THE REUTOV REFORMS, 1856

[Imperium 3495]

FROM THE RUTHERN WAR OFFICE, 1856

---

THE REUTOV REFORMS

---

I. PREAMBLE

Drafted from the desk of His Excellency, Erik var Ruthern, Chief of War, and with the assistance of his officers and war office, this decree shall amend a long-standing law of the Holy Orenian Empire. A new system of companies shall be put into place under the War Office and allow for the expansion of military forces outside the Crownlands of the Empire. 

 

This new system shall not replace the current Imperial State Army. The Imperial State Army shall remain in place and be Their Imperial Majesties’, Philip III and Anastasia, I primary defenders and the supreme military of the Empire. However, the new companies will be allowed to form and operate outside the crownlands.

 

---

II. DEFINITIONS & JURISDICTIONS

 

I.) Imperial State Army (ISA): The central military of the Empire under the direct control of the Imperial Crown.

• Holds jurisdiction in all Imperial lands to enforce laws and carry out justice as needed.
• Shall be based in New Providence and Imperial Forts.
• Hold command over all companies during wartime. 
• Will be under command of the Imperial General.
• Shall be under the authority of the Imperial Crown, and War Office.

II.) Free Company: A local official organized military force for a region or settlement under the control of their leadership.

• Holds jurisdiction in their local domains outlined in their formation to enforce both Imperial and local laws to carry out justice.
• Shall be based in a single region/settlement.
• Will be allowed to operate independently of the ISA, during peacetime
• Must keep an updated roster of all members of the company.
• Shall be under the authority of the Imperial Crown, Chancellery, and War Office.

 

III.)  Lieutenant Inspector: Officials appointed by the Chief of War to oversee Free Companies in a region. 

• Shall be charged with ensuring all Free Companies are held to a similar standard and follow Imperial laws.
• During wartime, this post must ensure every Free Company is organized and ready for battle.
• In case of raids or other threats, this post shall be charged with making sure the local companies are to properly respond and defend their lands.
• This post shall ensure that each Free Company has an updated roster with all members.
• Will be appointed by the Chief of War, when able they shall be a member of the region/companies they oversee.
• Shall be under the authority of the War Office.

 

 

---

III. FORMATION OF FREE COMPANIES
 

I.) In order to apply for a free Free Company one must be a landholder within the Holy Orenian Empire. 

 

II.) Requirements to Apply. While one might meet all requirements they may still be denied by the Chief of War.

1. Have a legal plot of land in the Empire.
2. At least 1,000 members ((10 players)).
3. The leader must have lived in the Empire for at least four years.
4. Must have a uniform.
5. Must have a banner/sigil to display alongside the flag of the Empire.

 

III.) Applications must be submitted to the chief of war and follow this format:

Name of the Free Company:
Leader:

Summary of necessity and backstory:
List of all Ranks:
Members:

Uniforms:
Area of operation/Jurisdiction:
Symbol/flag:

IV). Every leader of a Free Company shall hold the rank of Captain, all other ranks and structure shall be left up to them, though each rank made must have an ISA equivalent and follow standard nomenclature: eg. “Private, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain” OR “Recruit, Footman (Sergeant), Captain.”

V). Every Free Company must have a standard scheme of nomenclature, “X Company”.

 

VI). Once accepted, every Free Company shall be assigned a numeral by the War Office, and this numeral shall only be used for that company even if subsequently decommissioned.

 

---

IV. THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF FREE COMPANIES

I). Each Free Company shall have responsibilities and duties when it is approved. While this may vary pending on its location and purpose it still must meet these basic responsibilities.
 

• A Free Company must comply with Orenian Laws. No local laws which conflict with the Orenian Code should be enforced.
•  A Free Company must attend the Military Address which shall occur at least once every Saints’ Month. It will be hosted by the Chief of War in the Capital.
• A Free Company must defend its region/settlement and the Empire from all those that threaten them.
• Each Free Company shall keep an updated roster of all its members.
• Each Free Company shall gear themselves with armor and weapons and ensure they always have enough for all their members.
• Free Companies shall not be allowed to recruit within the Crownlands and City of New Providence.
• Free Companies must recruit from within their own region/settlement or through public posts.
• Any member of a Free Company may not also be in the Imperial State Army at the same time.
• Free Companies shall respect the Jurisdiction of the ISA and War Office.
• In times of war, every Free Company must be able to rally its members to fight for the Holy Orenian Empire.
• During times of War, every Free Company shall be activated as reservist units and fall under the Imperial State Army.

 

---

V. THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF THE WAR OFFICE AND  IMPERIAL STATE ARMY
 

I). War Office

• The War office Shall oversee all Free Companies and ensure that all approved groups are up to standard.
• The War Office will be in charge of organizing the Military Addresses every Saint Month.
• The War Office shall appoint Lieutenant Inspectors to oversee each region of the Empire and their Free Companies.
• The War Office shall respect each Free Companies’ right to act independently as long as they follow their duties and responsibilities.
• The War Office shall Approve or deny an application of a Free Company in a timely manner.

 

II). Imperial State Army (ISA)

• The ISA shall oversee and personally protect the Crownlands, New Providence, Imperial Forts, and all regions without a Free Company.
• The ISA must respect the Jurisdiction of the Free Companies in their own regions/settlements.
• The ISA shall ensure that the Orenian Code and Laws are enforced and not broken throughout the Empire by the Free Companies.
• The ISA shall be the Empire’s Central Military and in times of war coordinate the war effort through them.
• Any ISA Member may not also be a member of a Free Company at the same time.
• The ISA shall not recruit within the regions/settlements a Free Company is stationed in. 
• All previous duties and responsibilities of the ISA which have not been altered by this decree this far shall remain in place and have not changed.

 

---

VI. OFFICE OF  LIEUTENANT INSPECTOR

 

I). The Office of Lieutenant Inspector shall oversee a region of the Empires Free Companies to which they are assigned.

II). The Office of Lieutenant Inspector shall be appointed by the Chief of War.

• When able the Chief of War should appoint a member from that region which they will oversee.
• If unable the Chief of War may appoint anyone who is fit to fill that position.

III). The Office of Lieutenant Inspector shall oversee every free company of their region and make sure they are operating within the standards set as well as following their duties and responsibilities.

IV). The Office of Lieutenant Inspector may be either an active member of a Free Company, ISA, or neither. The office will simply be filled by appointment and can continue to serve actively in whichever group.

 

---

Signed,

His excellency Erik var Ruthern Chief of War