Royal College of Engineers

== Introduction ==
Welcome to the Royal College of Engineers! We are glad you are here.  Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the various ins and outs of the paths laid out below and begin your journey as a Greenhorn today!
Below you will find the R&D development team, a feisty group of individuals who dedicate their down time to develop new and safe improved technology that the whole army can enjoy!
Following them are our front-line combatants, the Combat Engineers. These men and women specialize in all the artillery emplacement, sabotage, and irritation removal of those pesky walls and forts that may stop our stalwart soldiers from moving forward!
Do you want to be a pilot? Do you want to run strafing runs from a Gyro-copter or roll over those unruly levies standing in our way with a fully certified steam tank?
ENGINEERING WANTS YOU!
The Royal College of Engineers is the innovative arm of the Stormwind Army and also acts as a center of manufacturing,
producing large quantities of black powder, shot, firearms and cannons, and siege machines. The College also provides extensive coursework, training, testing, and proper certification for all mechanical facets of ranged and siege
warfare. 
One of the main centers of such operations resides in the Duchy of Westridge, in the city of Bridgeport. Here, prospective riflemen, gunners,
pilots, and saboteurs may train, with access to an effectively unlimited supply of weapons and munitions.
== History ==
Tracing its roots back to the founding of the Kingdom of Stormwind under Logan Wrynn I, the Royal College of Engineers was founded by a group of stonemasons and artisanal craftsmen who pledged themselves to the new royal authority. The college was instrumental in the early days of the kingdom; for it was their technological expertise that supported the reconstruction of Stormwind City and the maintenance of the various infrastructures seized from the Empire of Arathor. To be recognized an engineer of the college was a great honor; one which rivalled knighthood in its prestige. The master engineers of the college were often direct counselors to the King and advised on matters of fortifications and infrastructure. Much to the chagrin of the kingdom's knights and lesser nobles, some royal engineers were even given titles of nobility for their instrumental service to the realm. 
Bound to the chivalric laws enacted by Stormwind's nobility, the Royal College of Engineers was initially forbidden from crafting weaponry that could potentially allow lowborn peasants to pose a threat to the aristocratic knighthood and nobility. The college's sanctioned purpose in warfare was limited to constructing stone fortifications which would easily stand against the barbarian bestial races which plagued the countryside. 
As jungle trolls, gnolls, and murlocs wasted themselves against the fortifications constructed by the Royal College of Engineers, it seemed that the college's judgement was infallible. This led to what would be considered to the college's greatest failure; in their hubris, the college refused to adopt gunpowder weaponry when it was discovered by the dwarves shortly before the first war. Believing gunpowder to be too great a threat to the feudal way of life, the nobility of Stormwind initially outlawed its use throughout the kingdom. The leaders of the Royal College of Engineers, seeking to earn favor amongst the royal courts, made no effort to challenge this ruling. This decision could not have come at a worse time.
When the orcs invaded Stormwind in year 592 of the King's calendar, the standing army of yeomen archers and footmen were almost comically overwhelmed by the orcs' superior arms, armor, and brute strength. Only the knights of the Brotherhood of the Horse were able to contend with the orcs' savagery, but even they were too few in number to make a difference against the green tide. Wielding great catapults that could topple Stormwind's fortifications, the orcs were able to counter the only tactical advantage the kingdom had. The Royal College of Engineers scrambled to devise black powder weaponry to combat the orcs. Their efforts were far too late. 
Stormwind was sacked in its entirety. The Royal College of Engineers was dispersed amongst the refugee flotilla that fled to Lordaeron, having failed its kingdom in its duty to provide arms and equipment sufficient for its defense. Resolved to continue the fight, many of the refugee engineers enlisted amongst the Alliance of Lordaeron to both provide their expertise in fortifications and to learn what they could from their allies regarding black powder weaponry. Most joined the dwarves of Ironforge while others constructed fortifications in Lordaeron to shore up the Alliance's defenses. The war was eventually won, but not before the engineers of Stormwind had earned their keep as mechanics, craftsmen, and demolitionists of the Alliance.
In the years following the reclamation of Stormwind from the Horde, the Royal College of Engineers was re-founded in the Dwarven District of Stormwind City. Freed from the chivalric law that bound it in the past, the college immediately went to work researching mechanized warfare in collaboration with the dwarves of Ironforge. Not only was Stormwind modernized with cannons and handguns, but steam tanks, icebreaker ships, and even flying machines were soon seen amongst niche units of its standing forces. Together with the dwarves and gnomes of Ironforge, the Royal College of Engineers crafted the great airships and gunships which many argue won the wars of recent history. The Royal College of Engineers has persisted, and continues to this day in its goal of modernizing Stormwind's armed forces and ensuring the continued dominance of the Grand Alliance.
The Royal College of Engineers has branched out to open several institutions throughout the Kingdom of Stormwind. In the County of Whitecliffe in Elwynn Forest, the college co-sponsored the establishment of the Bridgeport Gunnery School. In the County of Wanduke, the college has begun training pilots under the supervision of college engineers.
== Structure ==
As both an institution of technological research and an
active contributor of personnel to the Royal Army, the Royal College of
Engineers as a whole answers to the crown. Due to the incredible importance of
its technologies to the realm, the Headmaster of the Royal College of Engineers
is directly appointed by the King of Stormwind from the leading council of
Grandmaster Engineers. Together with this council, the Headmaster directs the
college and its subordinate bodies. Given the royal appointments therein, the
following rank listing will denote the different ranks and positions within our
own chapter of the Royal College of Engineers.
=== Roles Overview ===
* Chief Engineer
** Combat Engineer (Specialization modified)
*** Senior Engineer 
*** Fire Support Specialist
** Research Team Leader
*** Senior Research Scientist
*** Technician
** Commander(vehicles)
*** Crewman
*** Airman
=== Breakdown of Roles ===
==== Chief Engineer ====
The role of Chief Engineer, or Chief Engineering Officer,
acts as the head of the First’s chapter of the Royal College of Engineers.
While answerable to the Council of Grandmaster Engineers and Headmaster of the
College, the Chief Engineer does have autonomy within their respective
regimental chapters and as such, have final say over matters of military
manufacturing, troop training, and education of non-college affiliated
personnel, vehicle construction, and deployment of all artillery. Addressed by "Chief" or corresponding military rank.
==== Combat Engineer ====
The cream of the crop for the Combat Engineering branch. These soldiers of the Crown and Coronet are specialized in two chosen fields of engineering. They have completed all 35 credit hours, instructed the lower enlisted engineers, led successful combat operations in a campaign setting, shown a mastery of two skill sets and an understanding of all combat engineering fields. Our most skilled Saboteurs, Pilots, and Artilleryman should reside here at the high points of their career.
==== Research team leader ====
Once an engineer has shown themselves both a leader and an asset within the College, they may be appointed to the title of Research Team Leader by the Chief Engineer. These individuals are considered paragons of the College and serve as peer advisors to the Chief and as instructors to all lower members of the research team, having mastered at least one field of study. They are also allowed to oversee and approve experiments for those of lower rank.
RST’s are given a great deal of creative freedom but still must submit formal approval requests for any magical or deadly experiments. Mundane items are at your leisure.
==== Commander ====
The Commander of the Royal Vehicle Corp, or simply,
Commander, is responsible for the requisitioning, maintenance, modification,
retrofitting, and recovery of air and land vehicles and is equally responsible
for the training, certification, and safety of their subordinate airmen and
crewmen that serve in College vehicles. Much like the Master roles, those that
aspire to the position of Commander must give their intent in writing to the
office of the Chief Engineer, with a meeting following approval. Addressed by "Master" or corresponding military rank.
==== Gunner, Saboteur, Grenadier, Fusilier, Airman, Crewman ====
The entry level roles, Gunners, Saboteurs, Grenadiers,
Fusiliers, Airmen, and Crewmen report directly to their appropriate Combat Engineer
regarding internal College matters. On the battlefield, these roles will follow
the normal chain of command as it pertains to orders. These titles are granted
after successful qualification by either the Chief Engineer or the respective
Team Leader. Once qualified, the individual will be inducted into the College
officially and presented with their paper certification. Addressed by the qualified title, such as Gunner or Grenadier or corresponding military rank.  
==== Greenhorns, Technicians, and fire support specialists ====
Those who show interest in or an aptitude to engineering may be taken into the College at the title of Greenhorn. This is a formal entry point into the baseline rank. You may attend courses and begin showing interest in the diverging paths within the College: R&D and Combat Engineering.
 Upon the completion of Introduction to the Royal College and the approval of the current Chief of the Brigade Wing a Greenhorn may ascend to the initiate rank of the divergent career paths within the College: Apprentice Technician & FIRE SUPPORT SPECIALIST
== Roles ==
The various Combat Roles that members of the Royal College of Engineers may take on and their associated requirements shall be listed below.
==== Fusilier, Grenadier, Airman, Crewman ====
The standard equipment set for the rank and file black powder soldier, this equipment set is extended to Grenadiers, Airmen, and Crewman in an effort to offer versatility and adequate protection and firepower when operating outside of their primary role.
Equipment:
Half Plate Armor
Rifle
Shortsword
Requirements:
• Promotion to Private.
• Pass the appropriate role's written exam and practical qualifier. Attend the 
☀Introduction to the Royal College of Engineers and necessary class qualifiers.
==== Saboteur and Gunner ====
The standard equipment set for saboteurs and gunners, this kit is used primarily if the gunner/saboteur finds themselves lacking explosives or a gun battery respectively, allowing them to join the fight alongside the other black powder soldiers and swordsmen alike.
Equipment: Scale Armor 
Engineer Hat
Swivel Gun
Shortsword
Requirements:
• Promotion to Private First Class.
• Pass Introduction to the Royal College of Engineers
• Pass the appropriate role's written exam and practical qualifier.
==== Dragoon ====
An outlier within the College, the role of Dragoon is not a standard role but may still be requested by any role within the college, provided the appropriate qualifications have been achieved.
Equipment:
Half Plate Armor
Rifle
Cavalry Sword
Requirements:
• Promotion to Corporal.
• Pass the appropriate role's written exam and practical qualifier.
• Pass Horsemanship Training.
*This class is not currently deployed and is subject to removal.
== How to Join ==
Any soldier of the Royal Army may begin their career in the college by simply making their intent known to the Chief Engineer. While a written request or letter of intent is not required, it is exceedingly helpful and allows the Chief Engineer ample time to prepare the coursework and exams necessary to qualifier the applicant in their requested field. 
The role of Engineer is granted to an individual who successfully certifies into at least one particular role within the College. In order to maintain certification, the Chief Engineer or Master of a respective role may, at any time, request a demonstration of skill from said engineer. The following includes, but is not limited to, the knowledge that may be tested:
* The soldiers chosen career path. I.e, Fusilier, Grenadier, Gunner, etc...
* Fortification construction and maintenance.
* Role responsibility.
* Knowledge of the Stormwind Motor Pool.
* Logistics.
In order to take any of these specialist exams, an applicant must have the approval of the Chief Engineer or a Team Leader certified in the associated specialization. The applicant is highly encouraged to submit their request in writing, though a formal, in person meeting at the applicants request is also permissible if deployment and primary duties prevent one from writing.
== Additional Readings ==
* First Firearms Documentary
* The History of Artillery
* World War I: The Introduction of the Tank
Category:Royal College of Engineers
Category:Organizations