Gambit

T H E A C R E A N L E V Y Hicest Nos Manere No Kings But Us. Preamble Pre-Harvest Revolution. The Acrean Levy, formed in 1878, originally a much smaller force, typically only used to patrol the forest of Acre, assembled to deal with the bevy of supernatural, monstrous, and murderous elements said to cure those hallowed woods. Though, as the mass immigration of foreigners, merchants, refugees, and other such souls blessed or cursed by fate, the levy swelled in size and ability. By the time of the War of the Silver Isles, it quickly became the premier levy in the Kingdom of Oren, led by the Baron, Sir Gustaf de Vilain. Upon the declaration of war, and formation of the EATO and USSA, the Levy was fully mobilized by order of the crown and deployed to nearly every front of the war. Often being deployed in mass to the home front on the border with the Dwarven Kingdom, and notability was the Acrean infantry seen at the Battle of Acre. Where they fell victim to the poor generaling of Petran officers. Most obviously when Sir Gustaf’s Acremen were sent out for scouting and counter-cavalry, lightly armed in accordance to their mission, before impromptu being ordered to charge into the advancing lines of EATO forces, causing unnecessary casualties and chaos within the ranks. Though, success was found when the Acrean forces were able to function independently from the Vienne Command. As seen when Sir Gustafs Rough Riders were able to successfully capture the Dwarven King, Bakir Ireheart, after he had fled them on the central roads during an Acrean raid. The Riders transported the captive back to Vienne where he would later escape. Due to continued military failures, deadlock, and needless casualties of Acrean Levymen on all fronts, Castle De Vilain announced the withdrawal of the Levy unilaterally from the war. Within the same year, the Kingdom of Oren surrendered to the EATO. This led the crown to denounce Sir Gustaf, Baron of Acre, and Sir Hannes De Vilain, Father of Sir Gustaf, prior Baron of Acre and Lord Marshall, declaring a bounty, and the both of them outlaws. Following this, the Barony of Acre, alongside the Harvest Lords, declared open rebellion against the Kingdom of Oren, officially marking the beginning of the Harvest Revolution. The Harvest Revolution A major benefactor to Acre and her allies was the large military build-up of reservists already home, and the returning battle-tested soldiers from several war-time fronts. Knowing they held the advantage, Acre Command based in Castle De Vilain chose to go on the offensive almost immediately, deciding to use their superior numbers and veteran commanders to continually keep pressure on the Petrans throughout the war. While simultaneously splitting its forces to harass and skirmish vassals who had remained loyal to the Petrans at the beginning of the revolution, namely the Viscounty of Rivia and the Margrave of Grodno. Though shortly soon thereafter a large Rivian footman patrol was seen headed toward the Alps of Grodno, following was a major raid conducted by Sir Hannes De Vilain and supported by Romstum and Blackvale advisors would capture a large portion of the ruling family of Grodno, with minimal bloodshed, forcing them into neutrality. A tactic that would be used repeatedly over the war, with Acrean Levy irregulars slipping into the woods surrounding Vienne and other major Petran Legion outposts. This would prevent reinforcements from aiding vassals as more elite elements of the Levy conducted raids, either weakening military forces or capturing a lord or lady, forcing said vassals into neutrality. The killing of Charles of Rivia signalled a turning point in the conflict, as Rivia had been a provider of the majority of Men-at-Arms who had seen combat against the Harvest Lords. However, with the killing of Frederick I and the nobility of Oren, the war took a sudden turn. Several vassals moved to immediately ally themselves with Acre, provoking a second wave of rebellion against the Kingdom and Crown. The March onto the capital by the total combined forces of the Acrean Levy would be the single highest feat of the war. This largely signifies the unofficial end of the war, though legitimate peace would be established once the second raid of Grodno was carried out after a patrol had spotted unusual activity in the region. Though before the warband could enter the fortress, the Chancellor of Oren, the last member of any meaningful resistance against the revolutionaries, unconditionally surrendered to the Harvest forces. Beginning peace talks shortly afterward, the war had finally concluded, and the Kingdom of Oren was dissolved. The Harvest Confederation was formed. Post-Harvest Revolution The Acrean Levy was demobilized shortly after the end of the revolution, and though a brief time of "De-Petranifcation" was conducted, in where the Levy was tasked with the disarming and arresting any brigands and soldiers left who refused to lay down their arms against the Confederacy. Post-revolution has been defined by peace amongst men within the lands that were once ruled by Kings. ”Only three thousand?” - Unknown Levymen upon hearing of the bounty set on Sir Gustaf. Rank and Structure The ranking of the Levy retains efficiency within simplicity, not wishing to clutter itself with bloating titles and unnecessary tangled hierarchy. Choosing to use the beer minimum as to maximize efficiency. ☩ Bailiff of Acre ☩ Bailiff of Acre - Bailiff Otto - The Bailiff is the centrepiece of the law, its enforcer, its judge, jury, and, when need be, its executioner. It is they who determine its course. Although they may appoint subordinates Sergeants to handle certain matters. Serving alongside his men, they are as much a footsoldier as they are a commander and leader to their men. ☩ Sergeant-At-Arms ☩ Sergeant-at-Arms - If the Armsmen are the backbone of the levy, the Sergeants are its limbs, carrying out orders from the brass to the average soldier, commanding smaller units and formations in battle, and relaying orders to the masses of Armsmen. Typically a Sergeant-at-Arms is a veteran rank-in-file soldier who has chosen to extend their service in the name of Acre. Sergeants typically have seen extensive combat and service in the name of the Baron, and have gained their officer experience from combat, not training. Primarily a secondary command, sergeants are viewed as significantly crucial as a middle-ground between the Brass and the everyday soldier, they are a respected and valuable part of the Levy, knowing the brotherhood that bonds each soldier. ☩ Man-At-Arms ☩ Man-at-Arms - The backbone of the levy, by far its most numerous aspect, the bulk of Armsmen in the levy are veterans of wars past, having been the Baron's fist in any conflict. In peace-time, they serve as expert guards and enforcers of the law, ensuring the peace is kept within Acre and its surrounding lands. Comradery and brotherhood are the cornerstones for any Men-At-Arms, with their brotherly bonds found in war often extending past their service, within the fields, wineries, smiths, and pubs of Acre, both active duty and veteran Men-At-Arms can be found exchanging stories of their victories. ☩ Recruit ☩ Recruit - The lowest rank within the Levy, a Levymen typically never retains the , tailored to the specific needs of Acre, prepared on how to ward off the monsters and beasts of the hallowed woods surrounding the Barony. “I owe our victory to our men, rather.” Hannes De Vilain, upon the success of the Harvest Revolution. Culture and traditions The Acrean Levy is made up of many cultures, though prominently is the Sons and Daughters of the Fatherland, Acre, a large portion of Dorfer Refugees and veterans of the Aurelian Brotherhood take up arms within the levy, earning the respect of their peers, as well as influencing the culture of the levy with that of their own. Only those who have proved themselves men of man, distinguished from others of Horens tribe, may say that they have themselves impacted the development of these traditions. GRIEVANCES DUELS Though define by comradery and brotherhood, bonds only that may be forged in war, conflict amongst the ranks is bound to occur, given the nature of the levy and its task, soldiers cannot afford become petty and bitter to their brothers-in-arms, therefor the Brass sees fit to approve of grievance duels. An standard duel, in which both combatants are given their standard armour and a longsword, and from their are tasked with combating the other until one party yields, though highly uncommon, death can occur. A priest of whichever faith those fighters may be is typically present. BATTLE SALTARE A tradition taken from Dorfer culture, the Saltare typically consist of intoxicated levymen dancing around a lit fire, often with spears in hand, chanting mottos and drinking songs, occasionally wearing bear and other animal pelts on their heads. This practice is mainly done in order to keep moral high for the average rank-in-file infantry man. Though, Sergeants and above are forbidden from taking part in these events LEVYMANS GREETING A custom borrowed from the Aurelian Brotherhood, it is a unofficial custom for once a Levyman has officially become a armsmen to greet his fellow armsmen and higher ups with the thumping of his heart, using a closed fist. It is unclear when this was offically adopted, however it has become a way for the infantry to show their pride of their acceptance into the brotherhood of the few. “We are here, and we will stay here.” - Common translation of the De Vilain Motto. Recruitment For those men amongst man who wish to join the Levy of Acre, they must make the trek to Castle De Vilain and contact the nearest sergeant, so that they are given their kit and made an official part of the Levy. For reasons of security, the Levy does not, and will not, accept letter applications. Only those who bravely approach the white walls of the Keep may become apart of the protectors of Acre. [Coordinates: X:1500 Y:105 Z:-1170] ☩

"Sympathy for the Skavik Devils." The young raider muttered to himself, huddled into a Skavik long boat, brandishing his blooded woodsmen's axe

GODS HOOD MOURNS. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ☨ "Today we lost a real one." High Pontiff Tylos III Goderyc, he Don Father paced back and forth, distracted, this wasn't his usual self... One of his fellow Priest passed him, of the Hood, of course, throwing up the Cross, he was slow to respond, unusual for the Father, he was contemplating; 'What was he to do once Vienne was raised to the ground?' a city he'd always know, running the streets since he was young, he was 23 now, but will he live to see 24? The way things is goin', he didn’t know... He was caught in thought, thinking of the Hoods future, his pupils, his followers, his homies- "Don Goderyc!" one of his streetmen suddenly cried out, running towards him, Goderyc turned to him, his sharp nose pointing down towards him, perking a brow, "Ops, they're here...!" Goderyc paused, being sucked out of thought, out of his future plans, he turned towards to face the only obvious direction anyone could enter on foot, drawing his crossbow, pointing it sideways, his mind raced... 'Petrans? Feds? Acrenans...? 'Bless ops from South-Side? Worst of all; Deaf people?' only the Don Lord GOD knew what ops awaited these hands once they came into sight, as more of the Don Fathers loyalist bolstered the front of their defense, civilians in carriages and on horseback fled the area, beads of sweat trickled down his face, he thought he heard something- No, he didn't, he turned to take a drag from his cigar, inhaling- "This one's for 'Blees!" Suddenly several passing carriage's doors opened up, bolts flying out from the doors and windows, a drive-by, as Goderycs men went to take cover, a bolt struck the Don Father himself in the shoulder, then in the leg, he screaming in both pain and anger, pulling the lever on his 'Bolt'Throwa,' his crossbow, firing a bolt into the direction of his ops, moving into cover, huffing some premium Haenser crystal to regain his strength, as he reloads and prepared to return bolts to these fools on his street, though as he did, he was struck once more in his thigh, bucking to the ground once more, he turned left, all his men, his homies... Dead... He hastily turned right, it was no better. He prayed, before opening a crate titled 'Exposyves,' shoving whatever he could grab underneath the garment he wore, looking to the remaining crack and other drugs he'd been peddling on these streets, muttering something only the Don Lord will ever know he huffed, he snorted, he took every drug that he could see near him as he lit a cigar, dragging from it before clamping it between his jaws, standing up he began to walk towards the ops who'd now had dismounted or exited their carriages, as they began to fire upon the Don Father, though he was struck, again and again, he kept walking. "I never met a man like him." Holy Ser David A bolt to the arm, another to his knee, he trudged forwards to these heretical ops, before another bolt struck his chest, as he fell unto his knees, the 'Blees ops approached what they believed to be his now corpses, as he struggled to move, he looked up to the approaching fools. "He was certainly, uh, a person." Cardinal Katerina "He cannot be divided nor made again, and His mysteries are the holy mysteries..." he coughed, blood spitting from his mouth, "No art is alike to His boundless ability.." he took the cigar from his mouth, still alit, he dropped it unto his chest, and in his last few moments of life, he gave on last sermon, "Lo and attend, for I am the Lord GOD, and I am in the foremost part of heaven... Though the spring flower withers and the fruit of the tree fall to the ground, My Word lasts into the eve of the world, and the fruit of virtue cannot rot..." He looked not to the sinners flanking all his sides, but to the blinding brightness of the sun, seeing what was only one thing, the Seven Skies... Reflecting on his life, he remembers only one moment, one defining moment... "A Father all the homies want to be like.." Unknown spectator The copious amount of explosive he had stuffed into his undergarment ignited, going off, taking these ops with the Don Father, in one last commitment to the Don Lord GOD.

Æthelwulf would tap the hilt of his sword, looking to the East, to Vienne, and the future farmland he'd till once it'd been conquered by Sir Gustaf and his men, "Every man a king..."

[!] Æthwulf of Acre, 'Robynn,' thought back to legendary sketch way-back-when...

"Fathers will not bury their sons... Not anymore." Commented Æthwulf "Robynn" Medford with a sigh, finished letters to families who'd lost their sons it recents skirmishes or patrols, 'at least they'll be the last,' he thought.