The Fourth Brigade

[XOCO 502]

The Fourth Brigade

~4th Brigadiers Sir Erik Othaman and Ezekiel Moores leading the Swint’s Guard into battle, c. 1844~

 

The Imperial State Army is vast in its size and its specializations. The First Brigade hosts the main body of the infantry and the Imperial Grenadiers. The Second Brigade fields the new recruits of the Empire and is a playground for new drillmasters and drill sergeants. In addition, the Third Brigade is the mounted section of the First Regiment, performing complex maneuvers and scouting out positions.

While all of these brigades have their own importance in the army, there is one brigade that serves perhaps the most important job in this Empire.

 

The Fourth Brigade is responsible for being the Emperor’s scalpel. These specialized soldiers are called upon whenever a high priority job needs to be taken care of with a high degree of success and accuracy. In addition to providing specially trained soldiers for dangerous (and often REDACTED) missions, the Fourth Brigade holds the unique honor of being the only brigade to work in conjunction with the Emperor. Each soldier holds his Imperial Majesty’s life in their hands and they shall protect his life at any cost, oftentimes throwing themselves in the line of danger.

 

Only a handful of soldiers make up the Fourth Brigade, but each soldier accounts for many more through intensive training and years of experience. The Fourth Brigade also employs outside elements to assist in different fields to achieve their goals. The Brigade has three distinct specialties that each brigadier must master during their training.
 

The Swint’s Guard

The Swint’s Guard is the primary duty of each Fourth Brigadier. The Guard performs the illustrious duty of protecting the Emperor as well as functioning as the elite Heavy Infantry during battle. They are also charged with holding themselves to the highest standard possible, accompanying other important officials into foreign lands, whether it be for diplomacy or trade. The Swint’s Guard’s day-to-day function is overseen by the Swint’s Guard Commander who holds a Lieutenant billet in the Brigade.

 

The Imperial Commissars

The Imperial Commissars serve as the official disciplinarians of the Regiment. Though small in number, they strike fear and awe in the presence of each soldier. Though they may be harsh and demanding, they are about as zealous and brave as a soldier should be, oftentimes making themselves the example by charging first into the frey. The Commissars carry the additional duty of overseeing operations conducted across the regiment and the use of intelligence gathered by the Imperial Eyes. Often, those who are recruited to the Imperial Commissars are sound tacticians, with a knack for rousing soldiers. The Commissars do not always end up in the Fourth Brigade, though the Lord Commissar, a person who holds a Lieutenant’s Commission, is in the Fourth and is charged with maintaining the prestige and effectiveness of all Commissars across the Regiment.

 

The Imperial Eye

The Imperial Eye is the investigative branch of both the ISA and the 4th Brigade. Senior officers of the Imperial Eyes are handpicked from the ISA’s most intuitive and brightest minds, usually accompanied by years of investigative experience. They are responsible for overseeing the investigation of high profile crimes within the empire, and the swift apprehension of criminal suspects. Soldiers selected to be Imperial Eyes are subject to even more rigorous training, and upon completion, are expected to be well versed in surveillance, counter-intelligence, espionage, and assassination alongside their detective duties. The maintenance and operation of the Imperial Eyes and their associates falls under the responsibility of the Imperial Inquisitor, who holds a Lieutenant billet within the 4th Brigade.

 

 

 

 

The Recruitment Process

 

Selection

There are two selection processes leading into the Imperial 4th brigade; the first being the Squireship Program, and the second being the Candidacy Program.

 

Through the Squireship Program, soldiers of the 4th Brigade may take squires, subject to confirmation by the Captain, General, and Emperor. Squires are not necessarily soldiers from within the ISA - rather, squires can be recruited from the general public, as long as they are Orenian citizens and between the ages of 13-30. Soldiers are expected to personally mentor their squires, giving them a unique and far more rigorous preparation for The Trials compared to the Candidacy Program, which relies on the veterancy of a soldier.

 

Alternatively, soldiers can enter into the 4th Brigade through the Candidacy Program. Soldiers of rank Senior Corporal and above can choose to apply to the Candidacy Program, upon which the Captain of the 4th Brigade decides whether they may progress to training and The Trials. Soldiers applying to the Candidacy Program are expected to be exemplary in their conduct, and to have several years of experience. Candidates produced as a result of the program are overseen in small batches by the Lord Commissar, who teaches them in classes and group sessions akin to the Imperial Combat Academy, as opposed to the more personal mentoring of the Squireship Program.

 

The Trials and Aspirants

Soldiers who have completed their training, either under the Squireship Program or the Candidacy Program, are now designated as Aspirants. Aspirants are then given a set of three trials, simply referred to as The Trials within the brigade. The trials differ vastly with each class of recruits, however, one trial remains a staple in every Aspirant’s ordeals - that being the ceremonial hunt of the northern bear. The white pelt of this carnivorous beast is the token of all Aspirants who have passed selection; a token that signifies a soldier’s ascension into the ranks of the Imperial 4th Brigade.

 

The Helming

The Helming is the final and one of the most important traditions within the Imperial 4th Brigade. Aspirants who pass selection and their trials are assigned a blacksmith, with whom they forge their own unique helmet and visor. A 4th Brigadier’s helmet represents their core values, personality and life experiences. These iconic helmets are often the basis of the epithets that accompany the most famous of 4th Brigade soldiers, and thus a heavy emphasis is placed on The Helming.

 

Volens et Potens!

 

Ezekiel Moores,

Captain of the 4th Brigade

 

 

[Imperium 3495]

General Erik var Ruthern smiles as the last Brigade post is finally finished, "Wonderful!"

[HIGH_FIRE 5490]

Duncan smiles reading the post setting his helmet aside "I do like my title, I must say"

 

[mika1278 3213]

Mika Uialben smiles at the sight of a new updated missive for the 4th brigadier "Worthy lads" he uttered with a nod towards the missive before he lays such back down on his desk as he goes on with his day

[Cypherlock3 3]

Varlam Var Ruthern Sips his coffee and chuckles at the post. "Still can ride better than yall."

[Mescaffier 6197]

One former head of the Imperial Royal Guard -- Dame Viktoriya -- frowned as the flier drifted beneath her feet. Little acknowledgement of those who had built the Forth Brigade; sculpted it. Not its predecessors, nor what it once was. Nothing more than a disappointment. Setting it aflame with her torch, she closed her eyes, and returned to her eternal rest in the garden.

 

Spoiler

please do credit me next time you take inspiration from the 5th post writing-wise :[ Cool post regardless!