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{{Info organizations
|image        = ImpCrest.png
|leader        = Imperial Marshal Carl II von Treppewitz
|headquarters  = Imperial Marshalry, [[City of Regalia]]
|origins      = [[Five Family Rebellion]]
|symbols      = Dragons, Anchors, Swords
|colors        = Purple, Blue, Gold
|magicusage    = Restricted
|subdivisions  = * Imperial Army
* Imperial Navy
|}}
The Regalian Military is the apparatus of the [[Regalian Empire]] responsible for managing, deploying, supplying, and commanding the tens of thousands of Soldiers across [[Aloria]]. With origins during the [[Five Family Rebellion]], it has remained ever present since the dawn of the Empire, growing and adapting as the need arises. Today, the Regalian Military is seen as a symbol of Imperial glory and stability, and considered an extension of the Emperor’s might over all Regalian adversaries. Many citizens look favorably on the military, both for its career prospects and meritocratic basis, but also as a familiar organization in an ever-changing world.


==Design==
Military Characters should be designed in line with a hierarchy-based organization. Following orders is expected at all times, and not when found convenient. Similar to [[Knighthood]], characters should have a sense of professionalism about them. But where Knights derive their expectations from a code of honor, Soldiers do so out of loyalty to the Emperor and for the well-being of one's fellow Soldier. A disloyal Soldier is likely to either get themselves or others killed. Designing a character that is compliant with the Regalian Military is fairly straightforward, with the following key points to be made.
*Any Regalian Citizen of any heritage or gender may be part of the Military, with the following exceptions:
**[[Marken]] are barred from enlistment, even those with Legal reprieve, as the battlefield is chaotic and could cause even the most disciplined Marken to lose control. Characters may attempt to hide their status, but should be advised that this is illegal.
**[[Spirit]]s, [[Undead]], [[Vampire]]s, [[Geist]]s, and all other illegal occult are barred from the Military, as they are hostile to Regalia’s interests. Characters may attempt to hide their status, but should be advised that this is difficult and very illegal.
**[[Mystech]] are barred from the Military, as most are illegal within the empire, and the ones that are legal are not counted as citizens, which is a prerequisite for service.
*[[Suvial]] cannot summon Spirits, as their legal provision is only to deal with the Spirit infestation in Regalia, not to use them in battle.
*[[Arkenborn]], [[Godborn]], [[Archon]], and Mages may enlist, but are assigned to specialized “Battle Mage” units which are separated from the regular mundane units (which still make up the vast majority of soldiers). Historically, Magic was banned in the military, with this ban being reversed recently under Emperor Alexander’s reign.
*Petty Criminals (like pickpockets and debtors) can be press-ganged into the Regalian Military (most often the Navy) in lieu of other punishments, as they are seen as a lower risk compared to murderers and arsonists. However, they are treated with scrutiny due to their criminal background.


===Schisms===
===Becoming a Soldier===
Unionism has endured several Schisms, all caused at various points in time over major religious differences. Each Schism usually came about following the death of the previous Emperor, which resulted in the priests of Unionism calling for a Diet of Deliberation. During these Diets, thousands of priests from all over the world were invited to discuss the future of the faith, and to have theological debates, as the priests are the only ones allowed to look at the holy words in The Creed. Unfortunately, sometimes these events were also hotbeds of religious politics, and large groups of priests unified behind an idea that incites violence and opposition from the majority or minority, who might break away. There exist more differences between the Schisms than explicitly stated on this page for ease of reading. '''For more information on additional differences, consult the [[Unionist Schisms]] page.'''
Joining the Regalian Military as a common Soldier is very simple. Every major settlement in the Regalian Empire has a recruitment office which allows any citizen over 18 years old to sign-up for military service. During the enlistment process, the recruit chooses whether to join the Imperial Army or Navy. If they join the Army, they are given directions to the nearest Tenpenny Headquarters, where they will spend a few months training in various weaponry before being given a specialty which reflects their performance. If they join the Navy, they are sent to the nearest port to join one of the many warships, then begin service immediately.
* '''The Evintarian Schism''' is the first Schism that appeared directly after the death of Emperor Theomar I. In his later years, Emperor Theomar I changed his mind on the matter of Godsparks, the process by which Unionist Heroes are declared (which are described later on this page). Emperor Theomar I originally wrote in The Creed that Godsparks could only be declared by the priests in a Diet of Divinity, once the subject person had died. In his later years however, he decided Godsparks could be detected in still living mortals during a Diet of Divinity. However, he never wrote this down for unclear reasons. After his death, the majority of priests decided if the Emperors did not write their dissent on previous dogma in The Creed (they are allowed to edit it), it is not considered Divine Will and is irrelevant in the eyes of Holy Law. The Evintarian minority faction believed the Emperor's word is always Divine Will, and that it does not matter if he has or has not written it down into The Creed; if he changes his mind about something and verbalizes it, it must be followed. Because the majority of the priests refused to legalize the Diet of Divinity for living people, the Evintarian faction split from the main Unionist religious community and created the Evintarian Commune. This Commune suffered severe repression at the hands of the Dogmatic Unionists, and were expelled from the Empire to the inhospitable [[Etosian Isles]]. This is also why this Schism is called Etosian Unionism at times, but Evintarian Unionism is the official name. Evintarians consider themselves more holy and pious followers of the Emperors, and consider the other Schisms to be more secular and thus more prone to corruption and sin. The Evintarian Unionists are the second largest Unionist belief in modern days with a powerful army and nation-state for itself in the [[Etosian Theocracy]].
* '''The Dogartan Schism''' is the second Schism that appeared directly after the death of Emperor [[Henri III]]. Emperor Henri III was known to live a pious and virtuous life while rejecting wealth and excess, and due to the rapid growth of Unionism, the Dogmatic Unionist religious community had become very wealthy, as priests were allowed to tax the peasants in their lands just like the nobility. A minority of priests wanted to establish a wealth-cap for all priests, forcing them all to give away their wealth to the poor, which most priests rejected. As such, the Dogartans left the main structure of priesthood and created their own Dogartan Unionism that is based on a vow of poverty and helping others, rather than glory and the self. The Dogartans were less repressed, and in many ways the Dogmatic Unionists simply let them go. They continue to exist in modern times but are few in number of adherents.
* '''The Vultragon Schism''' is the third Schism that appeared as a direct response to the [[Seasonal Emperors Period]], though murmurings of its origins had already begun during the [[Years of the Three Emperors]] a century earlier. Many priests, particularly from the south, believed court politics and intrigue dictated who would become Emperor too much, over the inheritance clauses clarified in The Creed. They argued that the Vessel could not just be assumed-to-be the next-in-line heir to the throne, because this would imply the Everwatcher just jumped into whomever, regardless of how competent they were (with history producing many such Emperors). The priests argued that the Everwatcher is much more intentional, and would take a Vessel that would not become subject to court intrigue. Because it is impossible to tell who the Everwatcher had chosen, these priests argued for a waiting period after the death of the last Emperor, during which they waited for a sign from the Everwatcher. The majority of the priests declared this heretical and in direct contradiction to The Creed, so they violently expelled the Vultarin priests. These priests went home to Vultaro and their beliefs quickly spread among the locals due to the harsh societal environment the southern lands lived under, stoked by constant petty warfare between its nobles. Eventually, the situation exploded into a rebellion, and the [[Regalian Army]] harshly repressed the Vultragon Heresy that continued to spread regardless. Eventually, the Regalian Army backed off and relations were normalized into peace. The Vultragon Unionist religious community is the third-largest Schism of Unionism today, and has firmly established a Unionist belief structure centered around critical thinking in the southern regions of the Regalian Archipelago.
* '''The Breizh Foundation''' is not formally a Schism, but it is often called such because it makes the Breizh Foundation Religious Community easier to understand. When Unionism was first proclaimed, the [[Breizh]] people of [[Kintyr]] followed the so called [[Weard]], which were legendary Breizh warriors who were born gifted with some sort of [[Magic]], and had to earn their place in the pantheon of the Breizh Weard and effectively become demigods through service and achievement in life. The Breizh Weard was distinct from other Ailor pagan faiths in that it did not deny the existence of other divine beings (such as, for example, Old Gods would) and also proposed that these divine beings were granted powers by some unseen hand before they achieved their legendary purpose, not after, and that therefor, demigods were capable of failing to ever achieve anything before dying of old age. This made the Breizh Weard faith very compliant with Unionism, as it lacked any of the rules that would deny the Everwatcher, and the Unionist Heroes even connected with the Weard faith, allowing their Weard to be adopted into the list of Heroes. As a result, The Breizh Foundation (which occurred around 50 AC) refers to a time in which the priests of Kintyr accepted the merger of the Weard and Unionist faiths at the Conclave of Alstyr. It is important to note that while they did essentially become a full fledged religious community of Unionism, the other denominations do not acknowledge Breizh Unionism and see this Religious Community as more of a Schism than a part of their own communities. It is officially not a schism because the priests adopted Unionism, they never officially left any main dogmatic bodies, however it is normally treated like a schism for the aforementioned reasons. To read more about Breizh Unionism, refer to the [[Breizh Unionism]] page.
* '''The Emended Faithful''' or [[Emended Unionism]] is not a schism, and instead simply a denomination of Unionism that came about by general osmosis of beliefs and alternative theories, sprouting in Anglia. Emended Unionism believes that the Vessels of the Everwatcher are Kades instead of Ivrae's, and that Ivrae's simply pretended to be the Vessel for nearly 300 years. There are very few denominational differences between Emended Unionism and Dogmatic Unionism, though some are crucial enough to define Emended Unionism as a more progressive version of Unionism. Emended Unionism is very recent and has only existed for a few months in a formal religious community kind of way.  


===Sects===
===Becoming an Officer===
Smaller Sects exist within Unionism, though they are not full Schisms. Most sects are intersectional, meaning that a priest from both Vultragon and Dogmatic Unionists can be a member of a specific Sect, since Sects only add beliefs and do not subtract from or conflict with pre-existing beliefs. Sects usually have very small support bases, but are entirely legal within the Regalian Empire or the Unionist religious communities at-large, even the Schisms.  
Unlike Soldiers, joining the Regalian Military as an Officer requires more investment, either in time or money. As there are multiple tracks to becoming an Officer, they will be presented in a list format below.
* '''The Horopadosi Sect''': This Sect believes in the idea of "physical evolution to a greater being," meaning that being a specific Race is an abstract concept. Those that undergo physical alterations to the body, such as by [[Mutations]] or [[Url]] Symbiosis, are still their original Race, but only if the changes are seen as a way of improving what constitutes the body or mind. This Sect specifically rejects magical enhancement by itself, but believes Magic can be used to elicit physical mutations that are beneficial. Urlification is particularly popular among the Horopadosi.
*Promotion from Soldier: Soldiers who exceed 10 years of military service may be promoted to Junior Officer as a reward for their experience, a meritocratic practice which is appealing to prospective recruits. These types of Officers are by far the most competent, as their skill comes from field experience alone.
* '''The Priscelle Sect''': This Sect believes that the inheritance clause in The Creed is incomplete and that the presumption that the inheritance of the Emperors must always be gendered toward the first-born male who survives the Emperor is wrong. They argue that the first-born child, regardless of gender, is the one chosen to become the heir, thus allowing female Empresses to carry the Everwatcher as a Vessel. This Sect does not support changing the inheritance line of succession as it stands now and favor providence in the Kade Succession. They do, however, lobby to get the inheritance changed for the future, so that if the next Emperor should have a daughter first, that daughter becomes the heiress.
*Military Academy: The most common way of becoming an Officer is by attending one of Regalia's many Military Academies to fast-track their military career. This has the advantage of not risking one's life for ten years as a Soldier but has the disadvantage of skipping past the merit-based system using one's personal wealth. However, the Regalian Military permits this because the risk of a few incompetent Aristocratic Officers is outweighed by the benefit of having capable commanders whose families have proven themselves over generations.
* '''The Minoth Sect''': this Sect believes in a more intellectual approach to Unionism that considers the Everwatcher a more abstract "learning" and "knowledge" transferal between Emperors, rather than an actual being with intentions and thoughts of its own. The Minoth Sect believes that the Imperial inheritance should be based on elective choice, meaning the current Vessel of the Everwatcher Emperor or Empress should be allowed to choose the next Emperor or Empress regardless of their birth order. The Everwatcher should aid the Vessel in choosing who is most competent to carry the Everwatcher as a future Vessel. This Cult is currently in-favor in the Imperial Court, and Emperor [[Alexander I]] has chosen the elective inheritance clause.
**Anyone 16 years or older may attend a Military Academy for 5 years to qualify as a Junior Officer, or 10 years to qualify as a Senior Officer.
* '''The Silvershroud Sect''': this Sect rejects the all-demon status of the Occult, and believes that non-[[Affliction]]-based Occult, and to some degree [[Silvenism]], are beneficial and blessings of the Everwatcher, as opposed to [[Demons]] from a different plane of existence. They argue that because some Afflictions or Occult beings are beneficial, or at least not repugnant to life and existence, they must be ordained by the Everwatcher who is the chief creator of all things good. They argue for the legalization of vast swathes of the Occult.
*Foreign Officers: In rare circumstances, the Regalian Military recognizes the credentials of foreign nations who seek out the Regalian Empire as refugees. These Foreign Officers slowly learn Regalian Military Doctrine (ensuring they are not a spy), and contribute to military advancements by sharing foreign tactics from their homeland. In doing so, the Foreign Officer demonstrates their loyalty to the Regalian Military and is rewarded with their experience being recognized.
* '''The Diviner Sect''': this Sect rejected the all-inclusion of other Races into the Unionist fold, and argued for the sacrificing of other Races as lesser beings to divinate the future, or receive visions from the Everwatcher. Because this Sect implied that the Everwatcher would speak to anyone other than the Emperor, this Sect was uniformly denounced by all Schisms, and made holy war upon by the Dogmatic Unionism religious community. The [[Holy Herebrand Order]] exterminated the Diviner Sect in 308 AC, killing their last supporters in [[Girobalda]].  
* '''The Vierzehn Sect''': this Sect rejects the full integration of other Races or [[Half-Ailor]] into Unionism, though not as severely as the Diviner Sect does, while also sticking closer to The Creed. Vierzehners believe that all other Races are by nature inferior or flawed, and should have their statuses reduced while the Ailor continue lead everyone from the top unimpeded, barring non-Ailor from all military, priestly, administrative positions of power, especially nobility. Vierzehners also believe in an expansion of immoral sins, which largely involve importing more bigoted laws against non-conforming minorities in society who do not portray the exact pure vision of the Vierzehners.  
* '''The Thyemic Sect''': this Sect believes that [[Undead]] are resurrected by the Everwatcher with a unique duty to the Great Way. Thyemics (who are usually Undead themselves) tend to fill roles that would be difficult for living members of the faith, such as guarding remote holy sites or ministering to communities stricken by disease. Of note, there is a great disagreement within the Sect over Therin Ivrae, the son of [[Justinian II]] who rose from the grave to kill his older brother during the [[Undead Scare]]. Some hold that Therin was given an opportunity for redemption, but rejected it. Others instead assert that Therin's return and subsequent crime were both divinely inspired, setting in motion a chain of events that will bring about a new era of the Empire.


====Commissions====
A Commission is a formal document which empowers an individual to command members of the Regalian Military (which is ultimately derived from the Emperor). In order to lead troops or command a ship, one must be a commissioned Officer. There are several types of Commissions with differing levels of authority.
*'''Junior Commissions''' are granted to Junior Officers, who are tasked with commanding small groups of Soldiers or commanding a singular warship. Junior Commissions are often granted by Senior Officers, though may also be granted by the Marshalry when it concerns regular appointments (such as a colonial garrison or the aforementioned recruitment offices).
*'''Senior Commissions''' are granted to Senior Officers, who are tasked with commanding entire armies and fleets. Senior Commissions are often granted by Grand Marshals/Admirals, though may be granted by the Marshalry when it concerns regular appointments (such as a patrol fleet). In rare circumstances, the Palace may grant Senior Commissions directly.
*'''Imperial Commissions''' are granted to those in charge of overseeing a military campaign and are given the rank of Grand Marshal/Admiral for the campaign. Imperial Commissions may also be granted to Imperial Marshals/Admirals, who oversee the overall functions of the Regalian Military and sit on the Marshal’s Cabinet. Imperial Commissions are granted by the Palace, often the Emperor personally.
**For the sake of current events regarding the Emperor’s disappearance, the Princes/Regent are able to grant Imperial Commissions, usually during an Assembly. The Assembly may cast a vote of no confidence in a Grand Marshal, which may convince the Palace to rescind the Commission and appoint a replacement.


==Priestly Activities==
==Branches==
Priests do not administer communal services. In fact, Unionism does not have any large communal service that involves the worship of a divine entity in large groups. Rather, Unionism is designed more around individual and personal experiences with priests. Sometimes, priests will stand on the proverbial soapbox and preach to a crowd, but the majority of a priest's interactions with their flock are in private settings. Priests act like spiritual guides of their Celerial territory as a guiding father, or a wise grandfather (even if they are young), or a world-weathered sage. Locals seek them out for personal guidance and direct interaction. Below are listed the individual practices that Celates and Arch-Celates partake in. These activities are not unique to only Unionists. While the descriptions below mention "faithful" as a subject to perform the priestly activity on, these activities are routinely offered even to non-Unionists, both as a form of attempting to sway them to Unionism, but also just because Unionists believe in the betterment of mental health of even non-Unionists, as that way they are better able to aid Unionists in their goals of Paradise.
The Regalian Military is broken down into two major branches: the Imperial Army and the Imperial Navy. As mentioned above, an individual who enlists in the military chooses between one and the other. While it is possible to change branches later on, doing so causes a complete career reset, as the experience gained from commanding Soldiers on the battlefield cannot fully replicate to commanding sailors on a warship, and vice versa.
* '''Hearing''' is the act of the faithful seeking out the priest for personal spiritual guidance. This can involve up to three individuals seeking out a single or more priests for a wide range of issues. These issues can range from a crisis of faith, a conflict of beliefs, wanting more explanation about spiritual doctrine or any other form of spiritual assurance. This is a common activity to do with other loved ones, for example partners, siblings or even parents, if a member in the family has some sort of crisis where spiritual relief can help, but might not approach the priest on their own. In many ways, a Hearing is a spiritual form of therapy, where the priest primarily functions to reinforce and remind Unionist beliefs, but also offer philosophical guidance with Unionism as context.  
<table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;">
* '''Relieving''' is the act of the faithful seeking out the priest for relief of their sins. This process involves the priest seeking out a comfortable place, and having a truly confidential one-on-one with the faithful. The faithful then pours out all the sins they have committed and all things they feel guilty for to a listening ear, who may give advice on how to move on, or offer words of encouragement to face their guilt head on and find absolution.
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Imperial Army'''</center></span>
* '''Blessing''' is the act of the priest seeking out situations where conflict may soon arise, or where large groups of faithful are in need of blessings or spiritual guidance. These priests then arrive with an incense thurible they swing around while speaking out the seven blessings of the God Emperors or Empresses, or just a general Everwatcher blessing. Another way of blessing those present is through the Theraffar, which is a long pole, twice the length of the priest in silver, atop which sits an ornate silver holder with a [[Solacrox]] in the middle surrounded by small mirrors. This Solacrox gem is then geared in such a way that it shines a bright beam of light on whatever the priest is aiming the Theraffar on, while speaking the blessings of the eye of Unionism. This practice is frequently done before battle, and any army has a few dozen Celates to perform Blessings before any major battle.
{|
* '''Cloistering''' is the act of a priest guiding a pilgrim or faithful through the Cloister Trial in the Arch-Temples devoted to their God Emperors or Empresses. While other practices done by priests are permitted for non-Unionists, it is not permitted for a non-Unionist to enter the Cloister Trials in the bowels of the Arch-Temples without being a believer. During the Cloister Trial, the priest guides the pilgrim through the various chambers and challenges, dispensing wisdom and guidance along the way, and explaining the challenges, before finally letting them part into the Chamber of Faith, the innermost and most holy place inside the Temple, usually containing the remains of the God Emperor or God Empress.  
[[File:Wirtem22.png|130px|caption|left]]
* '''Creed Eleracy''' is the act of priests coming together in a form of meeting in Regalia to discuss ongoing events and potential religious community stance changes before a Diet of Deliberation takes place, because an Emperor has not yet died. Creed Eleracies are held to make the religious community more flexible in responding to pressing events or crises, and it is also a form of cross-Schism communication, as all Schismatic religious community priests and Arch-priests are invited to participate. Decisions made by Creed Eleracies are not binding, but generally do permeate to all other Schisms if they can agree on something.  
|
* The '''Everloving Choir''' is the act of a priest opening a larger social setting where both spectators and active speakers may join. The priest stands on the stage, waiting for any willing speaker to approach. The willing speaker is usually a believer in the audience who wishes to share a story about how good things happened in their life, or about how they were in a tough spot, but how their faith pulled them through. They speak in front of the crowd their experience, and the priest stands flanked to offer guidance or encouragement, while also commenting to the crowd where the hand of the Everwatcher or the Gods and Goddesses could be felt in the story. This is generally a very positive experience where sharing one's personal and intimate experiences with faith and spirituality is encouraged.
The Imperial Army is the oldest branch of the Regalian Military, dating back to the Five Family Rebellion. Of the two branches, the Army has seen the most changes over the past few centuries. While originally a feudal based levy-system commanded by nobility, advancements in technology and knowledge have since transitioned it to a professional career-based system commanded by educated Officers. The Imperial Army is the most visible of the two branches, as veteran Soldiers often transition to related professions such as city guards in peacetime. It is also the largest branch, as the era of Alorian history still prioritizes land-based engagements between rival forces. The Regalian Army is inspired by 15th and 16th century European mixed-arms militaries, featuring mounted cavalry, artillery, muskets, and swords all on the same battlefield.


==Unionist Lexicon==
Below is a list of all Army Ranks. In general, Soldiers become Junior Officers after 10 years and rise in rank every 5 years. Colonels often take 10 years to become Senior Officers, with the ideal time between ranks being 10 years. However, the Imperial Army does not need a hundred Field Marshals, so Senior Officers often retain the same rank until they replace one of their superiors due to retirement or death.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-weight:bold;"
 
|-
*'''Soldiers'''
! colspan="2" | Divine Beings
*'''Junior Officers''': Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel
|-
*'''Senior Officers''': Division General, Lieutenant General, Field General, Field Marshal
| The Everwatcher
| style="font-weight:normal;" | The Supreme Divine Being and All-Creator
|-
| The Vessel
| style="font-weight:normal;" | The physical host of the Everwatcher, who rules in its stead as the Regalian Emperor
|-
| God Emperor/Empress
| style="font-weight:normal;" | The Divine Beings of Unionism who were once mortal Regalian Emperors and Empresses
|-
| Hero of Unionism
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A mortal who after death is declared a demigod of Unionism, said to have inherited a Godspark in life
|-
| Godspark
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A piece of a soul that a God Emperor or Empress allowed to reincarnate with their divinity into a mortal
|-
! colspan="2" | Theological Terms
|-
| The Creed
| style="font-weight:normal;" | The single volume, large holy book of the Unionist faith, which Emperors write and edit
|-
| The Great Way
| style="font-weight:normal;" | The purpose of Unionists to produce paradise on Aloria
|-
| The Everwatch
| style="font-weight:normal;" | The temporary afterlife in which all souls are judged by the Everwatcher
|-
| Great Staircase
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A sort-of-afterlife where all worthy souls rest on a large imaginary stairs going up to the sky, looking down on the living.
|-
| Arch Temples
| style="font-weight:normal;" | The main seven temples in the City of Regalia, usually housing the remains of God Emperors or Empresses
|-
| Great Temples
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A larger Unionist temple located in urban centers across the Regalian Empire
|-
| Sanktism
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A ritual performed on a Unionist to mark certain milestones in life
|-
! colspan="2" | Leadership Terms
|-
| Celate
| style="font-weight:normal;" | Also known as a Priest, is a religious leaders of Unionism.
|-
| Arch-Celate
| style="font-weight:normal;" | Also known as an Arch-Priest, is a higher ranking Celate that does more paperwork
|-
| Primae-Celate
| style="font-weight:normal;" | The highest office in a Unionist religious community that leads all other Celates
|-
| Celacy
| style="font-weight:normal;" | The office of a Celate (compare with the term Nobility for a Noble)
|-
| Celery
| style="font-weight:normal;" | The territory managed by a single Celate
|-
| Celerial
| style="font-weight:normal;" | An adjective pertaining to a Celate or a Celery
|-
| "Your Celerial"
| style="font-weight:normal;" | The oral address for a Celate of any rank
|-
! colspan="2" | Religious Communities
|-
| Dogmatic Unionism
| style="font-weight:normal;" | Also known as Divine Unionism, is the standard Unionist community
|-
| Evintarian Unionism
| style="font-weight:normal;" | Also known as Ionism, is the first schismatic Unionist community, emphasizing the all-holiness of the Emperor's word and fanaticism.
|-
| Dogartan Unionism
| style="font-weight:normal;" | Also known as Dosstism, is a Schism emphasizing asceticism
|-
| Vultragon Unionism
| style="font-weight:normal;" | Also known as Clastism, is a Schism emphasizing critical thinking and progressivism
|-
| Breizh Foundation
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A Breizh-focused Unionist community, emphasizing the importance of the Weard, or legendary holy warriors
|-
| Emended Faithful
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A recently created Unionist community which believes the Kade Arch-Chancellors were the true Vessels of the Everwatcher, and believes in alternative Divine Instruments
|-
! colspan="2" | Religious Activities
|-
| Diet of Divinity
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A deliberation during which Celates gather to discuss elevating a mortal to the rank of Hero of Unionism
|-
| Diet of Deliberation
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A deliberation after an Emperor's death, during which Celates discuss the future of Unionism
|-
| Creed Eleracy
| style="font-weight:normal;" | An emergency meeting of all Schisms to discuss ongoing theological events for cross-faith dialogue.
|-
| Diet of Fury
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A deliberation where Celates call for a Holy War against a nation or group of people to be purged by the sword
|-
| Hearing
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A Priestly Activity involving therapy for the faithful or non-Unionists
|-
| Relieving
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A Priestly Activity involving private confessions for the faithful or non-Unionists
|-
| Blessing
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A Priestly Activity involving a Celate blessing soldiers before battle, both the faithful or non-Unionists
|-
| Cloistering
| style="font-weight:normal;" | A Priestly Activity involving a Celate guiding a Unionist through the Cloister Trials
|-
| Cloister Trails
| style="font-weight:normal;" | Trials that pilgrims undergo to earn the right to visit the Faith Chambers
|-
| Faith Chamber
| style="font-weight:normal;" | The holiest, sacred places inside an Arch Temple that houses the Relics and sarcophagi of God Emperors or Empresses
|-
! colspan="2" | Common Blessings
|-
| "May he watch over you"
| style="font-weight:normal;" | used by Unionists to bless each other while departing from one another
|-
| "Everwatcher guide your way"
| style="font-weight:normal;" | used by Celates and lay-priests to bless Unionists and non-Unionists alike
|}
|}


==Trivia==
</td><td style="vertical-align: top; width: 50%;">
*The matter of depicting the God Emperors or God Empresses is controversial at best. Many priests believe that mortals are fallible and cannot depict the Gods and Goddesses in an accurate or divine manner. Any art produced of the Gods or Goddesses is extremely scrutinized. More curiously yet, the eyes of all depictions of the Gods or Goddesses are always depicted in white. This is because the iris colors of the Emperors or Empresses is always a matter of intense debate and historical revision.  
<span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Imperial Navy'''</center></span>
*Unionism used to be mandatory for nobility somewhere during the second century after Cataclysm, though this Holy Law was removed when the war against the [[Skagger Horde]] ceased, and the Empire benefited more from including non-Unionists into the peerage. An exception had always been made for the [[Altalar]] nobles of [[Solvaan]] origins in [[Solleria]] however, called the Melennarian Confession (who was, in fact, not an Altalar himself).
{|
*Sectarian violence largely came to an end at the turn into the fourth century as the last attacks on Vultragon Unionist by state forces ceased, and an uneasy truce was signed between the Schism religious communities. They still do not see eye-to-eye, and the different Schismatic groups still prod at each other, but instead of murdering each other over sectarian differences, they mostly fight with words nowadays, a legacy of the Kleine Rechnung, the document that called for the truce.  
[[File:Cearden.png|130px|caption|left]]
{{Religion}}
|
{{Accreditation
The Imperial Navy is the pride of the Regalian Empire, as it is the branch responsible for projecting Imperial power across the oceans of Aloria. The Navy has seen less drastic changes since its creation during the conquests of Corontium, but each development has come with the advent of the latest in military engineering. The modern Imperial Navy is inspired by the various European Navies during the Age of Sail, such as the British Navy during the Napoleonic Era, featuring massive wooden warships sporting dozens of cannons.
|Artists =
|Writers = MonMarty, FireFan96
|Processors = Hemingway7
}}
[[category:Religion]] [[category:Human Religions]]


Below is a list of all Naval Ranks. In general, Sailors become Junior Officers after 10 years and rise in rank every 5 years. Commodores often take 10 years to become Senior Officers, with the ideal time between ranks being 10 years. However, the Imperial Navy does not need a hundred Fleet Admirals, so Senior Officers often retain the same rank until they replace one of their superiors due to retirement or death.


==Army==
*'''Sailors'''
{| class="wikitable"
*'''Junior Officers''': Deck Officer, First-Mate, Vice Captain, Captain, Commodore
|-
*'''Senior Officers''': Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral, Fleet Admiral
! Name
! Location
! Affiliation
! Additional Notes
|-
| Imperial Marshal Academy
| City of Regalia
| Regalian Empire
|
|-
| Kalemburg Ordner Akademie
| City of Calemberg
| Calemberg & Waldmark
| Private School; Ailor Men Only
|-
| Lutherstadt Kriesgakademie
| Lutherstadt, Calemberg
| Calemberg
| Private School; Ailor Men Only
|-
| Collége de la Rouusette
| Vixhall
| Regalian Empire
|
|-
| Università delle arti Militari
| Tureno, Vultaro
| Regalian Empire
|
|-
| Collége de Guerre et État
| Ithania
| Ithanian Sovereignty
| Women only
|-
| Skole Militair Nordskag
| Kongehaug
| Kingdom of Nordskag
|
|-
| Oussafalin Academy Songay
| Korbamakora, Songaskian Masaya
| Songaskian Masaya
| Qadir are banned from attending
|-
| Mizalaan College for War
| Tanaar Llarana
| Allorn Empire
|
|-
| Solsanthëa Silverhelm Commandery
| Tanaar Hyä-Ereya
| Allorn Empire
| Altalar Only
|-
| Roktokaar College for War
| Rokhara
| Dread Empire
| Kathar Only
|-
| Minenlaamjar College for War
| Avela Monvarindra
| Vaan Suvial Sandhi
| Suvial Only
|-
| Lykon Command Polon
| Staat Kezzeret Artamon
| Eronidas Polons
| Eronidas Only
|}
|}


==Navy==
</center>
</tr></table>
 
==Recommended Military Protocol==
As mentioned in the Design Section, military characters have a tendency towards hierarchy-based rules and common conduct between each other. While not as strict as Knightly Codes, the Regalian Military expects a sense of decorum between its members, as a Soldier’s actions reflect back on their Officers and eventually back to the Emperor, who is the model of dignified conduct in Aloria.
Below is a list of recommended protocols for characters to follow to show they are part of the Regalian Military.
*Characters should salute or nod to superiors as a sign of respect for the rank. Even if one hates the Officer, they still offer respect as the rank is a proxy to the Emperor’s authority.
*Active duty Soldiers should be addressed as Rank + Surname. For example, Vice Admiral John Doe would be referred to as “Vice Admiral Doe.”
*Criticism of Officers, losses, etc, should be done in private and with tact. In public, the Regalian Military should show a unified front in support of its achievements. Even if the war effort is going poorly, Soldiers and Officers should back each other up to maintain morale on the frontlines and at home.
*Characters should behave in a way which doesn’t embarrass the military. Cowardice, vulgarity, and brutishness should be kept to a minimum.
*Characters should take care with revealing information about the military. Remember, loose lips sink ships.
 
In general, a character who is respectful to others and does what they are told is a model member of the military. Those who tend to skirt the lines on what is/isn’t permissible, or engage in criminal activities, may face a Court Martial and be disciplined for their actions. A Court Martial is a military court which is separated from the civil Judiciary, but performs similar functions. The key differences are that the Court Martial only applies to members of the military, and Senior Officers preside over cases rather than Justicars (judges). Court Martials are also known to be far harsher than the Judiciary, as soldiers may face corporal punishment or execution depending on the severity of the charges.


==Natural Sciences==
===Additional Guidelines===
===Medical Schools===
To help avoid confusion in roleplay, the following guidelines should be observed to make Military Roleplay an inclusive experience, while still recognizing the complexity behind the Regalian Military:
*Use the terms Soldier, Junior Officer, and Senior Officer in everyday roleplay as opposed to specific ranks. Three terms are easier for players to understand.
*The recommended age per flavor rank is provided in the table below, which is based on an Ailor lifespan. Most Ailor retire between 60-65, meaning some ranks are unattainable to them without going through Military Academies.
**For the sake of roleplay inclusivity, players commissioned IC can ignore the lowest age in each column, so long as they stick to the lowest rank in each tier (eg, a 24 year old commissioned as a Senior Officer can be a Rear Admiral, but not a Fleet Admiral)
{| class="wikitable"  
{| class="wikitable"  
|-
|- style="font-weight:bold;"
! Name
! Army Rank
! Location
! Navy Rank
! Affiliation
! Age
! Additional Notes
! w/ Jr. Academy
|-
! w. Sr. Academy
| Medical Academy of Eotranna
|- style="background-color:#ffffff;"
| City of Regalia
| Soldier
| Regalian Empire
| Sailor
| 18
|  
|  
|-
| Haüwald Academy
| Calderliga
| Regalian Empire
|  
|  
|-
|- style="background-color:#efefef;"
| Halctus Academy
| Sergeant
| Daenshore
| Deck Officer
| Daendroc Viceroyalties
| 28
| 21
|  
|  
|-
|- style="background-color:#efefef;"
| Ulwaya Hadritya
| Lieutenant
| Farah'deen
| First-Mate
| Confederated Hadityas
| 33
| Songaskia are banned
| 26
|}
 
===Alchemy Schools===
{| class="wikitable"  
|-
! Name
! Location
! Affiliation
! Additional Notes
|-
| Chazr School of Alchemy
| Hadar
| Perpustakaan Besar
|  
|  
|-
|- style="background-color:#efefef;"
| L'Académie de Bouteil de Mordealé
| Captain
| Ithania
| Vice Captain
| Ithanian Sovereignty
| 38
| Multiple campuses located in Ithania
| 31
|-
| Akademie von Kaiserman
| Haltover
| Regalian Empire
|  
|  
|}
|- style="background-color:#efefef;"
 
| Major
===General Science Schools===
| Captain
{| class="wikitable"  
| 43
|-
| 36
! Name
! Location
! Affiliation
! Additional Notes
|-
| Regalian Ecological Academy
| Vultaro
| Regalian Empire
|  
|  
|-
|- style="background-color:#efefef;"
| Scholar's Court for Advancement
| Colonel
| City of Regalia
| Commodore
| Regalian Empire
| 48
| 41
|  
|  
|-
|- style="background-color:#c0c0c0;"
| Al-Hamjad Hamanh College
| Division General
| Farah'deen
| Rear Admiral
| Confederated Hadrityas
| 58
| Songaskia are banned
| 51
| 26
|- style="background-color:#c0c0c0;"
| Lieutenant General
| Vice Admiral
| 68
| 61
| 36
|- style="background-color:#c0c0c0;"
| Field General
| Admiral
| 78
| 71
| 46
|- style="background-color:#c0c0c0;"
| Field Marshal
| Fleet Admiral
| 88
| 81
| 56
|}
|}
==History==
The Regalian Military’s earliest origins began during the [[Five Family Rebellion]], when the families of Ivraan, Kade, Llynwig, Calontir, and Brunig alongside [[Regalian_Eronidas_History|Anglian-Eronidas]] levies, [[Solvaan]] Mercenaries, and [[Breizh]] Knights overthrew the Regalian Kingdom to form the Regalian Empire. In the aftermath, the task of military oversight fell to House Brunig, with its patriarch Otto being appointed the first Grand Marshal of Regalia. Under Otto, the [[Viridian Order]] was founded to serve as elite Knights who would command the various feudal levies under the feudal nobility, a command structure which saw much success in early military campaigns against the neighboring kingdoms.
As the Empire continued to expand across the Regalian Empire, it became apparent that reforms were necessary. As conquests moved further south, geographic obstacles such as rivers and mountains slowed logistical supply lines and caused delays in communications. Furthermore, the seafaring nations of [[Corontium]] were unable to be conquered by land-based levy armies, which could not effectively control the waterways. As a result, Emperor [[Henri I]] approved the creation of the Imperial Navy, overseen by Erberhard I Brunig, who became the first Grand Admiral of Regalia. With the ability to move quickly through the waterways, the Regalian Military began to subjugate the various island states in the southwest of the Archipelago, which quickly grew the Empire’s territory.
The next major event to affect the Regalian Military was the Viridian Coup Attempt, which was foiled in 122 AC. As the Viridian Knights previously acted as Officers over the feudal levies, the question arose over how to reduce their influence in the military, and to replace any Viridians who proved treasonous in the future. Fortunately, the Grand Marshal at the time, Erberhard II Brunig, was recently elected as King of the Wirtemcaller, and soon filled in various officer positions with [[Wirtem]] tacticians. As allies alongside the Regalian Empire against the [[Skagger Horde]] for several years previously, and having a military tradition spanning back before the Five Family Rebellion, the Wirtem nobility offered exactly what was needed to keep the remaining Viridian Knights in check. These tacticians would go on to greatly influence the Regalian Military in the coming decades.
After the Regalian Empire conquered the rest of Corontium, and after years of successful diplomatic missions under Arch-Chancellor Nicholas, the Regalian Military was once again reviewed during the reign of Emperor [[Allestrain I]], who intended to launch campaigns of foreign conquest during his reign. Using the Wirtemcaller, now Calemberg, model of leadership as a baseline, Allestrain alongside Grand Marshal Heinrich II Brunig would create the Marshalry system of command. Under this system, the Regalian Military created a hierarchical authority comprised of Junior and Senior Officers who could carry out campaigns independent of one another, allowing the Empire to project its military agenda across various theaters of Aloria.
Following Emperor Allestrain’s death in battle, the Regalian Empire began to suffer a financial downturn. This culminated in the [[Purple Bleeding]], which saw the Regalian Military brutally suppress revolts over Emperor [[Handorein II]]’s debt erasure. In the aftermath, many Senior Officers became ennobled due to the extinction of several noble houses during the crisis. One of these families was the House von Treppewitz, which would go on to succeed the Brunig Grand Marshals after the death of the last Queen of Calemberg, Marie-Anne II, in 251 AC. While the fall of House Brunig was heavily felt in the eastern provinces of the Archipelago, the seamless transition of power in the Regalian Military demonstrated resilience that allowed it to weather the coming decades.
The last major reforms to the Regalian Military came following the [[Chrysant War]]. During the conflict, it was made clear that the centuries-old levy system that made up the backbone of the Imperial Army was insufficient in combat when compared to the Navy. Furthermore, the earlier [[Dragenthal Crisis]] showed that the State lacked an effective fighting force to handle rebellious nobles should another revolt spring up. To solve these issues, Emperor [[Justinian II]] issued the Tenpenny Act, which implemented the first professional standing armies in the Regalian Empire. Over time, these “Tenpenny Soldiers” would slowly replace the need to call upon large feudal levies from the population, creating a military which was more loyal to the State (and Emperor) than to the nobility (who supplied their levies personally).
Today, the Regalian Military still follows the Tenpenny System, with most soldiers in the Imperial Army now made up of these professional career soldiers, supplemented by Knights and levies in smaller quantities than in the past. On Aloria’s seas, the Imperial Navy continues to demonstrate the latest in naval technology, allowing the Regalian Empire to keep control over its vast territories, while serving as a deterrent to any rivals.
==Trivia==
*The rank of Imperial Marshal/Admiral was also created during the Tenpenny Reforms as an equivalent to the historical Brunig and Treppewitz positions as head of the Regalian Military. The modern day Grand Marshal/Admiral position only refers to the chief authority over a military campaign.
*Knights are permitted to receive a Junior Commission if they serve under a Senior Officer. If they do so, their Knight rank reflects their Army rank (with Rank-Knights being equivalent to Lieutenants).

Latest revision as of 23:48, 21 April 2024

TestFire
ImpCrest.png
Organization
Leader Imperial Marshal Carl II von Treppewitz
Headquarters Imperial Marshalry, City of Regalia
Origins Five Family Rebellion
Symbols Dragons, Anchors, Swords
Colors Purple, Blue, Gold
Magic Usage Restricted
Subdivisions
  • Imperial Army
  • Imperial Navy

The Regalian Military is the apparatus of the Regalian Empire responsible for managing, deploying, supplying, and commanding the tens of thousands of Soldiers across Aloria. With origins during the Five Family Rebellion, it has remained ever present since the dawn of the Empire, growing and adapting as the need arises. Today, the Regalian Military is seen as a symbol of Imperial glory and stability, and considered an extension of the Emperor’s might over all Regalian adversaries. Many citizens look favorably on the military, both for its career prospects and meritocratic basis, but also as a familiar organization in an ever-changing world.

Design

Military Characters should be designed in line with a hierarchy-based organization. Following orders is expected at all times, and not when found convenient. Similar to Knighthood, characters should have a sense of professionalism about them. But where Knights derive their expectations from a code of honor, Soldiers do so out of loyalty to the Emperor and for the well-being of one's fellow Soldier. A disloyal Soldier is likely to either get themselves or others killed. Designing a character that is compliant with the Regalian Military is fairly straightforward, with the following key points to be made.

  • Any Regalian Citizen of any heritage or gender may be part of the Military, with the following exceptions:
    • Marken are barred from enlistment, even those with Legal reprieve, as the battlefield is chaotic and could cause even the most disciplined Marken to lose control. Characters may attempt to hide their status, but should be advised that this is illegal.
    • Spirits, Undead, Vampires, Geists, and all other illegal occult are barred from the Military, as they are hostile to Regalia’s interests. Characters may attempt to hide their status, but should be advised that this is difficult and very illegal.
    • Mystech are barred from the Military, as most are illegal within the empire, and the ones that are legal are not counted as citizens, which is a prerequisite for service.
  • Suvial cannot summon Spirits, as their legal provision is only to deal with the Spirit infestation in Regalia, not to use them in battle.
  • Arkenborn, Godborn, Archon, and Mages may enlist, but are assigned to specialized “Battle Mage” units which are separated from the regular mundane units (which still make up the vast majority of soldiers). Historically, Magic was banned in the military, with this ban being reversed recently under Emperor Alexander’s reign.
  • Petty Criminals (like pickpockets and debtors) can be press-ganged into the Regalian Military (most often the Navy) in lieu of other punishments, as they are seen as a lower risk compared to murderers and arsonists. However, they are treated with scrutiny due to their criminal background.

Becoming a Soldier

Joining the Regalian Military as a common Soldier is very simple. Every major settlement in the Regalian Empire has a recruitment office which allows any citizen over 18 years old to sign-up for military service. During the enlistment process, the recruit chooses whether to join the Imperial Army or Navy. If they join the Army, they are given directions to the nearest Tenpenny Headquarters, where they will spend a few months training in various weaponry before being given a specialty which reflects their performance. If they join the Navy, they are sent to the nearest port to join one of the many warships, then begin service immediately.

Becoming an Officer

Unlike Soldiers, joining the Regalian Military as an Officer requires more investment, either in time or money. As there are multiple tracks to becoming an Officer, they will be presented in a list format below.

  • Promotion from Soldier: Soldiers who exceed 10 years of military service may be promoted to Junior Officer as a reward for their experience, a meritocratic practice which is appealing to prospective recruits. These types of Officers are by far the most competent, as their skill comes from field experience alone.
  • Military Academy: The most common way of becoming an Officer is by attending one of Regalia's many Military Academies to fast-track their military career. This has the advantage of not risking one's life for ten years as a Soldier but has the disadvantage of skipping past the merit-based system using one's personal wealth. However, the Regalian Military permits this because the risk of a few incompetent Aristocratic Officers is outweighed by the benefit of having capable commanders whose families have proven themselves over generations.
    • Anyone 16 years or older may attend a Military Academy for 5 years to qualify as a Junior Officer, or 10 years to qualify as a Senior Officer.
  • Foreign Officers: In rare circumstances, the Regalian Military recognizes the credentials of foreign nations who seek out the Regalian Empire as refugees. These Foreign Officers slowly learn Regalian Military Doctrine (ensuring they are not a spy), and contribute to military advancements by sharing foreign tactics from their homeland. In doing so, the Foreign Officer demonstrates their loyalty to the Regalian Military and is rewarded with their experience being recognized.

Commissions

A Commission is a formal document which empowers an individual to command members of the Regalian Military (which is ultimately derived from the Emperor). In order to lead troops or command a ship, one must be a commissioned Officer. There are several types of Commissions with differing levels of authority.

  • Junior Commissions are granted to Junior Officers, who are tasked with commanding small groups of Soldiers or commanding a singular warship. Junior Commissions are often granted by Senior Officers, though may also be granted by the Marshalry when it concerns regular appointments (such as a colonial garrison or the aforementioned recruitment offices).
  • Senior Commissions are granted to Senior Officers, who are tasked with commanding entire armies and fleets. Senior Commissions are often granted by Grand Marshals/Admirals, though may be granted by the Marshalry when it concerns regular appointments (such as a patrol fleet). In rare circumstances, the Palace may grant Senior Commissions directly.
  • Imperial Commissions are granted to those in charge of overseeing a military campaign and are given the rank of Grand Marshal/Admiral for the campaign. Imperial Commissions may also be granted to Imperial Marshals/Admirals, who oversee the overall functions of the Regalian Military and sit on the Marshal’s Cabinet. Imperial Commissions are granted by the Palace, often the Emperor personally.
    • For the sake of current events regarding the Emperor’s disappearance, the Princes/Regent are able to grant Imperial Commissions, usually during an Assembly. The Assembly may cast a vote of no confidence in a Grand Marshal, which may convince the Palace to rescind the Commission and appoint a replacement.

Branches

The Regalian Military is broken down into two major branches: the Imperial Army and the Imperial Navy. As mentioned above, an individual who enlists in the military chooses between one and the other. While it is possible to change branches later on, doing so causes a complete career reset, as the experience gained from commanding Soldiers on the battlefield cannot fully replicate to commanding sailors on a warship, and vice versa.

Imperial Army
caption

The Imperial Army is the oldest branch of the Regalian Military, dating back to the Five Family Rebellion. Of the two branches, the Army has seen the most changes over the past few centuries. While originally a feudal based levy-system commanded by nobility, advancements in technology and knowledge have since transitioned it to a professional career-based system commanded by educated Officers. The Imperial Army is the most visible of the two branches, as veteran Soldiers often transition to related professions such as city guards in peacetime. It is also the largest branch, as the era of Alorian history still prioritizes land-based engagements between rival forces. The Regalian Army is inspired by 15th and 16th century European mixed-arms militaries, featuring mounted cavalry, artillery, muskets, and swords all on the same battlefield.

Below is a list of all Army Ranks. In general, Soldiers become Junior Officers after 10 years and rise in rank every 5 years. Colonels often take 10 years to become Senior Officers, with the ideal time between ranks being 10 years. However, the Imperial Army does not need a hundred Field Marshals, so Senior Officers often retain the same rank until they replace one of their superiors due to retirement or death.

  • Soldiers
  • Junior Officers: Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel
  • Senior Officers: Division General, Lieutenant General, Field General, Field Marshal
Imperial Navy
caption

The Imperial Navy is the pride of the Regalian Empire, as it is the branch responsible for projecting Imperial power across the oceans of Aloria. The Navy has seen less drastic changes since its creation during the conquests of Corontium, but each development has come with the advent of the latest in military engineering. The modern Imperial Navy is inspired by the various European Navies during the Age of Sail, such as the British Navy during the Napoleonic Era, featuring massive wooden warships sporting dozens of cannons.

Below is a list of all Naval Ranks. In general, Sailors become Junior Officers after 10 years and rise in rank every 5 years. Commodores often take 10 years to become Senior Officers, with the ideal time between ranks being 10 years. However, the Imperial Navy does not need a hundred Fleet Admirals, so Senior Officers often retain the same rank until they replace one of their superiors due to retirement or death.

  • Sailors
  • Junior Officers: Deck Officer, First-Mate, Vice Captain, Captain, Commodore
  • Senior Officers: Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral, Fleet Admiral

Recommended Military Protocol

As mentioned in the Design Section, military characters have a tendency towards hierarchy-based rules and common conduct between each other. While not as strict as Knightly Codes, the Regalian Military expects a sense of decorum between its members, as a Soldier’s actions reflect back on their Officers and eventually back to the Emperor, who is the model of dignified conduct in Aloria. Below is a list of recommended protocols for characters to follow to show they are part of the Regalian Military.

  • Characters should salute or nod to superiors as a sign of respect for the rank. Even if one hates the Officer, they still offer respect as the rank is a proxy to the Emperor’s authority.
  • Active duty Soldiers should be addressed as Rank + Surname. For example, Vice Admiral John Doe would be referred to as “Vice Admiral Doe.”
  • Criticism of Officers, losses, etc, should be done in private and with tact. In public, the Regalian Military should show a unified front in support of its achievements. Even if the war effort is going poorly, Soldiers and Officers should back each other up to maintain morale on the frontlines and at home.
  • Characters should behave in a way which doesn’t embarrass the military. Cowardice, vulgarity, and brutishness should be kept to a minimum.
  • Characters should take care with revealing information about the military. Remember, loose lips sink ships.

In general, a character who is respectful to others and does what they are told is a model member of the military. Those who tend to skirt the lines on what is/isn’t permissible, or engage in criminal activities, may face a Court Martial and be disciplined for their actions. A Court Martial is a military court which is separated from the civil Judiciary, but performs similar functions. The key differences are that the Court Martial only applies to members of the military, and Senior Officers preside over cases rather than Justicars (judges). Court Martials are also known to be far harsher than the Judiciary, as soldiers may face corporal punishment or execution depending on the severity of the charges.

Additional Guidelines

To help avoid confusion in roleplay, the following guidelines should be observed to make Military Roleplay an inclusive experience, while still recognizing the complexity behind the Regalian Military:

  • Use the terms Soldier, Junior Officer, and Senior Officer in everyday roleplay as opposed to specific ranks. Three terms are easier for players to understand.
  • The recommended age per flavor rank is provided in the table below, which is based on an Ailor lifespan. Most Ailor retire between 60-65, meaning some ranks are unattainable to them without going through Military Academies.
    • For the sake of roleplay inclusivity, players commissioned IC can ignore the lowest age in each column, so long as they stick to the lowest rank in each tier (eg, a 24 year old commissioned as a Senior Officer can be a Rear Admiral, but not a Fleet Admiral)
Army Rank Navy Rank Age w/ Jr. Academy w. Sr. Academy
Soldier Sailor 18
Sergeant Deck Officer 28 21
Lieutenant First-Mate 33 26
Captain Vice Captain 38 31
Major Captain 43 36
Colonel Commodore 48 41
Division General Rear Admiral 58 51 26
Lieutenant General Vice Admiral 68 61 36
Field General Admiral 78 71 46
Field Marshal Fleet Admiral 88 81 56

History

The Regalian Military’s earliest origins began during the Five Family Rebellion, when the families of Ivraan, Kade, Llynwig, Calontir, and Brunig alongside Anglian-Eronidas levies, Solvaan Mercenaries, and Breizh Knights overthrew the Regalian Kingdom to form the Regalian Empire. In the aftermath, the task of military oversight fell to House Brunig, with its patriarch Otto being appointed the first Grand Marshal of Regalia. Under Otto, the Viridian Order was founded to serve as elite Knights who would command the various feudal levies under the feudal nobility, a command structure which saw much success in early military campaigns against the neighboring kingdoms.

As the Empire continued to expand across the Regalian Empire, it became apparent that reforms were necessary. As conquests moved further south, geographic obstacles such as rivers and mountains slowed logistical supply lines and caused delays in communications. Furthermore, the seafaring nations of Corontium were unable to be conquered by land-based levy armies, which could not effectively control the waterways. As a result, Emperor Henri I approved the creation of the Imperial Navy, overseen by Erberhard I Brunig, who became the first Grand Admiral of Regalia. With the ability to move quickly through the waterways, the Regalian Military began to subjugate the various island states in the southwest of the Archipelago, which quickly grew the Empire’s territory.

The next major event to affect the Regalian Military was the Viridian Coup Attempt, which was foiled in 122 AC. As the Viridian Knights previously acted as Officers over the feudal levies, the question arose over how to reduce their influence in the military, and to replace any Viridians who proved treasonous in the future. Fortunately, the Grand Marshal at the time, Erberhard II Brunig, was recently elected as King of the Wirtemcaller, and soon filled in various officer positions with Wirtem tacticians. As allies alongside the Regalian Empire against the Skagger Horde for several years previously, and having a military tradition spanning back before the Five Family Rebellion, the Wirtem nobility offered exactly what was needed to keep the remaining Viridian Knights in check. These tacticians would go on to greatly influence the Regalian Military in the coming decades.

After the Regalian Empire conquered the rest of Corontium, and after years of successful diplomatic missions under Arch-Chancellor Nicholas, the Regalian Military was once again reviewed during the reign of Emperor Allestrain I, who intended to launch campaigns of foreign conquest during his reign. Using the Wirtemcaller, now Calemberg, model of leadership as a baseline, Allestrain alongside Grand Marshal Heinrich II Brunig would create the Marshalry system of command. Under this system, the Regalian Military created a hierarchical authority comprised of Junior and Senior Officers who could carry out campaigns independent of one another, allowing the Empire to project its military agenda across various theaters of Aloria.

Following Emperor Allestrain’s death in battle, the Regalian Empire began to suffer a financial downturn. This culminated in the Purple Bleeding, which saw the Regalian Military brutally suppress revolts over Emperor Handorein II’s debt erasure. In the aftermath, many Senior Officers became ennobled due to the extinction of several noble houses during the crisis. One of these families was the House von Treppewitz, which would go on to succeed the Brunig Grand Marshals after the death of the last Queen of Calemberg, Marie-Anne II, in 251 AC. While the fall of House Brunig was heavily felt in the eastern provinces of the Archipelago, the seamless transition of power in the Regalian Military demonstrated resilience that allowed it to weather the coming decades.

The last major reforms to the Regalian Military came following the Chrysant War. During the conflict, it was made clear that the centuries-old levy system that made up the backbone of the Imperial Army was insufficient in combat when compared to the Navy. Furthermore, the earlier Dragenthal Crisis showed that the State lacked an effective fighting force to handle rebellious nobles should another revolt spring up. To solve these issues, Emperor Justinian II issued the Tenpenny Act, which implemented the first professional standing armies in the Regalian Empire. Over time, these “Tenpenny Soldiers” would slowly replace the need to call upon large feudal levies from the population, creating a military which was more loyal to the State (and Emperor) than to the nobility (who supplied their levies personally).

Today, the Regalian Military still follows the Tenpenny System, with most soldiers in the Imperial Army now made up of these professional career soldiers, supplemented by Knights and levies in smaller quantities than in the past. On Aloria’s seas, the Imperial Navy continues to demonstrate the latest in naval technology, allowing the Regalian Empire to keep control over its vast territories, while serving as a deterrent to any rivals.

Trivia

  • The rank of Imperial Marshal/Admiral was also created during the Tenpenny Reforms as an equivalent to the historical Brunig and Treppewitz positions as head of the Regalian Military. The modern day Grand Marshal/Admiral position only refers to the chief authority over a military campaign.
  • Knights are permitted to receive a Junior Commission if they serve under a Senior Officer. If they do so, their Knight rank reflects their Army rank (with Rank-Knights being equivalent to Lieutenants).
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