The Imperial Host
Before the days of Gerra, there existed no unified force in the sands of Amol-Kalit. For generations, bloodlines, tribes, and city states warred against one another, until finally the threat of unification came. In the very defiance of it, many of the old hatreds vanished to maintain their status quo - but this only served to strengthen that which came.
In righteousness, or as it is written, the god-emperor Gerra made war with and crushed his adversaries, claiming the cities of the sands and unifying them under his banner. And so the Empire was born, and from the ashes of its enemies rose the army of the Imperial Host.
Hierarchy and Classification
The Imperial Host is split up into three primary, assigned divisions: The Army, The Guard, The Institute and a fourth, unassigned and un-named division. Though these divisions all operate independently, their hierarchies do converge at the higher levels, most notably among the Red Viziers.
Classification
The Red Viziers
The Red Viziers are individuals selected to sit alongside the Grand Vizier on the Divan and represent the interests of their particular division. There are two assigned to The Army, one to The Guard, and another to The Institute. While there are a number of things differentiating the Red(also "Lesser") Viziers from the Grand Viziers such as authority, the most notable and important difference is in the manner in which their positions are achieved. A Red Vizier may attain such a role through one's own merit alone and steady ascension, whereas a Grand Vizier could more aptly be addressed as Holy Vizier, as they are appointed by the Emperor's will alone and are therefore considered sanctified.
The Army is the largest and most heavily funded branch of the Imperial Host. In the earliest days of the Empire the Army was the whole of the Host. It was initially comprised of the combined forces that had united under Gerra's banner of holy conquest, and then subsequently the assimilated militaries of the conquered city states after the battle of Ninagal. This led to a confusing and tense re-organization. Gerra's initial force comprising primarily of the united Abtati loyalists and the city states being of Kalitian lineage. The history alone between these two species made the Host's reorganization an arduous undertaking in itself, with Kalitians being forced to answer to Abtati, who in times passed they'd had not thought twice about enslaving or murdering.
As we come to the current day, the Imperial Army is efficient, effective and diverse in not only culture but also utility. Though the enmity of old still exists, even blatantly at times, the Abtati leadership of the military, having forgone any inclination toward a vindictive command structure, ensured room for Kalitian advancement and maintained a status quo of treatment across the board. Over time this fairness did not go without notice, and within the ranks of the Army much of this old enmity has been put to rest and even replaced with comradery.
Though many lines have begun to overlap with a now standing army, but each of the races and city states typically bring their own unique contributions toward military support. Infantry, light calvary and cataphract divisions are evenly distributed. The Abtati primarily specialize as assassins, calvary-archers or sorcerers. The Kalitian city of Annuakat send lightweight and agile chariots to war. The mages in Thakath specialize in blood-magic, and use their powers to augment the ferocity of imperial soldiers. Not only this, but their subjugation of monstrous wild beasts have yielded them formidable chariots of their own in the forms a great, armoured rhinos.
Within The Army there are two main groups: the standing army, and the reserve force. The standing army is made up of full time soldiers who spent much of their time on assignment. The reserve force is made up of soldiers who take extended leaves to live as a civilian, and though they are still on military payroll they take a significant pay-cut during times on reserve. They are also still required to attend training exercises several times a month while on leave.
The Army's training program is rigorous and rounded. Ranging from obstacle navigation to hand-to-hand combat, standing warriors of the Imperial Army train daily in order to maintain their prowess.
The Army
As we come to the current day, the Imperial Army is efficient, effective and diverse in not only culture but also utility. Though the enmity of old still exists, even blatantly at times, the Abtati leadership of the military, having forgone any inclination toward a vindictive command structure, ensured room for Kalitian advancement and maintained a status quo of treatment across the board. Over time this fairness did not go without notice, and within the ranks of the Army much of this old enmity has been put to rest and even replaced with comradery.
Though many lines have begun to overlap with a now standing army, but each of the races and city states typically bring their own unique contributions toward military support. Infantry, light calvary and cataphract divisions are evenly distributed. The Abtati primarily specialize as assassins, calvary-archers or sorcerers. The Kalitian city of Annuakat send lightweight and agile chariots to war. The mages in Thakath specialize in blood-magic, and use their powers to augment the ferocity of imperial soldiers. Not only this, but their subjugation of monstrous wild beasts have yielded them formidable chariots of their own in the forms a great, armoured rhinos.
Within The Army there are two main groups: the standing army, and the reserve force. The standing army is made up of full time soldiers who spent much of their time on assignment. The reserve force is made up of soldiers who take extended leaves to live as a civilian, and though they are still on military payroll they take a significant pay-cut during times on reserve. They are also still required to attend training exercises several times a month while on leave.
The Army's training program is rigorous and rounded. Ranging from obstacle navigation to hand-to-hand combat, standing warriors of the Imperial Army train daily in order to maintain their prowess.
The Guard
The Guard was a division that came about after the structure of the Army itself had been firmly established and, due to the fiscal benefits, enlistment became more and more popular. Because of this it had become more difficult to document and justify Army costs, and relations between the military and treasury had become strained. As such, a new division was deemed the next logical step to address not only fiscal but logistical issues as well.
The Guard itself is split up into several detachments. While cities such as Mamsis, Tyria and Kherkana maintain their own local guard, Ragash, Annuakat and Salitra's standing forces have all but been assimilated into the Imperial Guard. They are responsible for the protection of a city's emir, and they are also assigned to the manning of city gates and patrolling of the walls, the protection of Imperial palaces as well as their occupants and other Imperial structures of importance such as dockyards or storage facilities. Though it is typical for nobility to have their own private protection, The Guard has also been deployed as noble escort in the past as well.
Their numbers are significantly fewer than those of The Army, and because of this The Guard is more properly funded and usually better equipped. Though a Guard is not granted to option of being a reservist, they are not only better funded as a division but they are also better paid individually. They are however subjected to a training regime that is no less intensive than that of The Army.
The Guard itself is split up into several detachments. While cities such as Mamsis, Tyria and Kherkana maintain their own local guard, Ragash, Annuakat and Salitra's standing forces have all but been assimilated into the Imperial Guard. They are responsible for the protection of a city's emir, and they are also assigned to the manning of city gates and patrolling of the walls, the protection of Imperial palaces as well as their occupants and other Imperial structures of importance such as dockyards or storage facilities. Though it is typical for nobility to have their own private protection, The Guard has also been deployed as noble escort in the past as well.
Their numbers are significantly fewer than those of The Army, and because of this The Guard is more properly funded and usually better equipped. Though a Guard is not granted to option of being a reservist, they are not only better funded as a division but they are also better paid individually. They are however subjected to a training regime that is no less intensive than that of The Army.
The Institute
The Institute was another division that came about alongside the creation of The Guard and operate almost as a sub-division of them as they work so closely with one another. They are however on a separate payroll and pay-grade. The Institute is likely the most diverse division as far as career options and pay-scale go, given that their responsibilities range from not only the enforcement of Imperial law, but the prosecution and imprisonment of criminals.
In The Institute, the most commonplace profession is an Enforcer, someone resembling an augmented infantryman patrolling city streets arresting criminals such as thieves or petty miscreants. Then there are riot protocols, gang protocols and heist protocols where these same Enforcers take on other, heavier roles. This ranges all the way to assassination prevention, employing some of the Empire's own most deadly assassins. Institute combatants, for the most part, resemble their Army counterparts though they display a far more personalized flare.
The Institute also employs various administrative positions surrounding the Empire's legal structure. Their Emperor's approach is one of far more fairness than most are used to, and the growing complexity of his policies and laws reflect this.
In The Institute, the most commonplace profession is an Enforcer, someone resembling an augmented infantryman patrolling city streets arresting criminals such as thieves or petty miscreants. Then there are riot protocols, gang protocols and heist protocols where these same Enforcers take on other, heavier roles. This ranges all the way to assassination prevention, employing some of the Empire's own most deadly assassins. Institute combatants, for the most part, resemble their Army counterparts though they display a far more personalized flare.
The Institute also employs various administrative positions surrounding the Empire's legal structure. Their Emperor's approach is one of far more fairness than most are used to, and the growing complexity of his policies and laws reflect this.
The Fourth Division
The Fourth Division has arguably always been. Designated "unassigned," units are associated with this division as blanket term only. None of them share pay-roll. Some of them hardly qualify as an Imperial unit. Most are specialized units with negotiated pay-roll and elevated levels of autonomy. The Immortals and the Sipahi are examples of these.
Hierarchy of The Army
Rank: | Roles and Responsibilities: |
|---|---|
| The Grand Vizier of the Red Sun | The Grand Vizier is the highest authority in the military. He is the primary seat on the Divan representing the military, and answers to only the Emperor themselves. |
| The Grand Custodians [Red Viziers] | The Custodians are a pair of individuals who act as the Red Sun's right and left hands. They attend to the four armies and execute the authority of the Sun autonomously at times, as they are given leave to in times of his absence. They sit with the Grand Vizier on the Divan. |
| Önder(General) | The Önders are the heads of each of the four armies - the North, South, East and West. While not leading troops in battle during times of war, they are often beleaguered with the more administrative ends of leadership. |
| Albay(Colonol) | The four armies are made up of several divisions with a number of brigades under them. While the Kaptan does lead his own brigade in person, their First Teğmen(lieutenants) lead the others and answer direction to them. |
| Albay Teğmen(Lieutenant Colonol) | The Albay Teğmen serve operationally alongside the Albay as the head of their brigades and answer to the Albay directly. |
| Kaptan(Captain) | Kaptans are direct field commanders with authority to change a company's course of action. They typically command a force of roughly 100-200 swords. |
| Teğmen | Companies typically split themselves into three or more units where which the Kaptan assigns a Teğmen to command one such group. |
| Standing Soldiers | Standing soldiers are career military. While not on patrol assignment along Imperial borders or main trade routes, they are stationed at one of any number of military encampments in the desert or structures city-side. |
| Reservists | Reservists are soldiers who come and go as the need arises either for themselves or for the Empire. While on station they preform as any standing soldier does, but after only a short administration delay they can be temporarily discharged. While they remain on military payroll they take a significant pay loss, prompting many to infrequently return due to monetary woes, though reservists even on full time do not make the same as standing soldiers. In return for the freedom allotted, should emergency or war ever occur, all reservists are required to report for active duty. Standing soldiers can choose to switch to this status as well. |
Hierarchy of The Guard
| The Grand Vizier of the Red Sun | All primary divisions of the Imperial Host ultimately answer to the Grand Vizier. |
| The Grand Sentinel [Red Vizier] | The Grand Sentinel is the head of the Imperial Guard, and he sits with the Red Sun on the Divan in representation of The Guard. They live a life far more political and administrative than their sub-ordinates. |
| Sentinel Teğmen | The Sentinel Teğmen act as the singular leadership or captain for each of the guard divisions in the cities under their jurisdiction and is usually stationed at the palace. |
| Sentinel | The Sentinels are the boots on the ground guard force for each of the attributed cities, their palaces, and any pertinent infrastructure. |
Hierarchy of The Institution
Rules
Intent
The intent of the Imperial Host is to:
a) safeguard the lands and populace of the Empire, and,
b) facilitate the expansion of the Empire.
To this end, in peacetime, the army is significantly reduced and many of the active members are garrisoned within the various cities to police these cities and the surrounding areas. There are also regular patrols of the Empire's borders and inner territory. Even in peacetime, the likelihood of conflict is still great as there are various peoples and tribes who do not subscribe to the Empire's influence, and often cause unrest among the outlying tribes and villages who do.
A warriorhood mentality his heavily encouraged amongst those who participate in the army's efforts, and often this mentality remains even with those who return to their homes, inspiring them to practice and hone their martial prowess for when the next need arises.
And though there is still a significant standing military at all times, in wartime, these garrisons are drawn from and great numbers re-conscripted, and a great army is assembled.
a) safeguard the lands and populace of the Empire, and,
b) facilitate the expansion of the Empire.
To this end, in peacetime, the army is significantly reduced and many of the active members are garrisoned within the various cities to police these cities and the surrounding areas. There are also regular patrols of the Empire's borders and inner territory. Even in peacetime, the likelihood of conflict is still great as there are various peoples and tribes who do not subscribe to the Empire's influence, and often cause unrest among the outlying tribes and villages who do.
A warriorhood mentality his heavily encouraged amongst those who participate in the army's efforts, and often this mentality remains even with those who return to their homes, inspiring them to practice and hone their martial prowess for when the next need arises.
And though there is still a significant standing military at all times, in wartime, these garrisons are drawn from and great numbers re-conscripted, and a great army is assembled.