THE EAGLE’S VIGIL
THE VIGIL
Stolid men born of war and unfaltering pride, the resilient Eagles of Courland, sworn soldiers of House Staunton, preside over the Duchy of Courland; maintaining peace and fiercely defending their home. The Eagles eagerly shoulder this heavy burden, proudly dedicating their lives to protecting Courland: their home, its citizenry, and its peerage. Their vigil only ends in death, for each armiger beholden to such an order swears a life-long oath in his service to the Duchy of Courland and the House Staunton.
Once, the levies of House Staunton were in disarray, beholden to traitorous lords and split across a disparate realm. No longer, however. Now they are united beneath a single banner, that omniscient eagle, which sees all and knows true loyalty. There exists still a stigma on these men, but they work tirelessly and in an unrelenting fashion to wipe clean the slate that their names have been marked upon.
Upon returning from his schooling in the former capital of Petrus, the young heir to House Staunton, Richard, witnessed the merit of these untrained men, and resolved to convert the unkempt militia into a reputable military order. The opportunity to forge such an order did not arise until years later, when, after a brief epoch serving his liege, Duke Vasili Vanir in Vydrian Order, the Stauntons were cast out by the treacherous Duke and forced to create their own force of loyal men - able to be trained for battle.
Lord Richard established The Eagle’s Vigil, and after years of preparation and intensive training, an opportunity arose. The Duke’s War erupted across Oren, and the Stauntons, now loyal vassals to the Crown of Oren, stormed back into the north, reclaiming their home.
RANKS
Every man who serves in The Eagle’s Vigil must know respect: respect and obedience. The hallmarks of any successful and disciplined military force, every man is beholden to his superior in whatever orders they deem fit to give, and those who see fit to disobey will be punished accordingly.
(SENIOR COMMAND)
The Marshal
The Marshal is the Lord of the order, a proven battle commander and skilled with the blade; he leads the order into battle, appoints officers, and is the chief drillmaster of all the troops.
The original Marshal of The Eagles’ Vigil was Duke Richard Staunton, but the title of Marshal has since been appointed to a loyal, dedicated leader within the Vigil.
The General
The General is the Marshal’s right hand man and the most trusted commander in the Order. Always a man bloodied in war and tried by its cruel hand, he is the regent in times when the Marshal is not present and the commander of a great many men.
The Colonel
The Colonel is the mentor to the lower command, charged with the tutelage of the Captains in the oversight and management of other troops. Chosen from the most experienced and competent of captains, the Colonel is expected to show such virtues as patience and courage in his work. If any Captain fails in his duties, the Colonel also holds some blame for his failure in teaching the officer.
(COMMAND)
The Captain
A Captain is a true leader; he knows how to lead and how to follow. Reporting directly to the Marshal himself, captains are often entrusted with the command of divisions due to their experience. The Captain is considered the officer of paramount import within the High Command and ensures that the Lieutenant is doing his job to the best of his ability.
The Lieutenant
A Lieutenant is a veteran commander within the order, entrusted with larger commands they typically help with instructing decurions in how to perform their job. Lieutenants are associated with a Captain, and assist him in leading their division. They are expected to be the model of discipline, leadership and humility to their peers and lessers within the Vigil.
The Decurion
A proven soldier who has been deemed worthy of advancement, the Decurion is groomed for command until their superiors deem him ready for a full place within the higher command. The Decurion is expected to do his uttermost best to prove to the Marshal his diligence, strength, loyalty and skill in command.
The Decanus
One of the greatest soldiers within the entire force of men, the Decanus’ are often tried and tested warriors whose skill with the blade knows no superior. Though not necessarily born leaders, Decanus are strong warriors who the entire force looks up to. This position is granted as an honour to them, a form of recognition from the leadership.
(ENLISTED)
The Ensign
Ensigns are model soldiers, exemplars of discipline and loyalty. Awarded to the longest serving soldiers within the Vigil; a rank designed to reward loyalty and devotion. Although these men may not be fit of command, they prove the backbone of any battleline.
The Man-at-Arms
The Men-at-Arms are the imposing product of the Vigil’s intensive training procedures, weathered soldiers who have been exposed to the rough of battle and have prevailed. The bulk of the Eagle’s Vigil consists of these brave veterans, who proudly form the front line, prepared to accept only two outcomes: victory or death.
The Footman
Having endured the drillmasters’ harsh discipline, the Footmen have shown their potential through both adherence to the hierarchy and an aptitude in the martial practices. Although untested by battle, these capable loyal soldiers have earned the respect of their brethren, their fellow order-men. They are prepared to serve the Duke, to enforce his law, and to redden their blades with the blood of his foes.
The Initiate
The new bloods of the order, the Initiates have yet to take the oath and to prove their worth. Tasked with grunt work, and subjected to the harsh discipline of the Drillmasters, these green young men are evaluated and pushed to their limits over the course of their initiation, at the end of which they are assigned to a division. Though young and inexperienced, these aspiring soldiers comprise the future of the Eagle’s Vigil.
{SPECIALIZED RANKS}
Quartermaster
The Quartermaster is the supplier of the Order, always a skilled blacksmith always providing armour and weaponry for the Order. Along with their duties of blacksmithing, all quartermasters serves in the rank and file as traditional soldiery.
Medic
The Medic is trained in healing others. They are placed within divisions and expected to attend drilling with their brothers. However they are also expected to maintain their ability to heal, and attend regular training sessions lead by the ‘Chief Surgeon’. The Medics specialize in lending aid to fallen brothers or allies, and, when there are no soldiers to aid, the Medics often perform charity by aiding injured locals.
Recruiter
An officer, or soldier, without a division, the recruiters spend a longer time than any other wandering the roads of all of Vailor in search of new recruits, their own task being that of ensuring that the Vigil is always fresh with green men joining.
Duke’s Guard
The Duke’s Guard are the greatest warriors in the Order, sworn to protect the duke with their lives. The Duke’s Guard is built out of three men who have proven their skill with the blade and their devotion to the Duke. The Duke’s Guard is personally selected by The Marshal and The Duke in conjunction with each other.
THE DIVISIONS OF THE VIGIL
The Eagle’s Vigil is divided into three divisions each commanded by individual commanders; commanders who have proven their competence in battle through grit and experience are entrusted with more experienced groups, while younger ones are able to bloody themselves in combat alongside the green recruits.
Every time an Initiate joins The Vigil he is assigned a division after tests; these men becoming his trusted battle-brothers and constant companions, be it in times of blessed peace of unfortunate war. The Divisions have been created to maintain order, but they also function as a mechanism for stripling commanders to improve their skill at battle.
The 1st Division
This division is the infantry unit. They learn to how to become an efficient core of the Vigil, mastering the sword and shield. The men within this division are trained to follow orders quickly, and to remain brave regardless of the situation, to ensure they continue to be the strong backbone of the Vigil.
The 2nd Division
This division is dedicated to archery.
It is here the men of the Vigil are trained by their officers to learn the proper tactics and mechanics of the archer and his bow; to hit each and every one of their targets dead on.
The 3rd Division
Lastly, the 3rd division is the Vigil’s cavalry. Adorned in powerful weaponry and light armor, the cavalry often makes the first valiant charge into battle, fearlessly facing their enemy head on. In this division, the soldier is taught how to effectively fight on horseback, to become an influential and essential component of the battlefield.
JOINING THE VIGIL
The men of The Eagle’s Vigil are bound to the House Staunton, and Courland by an oath of fealty. With their oath comes many duties each soldier must fulfil.
The Duties of the Order:
-To defend Courland, with life if need be.
-To protect the members of House Staunton, with life if need be.
-To serve House Staunton in times of war.
-To maintain the peace within Courland.
Once one seeks to join The Eagle’s Vigil, he does not merely swear an oath and pick up a blade; The Eagle’s Vigil has a small amount of requirements an Initiate must meet:
REQUIREMENTS
The Applicant must be over the age of 14.
The Applicant must pass a series of Physical tests.
The Applicant must be of the Canonist Faith.
APPLICATION
[RP Application]
Applicant’s Name:
Applicant’s Age:
Applicant’s Race:
Applicant’s Past Military Experience:
Applicant meets the Requirements:
[OOC Application]
MC Username:
Skype:
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Do you agree to PK if their is sufficient roleplay prior to mortality?:
