Taelor's Bulwark

Taelor's Bulwark (more commonly referred to just as "the Bulwark) is by-far one of the most advanced military powers in Ordia. From organization to their cunning officers, the Bulwark has been a beacon of pride and safety for the country of Gentrov for over 400 years. Founded as a response to the Harushkan Wars, God-King Taelor Gentrovich created the first post-storm military known as Taelor’s Bulwark in the year 103 PGS. Taelor’s Bulwark was made up of 11,000 soldiers and knights and 3,400 clerics and magi. The wars began to wane in the later years, as the prolonged conflict had spread the armies and peoples of Gentrov quite thin. Famine, disease, and war had torn the country apart over the next 200 years. Throughout the wars, hundreds of thousands had perished, leaving the few left wary of magic and its destructive power showcased by the Hobgoblin Pyromancers that scorched fields, leaving so much in shambles. Despite this, the tabards worn by soldiers of the Bulwark brought hope to the desperate citizens by not only defending their townships and homes but also assisting in the reconstruction of fallen villages.
By the year 377, the end of the use of magic in the kingdom had come. Taelor's Bulwark had lost almost the entirety of their naval fleet due to a turn-coat sorcerer by the name of Dread-Pirate Odrim. The King, Gentrovich the VIII, ordered for him to be found and killed, but to no avail. A strange new organization intervened and identified themselves as the Church of Progress, and demonstrated their capabilities by bringing the king Odrim's head in exchange for the silencing of magi in Gentrov so that this tragedy could never befall the nation again. The Bulwark was ordered to execute their magi, clerics, and sorcerers, but declined. Many magic-users fled Gentrov with the secret help of the Bulwark, but the Church was sworn in as new defenders alongside the Bulwark, giving them full reign to execute as many magic-users as they could find during a 10-year long event known as the Arcane Genocide lead by Archbishop Octavia Schugraf. This was merely the beginning of the feud that still rages on today between the Bulwark and the Church.

In the year 390, the Bulwark launched a small civil war lead by Infantry High Commander Desmondir Krommil to rid the Church of Progress from Dhaversland. Gentrovich the IX was convinced by his council to request that the Church quell this rebellion. This lead to many a discouraged soldier as Desmondir himself was appointed by young Gentrovich only for him to cast him into exile as well. Many a folk-tale still exists about a rebellion coming to cleanse Gentrov of the Church, but doubt of this actually happening has grown proportionally over the years.

By the year 459, by the citizen's demand, King Gentrovich the XI slowly began granting power back to the once-great backbone of this country, but not without great opposition from the Church.

At the Quin-centennial of the Storm, the Queen Estravir, first of her name, announced the disestablishment of the Bulwark. She sought to bring in a new and elite force of guardsmen known as the Crownsmen; great warriors and devout loyalists to the crown. Taelor's Bulwark, of course, resisted with great force, but to no avail. The new weapons of war developed for the Crownsmen far surpassed the capabilities of the Bulwark, leading to slaughter after slaughter. That didn't stop the Bulwark from invoking the words of the God-King against the Queen, "If an heir that dons my crown would e'er be unfit to rule, my Bulwark shall take their place until another is decided."

It wasn't until 531 when Berengar Gentrovich, the heir that was assumed long-dead, beheaded his mother in front of the rebellion of Bulwark veterans that he lead upon Godkeep. His first decree was to cleanse the filth of his mother's reign from his kingdom by re-establishing Taelor's Bulwark as the standing defense in the country. With his guidance, the Bulwark didn't take long to restore itself to its former glory, but there was still the concern of the Church. In a surprising decision, the Archbishop Turstov Lundervoch condemned those who served loyally under the Queen to death. The Church of Progress was stripped of much of its power, but to many people's dismay, still holds influence in Gentrov.

After the Queen of Florestal's declaration of war, the Bulwark was mobilized to confront the conflict. As of 531, they are still at war with Florestal. Despite the lull in power, the Bulwark still has had much success on the war-front. The call to arms in the year 532 called for any capable man or woman above the age of 16 to join the front. Many saw it as an honor to join the infantry, so there was no punishment for not heeding the call.

Composition

Manpower

The Bulwark is 25,000 strong with a minimum of 15,000 at any time.

Equipment

Martial weapons, siege engines, cannons, naval vessels, etc.

Weaponry

Weaponry varies from pole-arms, to firearms, to blades and axes.

Vehicles

Officers ride mounted on horses. Siege weapons are often transported by cart and assembled at the front.

Structure

The current King or Queen is the supreme commander of Taelor's Bulwark. Beneath the Crown is the High Commander of the Navy and the Infantry High Commander. Beneath them are 4 commanders. 2 for the Navy and the infantry appropriately. From there, the navy is organized by fleets. The infantry, however, goes much deeper. It is divided by officers known as Brigadiers that control certain parts of the army. The Colonels control smaller and more acute sects. Battalion leaders lead 3-5 squads each controlled by a captain. Below the captain are the infantrymen. Beyond the military, the Bulwark's infantry also functions as country-wide guardsmen whilst not at war with an opposing country. During times of war, less capable Bulwark infantryman guard posts.

Tactics

Generally, the Bulwark is known for trench and touch-and-go fighting in this modern era of war, but they were once renowned for their ability to storm the battlefield and intimidate opponents by having their armor painted with faces of evil creatures and by letting out ear-ringing war-cries. Some soldiers still take up the age-old tradition of painting their armor.

Training

Soldiers of the Bulwark undergo 1-5 months of training depending upon the desired position. Most soldiers (like them that are drafted) are trained for 2-3 months.

Type

Infantry

Overall training Level

Professional