Morek Empire/Military

Tenets

• “Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all. Nothing is more harmful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army superiority over another."

• "For a soldier his duty is plain. He is to obey the orders of all those placed over him and whip the enemy wherever he meets him."

• “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, learning from failure.”

Rules of Engagement

• No Looting is allowed unless ordered by the Marshal.

• The “Kill, Rape and Burn” looting orders are NEVER to be undertaken. We do not tolerate such behaviour.

Paraphanalia

These are the equipment items that every knight with a military unit should have:

• Scouts: 5 (scout often and send in your reports)

• Banners: 1 per 20 troops (Not for archer units)

• Healers: 1 per 30 troops

• Cart: 1 per 30 troops

• Siege Engines: None unless specifically ordered.

Military Hierarchy of the Morek Empire

• Ordermarshal: The Commander-in-Chief of Morek's armies. The Ordermarshal assigns tasks to the various Armies, decides Morek's overall strategy, and organizes multi-national forces with Morek's allies.

• Marshals: Every Army is led by a Marshal. They serve as the top commander, and are responsible for the army's composition, readiness, and all field activities. Marshals take their orders from the Ordermarshal but are expected to show good judgment, energy and initiative.

• Vice-Marshals: The second in command of each Army, Vice-Marshals do not have strictly defined roles. Each Marshal assigns his Vice-Marshal with their duties and responsibilities.

• The Military Council: has no command authority, but is vital to shaping Morek's military policy. It is made up of the Ordermarshal, Marshals, and trusted military commanders.

• Sector Commander: The Morek Empire is divided into Sectors. Each Sector has a Sector army to protect it. The Marshal of such an army is the Sector Commander and has responsibilty for security and order in that Sector. All knights with estates in the sector should normally be assigned to the Sector army, unless they are detached for special duty for example to another army. The Sector Commander is another important exception to this rule and does not have to have an estate within the region, because we want the most competent commanders regardless of where they live.

Notes for Sector Commanders

NB: At the time of writing, the conditions pertaining in the empire are that we are resource rich and with few external threats, but with few knights relative to the number of regions we control. Due to the greatness of the Empire, the travel times to refit can be very long.

• Sector Defence is YOUR responsibility. All the knights of a sector that are not assigned to other duties are at your disposal. The Regions Lords should co-operate with your reasonable requests for militia. The Ordermarshal should listen to your concerns.

• You Orders are to monitor and defend your Sector. Specifically your defence plan should be able to:(1) Deal with any rogue incursion within a day or two. (2) Slow down any anticipated enemy attack until the Empire can send reinforcements.

• Assess the threats to your sector realistically. Create a defence plan based on this assessment.

• Your mobile army will be small, perhaps 6 to 8 effectives. Don’t overwork them. I suggest that you rotate them with only 2 or 3 active at any one time. The rest can go about their own affairs.

• Use militia to make up your deficiency in manpower. Morek regions are rich. They can afford it. Put militia in regions which are isolated, prone to rogue attacks, or strategically important. All townslands should have minimum 1000cs, all cities should have minimum 2000cs, vulnerable rurals should have minimum 500cs. These are not absolute values. A city that is completely secure might manage with much less militia, a more vulnerable or important city should have more.

• At any time you should have a mobile force of 2 or 3 knights. How you use them is up to you. Strong units can go about singly.

Military Duties of Region Lords

• Assign yourself and all your knights to the armies requested by the OrderMarshal or Sector Commander.

• Make sure that your knights have a good income from their estates.

• Assign Militia to your region depending on its vulnerability and strategic importance. Cities and Townslands should always have militia. Isolated regions should have militia.

Military Duties of Every Warrior Noble

• Ask your liege to be assigned to an army if you are not in one.

• Take care of your unit, do training and repairs whenever is possible

• Follow your Marshal's order to the best of your ability.

• If you are in need of funds, contact the Marshal who will forward your request.

• Cleanse any Monsters or Undead infestation within Moreks borders and within reach of your sword.

List of Sectors

• North Sector - Odenir, Nifelheim, Nifel, Mt Black Nastrond, Nihogg's Mark, Muspell, Muspelheim, Yaren

• Central Sector - Aegir, Aegir's deep, Nimh, Croton, Taishan, Bohai, Stratford, Cailyn

• South Sector - Zhongyuan, Donghai, Donghaiwei, Caiyun, Linhai, Huanghai, Shomrack, Ashrak

List of Armies & their Roles

• The Imperial Guard - Maddening Star: North Sector Army

• The Imperial Guard - Austere Star: Central Sector Army

• The Imperial Guard - Auspicious Star: South Sector Army

• The Imperial Crusaders: For External Conflicts. Normally no nobles assigned, but draws on other armies for nobles in times of war.

• The Holy Inquisition: Contains all Courtiers and Priests in the realm. Responsible for maintaining Order & Efficiency.