Royal Banner
I am his sword. I am his shield. Always at his side. In war and in peace. In greatest glory and deepest shame. By the Mothers Mercy, the Fathers Wrath and the Spirits Light, from now on till the end of days I solemnly swear to serve and protect the Elder King. And be it into the Maws of the Void itself, the King commands and I will follow.Among the armies of Feranar, the Royal Banner is perhaps the most revered. The soldiers of the Elder King. His protectors and companions. Warriors that fear neither death nor darkness and will follow their leader even into the most hopeless of battles. At least that is the tale told among the peasants. Reality is less glorious. Nevertheless, the Royal Banner is an important part of the High Kingdom of Feranar both in military and political sense.
Structure
The Royal Banner is unlike most Feran armies not solely comprised of nobles and their levies. Instead, it is a mix between a knightly order, professional standing army and levy force that consists of three entities: Elder Knights: Protectors of the King and his family. There is no greater honour a Knight may receive. Smallest part of the Royal Banner and with a regular strength of 32 men even smaller than the guard of a run of the mile duke, they are the epitome of the phrase Quality over Quantity. Each of its members is a fighter without equal, a warrior that has dedicated his entire life to the art of combat. Some say that a single of those knights is equal to a hundred men. They protect the King wherever he goes. Two are at his side at all times while four more remain just out of sight but close enough to intervene immediately. Contrary to other noble guards these protectors may at first glance look unimpressive. The only thing distinguishing them from ordinary knights is the carefully crafted symbol on the right side of their grey breastplate, the insignia of the King's house surrounded by a circle of thorns. With armour crafted by only the best of smiths, weaponry capable of dealing with any type of opponent and unparalleled loyalty and skill the Elder Knights have never failed in their duty. Royal Guard: The King's retinue recruited solely from his personal domains. A force of professional soldiers numbering 3,000 soldiers. Never more and never less. Experienced warriors and veterans of many campaigns (although this varies from incarnation to incarnation) they form the core of the Royal Banner, garrison the royal castle in Verdal and serve as his guard detail whenever the King travels his realm. Its composition varies from ruler to ruler. Some may prefer calvary combat and include more knights while others may see it more beneficial to focus on a core of pikemen. The current ruler Henrik Andrael has taken a more balanced approach with his guard consisting of 1,500 Men-a-Arms (of various types), 700 cavalry (300 Knights and 700 Light Horse) and 800 Archers (Short-, Longbows and Crossbows). Included in the Guard (but not counted to its total number) are the various officers that make up the Banners command structure. Based on the Tarquinnian model the guard is divided into smaller sections whose commanders answer to the Guard Captain who in turn answers to the Grand General, overall commander of the Royal Banner. Royal Levy: Largest component of the formation they are levied from the royal domains and may at first glance seem like a standard Feran army. However, in contrast to other hosts, they are not subservient to the will of various lords or noblemen but similar to the guard led by a professional command structure. While in other armies a man may receive command due to his rank or influence, only those that are qualified and or experienced enough are allowed to lead the levy. Additionally, their armour and weapons are paid for by the crown and as a result of better than average quality. Combined with the professional command structure and high morale due to being able to serve and protect the Elder King (who in Feran society is almost deified), these factors make the Royal Levy a significant threat to almost any opponent.History and Purpose
When the High Kingdom of Feranar came into existence in 851 DA its founders saw themselves confronted with a serious problem. The Ferans had always been a quarrelling people, its lords unruly and ambitious and any King wishing to rule them all needed to wield sufficient power lest he becomes a mere puppet. It was decided that the city of Verdal and its surrounding territory would become the King's personal domain and all the troops raised there his personal army. Free from any lords influence. However, his lands were limited to ensure that while he wielded more power than any single lord in the realm he would not be able to ignore them and rule like a tyrant. Furthermore, any noble who is elected to the post has to relinquish any territory he held before and grant them to a relative. This practice has continued throughout the realms incarnations and the careful balance created by it has ensured stability except in the most extreme of cases. In the year 3332 DA, however, this exact practice may have sowed the seeds of an all-out civil war within the Kingdom. For Henrik Andrael had been landless prior to his ascension. In the past, this wouldn't have been a problem. The royal domain which encompasses the lands around the northern branches of the river Sorryn counted among the most fertile and densely populated lands of the world, the city of Verdal rivalling the ancient metropolis of Tarquinnia with over one and a half million residents. As a result the Royal Banner numbered over 60,000 soldiers. Keyword rivaled as the city and land were annihilated by General Vedrin in the final months of the Divine Sunderring in 2722. Tarquinnian records claim that nearly a million people died and the rest were deported either to Interra or the Summer Coast. Only in the aftermath of the Tyrants War over 600 years later have people begun to resettle it. This puts Henrik in a precarious position. His army is barely 7,000 men strong, consisting mostly of knights and soldiers from his homeland at the banks of the river Veil and the forces he can levy meagre at best. It leaves him without any real way to serve as a balancing force between his most powerful vassals. At the same time power struggles, especially concerning ownership over the Kingdom of the Reach are intensifying. The day of the deciding conference is drawing near. An escalation of the conflict, with Henrik unable to counteract the competing factions in any meaningful way, may very well prove disastrous to the fledgeling nation.I am no expert in the art of ruling. But I know that 7,000 lose to 30,000. Oh sure the great lords swear to follow and support me. Again and again as if they are praying to the Three. But answer me this Adrin. When I sound the ralliying call. When I ask for help in time of need. How many of them will listen?
The King We Follow
Founding Date
855 DA
Type
Military, Army
Alternative Names
Falcon Guard, King's Army
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Parent Organization
Your greatest punishment, however, will show itself in time. Your face, your life, your great deeds and accomplishments, all will be forgotten. I will ensure that even in a thousand years all your name will evoke is shame and hate. And the memory of a million burning souls.It was not enough that Adrel broke one of Feranar's oldest traditions by unofficially declaring himself King this way (the Elder Knights are sworn only to the Elder King) but his actions resulted in the deaths of millions of Ferans, the destruction of what many see as the holiest city in the world and the deportation of over ten million men, women and children.
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