Empire

The Empire is the largest "Kingdom" in the known world of the Kingdoms of Mankind.

Military

Military Ranks

Recruit

The normal man at arms drafted from normal people within the Empire. They are in base training and thus usually not deployed in the field.

They spend their time training are are just deployed if no other troops are available.

They usually have a CR 1/8 and use the spear.

They answer to their Sergeant or higher authorities if no sergeant is available.

Guardsmen/Reserve

A Guardsmen, also known as "A guard of the Empire" is a trained commoner that finished the base training and thus has an official title that binds them to the army (Reserve). Nonactive guardsman are called "Reserve" or "Reservist". Active Guardsmen are usually used as townguards, ready to be called by any imperial army to fill their ranks. They get better equipment since they know how to use it.

They are the bulk of any imperial army.

A Guardsmen is usually CR 1/4, has armor, knows to use spear and shield at the same time and all can use the famous imperial light crossbow, even though not all of them carry one.

They answer to their Sergeant or higher authorities if no sergeant is available.

Soldier

These are proper, professional fighters, some of them with special training in different fields.

Soldiers are the skilled backbone of any imperial army and are the second most common individuals a imperial army is comprised of.

Normal soldiers are CR1/2, but they can be much higher than that, especially the specialists.

They answer to their Sergeant or higher authorities if no sergeant is available.

Regiments

Regiments are soldiers with a slightly higher rank and a specialized purpose and training like Cavalry, Pikeman und Pionier. They don't have autority over lower ranked troops and answer to their sergeant or higher authority.

Cavalryman

The Empire has a decent cavalry also known as the imperial outriders. They are decently armored and function as a melee shock cavaly, putting the massive front line of an empire army to good use.

Bolter

The Bolter, also known as "Bolzen", are, together with the imperial artillery, the most dangerous part of the empire army, some people would say. They are the "Rangers" of the army and use heavy Crossbows they can fire in rapid succession. They might not have the range of longbows but that's what the artillery has to deal with. Therefore they are devastating since the equipment and training allows them to shoot devastating rounds at any enemy.

Scout

A group of lightly armored and stealthy units with the purpose of keeping any army of the empire informed about anything important before a fight. They are lightly armored and use light crossbows. Their survival skill and perception is what makes them important.

Pikeman

Food soldiers with the expertise to bring down large foes ant to stop charges. They are deploeyd to stop enemy cavallry and mosters in close combat. They are medium armored, use a pike and are medium armored.

Artillerist

These individuals are experts when it comes to siege engines and creating those. Some Dwarfs might have "Stringer" siege weapons, but compared to the empire, they can not keep up with the speed and efficiancy these troups provide. Together with the "Bolters", the Artillerist's are feared as the most destructive force of the empire. Aside from the mighty Tribuchet with it's insane range and siege capability's, the empire is known for their strong Ballista, the best in the word. The secret lies not in the weapon, but in the team that perfected it's reloading time and this it's fire rate. In addition to that, the empire created weapons that easily can be rebuild or constructed. A fully prepared team of artellerists can build a Ballista from scratch within a week, a Tribuchet can be build within 2 weeks - if the resources are available.

Pionier

These are the bulders of the imperial forces. They are responsible for building up and fortifying camps, bring down structures with close up measures if the artillery is not suited to do so and are tasked with the repair of any strukture usefull to the effort of the force. They are looked down upon since they are usually not used in direct confrontations.

Staff

They are the pullar the whole effort of the force rests upon. They are responsible for recaurce management, logistic, cooking, repaiting equipment like weapons, armor and clothing. They also are responsible for finding and drafting new recruits. Thats why most corporals are found in this regiment, while other regiments usually tend to have Sergeants.

Medics

The medicine squad, responible for the health of the troups, physical, mental and religious. Aside from field doctors this regiment is often comprised on of some priests with healing capabilitys. They are held in very high regard and are thus protected by other troops with a high priority.

Special Forces

Special forces are usually very small groups with talents that are outside the scope of other regiments. They are often used for special tasks and can be comprised of individuals from other regiments. Often these groups are comprised of highly skilled experts of different fields. While every regiment has a clear scope of duties, the special forces taken on very difficult or unconventional tasks. Some of these missions happen before the battle even begins like "eliminate the enemy's leader before the battle begins" or "infiltrate the enemy base and return with a map of the enemy fortifications". In Battle they can have tasks like taking out a specific threat instead of focusing on the usual battle strategy.

Another good example is a group of magic users that don't fit into any of the regiments.

They are the highest rank without authority over other troups.

They answer only to the one who has given them their mission or a higher authority. For example, if they were given a task Lieutenant they don't have to answer to Sergeants, corporals or other Lieutenants. Only those who have been stated as superior like "You follow this Sergeants" or higher authority like a Major can order you or gain information from you about your task if the original mission included discretion. That's why these troupes are sometimes used for secret mission.

The special forces group is very often a temporary endeavor. The moment a mission is complete the individuals are often redistributed to their former status.

Segeant/Corporal

These are the only non-comissioned officer positions in the imperial army (Unteroffiziere). They are equal in position but have different duties and rights.

Sergeant

5-40 people under his command. The Sergeant ist the first rank with authority over others and i also called "Group-Leader". They are responsible for leading Groups of soldiers, regiments and Special forces. If a Group is without leader they have the right to take control over those without a leading individual. They function as leaders.

They are very capable fighters, quick thinking and able to lead and motivate a group. Skillfull fighters in their prime are usually appointed to this position.

They are leading from the front and their most important skill is to use their troops strengths to achieve goals given by higher authorities.

A sergeant has the right to recommend individual to a Major of higher authority for the honorable title of "Veteran".

Corporal

5-40 people under his command. The corporal is equal in it's rank to the segeant but with different tasks. They are responsible for finding suitable soldiers for specific roles. They can start with drawing new recruits, elevate soldiers to a regiment (If they a a corporal of the regiment) or finding the right individuals for Specials forces. They are also tasked with the training of those who they decided on if necessary. They have the right to recommend individuals to other corporals if they deem an individual worthy of entering a regiment that is not the one a Corporal serves under. They often function as advisors, even to very high ranking individuals.

They are educated and wise, sometimes less suited for direct battle but witty and insightful with a good understanding of Strategies. Often elderly individuals with much experience or people with foresight are appointed this position.

They lead from the back of an army, ensuring fresh recruits and enabling those suited for higher positions to rise through the ranks. They are allowed to raze individuals from one rank to a higher one if it lies in their field of experties. (For example: A Corporal of the Pikeman could raze any recruit soldier and some time later to pikeman and if necessary to Special Force and back. They Can not appoint a new Bolter for just a corporal of the Bolter could appoint a soldier to rise to the rank of a Bolter).

A corporal has the right to recommend individuals for the position of Lieutenant. (Even though it is very unlikely that a commoner ever get's the position of the Lieutenant or higher. Usually just nobles fill these officer positions).

Lieutenant

50-100. Black Clothing, Red Cape.

The first officer rank. They are tasked with serving their supperior Major and have the right to appont Lieutenants and Corporals. Usually they are tasked with leading a specific kind of group like leading all Corporals and Lieutenants of the cavalry or soldiers but they are also allowed to have different kinds of troupes beneath them if a small strike force is deployed.

They lead from the front if necessary when it comes to larger battles. They are like a mix of a sergeant and a Corporal, with all the duties and rights as the former.

They need to be good fighters, since they are the first officer rank and thus need to be able to defend the honor of the empire itself.

Lieutenants are most often picked from noble families. Just strong and skillfull people with an understanding of combat, strategie and tactics, as well as the necessary leading abilitys have a chance to make it to Lieutenant.

Major

200-500 (Batallion (300-600). Black Clothing, White Cape

The Secon Officer Rank tasked with controlling smaller outposts.

They are not likeley to be needed at the front but they need to be on the battlefield to whitness what is goind on. Usually they are behind the frontline but they are still deployed so they also need to be able to fight if necessary. They are tasked to achieve larger, strategic goals given to them by their Curunel.

Curunel

500-1000. Black Clothing, Black Cape

The third officer rank and the highest officer before the Generals and Admirals. They are trusted with managing whole battlestations or citys. They usually control an area and are expected to hold it or further it's influence.

If no higher authority is present, they can set goals for those beneath them without checking with their superiors.

They are leading from the back, meaning they are usually not deployed and if so, they are far away from the battle itself. They are the strategic masterminds of an opperations.

Since they are usually not in the field their strategic understanding and skills in organisation and managing a base or furthering the war effort. In that way they can be compared to a high form of a Corporal.

Brigadier General/Admiral

2000-5000. Black Clothing, red Mantle.

Generals are for Troops on land, Admirals are leading forces on ships or islands. The Brigadier General/Admiral is a high position, that has the allowance to lead and Army (2000+ Individuals). They are tasked to lead from the front if necessary and are known to be very strong individuals. They are feared by the enemys of the Empire for it is known, that some of the Brigadier Generals/Admirals are dangerous individuals, something unusual for an army that relies heavily on numbers, Stategie and tactics.

The Brigadier Generals/Admirals are the first officer rank that is allowed to overstep or temporary change the laws of the empire if necessary to benefit their military efforts. This includes eliminating individuals without trial, sizing food without paying, drawing individuals to serve the army even though by the imperial standards they are not suited, and many more. They have to be aware though, that their own superiors will judge their actions afterwards. A Brigadier general thus might find himself interrogated and even punished by a Vice General/Admiral or higher authority.

Vice General/Admiral

6.000 - 15.000. White Cloting, White Mantle

The vice general usually is the highest ranking officer that troops of the empire will ever see. They are the last officer that is deployed to inspect the doing of his lower ranking officers and troops. They mostly have the duty of inspecting their subjects and giving strategic guidance. The only time they become part of an active force is when they need to command a larger force themselves and even then they stay in the back of the force, kind of like the Major.

General/Admiral

50.000. White Clothing, Black Mantle.

They are the strategic geniuses of the empire, scheming and planning the war effort of whole country's. They usually lead from a well guarded and save place. Their wearabout's is just known by Vice Generals/Admirals and other Generals/Admirals. They speak in the name of the Emperor and if no Imperial Marshall is appointed they only answer to the Emperor himself.

They determin the future of large areas, it's people and even it's nobles. They have the authority to even demote Nobles and high polititions like Dukes and Barons.

Since they are usually not even close to a battlefield, generals can be old and fragile since their mind is what matters most. That does not mean though, that this is always the case.

The Officers of any rank, aside from the Vice generals, usually just know the name of the General/Admiral they are serving, not more. The name itself though strikes fear and respect into the hearts of those who hear them since everyone who understand the importance knows what a General/Admiral could be capable of doing.

Imperial Marshall

All troops.

Military Titles

Titles in the imperial military are given to individuals on different levels on the hirarchy. They are added to the rank of an individual. An individual can hold multiple titles.

These Titles are usually decpritive or add additional resposibilities or rights to an individual. Some titles for examples simply describe the job of certain individuals while others are used to place an individual between the existing ranks.

Veteran

An title given to individual soldier, regiment soldiers, Special forces or non-commissioned officers (Lieutenant or Corporal).

To gain this title it needs high levels of skill, experience and loyalty. Veterans usually are the most dangerous of their kind, serving as shining examples of what an empire men can become.

They have the right to be heard by the commanding Major and even Curunel without the need to inform other, immediate superiors like a Sergeant or Lieutenants.

They still have to follow the orders of their superior officers, even though it is known that Veterans at times stood up to their Sergeants, Corporals and even Lieutenants and Majors. In the aftermath they always have to answer to higher authority for their disobedience and often this led to punishment but in some rare cases they were deemed to have acted correctly in defying certain orders.

They are the safety net of the troops in the face of poor leadership, even though with a high risk for themselves. Most often they are acting advisers to their superiors so that it does not even come to a situation like that.

Non-Commissioned Officer (Unteroffizier)

A Title that groups Sergeants and Coronels into one group.

Officer

A Title that groups every rank from Lieutenant up to the Imperial Marshall into one group. In the Empire Officers usually have noble heritage and it is very difficult otherwise to become one.

Second

The Title "Second" is activeley used while addressing someone with that title. The title always goes together with the officer rank (For example: Secon Lieutenant, Second Coronel or Second Vice General/Admiral).

It is used for the "lower" version of the added rank, usually used for officers in training. A Second Major for example is in training to become a Major. If the Major is not present, the second Major has the same authority like the Major he serves.

Commander

Commander describes a commanding officer (Lieutenant upwards). If the term "Commaning Officer" ist used usually means the person spoken to is the highest available officer.

Captain

In the imperial army, the captain is a title and job given to an officer (Lieutenant or higher). The task of a captain is to command a ship and those on it.

For small sized Ships usually Corporals are used as captains, for large to huge warships it needs a Major since the empire counts a small sailing Ship as 50 men and a proper Warship as being worth between 100 and 500 men.

The empire has between 5 and 20 huge Warships worldwide at any given time. The most famous example is the first one ever built, the Doomsday.

Honorable

This title is given to those non-commissioned officers and officers without active authority. Usually old individuals who have served the empire successfully or those who have been removed from certain duties after horable service hold this title.

It is added before the title itself (For example: Honorable Major or Honorable Vice Admiral).

Reasons could be that an individual was hurt badly or simply got to old to continue serving in the way the rank requires them too. In other situations certain positions are simply not needed anymore, for example when a force is dispersed after they reached their goal or lost too many man, so the remaining force is used in other armys.

It is the closest thing to a demotion, but without the negative consequences when it comes to the pride and respect, since this title shows that the individual has served successfully but is simply not needed anymore for the one or the other reason.

They still hold the respect and privileges but have no active authority over anyone if not given one. Thus they usually function as advisors and are very well respected for that since they grant experienced insight without holding the burden of leadership anymore.

Brigarde: Zusammenstellung aus verschiedensten Truppen (2000-5000)

Pioniers:

Batallion, Brigarde (Größer als Battallion)

Sugeont Gruppe/Zug, Leutnant Zug/Comapny, Major Kompany/Battallion, Curunell /Batallion, Brigade/ Brigarde Admiral, Division (Fize General), General/Kor (Große Truppe), Oberscheff/Armee