The Esheveurd Brigade

[MRCHENN 4741]

 

 THE ESHEVEURD BRIGADE

THE PROTECTORS OF SAVOY

Blood for Ashford

Banner of the Esheveurd Brigade. 

PREAMBLE

“And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the Heartland: and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

King Guy de Bar, prior to the cleansing of the Northland

 

“For our courage is not in the multitude of our army, but strength cometh from Heaven.” In his vengeance for King Guy de Bar’s assassination, Edgar de Saltpans instilled these words unto his men as they faced the outnumbering forces of the Horen usurper.

 

It has been said that wars are won and lost months before they even begin, and for the Savoyard people, these words are taken to heart, owing to the many conflicts their people have been embroiled in over their history. As such, all Savoyards, boy or girl, strong or infirm, are inured to the ways or war in some fashion or another. However, it is the Esheveurd Brigade that stands as the premier fighting force within Savoy, the first to stand in defense of their homeland, as well as the first to die. Most Savoyard boys and girls are raised for the sole purpose of serving as these stalwart warriors, yet only those who stand well above the rest will find themselves serving long and storied careers. Even those too weak or cowardly to serve on the front lines may find themselves serving the Esheveurd in some noncombative role, which, as important as they are, are far less glamorous, glorious, positions.

 

The Esheveurd Brigade seeks to emulate the militaristic capabilities under King Olivier de Savoie’s march against the Adrian rebels -- just as Augustus d’Amaury, Guy de Bar, and Titus de Sola vanquished the forces of the Duke of Adria with their prowess, and the Adrians’ inevitable fall at the Siege of Barrowyk. This, now, is the great dream of the Esheveurd , the ideal that all soldiers must hold in their hearts: to one day be able to don the arms of war and bring about the great Savoy military once again. For now this is but a fleeting hope of those who remember such a time, but for others, those who have grown up hearing the stories of their great ancestors, perhaps it is their destiny.

 

Rank and Structure

“I bend my knee to no man but God.”

Duke Jon Renault of Savoy, prior to his Martyrdom in the Johannesburg throne room.

 

Lord Marshal - (Marechal) Alexandre Ashford d’Aryn | Chennster

The Lord Marshal is the centerpiece of the entire army, and it is he who determines its course. Although he may appoint subordinates to handle certain matters of logistics, intelligence, and training, the responsibility of ensuring those are done to perfection falls solely on his shoulders. On all military matters, especially in times of war, his word is penultimate, with only the count being able to overrule him should he wish. With the power wielded by the Lord Marshal comes great expectations, and it is not uncommon for a poor Commander to be executed for failures on the battlefield; however, in times such as these, where there is a want of manpower, a simple beating typically suffices. 

 

Captain - (Capitaine) 

The Captain of the Esheveurd serves as the second in command of the brigade. They handle much of the day to day operations, carrying out direct orders from the Captain and ensuring the army is functioning as intended. Nothing goes to the Captain without first being attended to by his captain, who is charged with fixing problems before they even happen. 

 

 

Lieutenant - (Lieujtenaant)

Three lieutenants oversee the three crucial tasks of the Esheveurd: gathering resources, training soldiers, and recruiting new soldiers, respectively. They are the officers who interact most with the rank-and-file on the day to day and generally have a good deal of autonomy in carrying out their task. They also serve as an intermediary of sorts between the common soldiers and the higher officers, requiring a constant flow of communication.

 

Sergeant - (Sergent)

Each sergeant accompanies each lieutenant to make sure that the lower ranks stay in line and on task. Primarily a disciplinarian, sergeants are often feared, sometimes despised, but always a respected and valuable part of the Esheveurd.

 

Armsman - (Soldat)

The men-at-arms are the backbone of the Esheveurd and comprise most of the army. Although they hold virtually no command, they are still entrusted with a number of important tasks. Comradery is seen as a cornerstone of the army, and it is the men-at-arms who typically find themselves fraternizing with each other, and sometimes those outside of the army, at the barracks, training grounds, or pubs of San Luciano. Most soldiers within the Esheveurd spend their whole lives as men-at-arms, for only those worthy deserve promotion.

 

Initiates - (Les Valet) 

The initiates of the Esheveurd, these footmen are subject to perhaps the most brutal training regimen before they may advance, resulting in a number of injuries and occasionally death. Unlike the other ranks in the Esheveurd, initiates may be promoted after completing their initial training and serving actively for a year, making it the only time a soldier may ascend from service alone. During times of war, initiates are often at the front lines in battle to test their mettle in a trial by fire; those who survive are promoted to armsmen, those who perish are given a soldier’s burial, and those who flee are burned at the stake. 

 

Traditions

“The Ashford sun will reign supreme. None shall escape it. Our people will bask in its warmth; our enemies will be burnt by its rays; and those of our dynasty will be forever illuminated by its glowing luminescence.”

The Final Words of Olivier de Savoie, the Drowned King. 

 

THE CALL TO WAR

The call to war is a nigh-religious event in Savoyard culture, though it is not one that has been practiced for some time. The day after war is declared, or after a declaration of war is received, a great feast is held among soldier and citizen alike, symbolizing the newfound unity of the two in times of war, for all Savoyard must serve in such times, whether it is on the front lines or in material support back home. It is common for young men and women to enlist en masse: while this is supposedly out of their desire to prove themselves in battle and serve their people, there are reports of sergeants dragging unwillingly, able-bodied youth out of their homes and dragging them to the barracks.

 

THE PUNISHMENT OF COWARDS

There are few greater crimes than that of cowardice, doubly so in times of battle. If a soldier is found to be hiding during a siege, fleeing the battlefield, or otherwise failing to risk their life to bring victory to their people, then a severe, horrible punishment is rendered upon them. From dawn until dusk the cowardly soldier is bound to a stake in the middle of the town square, free to be struck, but not killed, by any who pass by. Once the sun slips below the horizon, the entire Esheveurd gather before the coward as the Captain offers them two choices: either be burned at the stake and receive a burial as a soldier, or have their throat slit and their body left to feed the crows. Those with even a shred of dignity left would do best to choose the former.

 

THE FATE OF PRISONERS OF WAR

Prisoners of war are highly-valued among the Savoyard, regarded as trophies in the same vein as treasures, coins, and other spoils of conquest. Although all captives are surrendered to the count, each soldier is paid a small sum for every person they have captured. The prisoners of war are then selected for their utility- the strong and able-bodied are offered a place in the Esheveurd, those with certain skills are allowed to practice their trade, and those younger than ten are given to a family to be raised in the ways of a Savoyard. Those who try and reject these gracious offers at a second chance in life are summarily bound and tossed into a nearby river.

 

THE SETTLING OF GRIEVANCES

Given the competitive and belligerent nature of the Savoyards, it is only natural that rivalries form between various soldiers. So long as these do not devolve into petty factionalism, which would require the direct intervention of the Captain or his captain, then officers are more than content to let individual soldiers settle their feuds. The only rules of settling grievances is that the soldiers must be of equal rank, or else punishment would be doled out by a superior officer, and that no death or serious injury arises from it, so that good manpower is not wasted. Typically, this comes in the form of a duel to first blood, but wrestling matches, races, tests of bravery, and other competitions are beginning to grow in popularity among feuding soldiers.

 

THE WEEK OF TRIUMPH

After a victorious campaign, a great celebration is held for the victorious Savoyard soldiers. For seven days and seven nights a series of feasts, parades, and games are held. Spoils taken from the campaign are shared around, and at the end of the week no soldier has what he initially took. No hard labor is to be done during the week of Triumph, save for the cooks, who get their own short holiday the day after the week of Triumph. It is said that this celebration is one of the few where the strict morality of the Savoyard people may be loosened.

 

Exclusive Offices

 

ESHEVEURD CHAPLAIN

Whether it be serving the Fellows of Godfrey within the church of San Luciano, or through His Highness’s personal guard, all are entitled to the service of the Lord: one which is paramount before all other responsibility. Yet, therein with these responsibilities lies overlap. In order to uphold the premise of the faithful within the Esheveurd, the rightful chaplain serves as the paramount billet of clerical authority invested within the soldiers. They are responsible for its maintenance and upholding these privileges upon the battlefield.

 

BATTLE MEDIC

No war is fought without cost. While it is a motto of the Savoyard people to fight until their last breath, the medical brigade is charged with treating those who have seen the light of the battlefield, but have suffered tumultuous injuries; the recognition lies within preserving the numbers of the Prince’s levy. As such, the billet of battle medic exists for this sole purpose. The Battle medic is charged with the authority of leading a medical team of most excellence, those who are able to repair health beyond repair. 

 

CAVALRY SPECIALIST

As the forces of His Highness thunder the ground of the battlefield, his cavalry reigns upon its flank. In any field of battle, the cavalry’s forces are utmost important. The Cavalry specialist is charged with the billet of maintaining the pristine horses of the Prince, and training the cavalry upon use in the battlefield.

 

Recruitment

To Join, reach San Luciano, the capital of Savoy, and find a Sergeant willing to vouch for you before the Esheveurd.

[X: -293  Y:74  Z:2276]

 

[If nobody is available, fill out the form below and PM Chenn#6807, cobbler#0001 on discord]

 

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[Asutto 2452]

Discord : Asutto#5026

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RP Name : Amadea Ashford de Aryn

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[rep2k 3192]

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[haenselover45 834]

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[Vikenz 1162]

The young Leufroy scribbles his name onto the parchment. 

[DelaneyG 1279]

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[Cobbler 809]

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[GoodGuyMatt 7113]

Ernst Barclay joins the based brigade

 

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[Lickspittle 695]

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[Ryanark 2738]

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wow this looks like a pretty sick army i want to click for my emperor linebileti.

[bickando 3967]

Discord : u have this

 

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[Synasthima 58]

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