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| ==Gods and Goddesses== | | {{Info organizations |
| Unionism has a concept referred to as Trans-Divinity. Trans-Divinity means that whatever their faith understands to be divine, is fluid and constantly changes based on interpretations. By standard, the Everwatcher is always the indisputably most important entity in Unionism. The Living Emperor is also a living Divine Being who should be worshiped as a god, though it is not illegal to acknowledge his sin of creation flaws from time to time. Below the Emperor and the Everwatcher are the God-Emperors and God-Empresses. When an Emperor or Empress dies, they are no longer divine, as the Vessel passes on to the next heir, but some Emperors or Empresses are raised up in the afterlife by the Everwatcher and sent back to Aloria to guide the people, during which process they are made Divine Beings. Finally, on the lower end of the spectrum are the Heroes of Unionism, which are also considered Divine Beings. Heroes are raised to divinity by the Concilly Council even while they are still alive, and continue to be worshiped after death. This all means that Unionism, as time goes by, gains more and more Gods and Goddesses, while other religions are fairly stagnant. Furthermore, it also means that it’s theoretically possible for other religions to merge into Unionism if their Gods and Goddesses can be proven to be real, and prove their divinity or past divinity. Unionists can combine a variety of Divine Entity worship. By default, all Unionists worship the Everwatcher, however, whoever else is worshiped additionally is up to the individual. Some worshipers choose only a single patron deity, while others choose a collection, or leave just a few out. There are no hard rules to Divine Being worship, in general they exist more as examples to live by, instead of a strict pantheon that demands worship.
| | |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. |
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| ===The Everwatcher=== | | ==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. |
| |[[File:Unionismspirit.png|220px|thumb|left]]
| | *Any Regalian Citizen of any heritage or gender may be part of the Military, with the following exceptions: |
| |The Everwatcher, is the supreme Divine Being of Unionism, the source of all creation, and the final destiny of all things. The Everwatcher was the first thing that was created in the beginning of times and created all other races, creatures, land, and all that was and will be. The Everwatcher is not traditionally depicted in any way shape or form. The Everwatcher is the same for all Schisms, though the Schisms have internal disagreements about who should be the Vessel of the Everwatcher. Generally speaking, Dogmatic and Evintarian Unionists support the current lineage, while Emended and Vultragon Unionists support the erasure of Ivrae legitimacy. The Everwatcher is the highest supreme being which lends divinity to the Emperor-Vessel, and which also sends the God Empresses and God Emperors back to the land of the living, and also imbues certain people born with god-like powers to fulfill their role in the Great Way. The Everwatcher is eternal; it sees all and knows all, though it only works through agents so as not to blind the living from the trials of the Great Way, which are theirs to prove.
| | **[[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. |
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| Worship of the Everwatcher is never done specifically by praying or asking for its blessings, but rather simply by being a good Unionist. There is only ever one direct interaction between a Unionist and the Everwatcher, and that is in the moment of their death, for their soul to be weighed against their role in the Great Way. If they are left wanting, the soul will be returned to Aloria to be re-incarnated, given another chance to prove itself. If they pass, the soul will join the Everwatcher in the Unionist afterlife. Matters regarding the Everwatcher are always the highest forms of heresy if claimed in contradiction to established theological doctrine. While the Everwatcher does grant blessings to individuals who are born all across the Empire, because it has determined some religious purpose for them at birth, the Everwatcher never speaks through anyone except the Vessel.
| | ===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. |
| ===Theomar, Prophet of All=== | |
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| |[[File:GodTheomar.png|220px|thumb|left]]
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| *'''Identity:''' God-Emperor Theomar, nicknamed the Sun-Father, first Emperor of the Regalian Empire and Prophet of Unionism.
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| *'''Themes:''' Theomar represents fatherhood, leadership, ambition, devotion and piety. He is remembered for his exceptional charisma and as a loving father who founded an imperial dynasty.
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| *'''Depictions:''' Theomar is often depicted holding up his hand, with the palm to the viewer. He is always depicted very dignified, and clothed in his royal purple and cream yellow robes, his favorite colors in life.
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| *'''Worship:''' Worship to Theomar is performed by writing prayers of good health and good fortune for children/employees/followers on pieces of paper and burning them in golden bowls.
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| *'''Manifestation:''' Theomar has manifested only during very significant events of religious importance, when the continued existence of Unionism hung by a thread, or when the power and influence of the other God Emperors or Empresses would simply not suffice for a task given by the Everwatcher.
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| *'''Individual:''' Theomar has never appeared to sole individuals, but rather during pivotal moments of the Empire’s history to provide blessings of protection and reinvigorated power.
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| *'''Worship House:''' Theomar’s main Temple is the Arch Temple of the All-Beacon in Regalia, buried beneath the shrine known as the Dias of Faith.
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| |}
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| ===Ness, Lady of Forgiveness=== | | ===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. |
| |[[File:GoddessNess.png|220px|thumb|left]]
| | *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. |
| |God Empress Ness, or just Ness (sometimes nicknamed Nessie or Mutt-Mother by non-Ailor), was the wife of Emperor [[Henri I]] the Honorable, as his wife Empress Nessaria I of [[House van Sherburne]]. Empress Nessaria is best remembered as being an indignant wife to her husband early on, resenting the marriage with Emperor Henri I. Through her early years, she committed many sins of unfaithfulness to her husband in spirit and name. This led to her being punished with being blinded, after which she wore her signature silver butterfly wing eye covers and coronet piece. Despite being vengeful after being blinded, it is said that the Everwatcher gave her sight back after she discovered love for her first born child when she found love in motherhood. She spent many years a devoted mother, only to have her children violently taken from her, and still she found it in her heart to forgive the assassins, giving them blessings as they wept for forgiveness at her feet. Ness is the representative Goddess of Forgiveness, Acceptance, Repentance, Absolution, but also the Downtrodden, the Forgotten, the non-Ailor, and the Half-Ailor who feel abandoned.
| | *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. |
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| Ness is always depicted in her mourning dress with her signature butterfly eye-covers and accessories. Butterflies strongly represent Ness, a being and symbol of forgiveness of Unionists, and for those seeking repentance. She often carries a golden Unionist Eye chain, along with a golden rose and two sets of rose-thorn stalks. These items are meant to represent her objects of the many facets of forgiveness through faith, repentance through loss, and the beauty of absolution. Sometimes her statue has three infants around her pedestal to signify motherhood, and sometimes it has three chained criminals to signify the forgiveness she gave. Offerings to her are silent candle vigils, or the repentance those who have wronged seek to the priests of Unionism. Ness frequently appears to those who believe in Unionism but need the strongest forgiveness or cannot go on without help to learn to live with their grief, guilt, or torment. Ness appears relatively often, even seen walking the streets of Regalia seemingly going nowhere.
| | ====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. |
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| Ness is often worshiped by criminals, judges, those who are poor and feel forgotten and downtrodden, those seeking redemption and forgiveness, and those who seek the strength to forgive others. Ness’s Cloister Trial involves priests drawing out the sins and crimes of the individual in confession, after which they are confronted with the circumstances and challenged to find peace and love for themselves despite them. If they are proved worthy by the priests, they are allowed into the Faith Chamber of the Arch Temple of Salvation, where five sarcophagi stand, for Ness and her four beloved children (As Emperor [[Leomar I]], her youngest son, was also buried there after his natural death).
| | ==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. |
| ===Juvin, Oracle of Knowledge===
| | <table style="width: 100%;"><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> |
| | <span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Imperial Army'''</center></span> |
| {| | | {| |
| |[[File:GodJuvin.png|220px|thumb|left]]
| | [[File:Wirtem22.png|130px|caption|left]] |
| |God Emperor Juvin, or just Juvin (sometimes also nicknamed the All-Knower), was the 11th Emperor of Regalia, Emperor Henri III Ivrae de-Sange. Juvin is commonly remembered as the most pious and religiously pure Emperor, who lived an ascetic life of inner peace and perfection, and outward serenity and virtue. As a God Emperor, Juvin is the god of piety and virtue, the perfection of learning, and thinkers. Juvin was known to be an Emperor with exceptional wit and knowledge even at an early age when he could easily debate and out-smart his teachers and superiors. Juvin was also an exceptional philosopher and thinker who would spend long periods of his rule contemplating the meanings of everything, and make modifications to the Creed to reflect a more pure lifestyle. | | | |
| | 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. |
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| Juvin is often depicted in simple garb with only minimal decorations and dull colors, bowing, kneeling or in some form of submissive stance. This is to emphasize that Juvin never considered himself above everyone else, and served knowledge and virtue more than anything. He is depicted tall and frail, with a bald head and a long robe that may sometimes also contain several scrolls and items that intellectuals use to ply their crafts. Shrines to Juvin are usually put into an alcove inside a larger bookcase, surrounded by knowledge and learning. Candles are lit to his will in front of his statue, while incense is let to absorb the knowledge of the books, in the hopes that Juvin will give the offering person the means to learn faster. Juvin shrines can be found in any library or school. Juvin rarely appears, but all divine appearances have been reported in libraries, for Juvin to hand the willing exactly the one book they were looking to embark on their journey, while that book was not even in the library to begin with.
| | 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. |
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| Juvin is often worshiped by priests, librarians, scribes, teachers, tutors, researchers, alchemists, philosophers and thinkers. Juvin was largely responsible for the creation of the Dogartan Schism, as many Celates in Anglia started imitating him, though it is not officially recognized as a Schism because of how smooth and regional the transition was. Juvin’s Cloister Trial involves several tests of wit at the Arch Temple of Greater Understanding, before pilgrims can reach the inner Faith chamber containing Juvin’s Sarcophagus.
| | *'''Soldiers''' |
| | *'''Junior Officers''': Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel |
| | *'''Senior Officers''': Division General, Lieutenant General, Field General, Field Marshal |
| |} | | |} |
| ===Almar, Jester of Justice===
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| |[[File:GodAlmar.png|220px|thumb|left]]
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| |God Emperor Almar, or Almar (sometimes also nicknamed the Blind Jester or Allmaverick, the word Maverick comes from his name), was the 13th Emperor of Regalia, Emperor [[Allamaria I]] Ivrae Heiligenblut (surname differs as he was a [[Wirtem]] Emperor alongside his older brother Lilienmar III). Emperor Allamaria I was also the second son of Emperor Henri III, making God Emperor Almar the son of God Emperor Juvin, while he is also the grandfather of God Emperor Allest. Almar is remembered for several things. Firstly, he is remembered as a rambunctious adolescent, spending much of his early years being a boisterous and wild man with many conquests and broken hearts. He spent money like no tomorrow, and offended many foreign dignitaries with his crude behavior, equally letting many of his stewards and guards land in prison, taking the blame for his juvenile actions. As rule came closer to him however, a series of visions of the past and future caused him to completely reform his life. Where there in the past was celebration and endless nights in leisure, there now was endless nights studying and codifying law to create a semblance of order and justice. Almar is the representative God of Justice, Law, Honesty, but also of Leisure, Entertainment, Vanity, and Ego.
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| Almar is often depicted as a suave and handsome young man, always with either a blindfold or some kind of unraveling cloth disappearing from his eyes. This cloth is meant to represent the blindness of justice, but also the fact that Almar was blind to the truths of duty and fate for so long in his life, until he saw the light and reformed. He is also always depicted with a scale, the symbol for the Regalian Judiciary, that weighs the value of crime and punishment for those who are subject to Almar’s laws. Almar’s shrine equally has a scale, one with a golden feather, and another with a small box. These items normally weigh roughly the same, however anyone wishing to bring offering or pray to Almar, writes a plan or thought on a piece of paper, inserts it into the box, and then lets the scale weigh the value of this thought. If it is heavier than the feather, it is unlawful or sinful. If it is lighter than the feather, it is lawful and righteous. Almar is not known to appear before anyone, but the Concilly Council still acknowledges him.
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| Almar is often worshiped by justicars, bureaucrats, lawmakers, but also entertainers, Musicians, dancers, romancing couples, and those looking for the perfect partner. Almar’s name is often invoked for good blessings to a Courtship or wedding. Almar’s Cloister Trial involves several tests of restraint and self control as the pilgrims are led from one seduction to the other, until they finally pass into the final Faith Chamber in the heart of the Arch Temple of Eternal Justice, where the Sarcophagus of Almar rests with his favorite scales on top that are said to weigh the heaviness of a soul as they enter the chamber.
| | </td><td style="vertical-align: top; width: 50%;"> |
| |}
| | <span style="font-size:150%;><center>'''Imperial Navy'''</center></span> |
| ===Allest, Lord of Domination=== | |
| {| | | {| |
| |[[File:GodAllest.png|220px|thumb|left]]
| | [[File:Cearden.png|130px|caption|left]] |
| |God Emperor Allest, or just Allest (sometimes also nicknamed the Bear-Claw), was the 15th Emperor of Regalia, Emperor [[Allestrain I]] Ivrae de-Sange. Allest ascended to Godhood after his death from an arrow in the back that penetrated his heart on the field of battle while holding off a hundred soldiers by himself allowing his own soldiers who had been cornered by the enemy to escape certain death. Allest is best remembered for being a beast of a man, alongside his best friend Arch-Chancellor [[Alexander the Giant]], the both of them forming an inseparable warrior duo on the frontlines as the Empire expanded. Allest was the first frontline commander and warrior Emperor, and was an undefeated warrior who seemed to get that much more skilled with every champion he defeated. Allest is the representative God of Conquest, Rule, Brotherhood, and Fame. | | | |
| | 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. |
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| Allest is often depicted either in his massive bulky armor, or in some state of removal of this armor to emphasize his god-like physique, in a victorious or intimidating stance. He is depicted tall and glorious as an example for all Ailor to strive to physically, and for the many victories he brought Regalia despite his short time on the throne. Allest is often also depicted with two large claymores, or scabbards holding his favorite swords: Blutkraft and [[Sangria]], weapons that passed into [[Artifact]] Legend after his death. Shrines to Allest feature larger wardrobes or tables than most other shrines, allowing the owner to cover the surface with a cloth, and put their weapon in front of the shrine to ask for Allest’s blessings. The cloth is often wrapped over the weapon, with the cloth then doused in some form of alcoholic beverage, as Allest was also known to be a heavy drinker, before the liquid is washed off and the item removed from the Shrine. It is believed that Allest continues to lend strength and right of conquest to Unionists to this day. Allest has appeared historically after the end of major battlefields, not to fight, but to mourn the losses on the battlefield with the survivors.
| | 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. |
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| Allest is often worshiped by kings and queens, princes and princesses, commanders, generals, gladiators, but even many in the criminal element, due to his inherent connection with victory and conquest of others who are weaker and less willing. Allest’s Cloister Trial involves several mental tests of self-sacrifice and willpower at the Arch Temple of Perpetual Glory, before pilgrims can reach the inner Faith chamber containing Allest’s battle armor, as his body was never recovered from the battlefield and rumored to be preserved in a perfect state somewhere.
| | *'''Sailors''' |
| | *'''Junior Officers''': Deck Officer, First-Mate, Vice Captain, Captain, Commodore |
| | *'''Senior Officers''': Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral, Fleet Admiral |
| |} | | |} |
| ===Elia, Mistress of Victory===
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| |[[File:GoddessElia.png|220px|thumb|left]]
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| |God Empress Elia, or just Elia (sometimes also nicknamed the Brass-Fist), was the wife of Emperor Allestrain I, as his wife Empress Eolaria I of [[House Cadar]]. This makes God Empress Elia thus the wife of God Emperor Allest. Elia is the representative Goddess of fighting, combat, warfare, victory, love and loss. She is remembered for having been at the very frontline of every battle she participated in, letting the generals do the planning, and just punching her way through the enemy lines with her legendary shield Draackenbuster and her spiked war-glove called Porcelain-Face, both of which passed into Artifact Legend after her death. Elia was the only spouse ever suitable for Allest, rivaling him in size, and reputedly being able to knock-out punch an [[Eronidas]] with one heavy punch to the face.
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| Elia is often depicted with her fist up, sometimes with or without her spiked war-glove, but always with her shield Draackenbuster by her side. She always wears a muscle-fitting bronze armor with a long crimson dress (which she did not wear into battle) complementing her crimson hair. Shrines to Elia feature her as a statue guarding a small locket box underneath that has a small key-hole. Owners of the shrine put their secrets and diaries inside, along with notes of the names of their loved ones to protect them from harm. It is an unspoken law among Unionists never to steal documents from shrines of Elia, in order not to evoke her wrath. It is also believed that putting things inside this small locket box will aid Elia in protecting them from harm, especially loved ones. Flowers are sometimes also offered to a statue of her likeness as a sign of adoration or love that she had for her husband, even in death. Elia has appeared historically in select battlefields while the Empire was expanding, leading a divine charge.
| | </center> |
| | </tr></table> |
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| Elia is often worshiped by soldiers, sailors, knights, regalian guards, mercenaries, but even criminal thugs on the street who simply wish to strive for the strength and power she had, as well as the endurance to continue on even in the face of loss and suffering. Elia’s Cloister Trial involves several rooms of increasingly difficult duels of combat against other Pilgrims as a test of strength, before the final victor of the tournament is allowed into the inner Chamber of the Arch Temple of Unyielding Perseverance (though locally known as the Arch Temple of Punching Harder). Inside this inner chamber, lies the sarcophagus of Elia, next to an empty sarcophagus which is meant for her husband, though for who this sarcophagus was, is unknown.
| | ==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. |
| ===Vess, Liberator of Chains===
| | 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. |
| |[[File:Hfhdf.png|220px|thumb|left]]
| | *Active duty Soldiers should be addressed as Rank + Surname. For example, Vice Admiral John Doe would be referred to as “Vice Admiral Doe.” |
| |God Emperor Vess, or just Vess (sometimes nicknamed Vilgy), was the 26th Emperor or Regalia, Emperor [[Vilgemar I]] Ivrae de Sange. Vess was the Emperor who rid the Empire of corrupt politicians and served as the last Emperor before the Regalian pessimism, heralding the last period in time during which the Empire was truly content and there was true hope for the future instead of a constant battle to stave off apocalypse. Vess is the representing God of happiness, liberty, liberation and freedom, more specifically the breaking of chains and bondage, as he liberated an unprecedented amount of indentured servants and slaves from cruel masters, and spent a large amount of time interfering with foreign nations who tyrannically repressed their local people. Vess is also remembered for being a general fun-loving person who could never be caught in a bad mood.
| | *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. |
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| Vess is always depicted as a very youthful looking young man (though he is equally often depicted as androgynous or of ambiguous gender as he enjoyed breaking gender expectations), as he still looked youthful even towards the end of his life. He wears the traditional garb of the palace entertainers, a group of people who he had good relations with, and is always standing in some sort of playful position or pose that elicits some sense of playfulness or youthfulness. Vess’s statues often double as ponds or fountains, with water reaching from some object he is holding, or his hand, with flowers being very common in and around the water. Prayers to Vess are usually made by releasing wishes and prayers into budding flowers, and then inserting said flower into the water and letting the petals open up as time passes, believing the wishes to be released into the world with Vess’s blessings as the flower flowers before it wilts. Vess has rarely appeared, though every time to smash the chains of groups of slaves, or free them from a burning barn or barrack.
| | 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. |
|
| |
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| Vess is worshiped by party-goers, children, those who treasure freedom and liberty above all, journalists, bartenders, inn-keepers, indentured servants and slaves, particularly for their liberation from bondage. Vess’s Cloister Trial involves challenging the pilgrims to entertain or provide happiness for those struck with mental illnesses or depression, who often gravitate to the Arch Temple of Joyous Everwatch to seek help for their despair. If the pilgrims succeed, they are permitted into the Faith Chamber of Vess, where a single sarcophagus stands surrounded by a sea of broken chains, each belonging to a slave he helped free, tens of thousands of them.
| | ===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) |
| | {| class="wikitable" |
| | |- style="font-weight:bold;" |
| | ! Army Rank |
| | ! Navy Rank |
| | ! Age |
| | ! w/ Jr. Academy |
| | ! w. Sr. Academy |
| | |- style="background-color:#ffffff;" |
| | | Soldier |
| | | Sailor |
| | | 18 |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |- style="background-color:#efefef;" |
| | | Sergeant |
| | | Deck Officer |
| | | 28 |
| | | 21 |
| | | |
| | |- style="background-color:#efefef;" |
| | | Lieutenant |
| | | First-Mate |
| | | 33 |
| | | 26 |
| | | |
| | |- style="background-color:#efefef;" |
| | | Captain |
| | | Vice Captain |
| | | 38 |
| | | 31 |
| | | |
| | |- style="background-color:#efefef;" |
| | | Major |
| | | Captain |
| | | 43 |
| | | 36 |
| | | |
| | |- style="background-color:#efefef;" |
| | | Colonel |
| | | Commodore |
| | | 48 |
| | | 41 |
| | | |
| | |- style="background-color:#c0c0c0;" |
| | | Division General |
| | | Rear Admiral |
| | | 58 |
| | | 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 |
| |} | | |} |
| ===Alexander, Mentor of Compromise===
| |
| {|
| |
| |[[File:Alexandro.png|220px|thumb|left]]
| |
| |God Emperor Alexander is the 28th and 30th Emperor of the Regalian Empire, with a short period of Interregnum and Cedromar I’s rule before his abdication. As Emperor Alexander is still alive, he is seen as the Divine Vessel, not quite the same as a God Emperor or God Empress. Emperor Alexander rules during a time of great upheaval and chaos, as the world rapidly changes around the Empire, and the Empire has trouble catching up or staying ahead of these changes. Emperor Alexander is the Divine Vessel of change, reform, compassion, compromise and mentorship. His most common perception among the people of the Empire is of a mentoring Emperor who seeks to rule more by implicit consent than with absolute authority, always seeking compromises and challenging the peerage to think of the commoners first, and their wallets later.
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| Alexander does not have formal shrines dedicated to him, as having shrines built for the Divine Vessel is very uncommon, because the Divine Vessel will lose its status as soon as the Emperor dies and is not elevated to God Emperor. Instead, Emperor Alexander is praised through art, with statues and paintings in particular, with every major government institute or office having a large life-size or greater than life painting of the Emperor in full regalia. Alexander is also seen as a compassionate and caring Emperor for the Occult, the first Emperor who has shown overt positive attitudes towards the Occult and even tolerated them to climb to high government offices in the Empire, something thought impossible mere decades before his rule.
| | ==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. |
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| |
|
| Alexander is yet often invoked by mentors, diplomats, government bureaucrats, and particularly those campaigning for more equity for the Occult of the Empire. Even within Crookback the Emperor has some support, as he is equally the first Emperor to not just dismiss the Occult corrupted and the downtrodden, and has reformed the state to allow them to live with some modicum of dignity. As such, Emperor Alexander is sometimes also called the Dignified Vessel. Alexander has no official Temples, though the Palace doubles as one would traditionally see many pilgrims traveling to the Imperial Palace, and lighting candles near the front door as an offering of prayer.
| | 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. |
| |}
| |
| ===Taal, Mother of Purity===
| |
| {|
| |
| |[[File:Taala.png|220px|thumb|left]]
| |
| |Divine Heroine Taal is a still-living Divine Being recognized by the Concilly Council with godhood. Divine Heroine Taal is best known as the benefactor of the Belliard Guild and the factions of Unionist Purists who take a hardline stance against the corruption of the Occult among the population. Taal is not explicitly violent against the Occult, but takes a very hardline stance that often conflicts with Emperor Alexander’s more moderate and conciliatory tone, while Taal demands the immediate expulsion or termination of any Occult who step out of line, and the cleansing and curing of whatever can be cleansed and cured. Divine Heroine Taal is the Goddess of purity, cleanliness, obedience to heritage and hierarchy, and the matron of tradition and customs.
| |
|
| |
|
| Taal does not have any official shrines dedicated to her, as having shrines built for Divine Heroes is uncommon, but more and more worship sites have been built in her name in private homes. The most common form of these private worship sites is an altar or table of some kind, upon which the faithful polish and clean silverware, jewelry, or other valuables in service to others under candlelight. It is said that Taal approves of service to others by cleaning that which has accumulated grime and dirt from the passage of time, and to use this time in contemplation of the cleanliness of the soul and self contemplation. Taal is equally a very self-assured Goddess, one that requires all faithful be sure of their actions and banish any doubt, and that those wish doubt seek out confessional to rid themselves of what she refers to as “the first door through which evil enters the soul”.
| | 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. |
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| |
|
| Taal is invoked by purists, as well as anti-Occult hardliners, and as such is an incredibly controversial figure, especially to Evintarian Unionists who do not explicitly reject her divinity, but do not openly include her in their pantheon. Taal does not have any Temples, as Temples built for living Divine Heroes is not possible, though it is assumed that after her death, a Temple to her name will be built in her homeland of Calemberg where she was raised an orphan, where her trial will inevitably have something to do with cleansing the soul and inner purity. As a native of Calemberg, Taal is frequently seen in the surrounding regions but largely avoids coming to Regalia, working closely with the Darkwald Order and other Purist entities in the Empire.
| | 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. |
| |}
| |
| ===Borond, Lord of Seas===
| |
| {|
| |
| |[[File:Borond.png|220px|thumb|left]]
| |
| |Divine Hero Borond is a still-living Divine Being recognized by the Concilly Council with goodhood, following petitions by Eronidas Unionists, as well as first-hand accounts of his assistance with a variety of Regalian engagements. Borond is a so-called integrated Divine Being, meaning he comes from a different religion originally. Indeed, Borond is identical to the Eronidas god Buru from the [[Asaredu]] religion, though there are a couple of differences. Borond is the god of the seas, of the military, or storms and rainfall, and of military ingenuity. He is seen as a guide to the Regalian Armadas and fleets, and a patron protector of merchant shipping.
| |
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| |
|
| Borond’s shrine shows a depiction of his very Eronidas-looking appearance with the lower body of a shark or dolphin, next to a large gong. The Gong is a reference to the practice of Regalian Armada flagships to have a large gong close to the water, which can be struck in a matter of emergency. It is said that the gong reverberates into the seas, and can be heard by Borond, who has occasionally answered the call and appeared in dire circumstances to save a ship from sinking or being destroyed. In the home, the gong is struck merely ceremonially, while prayers for good winds and fair weather are made. Borond’s role in Unionism compared to Buru in Asaredu leads to some contentious conflict between Eronidas and Unionists (as the Eronidas consider Borond a false interpretation). At the same time however, Borond’s existence in Unionism is an easy way for Eronidas to quickly grow comfortable with Unionism, and a notable minority has converted.
| | 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. |
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| |
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| Borond is invoked by sailors, usually with a necklace, wooden carving or silver depiction of borond, praying for fair winds after which the necklace is kissed. His infrequent appearances to save Regalian ships from destruction has led to him being recognized as a God of another religion with distinct value for Unionism, thus becoming a Unionist God also. Wave-Born Asaredu worshipers are not acknowledged in Unionism. Unionists, contradicting Asaredu dogma, believe that Borond does reproduce with non-Eronidas, and that if they are Unionist, they are called Borr-folk. Borr-folk are born with webbed toes and feet as well as a prehensile shark-like tail and patches of dark shark skin (all of which are just aesthetic), though these are entirely rejected by the Asaredu faith.
| | 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). |
| |}
| |
| ===Nicholas, Architect of Magnificence===
| |
| {|
| |
| |[[File:New Canvasyrdhtrfdtjftuyfgv.png|220px|thumb|left]]
| |
| |Nicholas the Architect of Magnificence, (who may also go by the name Volodomyr in Krainivaya or Klaas in Anglian) was the 14th Arch-Chancellor of the Regalian Empire, and generally remembered fondly to be the best that the Empire ever had. Nicholas took the position when he was 16 years old, and would reign for 86 years, the longest reign of any Emperor or Arch-Chancellor, with a long list of accolades. Under Nicholas, many lands were conquered or subjugated through diplomacy, the economy soared, Unionism spread like wild-fire, and finally united all of the Archipelago under the Regalian banner. Nicholas had to learn on the job as it were, but quickly proved to be the most competent of rulers the Empire had ever seen, and was the architect of many of the Empire's greatest moments, as well as the increase of power of House Kade itself through skillful political marriage of his many sisters.
| |
| | |
| Nicholas is always depicted in his Arch-Chancellor robes with his long hair and distinct frail appearance. Nicholas is always depicted in some mid-command or mid-statement pose, as if he is ready to lift or strike out his hand to give the order to unleash whatever machination he has stewed up. Nicholas's virtues are leadership, foresight, insight, good planning, longevity and excellent design. He is the patron of all politicians, barons, dukes, generals and admirals, army officers, aldormen, but also architects and artists and bankers. His often less discussed divine flaw is that of "holding on for too long", referring to the fact that he held the position of Arch-Chancellor for so long without resigning, that he condemned the Empire to a string of less-than-stellar Arch-Chancellors who never had the experience on the job to succeed his legacy. This example is often set to the Dukes and other political rulers of the Empire, to resign when it is time for a new generation to take over, so that they may take their own place in history, and not have to hurriedly fill the shoes of the past generation and fail in doing so. Nicholas has been known to appear before politicians to assist them in taking momentous decisions that changed the course of the Empire's history, as well as to fortify the resolve of young Emperors who have just come to the throne.
| |
| | |
| Nicholas's name is invoked by politicians who seek the insight and foresight that he had, as well as for success in their endeavors. His name is also invoked by scholars to aid them with discovery of truth and attain the correct interpretation or dissertation of their subject. Nicholas's pilgrimage site is Nicholas's Temple in Axenfoort (one that is shared with Emended Unionism), a grand Unionist Temple specifically built in his honor. Nicholas's Temple has often been described as a "pincushion", as its spires are exceptionally sharp and many, imitating a cushion with many needles in it. Those that hold Nicholas in high regard often play a game called "Cross-Bearing Kings", which is a board-game simulation of court life, intrigue, marriage, and plotting. The goal of the game is to accrue as much land as possible each successive generation with skilled use of relatives and politics, to prove their virtues in comparison to Vlaas's accolades.
| |
| |}
| |
| ===Elen, Lady of Rivers===
| |
| {|
| |
| |[[File:Beeboop.png|220px|thumb|left]]
| |
| |Elen the Lady of Rivers, is another example of an integrated Divine Entity that finds its origin in the Breizh faith that existed before they adopted Unionism. Unlike Borond and Asaredu, the Breizh Faith was completely absorbed by Unionism as they only believed in Ailwen, the Lady of the Lake, with all tenets roughly compatible with Unionism, and their concepts adopted by Elen's virtues. Ailwen was renamed in common to Elen, and canonized by the Concilly Council as her divinity was proven, and her worth to the Great Way manifest in the actions of the Breizh under her guidance. Elen is the goddess of purpose, meaning, destiny, judgement and burdens. She is specifically considered the patron goddess of Unionist Mages and the Magically tainted, putting her in direct opposition with Taal, Mother of Purity.
| |
|
| |
|
| Elen is a somewhat complicated deiety because she is specifically known to have been a Magic user, and one who considers Magic to be a burden from the Everwatcher. Magic is a bit more complicated in Unionist dogma, because the clergy nor the Creed have ever really defined Magic (especially when born with Magic) as a flaw in the Everwatcher's creation, just that Magic users are usually corrupted. Elen's place and her role for the interpretation of Magic as such has always been dominated by the idea that to be Magic is bad, but to be Magic without purpose or meaning for the Great Way is worse, so Magic with purpose is actually acceptable so long as the soul is virtous. She represents a path that allows for Mages to be accepted by the Unionist community so long as they learn Magic solely for the good of the Empire and others and not for selfish reasons, and are guided under the strict moral supervision of the Emperor (who is accepting of Magic) and measure their worth and purpose based on how much they contribute to the Empire. Elen is always depicted in her Breizh linen, holding a pearl necklace of purpose, with her white feathered wings spread wide. Worship to Elen is performed through meditation and contemplation, and to seek out those who have strayed from the Unionist cause and re-commune with them.
| | 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. |
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| |
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| Elen's name is invoked by Magic users and those who are affected by the Occult, but also those who are impacted by the Occult. She is both prayed to for guidance and purpose by the non-Magically inclined, as well as to be protected from evil Occult, as much as she is worshiped by the Occult to give them a purpose and let their burden (their Magic) find a way to bring glory and benefit to the Empire and the Great Way. Elen has been known to manifest before those at a pivotal point in life where they feel their purpose is wavering, only for Elen to give them a vision or moral guidance with which to reinvigorate their destiny. Elen's Temple is the Temple of Divine Purpose in Kintyr, which is also home to the Unionist Seers. Seers are sort of like Celates, but not really, they are lay-priests who receive visions of Elen and help those who pilgrimage to the Temple with personal guidance on their road to redemption, or teaching them how to deal with whatever burdens they deal in life, magical or not magical.
| | ==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). |
| TestFire |
|---|
 |
| 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
|
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
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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
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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
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Navy Rank
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Age
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w/ Jr. Academy
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w. Sr. Academy
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| Soldier
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Sailor
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18
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| Sergeant
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Deck Officer
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28
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21
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| Lieutenant
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First-Mate
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33
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26
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| Captain
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Vice Captain
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38
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31
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| Major
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Captain
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43
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36
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| Colonel
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Commodore
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48
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41
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| Division General
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Rear Admiral
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58
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51
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26
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| Lieutenant General
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Vice Admiral
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68
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61
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36
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| Field General
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Admiral
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78
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71
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46
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| Field Marshal
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Fleet Admiral
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88
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81
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56
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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).
