THE BLACK BANNER OF ALSTION

[Frymark 3100]

 

 

Arms of the Prince of Alstion

“TANDEM TRIUMPHANS!”

The Dying Cheers of the Nauzican Martyrs of Haverlock

“It is the will of the Crown to restore a sense of chivalry and honor in its capital and throughout its borders. The Aaunic people have always exemplified these values, but the absence of an organized Order to unite those who embody them has been a regrettable oversight. With this in mind, the order has been established: to promote and spread the ideals of chivalry among those who lack them and to nurture and develop those who possess such quality, transforming them into the protectors of Aaun.”

–Ser Gawyn Tiber, 11th of Tobias’ Bounty, 1934

 

The Most Honorable Free Company of the Lowlands, which assumed the mantle and bearing of the Prince of Alstion’s might, through their merit and stalwart leadership, became a keystone upon which the Fair Duchy of Alba survived the early attacks against her lands and her people. Such that it was, undeniably, that the lawlessness that ruled the former Aaunic lands East of the Langkette helped forge this mercenary company into a standing army for the late Archdukes of Alba and was the willing hand that helped exterminate the rats which ate off the fat of Edward and Cecily’s joint claims. Upon the full return of the Aaunic diaspora and the formation of a singular and secure entity under Alstion rule, the Free Company of the Lowlands found their perch within their loyalty to the late Archduke and duchess.

The loyalty of the Men who sat with the Prince would be tried once more as the fall of Aevos beckoned forth Azuras’ frontier would lead the Archduke to command a fleet of carracks which found their home in watery embrace. Some two-thirds of the Free Company, The Prince’s Army, would meet their fate alongside the late Archduke and duchess just off the Blackclyffe coast. Those that survived relayed the message back to the young Archduke, then Duke of Furnestock, from whom they bent their knee once more. The mirth and fertility of these new lands brought ease to the Lords of Alba, but the strife which had lent purpose to the Company was nothing akin to the turmoil dealt upon Aevos. It was the young Archduke, Edward II, who in his first step upon what would be donned the Greveslands, envisioned the protection of his lands. However, it was no longer the lands of Alba that needed protecting from the rabble who fed from lawlessness, but her ideals. Thus arose the Order of the White Hart, an embodiment of Alban virtue, upon which the vanguard of her identity was founded. In these new lands, this close brotherhood found its footing, not in the petty skirmishes that had marked the Archduchy’s youth, but in the preservation of her people and the sanctity of their sovereign.

 

GLORIA PRINCEPS

All Glory to the Prince

SECTION I | WHY WE FIGHT?

 

“Service directly under the patronage of the Prince of Alstion is a great honour by itself alone, but there exists a higher cause of righteousness in service to the Heartlands. When the Crownlands come under attack, the men of the Legion are the first to its defence. When the faithful servants of GOD are threatened, the Legionnaires are the ones to see GOD’s flock protected. The Crownlands have been in turmoil for decades, and it’s our duty to see stability restored, so that those who come after us never again need suffer the devastation of war and civil strife.”

–Prince Henry Charles Alstion, 14th of Horen’s Calling, 1929

 

Through trial, err, and tribulation, the Horenic House of Alstion, which had been first penned upon the annals of Man some five-hundred years prior, has withstood the ebb and flow of Man’s volatile nature. It has, without fail, nay set foot upon Our temporal plane without making her presence known; whether adversary or ally, welcomed or chastised, liege or adherent, when the Golden dragon ‘pon purpur field roars, all turn to listen. Though the chains which bind Man to one another, for all noble families do descend from Exalted Horen, the many links of Our shared diaspora lay unbound and unrepaired, the histories of Our people scattered, and their lineages cast astray. But by the continuity of the Princely House of Alstion does the memory of Our history live in suspended perpetuity. It is the Prince of Alstion that sits as living legacy to the eyes, ears, and hands who witness history. It is no coincidence then that when the light of the House of Alstion diminishes during a crisis, so too might the shared dimness of the world be seen.

 

It was, firstly and chiefly, the Nauzican Brigade, that famed black banner of Alstion, which championed the protection of the Johannian dynasty and thusly her legacy which breathes through the lands of Alba today, that doth inspire the raising of Alstion arms in sable passant. Now, as we embark upon a realm soon unburdened by the queer hostilities of our descendant cousins, do we raise the Black Banner once more as testimony to the presence of the House of Alstion upon this plane. Nay solely a militia of standing presence, but vanguards and champions of the legacy and histories of which the line of Alstion do represent. Heed the call of the Black Banner.

 

SECTION II | THE HIERARCHY

 

“And our Hosts will be built upon the principles of meritocracy. That each one, with dedication and purposeful service may ascend from the lowliest of pits to the highest of heights. That is what our legacy is built upon; Justice. And what is Justice? Justice is the constant and perpetual wish to render each one their due.”

–Emperor Henry I the Lion

 

The banner’s hierarchy closely mimics those of the legendary chapters of yore; whereas the army’s administrative body is formed out of the Knightly Circle of the Most Noble Order of the White Hart. In tandem with their duties to the House of Alstion itself, the Knights of the White Hart act as the leaders of the Johannian soldiery: planning, executing, and ensuring that under the Banner of Alstion marches the strongest and truest of hosts.

 

The host itself is formed out of the common soldiery; men and women of Johannians lands who march to ensure its continuous safety and prosperity, and to ensure a calamity such as the fall of Royal Johannia is never allowed to transpire again.  

 

The Most Noble Order of the White Hart are the most elite of the soldiers serving beneath His Highness’ Black Dragon Banner, monikered “the Prince’s Finest”. Its governing body, the Knightly Circle, is composed of the Shields of Alba, of which there are only five. This same body has been adapted to govern the functions of the Johannian Soldiery, the same as it does for the Orders. During meetings of the Knightly Circle, only the pledged members of the Order may attend; save for exemptions ordered by the Commander.

 

ORD COMMANDER The Shield of Johannes; the Lord Commander of Alba and of the Most Noble Order of the White Hart. They stand as the penultimate military authority within the Archducal lands, save only for the Prince of Alstion himself. It is the Commander’s task to direct those Knights beneath him, as well as ensure the common soldier is well equipped and trained at all times. Whenever an Imperial Council of War is called, it is the Commander who attends to represent the Johannian strength. The Lord Commander is chosen from the Knights or Squires of the White Hart, and may only be appointed by the Prince.

NIGHT OF THE WHITE HART A Knight of the White Hart stands as the model soldier. They are those men and women who have gone through the arduous path of squirehood and later knighthood, allowing them to rise above their counterparts to represent the very best of Johannia. The responsibilities of a Knight are manifold: they are tasked with representing the martial prowess of House Alstion outside the Archducal lands; they are to train and mentor their own squire to succeed them in the Order; and most recently have they also been commissioned to serve as Officers of the Johannian Soldiery, working to train and bolster the ranks of Alba. In the absence of the Lord Commander, the present Knights of the White Hart hold shared, yet absolute, command over the soldiers present.

 

The Ranks of the Foot are formed by the unnumbered masses of the Archducal lands and those mercenaries who have enlisted in service to House Alstion. They are the hardened core of Johannian military might; the first to sally out the gates to meet the foe, and the last to depart the field of battle. The Ranks of the Foot are split into two, with the Free Knights of Alba and the Honourable Sergeants forming the leading core of the Sergeantry, and the lesser ranks forming the Soldiery.

 

	REE KNIGHT OF ALBA A Free Knight of Alba is a soldier who has been Knighted by a Prince as a Hedge Knight of the Archduchy. The ways to become a Hedge Knight are multitude, ranging from long service to heroic and patriotic acts in service to the House of Alstion. Not all Hedge Knights become Free Knights; for to become one, one must have either been specifically commissioned by the Lord Commander or have been Knighted through their long and successful military service. While sharing the honour of Knighthood the same as those of the White Hart; a Free Knight is not afforded a seat in the Knightly Circle, and in the military’s hierarchy they fall below their Orderly counterparts. However, a Free Knight still commands considerable respect and their words are to be obeyed by those of the army who do not yet possess Knighthood themselves.
	ONOURABLE SERGEANT First of the ranks to be granted command; Honourable Sergeants have proven themselves to be distinguished, capable and honourable throughout their military service to the Archduchy. Often, these Sergeants are granted command in the absence of Knights, and assigned Billet ranks to maintenance the Company’s day-to-day functions. In this capacity, they are trained and taught to be the best in their own field, and to train the rest of the army in their own specialisation. Often the first step a man takes on the path to leadership and Knighthood, it is traditional that Squires of the White Hart be chosen from the Sergeantry.
	AN-AT-ARMS The backbone of the army; a Man-At-Arms stands as the unnumbered rank-and-file of the Archducal lands. Frequently gathered in small companies beneath the charge of knights, the Men-At-Arms are the first to be issued summons to ride to battle and war. To become a Man-At-Arms, a Recruit must have firstly proven themselves to be capable, honourable and dedicated in his labours to the House of Alstion. And although they do not hold any command, becoming and serving as a Man-At-Arms is where the right to lead is gained. For if one sullies and dishonours their responsibilities when at their lowest; it is assured that they will not do any better when granted Command over others.
	ECRUIT The lowest of the Johannian Soldiery, a Recruit is a man or woman who has recently enlisted to march under the Black Dragon Banner of Alstion. Often young, naive, and inexperienced, Recruits have to go through laborious trainings and campaigns to prove themselves capable enough to pledge to the Archduchy of Alba. As a Recruit, has not yet taken their Oath, they are permitted the right to leave the ranks of the army by simply petitioning the Lord Commander.

 

 

BILLET RANKS

Often granted to soldiers of the Sergeantry, Billet Ranks serve as specialised positions, each a critical part of a functioning military force. While not officially granting extra command, it is customary to, that whenever the need arises, members of the Billet Ranks are given temporary authority on the matters which concern their own fields of specialization. The Billet Ranks are as follows;

 

QUARTERMASTER

STANDARD-BEARER

DISCIPLINARIAN

CHAPLAIN

FIELD MEDIC

MASTER-AT-ARMS

SIEGEMASTER

 

SECTION III | TRADITIONS

 

“We may never have the largest of armies, but what we lack in arms we make up for in spirit. Our heroes fight tooth and nail just for the right to survive. Their genteel manner and civilised principles stand the test of time over and over again.”

–The founding of the Royal Army of Aaun, c. 1980

 

The traditions of the Black Dragon Banner are many, borne of the sundry regiments and retinues sworn to the Johannian line. Johannic military tradition first took shape in the earliest regiments of the Fifth Empire, guided by the tenets of the Gentleman’s Corps. Thereafter, during the restoration era, it was defined by Aaunic military culture, informed by Daelish practices. Contemporaneously, it has been embodied through the Prince’s Army, governed in accordance with Österlandic mercenary custom. Thusly, these traditions set forth below are owed to those whom he who serves the Black Dragon Banner reveres his forebears: the valiant who marched with the mighty Legions of old Johannia, those who served beneath the Aaunic banner, and the present retainers of Edward of Alba.

 

	THE RAISING OF THE BANNER When war is called, be it by contract or by company directive, banners of the Johannian Army are raised both in fortification and Man-At-Arms. While a clear call to arms and morale, these banners also signify a directive to pool resources and weaponry in preparation for battle.
	THE CAPTIVE'S YIELD  The capturing of enemy combatants, particularly nobles, is a pivotal tradition in the Johannian Army. Company men are urged to capture in war, be it for imprisonment or ransom, and are rewarded a sum based on the scale of ongoing, involved, contracts. This sum fluctuates based on the standing of prisoners, payout being equitable regardless of the company man's rank.
	HONOR DUELS Feuds between company men, be it legal or illicit, are often resolved through an honor duel between the two parties, as permitted by the Lord Commander. These duels often escalate into a spectacle for the Army, soldiers placing bets on either member’s loss or victory.
	THE PUNISHMENT OF COWARDS Simply put, the punishment of cowards is death. Deserters are hunted and killed by company men, as the only lawful voluntary discharge is arranged through an appeal to the Lord Commander.
	THE LAST FEAST The last feast is a traditional practice within the Johannian Army. Presented before a steeping or consequential battle, company men gather and partake in a “Last Feast”, viewed as a final meal with the certain possibility of upcoming passing. Rousing speeches and parallel spectacles often take place at the feast.
	THE SPOILS OF WAR After a successful raid or battle, all participants are to gather, so that the spoils of war might be shared. Each man, based upon rank and contribution, will be allowed the chance to survey the war chest, and take something which they desire. Spoils personally acquired on the battlefield are rendered null, as the man who earns his takings has full agency to do with it as he wishes.

SECTION IV | ENLISTMENT

 

Those who seek enlistment beneath the Black Dragon Banner of Alstion are encouraged to send word by bird to the Lord Commander, having duly filled out the following, that they might begin their training as recruits, and, if of proven merit, be formally inducted into the company’s ranks.

 

All those sworn beneath the Black Dragon Banner are duly bound by sacred oath upon their enlistment, and shall be commanded to utter the following words:

 

“In the name of GOD and before the eyes of Saint-King Godwin of Paradisus, I swear to defend the interests and peoples of Alba to the best of my ability. As long as I live, or until the day I am released from service, my mind and body shall be dedicated in glorious service to the honourable Royal House of Alstion, and the Archduchy of Alba which is their rightful demesne. This I swear out of my own free will, with no reservations of second thoughts.”

	Spoiler BLACK DRAGON BANNER OF ALSTION - APPLICATION FORM

[mojanghunter 566]

Atop the holdfast which towered above the hamlet of Little Furnestock did William of Glasgon raise aloft a banner bearing a Black Dragon in proud display. Great was his pride to behold it standing over the commonality, for that same standard had once been proudly upheld by the Legionnaires of the Lowlands and by the Alstionites of Haverlock before them.

[Kholibrii 1211]

 

Philippa of Alstion sat upon a padded window seat within one of the high towers of Castle Glasgon, her feet tucked beneath her as she peered down into the courtyard below. There, a gathering of knights and bright-eyed recruits spurred their mounts toward one another, lances splintering as cheers boomed from the gathering onlookers.

 

"You must confess." She mused, her voice echoing through the private chamber without once turning from the spectacle below. "Their skill is most impressive." At such, she inclined her head toward Pontia of Man @ncarr, who reclined within a plush chair nearby, her silver needle weaving in and out of rich velvet, gaze set upon her careful embroidery. "Though I wonder, does courage guide them to battle, or might some seek something greater?"

 

[Zqppy 918]

Earoslav smirks upon hearing the news, "I thought we stomped out the Marna Brigade with the crushing of the Kinslayer, oh well." He shrugged, not entirely caring.