His Majesty's Imperial Guard

[dirtryhary 26]

*On several noticeboards through out New Arethor, a large paper is nailed to the board, the poster reads.*

"His Majesty's Imperial Guard has formed, and prospered, under the leadership of Bold Generals, such as Generals Haelponh and GrimBeard. The Imperial Guard's ranks swell with every passing day, and are well fed, payed, and armed. The Imperial Guard is Holy Oren's largest force, and is the backbone of the army itself. The Imperial Guard is no common Guard force, but a feared army, enacting the will of Our Emperor, Godfrey Horen, first of his name.

[Kickstarted and Running 965]

Patrick, or rather, the skeletal form of him, skin stretched across a malnourished face, a body still recovering leaned on his staff heavily, he smiled at the poster

"Legionaires eh? Excellent, a proper army at last... No more relying on bannermen with no backbone, or poorly trained ones..."

Patrick's smile quickly vanished, he saw a few locals sneering at the poster, wearing old and tattered uniforms of bannermen, he shook his head at them...

These men didn't realize Oren would not be giving nobles land like it used to, and the services of the bannermen wouldn't be needed like they were.

In time, he hoped, they would join the Imperial Guard and become Legionaires.

[TornadoWatch 364]

Jonathan Black nods at the poster, seeming appreciative.

Consolidating power to the Emperor is always a good thing. The bannerman are unreliable at best, thugs at worst... Before long, perhaps the Teutonic Order, White Roses, and Imperial Guard will be all the Emperor requires.

[Chaqery 427]

A copy of the flyer makes its way to the hands of Lord Inquisitor Aegis, who quickly unfolds it and scans it over behind its mask.

"<:: Well, it's certainly a step in the right direction, that's for sure."

One of the Acolytes encircled about it tilts its head to the side, "But is it enough, my lord? Can Oren truly bind it's army together under one banner outside of it's two military orders? Hardly seems possible, what with all the noble infighting."

"<:: Faith, Acolyte, faith. This army could prove to be exactly what our kind requires. Let us nurture it. Time will show whether it is fruitful or not."

With a slow nod the Acolyte silences.

[Old Man Boiendl 1454]

Boiendl slowly reads over the flyer, he thinks for a moment "How many groups of armed militants do we have here in Oren..." begins to count in his head.... 1....2.....3....alot.

[Knightei 318]

Borric reads this intently, face set in stone. He lets out a snarl, saying the words:

"The Empire has armies. The order of the White Rose, and the Lances of Oren.

What is to happen to them I wonder? The Roses are fine, but the Lances? My Lances? We're being ignored again, given to support as normal. What is to our duties if not Army? I'm not degenerating the men to a simple Guard force! A pox on it all!"

[Kickstarted and Running 965]

Patrick looks at the man talking to his bannermen

"Are you stupid? These are sanctioned soldiers of His Imperial Majesty Godfrey Horen the First of His Name, and Emperor of Oren. Any Bannerman with half a brain realized that the nobles that aren't Great or Royal Houses aren't getting land of their own, nor are their services going to be required.

Countless insurrections and death have been had because of Bannermen. They become more loyal to the House than His Majesty, like real soldiers should be. I wouldn't doubt it if soon Godfrey, Creator bless His name, make a decree requiring all bannermen to either enlist or lay down arms. Besides, most of you nobles are all so stupid and stuck up to properly command soldiers and assist where it's needed because you don't like another noble.

This new Legion is the best thing to happen to Oren in a long time. It will untie the Military under the rightful banner of Horen, not some inbred backwater, half stupid and dull House leader"

Patrick spits at the noble, a crowd had gathered, mostly legionaires who cheered for him after his speech, as he had recently fought on the front with them, where not a single bannermen of any house had been present

[Chaqery 427]

A column of Rose soldiers solemnly march by, Captain Toov at it's head.

"Zhey're not a Legion. Ve're not zhe damned dvarves. It is a proper army headed by vhat appears to be proper generals. I know it's it a similar term but to career soldiers it makes a difference. If you're going to champion zheir cause -vhich you ought to. Oren has needed an army for some time.- zhen at least get zheir name right."

The Captain frowns, the soldiers of the Rose halting stifly behind him.

[Chaqery 427]

Captain Toov clears his throat a bit as Harlod finishes, and shifts his attention to him.

"Lord Vinter... Zhe man you address so is Lord Patrick Horen. Perhaps it vould prove a bit more erm... Tactful to merely disagree vith him. I fully fully support zhe actions of zhose nobles villing to fight for Oren und maintain disciplined bannerman units... But such noblemen are few und far betveen. If zhe defense of Oren vere left to zhem alone ve vould have long since lost zhe Empire. Many of the noble Houses are only zhat in title. Zheir actions are not noble, und zhe power zhey vield is far from being noble equatable. Zhey merely sit back on zheir vealth und pretend many of our laws do not apply to zhem. Zhis army vas a matter of reqvirement instead of a political ploy. I have nozhing but zhe utmost admiration for zhe vork you und your men accomplish... But you are alone in zhis crusade. Zhere is us, zhe Vhite Rose, zhe Teutons, zhe Ulfhaedyn's, your men, und zhen zhe army. Zhe ozher noble houses don't play into zhe eqvation. Zhe last of zhe nobles vill capable forces. I truly salute you."

[Chaqery 427]

The Captain merely shrugs, and noting the ineviatability of this settling into conversation he raises his right gauntlet into a balled fist over his right shoulder. Without words his column of White Rose break from their ranks and fan out, settling into a line. As the rattle and clank of their armor dies down the large Captain steps forward in a manner of more casual conversation. Glancing about to Lord Winter's footmen he smiles, before his gaze falls upon the nobleman.

"My lord, I hear your vord und opinions und vish zhat Oren could be so romanticized anymore. As ve've agreed on, you und you bannermen are more of an exception zhan zhe rule. Zhe vast majority of bannermen across zhe houses as of late have been more cannon fodder zhan soldiers bred for battle. Zhat is exactly vhy zhings like us, zhe Rose vere formed. House Chivay, und zhe gentry of Oren who fight for zhe Rose- myself included- bore vitness to zhe fragility amidst zhe noblemen zhat Oren has needed to protect it. Even zhe Knights are not vhat zhey used to be. Many of zhem take zheir oaths und dissapear. Or seek to gain vealth from it instead of giving service to zhe Empire.

I know I can speak on behalf of zhe Vhite Rose vhen I say zhat ve admire men like you. House Vinter is seen as a glimmer of hope for vhat ve also believe in: a powerful Oren. An Oren vith nobility intelligent, capable, und powerful enough to protect zhe Empire. Zhe Imperial Court cannot accomplish it all alone. I agree zhat houses like your should be allowed to retain bannermen, but I zhink zhe shift has been due to zhe sins of zhe past. Here Artorus Elendil vas allowed to hold his own forces und he turned on zhe Empire. House Taurus has abandoned us instead of seeking to use zheir influence to make any sort of changes. Zhere is a fear zhat giving such unstable und... Perhaps incompetent nobility vill plunge us into civil var.

You are- or at least appear to be- a great und honorable man. Zhat, I'm afraid, makes you a member of a dying breed. Zhe Rose mourns such."

At this comment Captain Toov clasps his hands behind his back, a slight frown upon his face.

[Kickstarted and Running 965]

Patrickaigh loudly, the fool of house Winter not noticing the symbols of the Imperial Family on his clothes

"Lad, I've been privy to secrets you couldn't even imagine. You insult the Horen name. Normally people did for that... Now don't insult our proud Legion, which it is, again.

He then to Toov

"Rose, the Imperial Guard is a legion. The backbone is Legionnaires. I've been helping set them up, I think I would know."

Imperial prince Patrick Horen adjusts his scabbard and turns to a Legate at his right, they whisper, and look over their shoulders at the noble of house Winter, laughing loudly, along with some officers nearby who heard

"Aye, he does look like his cousin was his sister"

Patrick smirks and spots General Grimbeard, he ushers the Legionnaires to follow and they march in disciplined rows to the General, the Oren Banner flying gracefully as Patrick marches at the head of the glimmering and finely trained men of the Imperial Guard

[Chaqery 427]

The Captain chuckles, shaking his head as Patrick walks off.

"On second zhought, perhaps bannermen are in serious need if he is to be in charge of zhe army..."

[dirtryhary 26]

*GrimBeard, taking a stroll through New Arethor noticed the great crowd around the poster he had his Aide set up. As his troop marched up to him, in parade ground formation, and form a line, and salute, GrimBeard's chest swells with pride.*

"Hello men, I take it your enjoying yourself?"

*A chorus of "Ayes!" ensues, and GrimBeard smirks*

*After a hushed conversation with Patrick Horen, GrimBeard walks up to the crowd*

"It seems the Imperial Guard's credibility is questioned, rest assured we are what we say we are. Though I hold no hate for Bannermen, their time has closed to an end as Oren's main army. The Imperial Guard is the new way, the right way."

[Kickstarted and Running 965]

Patrick folds his arms, his form finally back to its muscled and lean shape after many months after his incident. He stands resplendent in the armor of the Imperial Guard, the sun flashing off of it and the armor of the Legionnaires who stand ready and in better order than any group of bannermen Oren had seen.

"The Imperial Guard is supported and funded by Oren and the Imperial family. The Emperor made them for a reason, and that reason is to push the bannermen into legend. No great stories tell of bannermen fighting. Those stories are the heroes and knights, because they weren't unorganized rabble. The children's children will tell stories of how legions of soldiers in gleaming armor marched in the name of Oren, fighting and dying as brothers in arms. No such stories will ever exist of bannermen. They are lost to history, accept their fate and enlist in the future of Oren's military."

Patrick looks long and hard at the bannermen, the Legionnaires in rows behind him salute sharply and let out a "Hail Horen" as a single voice

[Redbaron™ 690]

Lancel is picking at a peach with a knife watching the scene. He sits atop a pile of crates full of food for the military orders watching the scene for the most part in complete silence. Letting amused chuckles and a hint of a smile show throughout the conversation between the parties.

He looks at Tov as he remarks about Patrick's leadership skills "Don't worry about him, he's exactly like his father... besides it will be the Rose winning most of our battles I have no doubt. But this united army deal that apparently was made isn't to bad... I hope."

He gives an uncaring shrug and slices the blade across the soft flesh of the peach, taking a slice off and putting it in his mouth, chewing slowly as he watches Patrick leave.