THE BLACKWYRM COMPANY

[woke 1159]

 

The men of the Blackwyrm Company.

By the end of the Renatian Empire, the House of Horen had produced many famed men. Camilius the Blackwyrm was not one among them. A bastard by both birth and temper, he was born to Prince Antonius and some lowly tavern wench, and taken from her early, and brought into his father’s house and trained for war. The prince may have seen promise in him, for Camilius carried his likeness, but nothing came of it. Most of his years were spent as a common man-at-arms, serving in the Renatian Legion. His name was little spoken, his deeds unremarkable. And when at last the Pertinaxi crown was pushed aside for Petrine rule, Camilius turnt to exile. By then an old soldier, he drew others like him, men who still held to the memory of the Empire of olde, and its ways. Upon himself he took the name of Horen, and claimed to keep the legacy of his father, and his father before him. From this came the Blackwyrm Company, a band of veterans bound together by fealty to the memory of Renatus.   We, his sons after him, have kept that charge. Stewarded by his blood, the Blackwyrm exists a host for hire, bound by oath and contract to serve its patrons in matters of war and peace alike. Yet for all our traffic in blood and coin, we hold still to the spirit of Renatus. Our footmen are drilled in the fashion of old Renatian legionnaires. Our captains uphold still discipline, loyalty, and strength, the same pillars which upheld Aurelius’ legions. And our Commanders, the very sons of Camilius borne of his unbroken line. Though the Empire remains to us only in books and broken songs, its memory endures still, in our heraldry, our creed, and our reverence for the way of the blade.   So it is that the Company’s worth lies in the keeping of that idea, for to  march beneath the Blackwyrm banner is to hold to the enduring spirit of Renatus, one which outlasted even the realm itself.   SIR ANTONIUS HELANE, Lord Commander of the Blackwyrm Company

 

The foundation of this host is the Codex Draconis, inscribed in the hand of its first Lord Commander, Camilius Horen, who bore in mind the core tenets which made the Renatian Legion the most feared host known to the realms of Man. This codex, therefore, is not just mere parchment and ink, but rather the beating heart and soul of the Blackwyrm Company. Every man who dons the black is sworn to its articles, and it is through these tenets that order is kept, and strength maintained. The Lord Commander may speak above it, but none may ignore it.

 

ARTICLE I | OF JOINING THE HOST

To bear the arms of the Blackwyrm, each man aspirant of such a charge must pledge loyalty to the Company above all princes, lords, or kin. When he has proven his fidelity to the Company, his name is inscribed in the Black Book, as kept and maintained by the Lord Commander, thereby marking him an official brother-in-arms. Until such a time comes, the unproven shall serve a season as recruits; only when they have endured battle beside their brothers may they don the full black raiment of the Company, and stand a full-fledged member.

 

ARTICLE II | OF OATH 

Each soldier of the Blackwyrm shall swear upon steel and fire to uphold the Company’s honor, to obey the word of the Lord Commander, and to guard his brothers-in-arm as though they were those of blood. Betrayal of this oath is the gravest sin, punishable by the cord, by quartering, or the stake.

 

ARTICLE III | OF RANK AND AUTHORITY

Upon induction, each man of the Company shall bind himself to the ranks as set forth in this charter. To spurn the chain of command, or to assume a station or the responsibilities thereof not granted, will be taken as an affront to the Codex Draconis, and will be grounds for dismissal.

 

ARTICLE IV | OF SERVICE AND OBLIGATION

The Blackwyrm Company sells its blade wherever it may find purchase. So too is every man expected to march, fight, and labor where ordered, whether upon wall, field, or road. The host shall provide provision of its own, and none may desert in time of need. As such, no man may forsake his charge or desert his station. Service continues until a contract’s end, or until released by the Lord Commander.

 

ARTICLE V | OF LAW AND JUSTICE

The Codex Draconis is the law of the Company, to guide its operatives in the ordering of the host and its greater maintenance. As such, all are bound beneath it. Matters not expressly spoken of in the Codex, being of lesser scale, are left to the discretion of the Lord Commander, who shall serve as arbiter of the Company’s justice. Disputes shall be heard in proper by the Lord Commander, and no man may take vengeance into his own hand. The word of judgement, once given, is final, and all are bound to abide by it. 

 

ARTICLE VI | OF WARFARE AND SPOILS

When the Company takes the field, each man shall fight in accordance with the Lord Commander’s orders, or that of his officers. None shall break formation save on command. Upon the conclusion of a battle, the spoils of war are gathered, and divided according to rank and merit: firstly to the Company’s coffers, thereafter to his officers, then lastly to the men. Plunder taken unlawfully or hidden brands a man a thief or oathbreaker. Sacred relics and standards shall be delivered whole to the Lord Commander. 

 

ARTICLE VII | OF DISMISSAL

At any time, a man may be dismissed from the Company by order of the Lord Commander, whether for cowardice, treachery, or breach of the Codex Draconis. Such men are struck from the Black Book, their share of coin forfeit. Further they are stripped of their right to wear black, save by pardon of the Lord Commander himself. Should a man seek voluntary dismissal, however dishonourable, he is allowed the right to seek audience with the Lord Commander to petition such. 

 

Let this codex stand as law and shield to all who bear the arms of the Blackwyrm. In honor, in duty, in iron, we are bound.

 

 

All sworn into the company shall and will serve within the bounds of its established ranks. Each rank carries its own duties, privileges, and obligations. No man or woman may claim a rank beyond that which is granted by the Commander. Advancement is earned through service, adherence to Company law, and the proven ability to bear arms in the Blackwyrm name. Any deviation from the recognized hierarchy shall be deemed a breach of discipline and punished accordingly.

 

LORD COMMANDER

The supreme authority of the Company, entrusted with overall command, diplomacy, and the execution of contracts. Their word is absolute.

 

CAPTAIN

Seasoned veterans appointed to lead small detachments, they are to maintain discipline, and see that the Commander’s orders are executed in the field. 

 

FOOTMAN

The backbone of the Company; they are trained soldiers who form its fighting core, executing given orders, maneuvers and holding the line in battle.

 

RECRUIT

The first step into the Company, reserved for those newly sworn but yet to be proven. Recruits are placed under the close watch of Officers and Footmen, drilled in the Company’s methods, and tested in discipline along with skill.

 

 

 

Herein enshrined are the Commanders of old, each a direct scion of Emperor Aurelius of Man, by way of his wayward descendant, Camilius Horen, the self-legitimized bastard of Prince Antonius of Renatus-Marna. Command of the Company lies with the patriarchy of the Blackwyrm’s line, by law governed by the custom of primogeniture and in practice maintained by strength of arms.

 

I. CAMILIVS HOREN ; 1709 - 1746

Baseborn son of ANTONIUS OF RENATUS-MARNA.

 

II. HERACLIVS HELANE ; 1746 - 1796

Baseborn son of CAMILIUS HOREN.

 

III. OLIVIVS HELANE ; 1796 - 1818

Baseborn son of HERACLIUS HELANE.

 

IV. ANTONIVS HELANE ; 1818 - 1897

Baseborn son of HERACLIUS HELANE.

 

V. OCTAVIVS HELANE ; 1897 - 1986

Baseborn son of ANTONIUS HELANE.

 

VII. LVCIVS HELANE ; 1986 - 2056

Baseborn son of OCTAVIVS HELANE.

 

VIII.

SIR ANTONIUS HELANE

2056 - Present

 

Eighth Lord Commander of the Blackwyrm Company

Baseborn son of LVCIVS HELANE.

 

 

 

Those in search of employ under the Blackwyrm Company are to reach out to Lord Commander Antonius Helane (IGN: AF7) by way of bird. There are no requirements of those seeking to join, save that they be of the race of Horen and of the Canonist faith. 

 

 

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