps the SEC will be further broken down into specialization categories and will feature requirements for each level. Any soldier of the 1st regiment, regardless of brigade, may become specialized in the SEC program. The M-SEC is chiefly responsible for the overall training and standards of all SEC trained troops, as well as the construction of strategically placed defensive or offensive forward operating bases. These bases should be mostly inconspicuous but effective in luring enemy forces into unfavorable conditions or mitigating ISA losses from being caught in the open.

The SEC may colloquially be called the Weapons Research and Development department for the ISA. 

In summary, the M-SEC is tasked with;

• Ensuring all willing infantrymen, brigadiers, et cetera are properly trained in the use of siege equipment & non-standard weapons of war. 

• The creation & the further pursuit of the advancement of siege weaponry & other technological works.

• Swift restoration of siege works & weapons of war upon the battlefield (i.e., cannons) and supplying ammunition of such. 

• Ensuring all Internal Construction Corp / Engineering Corp members are sufficiently trained in the working & creation of combative fortifications & construction work

• Construction of FOBs [Forward Operating Bases] & related works for any number of circumstances

• Heading of research into separate fields, pertaining to the fashioning & deployment of architectural and defensive works

• Blueprint and layout of strategic positions benefiting the Imperial State Army and its allies.

• Publish siegecraft manuals on the equipment and how to man them.

 

Lieutenant Physician -- Lt. Sofia Teufel

The scope of the Lieutenant Physician comes not only in saving the lives of the injured, but also consistently educating the military the importance of medicine and spearheading all medical research to lower fatalities in peace and war time. This billet will assist the Fifth Brigade Captain by providing training for new recruits into the military and keeping the skills of the medical professionals sharpened. It is the duty of the Army Doctor to supply and equip medics with approved medical supplies that would be versatile in a number of situations.

In summary, this billet is tasked with:

• Educating combat medics/surgeons and new recruits with medical knowledge.
• Head medical research to increase quality of life and decrease mortality rates.
• Supply medical professionals with medical kits that could be used for most situations.
• Assign medical professionals to write books on how to treat wounds and how to harvest medicinal herbs.
• The Lieutenant Physician will work closely with the Curantes Guild to provide medical licenses to the new combat medics.
• Write up curriculums and manuals on relevant information to provide to combat medics for first aid training classes.
•  Treat injured persons, no matter the life expectancy.

 

Archmage of the Imperial Army -- Captain Dame Viktoriya DeNurem KL

The duty of the Archmage is to be at the forefront of creating specialized arcane weapons and equipment to more efficiently complete the ISA’s objective. Along with this, they lead the fore of tinkering and experimenting with otherworldly matter & specimens. Their purpose is to experiment with materials brought before them and test out their capabilities to the fullest of their extent. They develop new tools to keep enemies at bay or produce medicine to save a comrade at death’s door. The Archmage’s great mind will be critical in finding unique methods to preserve the spirit of humanity and the Empire.

In summary, this billet is tasked with:

• Manage projects and assign them to researchers, tinkerers, et Cetera
• Research & discovery of new herbs/minerals and their possible use
• Development of medicine and arcane weapons
• Locating artifacts, studying, and crafting
• Study of magick and enchantments 

 

SERGEANT[S]                                                                                                  

A Fifth Brigadier Sergeant

 

The 5th Brigade’s Sergeants are mostly concerned with the standards and discipline of the members of the brigade, keeping them in line and out of trouble, while also ensuring the daily requirements of brigade upkeep/maintenance are being accomplished. They may serve as the internal brigade quartermaster, taskmaster, drillmaster as needed. The Ensigns follow the same duty, but Sergeants may lead over seniority. 

 

SPECIALIST[S]         

Though Specialists are largely ignored by Brigades, in the Fifth, they’re often the acolytes of Alchemical studies, Arcane magicks, medicinal works, and artillery creation. Upon promotion from Private, Specialists may join to take part in these and get a true feel for the brigade.

 

 

 

BRIGADE SPECIALIZATIONS:

The 5th Brigade hosts three Specializations, that three Lieutenants hold the reins to; Alchemical [And/Or, Medical], Arcane, and Artillery. A soldier does not need to be in the Fifth Brigade to take part in one (or more) of the Corps; but joining the Brigade opens up the path to promotion & obtaining Officer billets. The Specialization Corps are as follows . . .

 

The Engineering Corps

Heath Linnord, Lieutenant of the Engineering Corps, directing cannon fire

 

The Engineers power the very basis of all operations, providing modern technology, fortifications, and artillery to all troops. Every piece of armor, every ounce of blackpowder and every cannon, have been created by the Engineering Corps. Every trap, every inch of wall, and every fort, the same. When there's nothing to craft, they invent, like how the late Generalimissio Alren DeNurem, and the late Fifth Brigade Lieutenant Ostromir Carrion, had invented the first cannon; this is what powers the Engineering Corps forth.

 

School of the Siege Engineer Corps 

The School of Siege Engineer Corps is a program of specialized training within the Imperial State Army. However branching from the 5th Brigade of Field Engineers, every enlisted soldier in the 1st Regiment may seek training in the fields of artillery warfare or siege engineering and employ its uses in their respective brigades. 

The program holds two training courses separate from each other and entails its graduates with an insignia; a proof of qualification in the function of siegecraft or siege engineering. These courses consist of both theoretical study and practical training and are based out of the ISA’s facilities in the North-Eastern territories. 

The Fifth Brigade shall serve as a college of war--those who seek to be equipped in the art of siegework shall be welcomed to the Fifth and be subjected to the disciplines of the ram and rock. With its respective billet as its infrastructure, the School of Siegeworks specializes in preparing those under his Imperial Majesty’s banner for the trials of the siege. 

 

Field Engineering Work

The members of each brigade are often seen sporting the most high-tech armor and weapons available. They often display their weapons on their uniform, taking great pride in their weapons, and the skills they possess to use them. 

When upon the front of a battle, unexplored territory, or, otherwise, unsettled land, the Engineering Corps are the first sent out to chart [alongside the Third], settle, and build fortifications for the Orenian army. Combat engineers are force multipliers and enhance the survival of other troops through the use and practice of camouflage, reconnaissance, communications, and other services. These include the construction of roads, bridges, field fortifications, obstacles, and the construction of forts where they're required. 

 

Engineering Billets

There are an array of billets & paths to take when in the Fifth Brigade, presenting each soldier with a plethora of options to choose from. All of the following branches from the School of Siege Engineer Corps. 

 

Sapper

Also named Combat Engineers, these enlisted soldiers form the backbone of the task force and would often be digging trenches, earthworks, constructing palisades, fortifications, bridges, camps as well as offering repairs to their units. Sappers are expected to have a sense of building and meaningful placement. They are issued a standard sapper toolkit, to be expanded upon in more detail in the Siege Manual of the SEC.

 

Senior Engineer

The equivalent of the Artillery Officer, this officer directly oversees construction efforts and commands sappers on the field. He is expected to view the battlefield with a tactical aspect in mind and lay the fortifications appropriately. The Senior Engineers, in addition, oversee logistics in camp.

 

Master Engineer [Lieutenant]

This commissioned officer debriefs Senior Engineers on battleplans on a wider scale and manages the logistical aspect of the SEC; this includes the supply of ammunition, rations, materials, and kits. In addition, the Master Engineer is in charge of the construction and ideal placement of artillery engines before sieges. 

 

The Medical Corps

Director of the ISA Medical Corps, Sofia Teufel, alongside other Combat Medics

 

Every graduated soldier in the ISA undergoes basic first aid to preserve the life of their comrades, but not everyone can pull a man from the brink of death like the ISA Medical Corps. These men and women are conditioned to not only hold a sword in one hand to defend their fellow man, but to also be the deciding factor that brings someone back home to their family in one piece. The medical corps duties are to educate the 1st Regiment on basic medical knowledge, supply the ISA with medicine, and treat the injured of the Empire. 

 

Medical Billets

There are an array of billets & paths to take when in the Fifth Brigade, presenting each soldier with a plethora of options to choose from. The following are up to the Director of the Medical Corps to oversee.

 

Combat Medic

A soldier tasked to treat and stabilize his comrades while on the battlefield and with exceptional haste. They are equipped with a number of tools to treat burns, amputating limbs, and suturing wounds. Often being the first responders to danger and are trained to handle stressful situations, these soldiers are crucial when going on expeditions or major assaults.

 

Combat Surgeon 

A well-knowledged soldier in the medical field is equipped with the necessary tools to remove limbs and arrows with precision, ease, and haste. They are quite experienced treating wounds and diagnosing a comrade’s affliction that would be unclear for most. A combat surgeon is known to do emergency surgeries when a comrade has been safely transported to triage or even on the battlefield.

 

Lieutenant Physician 

A soldier with much experience treating the wounded and an immense dedication to the medical field. These individuals are tasked with treating a numerous number of patients at once in triage. Their skill is unmatched and are the best doctors the Empire has to offer. They develop new medicines and prescribe patients to preserve their quality of life once they leave the hospital. 

 

The Arcane Corps

Dame Viktoriya, casting in the midst of battle

 

The Imperial State Arcane Corps; otherwise dubbed the ‘Voidwalkers’, specialize in Arcane magickry and its branches. While brute force can win a battle, Mages can shift the tides of a war, and in it, reality itself. The Mage Corps handles all arcane-based encounters and may supply the Army with enchanted weapons, information on magicks, and support ‘midst hostile confrontations.

 

Thaumaturgic Billets

 

Thrall

A novice to spellcasting, that might already be a mage, or a soldier seeking the path of one. They’ve confirmed with the Archmage that they have a guaranteed source of teaching, if not from the Archmage themselves, and plan to contribute to the force.

 

Pursuivant 

A mage of the Imperial State that has nearly perfected their craft, and aided in some reconnaissance missions alongside the Corps. This is the middlemen rank, and they make up most of the Corp’s men.

 

Myrmidon 

An experienced mage that’s reached the peak of their spellcasting ability, and might have even gone on to learn a second, or third, magic. The elite of the Arcane Corps, they may have gambeson or plate added to their uniform, as long as they aren’t incapicated by either, and typically head reconnaissance missions. 

 

Archmage

A mage; typically, a Lieutenant or a Captain, that’s reached beyond their spellcasting ability and taken the mantle of the Arcane Corps. They often oversee teaching if they’ve the ability, and appoint billets to each member.

 

CULTURE AND COURTESIES:

The 5th Brigade, in and of itself, is a resilient bunch with a cultured mindset. Though more exclusive than, say, the First or Third Brigades, the Fifth typically hand-selects a small group of Enlisted & officers to serve within their ranks: those of the brightest minds and sharpest thinkers, to further their progress into advancement for the Imperial Army.

 

Uniform

The Uniform of the Fifth consists of an Imperial coat, crimson & blue in color, with the Army's typical breastplate beneath it. Each rank keeps to their typical headwear, with minor changes typically seen in color & shape. Each Fifth Brigadier typically dons a pack on their side, as well - with the Brigade’s numerous devices & creations to assist in operations and day-to-day tasks. 

 

Place in Orenian Society

The Enlisted & Commissioned Officers of the Fifth Brigade are typically regarded as the brains & strategists of His Majesty’s army. Though there are an array of personalities & driving factors each & every member carries, they all serve under one purpose: to stand at the head of the Orenian front of advancement, and achieve progression through 'Integrity & Initiative'. Unlike its sister brigades - the Third, and Fourth, for example - no special value is placed upon Nobility or Aristocracy: compiled of typical people, enlisted & commissioned, to form the front of greatness for the Empire.

 

Vanguard into the Unknown

The Fifth shall be a troop on the frontier. Those which delve into the unknown, or find themselves exposed to nature’s cruelty, shall find themselves a home in the fifth’s lodge house and barracks, and in it, a shelter from the cold and hidden terror of the outside, only to burst forth from it at dawn’s break and delve into a brave new land of discovery and expedition. 

 

Intended Duty Overlaps

The 5th is an important part of the regiment in that it will likely rely on the skills and manpower of the others to get things done. Each brigade takes on vital aspects of the total force and is expected to work in conjunction with the others in the pursuit of the smooth conduct of affairs. The 5th Brigade is intended to have certain overlaps in duty to this end, they are as follows.

 

• The Regiment - Defensive/civil construction, special weapons training, medical training, named item equipment production, siegeworks
• 1st Brigade: Manpower for build/resource projects
• 2nd Brigade: Assisting in basic training courses
• 3rd Brigade: Exploration, finding points of interest, uncharted territory
• 4th Brigade: Special weapons deployment, specialized recovery or dangerous missions
• 6th Brigade: Hunting the supernatural, reconnaissance missions

 

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Signed,

Rt. Hon. Dame Viktoriya Vyacheslavovna DeNurem Tsecsar KL, Captain of the Fifth Brigade, Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Imperial Order of the Lion, Archmage of the Imperial State Arcane Corps, Archon Alchemist of the Fifth Brigade 

Heath Linnord, 1st Lieutenant of the Fifth Brigade, Head of Defensive & Offensive Fortifications, Head of the Engineering Corps

Sofia Teufel, 2nd Lieutenant of the Fifth Brigade, Lieutenant Physician

 

[HurferDurfer1 2978]

The most brilliant and definitely the strongest wizard ever anywhere squints

[Security_ 2287]

“I wish the Orenian shaman uruk the best in gathering all four magi present in the empire into a single room,” chuckles a man in a stone tower.