Naj

ELECTOR NAME: Undisputed Patriarch - Rickard Vladov
ELECTOR HOUSE: Vladov

VOTE CAST: Da.

Rickard Vladov oversees his guardsmen as they begin construction of a training yard. 
 

“At last, a home for our people.”

RP Name: Arnaud de Ruyter
MC Name: joenaj
Voted: Yes

Arnaud grins

A Resignation

*A letter is sent to all Officers and members of the ISA and the Privy Council and pinned outside the ISA Bastille in Helena*

7th of Godfrey’s Triumph, 1747,

To my esteemed colleagues and comrades, 

For nearly 30 years I have served as the Secretary of War. In my time, we have seen great upheaval in the world order. Yet, we have stood fast. The current war is fated to end and with it, Oren will remain. Because of this, I believe I have succeeded in my role. I know not all of us have always agreed on the best approach to solve our issues, but it is within our belief in a strong and unified humanity that brought us triumph. In all my years of combat, from the defeat of Lorraine, to the valiant defense of Haense, I know that in the end, men will stand up for what is right. We must instill within our great Empire the ideals which we hold so dear. We must not let ourselves be led astray by personal ambition or internal strife. It is then that I issue my formal resignation and request for discharge. I retire now to my home in Harlingen with my fellow veterans, though I am not gone. I will rise to the occasion as I have before to protect my home so long as it should need me. I thank each of you for the time we have served together and I look forward to hearing of the great accomplishments of this Empire in our future. 

Nothing above the Empire

    Leonard II de Ruyter, Count of Harlingen, Knight of St. Edmund’s Cross and Former Secretary of War

ATTENTION HELENA

8th of Sigismund’s End, 1742:

By decree of THE SECRETARY OF WAR and the IMPERIAL STATE ARMY with blessing from HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY PETER III. The city of Helena now returns to normal procedures. The following effects of Marshal Law are NO LONGER enforced:

• FORTIFICATION - All streets are to be fortified and property may be seized in eminent domain if it should serve such a purpose as to protect the citizens of Helena
• CONSCRIPTION - Every able bodied man and woman above the age of 16 is directed to the WAR OFFICE in the Imperial Barracks to be assigned their Imperial duties
• POLITICAL REGULATION - Implemented acts and administrative decisions executed within Helena are subject to revision and approval from the ISA Colonel and Secretary of War

However, these security measures are still in effect:

• CURFEW - Citizens are required to be within their homes from sunset to sunrise. Subjects who appear in the street after dark legally may be searched or detained
• FULL LOCKDOWN - The city is in full lockdown gates will remain closed and managed by the ISA. Confirmed unarmed citizens will be permitted use of the citizen doors
• DRESS RESTRICTIONS - Hoods and other face-obscuring clothing are strictly forbidden; violators will be detained and searched

The city of Helena served its Empire with patriotism and will continue to be a bastion for humanity in the face of barbaric aggression. 

IN NOMINE DEI

 Leonard II de Ruyter, Marshal of the Empire and Secretary of War

[!] Hung throughout the streets of Helena lies a flier, a warning to all citizens.

ATTENTION

HELENA

7th of Horen’s Calling, 1742:

By decree of THE SECRETARY OF WAR and the IMPERIAL STATE ARMY with blessing from HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY. The city of Helena is hereby under MARTIAL LAW until further notice. The following points will be enforced to full effect by members of the ISA:

• CURFEW - Citizens are required to be within their homes from sunset to sunrise. Subjects who appear in the street after dark legally may be searched or detained.
• FULL LOCKDOWN - The city is in full lockdown gates will remain closed and managed by the ISA. Confirmed unarmed citizens will be permitted use of the citizen doors
• DRESS RESTRICTIONS - Hoods and other face-obscuring clothing are strictly forbidden; violators will be detained and searched
• FORTIFICATION - All streets are to be fortified and property may be seized in eminent domain if it should serve such a purpose as to protect the citizens of Helena.
• CONSCRIPTION - Every able-bodied man and woman above the age of 16 is directed to the WAR OFFICE in the Imperial Barracks to be assigned their Imperial duties. 
• POLITICAL REGULATION - Implemented acts and administrative decisions executed within Helena are subject to revision and approval from the ISA Colonel and Secretary of War.

In the face of barbaric aggression and mysterious flying men we must stand together in unification, in humanity, in the Empire. Helena prevails. 

IN NOMINE DEI

 Leonard II de Ruyter, Marshal of the Empire and Secretary of War

Imperial Field Marshal Leonard II strolls through the ISA barracks in Helena grinning as a fresh set of recruits begins training in the courtyard.

A Peace

It is simply the pleasure that the Count of Harlingen, Secretary of War, Ser Leonard II de Ruyter to announce the ceremonial commencing of his own house, House de Ruyter, and hereby declare the secondary house, House de Leumont. These two houses will now be bound by wedding.

Jon-Paul de Leumont, Secretary of Treasury, Count of Provins, is to be wed to Katrien de Ruyter, withholding the current positioning of Liveryman of the Pruvia Ward. The celebration is to be held in Harlingen following the marriage at the church in Helena. All nobility of the Crownlands are invited to attend this humble celebration as two great Houses now bury the feuds long since past.

The Imperial Field Marshal Leonard II cleans off his sword smiling at each of his men who fought bravely against the bandit aggressors.

Leonard II frowns at the news of his long-time liege nearing his end. 
“In life with service and in death with respect old friend.”

Field Marshal Leonard de Ruyter prepares his men for the trials ahead “Nothing above the Empire”

THE WAR OFFICE

“This is my land, and I'm calling the shots.” 

Vitallius de Capua, Last of the Istriots, to agents of the Gold Corps, c. 1560.

The Ministry of War, known in technical shorthand simply as the War Office, is the administrative body overseen by the Secretary of War, one of the Ministers of the Crown who sits upon the Council of State. It oversees the preparation, deliberation, and execution of the Orenian military by maintaining the Imperial State Army, the standing army of the Empire, along any auxiliaries, banners, levies, and irregulars of its subjects.

The War Office raises Imperial generals during wartime that command the various armies of both the Imperial State Army and the Imperial auxiliaries. 

Within the Imperial State Army lays an intricate system of regiments, brigades, and batteries that afford strict structure to all of the Empire’s professional soldiers. It is headed by the Imperial Fieldmarshal, who traditionally maintains the 1st Regiment.

The Secretary of War

Leonard II de Ruyter, Count of Harlingen

Imperial 1^st General and Knight of St. Edmond’s Cross 

apt. 12th of the First Seed, 1734

THE GENERALS

"Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, seventy are just targets, nineteen are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. And then there is one, a warrior, and he will bring the others back." 

Octavian Horen, progenitor of the Pertinaxi line, to a young Hugues Sarkozic, c. 1516.

During wartime, the War Office has the power to raise Imperial generals from its pool of talent between both the Imperial State Army and the auxiliaries. In theory, any soldier could be raised to the post of general - however, in practice, it is relegated to officers of either the army or auxiliary corps. 

When a general is raised during wartime, they are assigned a number which dictates their hierarchy in the chain of command - the 1st General supersedes the 2nd, and so forth. The War Office can also instruct Imperial generals to maintain authority within certain regions, ensuring like-minded cultures and peoples are kept in cohort for maximum efficiency. The only perpetual Imperial general is the Imperial Fieldmarshal, who operates even in peace-time.

All Imperial generals, upon their ascent, are granted a baton of service along with standard-issue colonel attire and begin as one-star generals. With notable triumphs, innovations, and victories, the Crown may elect to raise them two-stars, three-stars, and so forth; however, billet always comes before rank, and thus a two-star 3rd General will be lower in the chain of command than a one-star 1st. 

Only the most distinguished generals in history can end their military career bearing the lofty title of generalissimo, connoting a six-star general, the highest honor an Orenian military commander can attain. 

There are three historical figures, each the leading military mind of their century, that are considered to have warranted the title of generalissimo. They include Saint Thomas of Kaedrin, Henry Rothesay, Count of Sundholt and Prince Antony of Renatus and Marna.  

The standing Imperial generals are, as of 1734…

• Count Leonard de Ruyter, Secretary of War, Imperial Fieldmarshal, Colonel of the 1st Regiment, Commander of the Helena Regulars and Knight of Saint Edmond. 
  • A one-star general, the right honorable Leonard de Ruyter, Count of Harlingen, cut his teeth in the command against the Duchy of Lorraine during the crisis within the Gauloise Crownlands, organizing a successful victory over their forces in the name of the Duke of Adria.

THE GENERAL STAFF

“It is not useless titles that make men useless, but useless men that make titles useless”

 John I, Holy Orenian Emperor, allegedly on Denis de Bar, c.  early 16th century.

The General Staff serve as the Imperial Fieldmarshal’s personal cadre of officers, enlisted, or civilians. At the moment, the Imperial Fieldmarshal can make three appointments to his General Staff to aid him - that number can be altered at the will of the Secretary of State to allow for more or less duties. Members of the General Staff act with the agency of the Imperial Fieldmarshal in regards to their personal obligation, and thus can deliver orders and directive to higher ranking officers on behalf of the Imperial Fieldmarshal. In this way, they operate as a cabinet to the Imperial Fieldmarshal and aid him in his executive action.

Members of the General Staff wear the uniform sorted to their rank when on-duty, with civilians maintaining the appropriate court dress. However, they are permitted to wear Imperial State Army berets, an honor usually reserved for lieutenants and higher.

The General Staff shall consist of:

The Chief of Operations

• The Chief of Operations ensures the Imperial State Army has an ample directive of missions and operations to maintain productivity and opportunities for advancement, along with coordinating brigades to execute military strategy.

The Chief of Logistics

• The Chief of Logistics ensures that the Imperial State Army is well-funded and well-supplied along with maintaining the physical infrastructure of all crown holdings trusted to the army.

The Chief of Intelligence

• The Chief of Intelligence ensures that the Imperial State Army maintains effective communications internally and to the Empire at large by declassifying biannual action reports, along with collecting military intelligence.

THE OFFICER CORPS

"I had rather have a plain russet-coated captain that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you call a gentleman and is nothing else." 

Graham Milner, to the Emperor Augustus, c. late 17th century.

The Officer Corps of the Imperial State Army serves as the collective term for those gazetted officers with which command of the force is entrusted. They bear commissions as the mark of their ranks, which they hold in trust to the Crown. Unlike with the enlisted and irregulars, Imperial State Army officers are held to strict regulation in their commission - they must either descend from a noble peer of the realm, or receive written assent from a Canonist bishop that they are literate, educated, cultured, of the faithful, and all other relevant qualities expected of an officer representing the crown. All officers wear the Carolean red overcoat when to distinguish their officer status.

Colonel

A colonel serves as the sole chief of a regiment, a sizable collective comprised of several brigades. A regiment is usually organized according to geography, and serves as the largest division of troops within the Imperial State Army. As such, the rank of colonel is the highest command in peace-time other than that of the Imperial Fieldmarshal. Regiments officially bear the nomenclature of numbers, such as the 1st Regiment or the 2nd Regiment (and so on) yet are frequently appelated with nicknames in order to better identify them. There shall be one colonel per regiment, however, the Imperial Fieldmarshal can elect a Lieutenant Colonel as his second-in-command, to aid in the command of his home regiment while he sees to the entirety of the ISA. 

Standing Colonel

Darius Sabari – Colonel of the 1^st Regiment

Captain

A captain serves as the sole chief of a brigade, the immediate sub-division of a regiment. These entities are more specialised and smaller, with several brigades coming together under the authority of the higher colonel. These brigades, commanded by captains, typically have formalized names, such for example the Nauzica Brigade. 

Captains maintain the Imperial State Army beret of command, along with a gold pin of office. If a Colonel or Lieutenant-Colonel also leads a brigade, he is styled commander of said brigade, to avoid discrepancy of rank, and for all brigades that he would oversee, he is also styled commander. In that way, the Imperial Fieldmarshal is a commander of all brigades in the Imperial State Army.

There shall be one captain per brigade. 

Standing Captains

Jasper – Captain of the 1^st Brigade

Lieutenant

Lieutenants are the primary assistants for a captain in the management of his particular brigade. He is often entrusted with matters of administrative significance as well as assisting in command. A lieutenant is the lowest rank that may bear the Imperial State Army beret of command. Within a brigade, lieutenants are often ranked in seniority to dictate their chain of command - in that way, there is often an informal title of 1st lieutenant that serves as the Captain’s right-hand man and holds seniority over his peers.

Ensign

An ensign is a junior officer, often a noble cadet, who has been freshly awarded his first commission from the Crown. He is not expressly in command of any particular force, though is allocated to a brigade (and hence a greater regiment by extension) and is expected to advance his career by showing his superiors his nascent prowess in military command. Accordingly, ensigns are often tasked with jobs that require a low level of commanding authority, including the control of small groups of regular soldiers for special assignments or miscellaneous administrative or logistical tasks. To be commissioned as an ensign is representative of an entry into officership, and the beginning of one’s rise through the ranks. There is no limit on the amount of ensigns that may operate within a brigade or regiment. 

THE REGULARS

"War is our homeland, hauberk is our house! Plough ‘em all, plough ‘em all, and kick ‘em in their arse!" 

A Kaedreni warsong, c. 1473.

The regulars of the Imperial State Army make up the bulk of its force and serve as its enlisted corps. Their duties range from active combat service, guard patrol, reconnaissance, pest control, assembling expeditionary forces, destruction of unused property, enforcement of the law, and all other duties that require the use of force. In that way, they are an integral facet of the empire as its state soldiers. Only subjects between the ages of sixteen and seventy-five may serve in the Imperial State Army. All regulars that have been oathed wear the red and white stripes of service to distinguish their status as enlisted to the state’s armed forces.

Sergeant 

A sergeant is the highest rank of enlisted in the Imperial State Army and often begets years of grizzled service. While an ensign may have command over them, a Sergeant often possess the wisdom and experience to serve as a non-commissioned officer and aid them in their charge. Sergeants often serve as the disciplinarians, quartermasters, or in rare-cases, even stand-bearers of their troop, keeping order and executing for the brigade as officers plan directive. For large enough brigades and regiments, it is not uncommon for a First Sergeant or Sergeant Major to be appointed, to be named as the chief enlisted among the troop. Sergeants are afforded a ribbon to distinguish themselves during active duty.

Corporal

Corporals are regarded as veterans of service, having been bloodied or tested in multiple times and proven their worth as leal professional soldiers. They are entrusted with more duties and responsibilities than their Private counterparts and hold some degree of command over them, often guiding them through their duties and training. A Corporal has usually begun to specialize their talents in a few key civilian and military skills, often proving as indispensable pieces towards a brigade’s overall success. They are first rank that are permitted to their awards of service upon their uniform during active duty.

Private

Upon the completion of basic training, an oathed regular can now be named an official member of the Imperial State Army as its lowest rank of Private. Privates are entrusted basic duties of service and begin to explore the various facets of imperial service to see where they may best hone their talents. As a result, most privates are expected to specialize in a myriad of talents or skills to better serve the military as well as fulfilling their basic duties and directives by their office corps. Some of these duties range from smithing, tanning, drumming, estate management, guardwork, specialized melee and weapons training, sapping, siegework, ranging, medicinal arts, riding, athletics, tactics, training, path-finding, spotting, engineering, construction, trade, prisoner management, tracking, hunting, sapping, signalling, trumpetering, voyaging, sailing, chemistry, and so forth - any talent that the corps would need, it is expected a Private to begin that task of fulfilling it.

Recruit

Fresh recruits undergo a two year training process before being oathed and raised to private. During this time, they are exposed to the rigor and discipline of state military tradition, along with a nascent education in Orenian society and culture. They have not yet formally enlisted into the military, and thus as a result, do not have the right to wear the landsknecht regulars uniform or for that matter any military regalia.

IRREGULARS

“Who, me?”

The serf, Hunwald Coalmein, upon his conscription into the Teuton-Blackmont War, c. 1407.

Since time immemorial, the sons of Horen have practiced conscription against their ignoble adversaries to leverage their staggering manpower. The War Office maintains this tradition by instituting mandatory conscription - all able-bodied subjects of the empire over the age of sixteen can be levied to war. As a result, the War Office maintains post for its irregulars, offering training and preparations for the inevitability of total war. 

Furthermore, the provincial guards of regional nobility and imperial auxiliaries raised from its protectorates that are not integrated into the Imperial State Army are considered to be irregulars. Provincial armies, auxiliary companies, and local conscripts are typically assigned to a regiment, to be overseen by a colonel. Conscripts, by the writ of a colonel, are usually placed under the charge of a nearby brigade, while sizable irregular armies or auxiliary companies answer directly to the colonel. During war-time, Imperial generals supercede colonels in their command of auxiliaries. 

When describing the entire body of irregulars, soldiers are expected to refer to them as Imperial auxiliaries, separate from the Imperial State Army, albeit administered and organized by the Secretary of War. 

Apply below to join the Helena Regulars today!

Enlistment form:

https://forms.gle/Rafq5bD5PRcUbGCV6
 

Big thanks to Dib for the lovely post and Maly for edits

Ser Leonard de Ruyter pauses from training the newly-merged Order of St. Emma and the Lion Guard and reads the summons nodding quickly before returning to his work.

Sir Leonard had not realized this was still being debated.

Sir Leonard nods at the posting “As it should be. This Lorraine has no place in this Empire”

The Order of St. Emma
From Ashes, From Rubble

History
“I do, truly, believe there is peace in our time.”
-Paul I Varoche, Duke of Adria, prior to the burning of Ves.

The Order of St. Emma can find its roots in the reign of John I Sarkozic of Adria (circa 1650). The Order, originally designed to be a knightly lodge of nobles, took up its role as the main military force of the Duchy upon the ascension of Josip I Sarkozic, serving as his own personal Bannermen. It was dissolved under Ratibor I Carrion, replaced by the City Watch of Belvitz. It is under our Duke, Adrian I, that we reinstitute these great gentry to their proper order.

Charge of Belle’s Hill, The Battle of the Rolling Hills (1660)

Ranking of the Order
“You put the K in Chain of Command.” - Broos Wellis, to Vladan Valic

Marshal of Adria: The Marshal of Adria serves as the commander and bearer of the Adrian sword. It is his pen stroke that accompanies the seal of St. Emma, and it is his will that sustains the Order and its expansion. He shall be tasked with leading the men of St. Emma in battle.

Commandant of the Marshal: Second to the Marshal, the Commandant is the authority of the Marshal when he is not present. He is tasked with the sustenance of a well-regulated and well trained order of Knights within the Order of St. Emma. Training and skirmishing are under the jurisdiction of the Seneschal and Commandant, as well as the regulation of the finances of the Order. 

Knight of the Order:  The final rank most Ordermen could achieve. A nobleman or gentry of the Holy Orenian Empire and the Duchy of Adria. Any man bearing proper titles may apply for this rank in the Duchy, and Sergeants at Arms of the Order are privy to a nomination for knighthood from the Marshal and Duke to the Holy Orenian Emperor and Grand Knight.

Sergeant at Arms of the Order: The ultimate rank of non-gentry within the Order of St. Emma. Responsible for the day-to-day management of grunts and non-gentry inside the Order. Seen as the executive actor of the Marshal’s will within the rank and file, and tasked with the preservation of the well being of all men within the Order, from the lowliest recruit to the Marshal himself. 

Man at Arms of the Order: A rank displaying the seasoned nature of a non-gentryman within the order. Achieved after a Saint’s Month of service, or 4 years. 

Footman of the Order: A rank signifying a blooded member of the Order of St. Emma. 2 Years of service are required to achieve this rank. 

Recruit of the Order: The default starting rank of any member joining the Order of St. Emma. Not Blooded. 

Siege of Ruriksgrad, 1662

Honors

“I’m an eggshell, protecting the yolk of Felsen.”- Halberdier Nathan Hawthorne

The Grand Crow of Sigmund (200 Minas)- The highest honour available to members of the Order of St. Emma. Only officers are eligible to receive it. The Grand Crow is a golden medallion, affixed to the uniform of the honored man by the Duke himself. If not already a Knight, the reception of the Grand Crow will coincide with a recommendation to the Emperor of knighthood.

The Gold Cross of St. Emma (200 Minas) - The highest honour available to enlisted-men of the Order of St. Emma. Affixed to the uniform of the honored man by the Duke himself, and each awarded cross contains a minor relic cast into the gold. If not already a Knight, the reception of the Grand Crow will coincide with a recommendation to the Emperor of knighthood.

The Silver Cross of Adria (100 Minas)- The Silver Cross of Adria is awarded to members of the Order responsible for saving the life of a member of the ducal family, a noble vassal family, or one of his duke’s councilors. The Silver Cross is blessed by the Pontiff, and affixed to the uniform of the honored man by His Grace the Duke himself.

The Bronze Cross of Adria (50 Minas)- Given for valorous service in battle, the Bronze Cross is blessed by the Pontiff, and affixed to the uniform of the honored man by His Grace the Duke himself.

The Crow’s Shield (50 Minas)- Given for saving the life of a citizen of Adria from threats at home or abroad. In the form of a bronze shield embossed with the arms of the Ducal family, given to the honored man by the Duke himself.

Customs & Regulations:

“Sometimes when I close my eyes I cannot see.” 

Customs of the Rank

Adrian Salute- The right fist clasped, placed over heart, and held there until the salute is returned.

Church- The Ordermen’s uniform should always be worn, clean and pressed, to service. No sins against the Creator are to be permitted in the House of God, under threat of corporal punishment.

Nobles- Nobles of the realm should be addressed politely according to their rank and station. If you are not sure how to address a noble, at least use the courtesy address of “Sir” or “Ma’am”.

Superiors- Any soldier or officer of higher rank than oneself should be addressed as “Sir”.

Uniform regulations- The regulation helm is optional, but otherwise the regulation Orderman uniform is required to be worn at all times in public spaces in the Empire unless instructed otherwise. Criminal activity is of course prohibited for members of the Order, but Ordermen caught committing crimes against the duchy or empire in their uniform will, at least, lose a hand and be expelled from the guard.

Duels- The conflict resolution of choice for most knights, two gentry in such a situation shall find themselves subject to any duel format of their choice, so long as it abides by the codex of Adrian duels, which offers a variety of options for what constitutes a win and loss, and what punishment or reward they receive upon the decision.

Regulations and Bylaws

The Charge of Whitepeak, 1668

Book of St. Emma’s Songs
“The Pen is stronger than the sword, but not the torch.”
--Timeo de la Baltas, upon The Burning of Ves

((OOC)) ENLISTMENT
Contact Icarnus#7244 for questions. Form:

https://forms.gle/WU2pfDAWLkyPf9Nx8

Known the man for years and he’s always been one of the first people I want around me to RP or PvP because he always handles himself with class and best of all, he listens and acts based on feedback. He would be an absolute incredible addition the team and would provide some valuable perspective that at time is lacking on the staff team.

Sir Leonard de Reuter hears of his Cousin’s ascension to Cardinal and praises God for the event.

Jorik signs onto the Grudge

”ARRUUU ARRUUU ARUUUU”

Never really been a fan of big restrictions on raiding. With proper RP, I feel like cool downs are a pain and unneccesary unless it’s become toxic. If it’s good RP let it be. Some the most fun wars were in the Fringe when players could actually fight it out without getting threatened a ban for breaking one of the million rules surrounding conflict.

“Narvak oz Urguan! Let the orange banners fly once more!”

        RP:

            Name of resident: Jorik Grandaxe

             Race and Ethnicity: Mountain Dwarf

           Combat Experience (circle one): None ; Some ; Moderate ; Weathered

OOC:

             IGN: joenaj

              Discord: You got it

           ~Hours on server spent a day: Depends

           ~Availability on weekdays: Depends

            Timezone: PST

OOC

MC Name: joenaj

Discord: Msg me

Timezone: PST

RP

RP Name: Jorik Grandaxe

Age: 462

Ethnicity: Mountain Dwarf

Do you have any experience in combat?: None