Order Of Vallentus

=Origins Of The Group=
First founded in 2021 by Smauffle and initially developed with the help of Gallytrot, the Order of Vallentus Roleplaying group was based on an alternate history Europe a few years after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. The focus of the group was a former mercenary company called the Order of Vallentus, who due to their many victories fighting for the Coalition forces during the Napoleonic Wars under their new commander Charlotte Von Alfherzen I were awarded their own territories for the first time - leading to the coronation of Queen Charlotte Von Alfherzen I and the foundation of the new Kingdom of Vallentus.
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= Lore Of The Order =
The origins of the Order of Vallentus starts with its foundation as an Anglo-Prussian mercenary company formed at the onset of the Seven Years War, fighting mostly on the sides of Great Britain and Prussia throughout most European conflicts of the late 18th century. The foundation of the Order as we know it, however, begins with them taking heavy losses and losing their commanding officer at the Battle of Austerlitz against Napoléon Bonaparte in the onset of the Napoleonic War. The loss devastated the Order, and it would have likely fallen apart were it not for the intervention of a Prussian noblewoman and distant relative of King George II of Great Britain - Charlotte Von Alfherzen I. With the funding and leadership of their new leader, the Order reformed and reorganised itself as a small, elite company and performed exceptionally throughout the rest of the Napoleonic Wars, including in the final Battle of Waterloo - and as a reward for their service to the Coalition Forces, Charlotte Von Alfherzen I was awarded their own, small territory in the Normandy region of Northern France to act as a deterrent against any further French aggression: being crowned as the first Queen of the new Kingdom of Vallentus. In turn, many of its most esteemed and loyal officers were granted lands and titles within this new nation and formed the core of the new Royal Guard, swearing eternal loyalty and service to their commander-in-chief and now Queen. The year is now 1820, five years since the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna, which elevated the Order from mere Mercenary Company to Kingdom in its own right. Though a small and recently formed nation, the Kingdom of Vallentus stands firm - proud of its fine military traditions and independence, ready to face anyone who would attempt to denounce or destroy them. ''For the Order, for Queen Charlotte Von Alfherzen and for the Kingdom of Vallentus, Avantte Vitoria!''
= The Royal Palace of Vallentus =
Built up from the Palais ducal de Normandie, the palace of the former Dukes of Normandy prior to the foundation of the Kingdom of Vallentus, the Royal Palace of Vallentus is the home of Queen Charlotte von Alfherzen I and the headquarters of the Royal Guards Division. As such, it is also the site of the Royal Court and principal location for formal diplomatic events within the Kingdom. A grand and magnificent building, the Royal Palace serves as a reminder to all who would doubt the legitimacy of the House of Alfherzen’s right to rule that while a new nation, without the great history and power of the other European kingdoms, the Kingdom of Vallentus is not merely some puppet state governed by mercenaries (As some detractors have claimed), but a true and legitimate Monarchy. Should the splendour of the Royal Palace and other key locations within the Kingdom not be enough to convince foreign powers and domestic critics of the legitimacy of the Queen and the nation, the Order of Vallentus stands ready to ensure that such criticisms remain in word only; and to fight to the last man against any would-be invasions, rebellions or coups directed against their Queen and new homeland.
= Order of Vallentus Headquarters =
Located in the capital, the Order of Vallentus Headquarters is the main base of both the High Command and General Staff of the Order. It is from here that the officers that command each division of the Order – plus those in charge of logistics, documentation, training and other key functions of the order – perform their duties. It is also from here that all major decisions for the Order are made, from large-scale training exercises or recruitment drives to – in times of war and unrest – where battle lines are drawn, cross-division brigades formed and men sent to fight and die. In addition to the main Headquarters, each division also maintains its own division headquarters, barracks, armoury and stables to house its various officers, soldiers, equipment and horses – making each division self-sufficient and able to function by itself; although in both training and war it is normal for sections of each division to be split up and put in combined arms brigades and battalions to maximise their effectiveness and compensate for any weaknesses.
=Divisions=
=== The Royal Guards ===
The Royal Guards are the personal bodyguard unit of the Queen of Vallentus: Charlotte Von Alfherzen. These guards are the finest soldier the kingdom has to offer - all of them experienced and highly trained soldiers whose sole purpose is the protection of the Queen and the Royal Palace. The origin of the Royal Guard can be traced back to shortly after the Battle of Austerlitz, where the original Order of Vallentus fought desperately against the French but suffered heavy losses - including the loss of the order's esteemed Commander. The remaining members of the order were in disorder and breaking apart without leadership, until a Prussian noblewoman by the name of Charlotte Von Alfherzen arrived. In return for their loyalty, Lady Alfherzen took command of and rebuilt the Order - leading it to victory and glory throughout the rest of the wars. The Guard was first formed from the original surviving officers from the Battle of Austerlitz, who swore their service to Lady Alfherzen and fought bravely alongside her and whose loyalty is without question. The Royal Guard can always be found alongside the Queen, going wherever she goes and ensuring her safety; as such, Royal Guards are some of the most feared and respected soldiers in all Vallentus - each year many soldiers enlist, but very few pass the tests or meet the high expectations necessary to count oneself amongst the elite Royal Guards Division.
=== The Dragoons Division ===
The Dragoons are the first of the two Cavalry Divisions of the Order of Vallentus - these light cavalrymen use their speed and agility to act as either a highly mobile strike force against the enemy or to achieve tactical objectives. Dragoons are trained to fight with both sabre and firearm both on foot and on horseback, giving them tremendous tactical versatility - they can harass enemy lines as skirmishers, capture key objectives at speed and then defend them on foot or even devastate enemy armies by striking at their weak points with brutal blunderbuss volleys at close range before riding away to safety before any counterattack can be brought against them.
=== The Fierciers Division ===
The Fierciers are the second of the two Cavalry Divisions of the Order of Vallentus - charging into enemy lines atop heavy, powerful warhorses and wielding sabres and lances, this heavy cavalry division is all about shock tactics. Fierciers specialise in melee combat and horseback charges to break enemy formations, overrun weakly-defended positions such as artillery batteries and chase down routed enemy units to ensure they cannot reform and rejoin the battle.
=== The Fleittures Division ===
The Fleittures are the Light Infantry of the Order of Vallentus - armed with muskets, rifles and bayonets these versatile soldiers are chosen from the most accurate and effective sharpshooters in the Order. Fleittures specialise in accuracy, rate of fire and physical fitness - able to quickly move ahead of the main force and seize strategic locations or cripple the enemy lines with devastating volley fire before retreating to safety.
=== The Helfyshers Division ===
The Helfyshers are the shock troops of the Order of Vallentus - Berserkers that specialise in assault operations and brutal close-quarter combat, these soldiers are armed with blunderbusses and are the first sent in during sieges and assaults on fortified enemy positions. Helfyshers must be strong, fearless and aggressive as their primary role is to charge into the most dangerous situations and attempt to overwhelm enemy positions and seize key objectives even against fierce resistance.
=== The Krügers Division ===
The Krügers are the grenade and siege specialists of of the Order of Vallentus - armed with hand mortars, these grenadiers can cause incredible damage to enemy units and fortifications if allowed to get into range. Krügers, of all the divisions, can perhaps do the greatest amount of damage per single unit in the entire Order, as a well-aimed hand mortar shot can destroy artillery batteries or eliminate entire squads of enemy combatants in a single shot, and as such they are highly respected and given special protection in combat by the other divisions.
=== The Javellons Division ===
The Javellons are the highly versatile, auxiliary division of the Order of Vallentus - fulfilling a variety of situational roles such as sappers, artillery crews and even light skirmishers, the Javellons are essential to the success of any military operation. Javellons are responsible for building and repairing the fortifications, bridges and other essentials necessary for the order's movement and combat success. They are not merely engineers, however, as Javellons participate in battle alongside the Order as artillery crew specialists and even light infantry when necessary - making them perhaps the most versatile and important of all the Order's divisions.
= Selected Memoirs of William J. Cooke =
==Introduction==
The following is a series of selected excerpts from the many journal entries of William J. Cooke, from his joining of the original Order of Vallentus in 1791 to his promotion to Brigadier in 1820. This is by no means a complete history of the Order, merely accounts of some major events in its recent history with the goal of giving a first-hand chronology of the Order’s fall and subsequent revival from the perspective of one of its longest-serving members.
==Thursday, 9th June, 1791 – My new life==
Well, this is it. Today marks the beginning of my new life in the famous Order of Vallentus. I cannot wait to start my training and face the glory and honour of battle! Before I left, my father gave me this journal with which to record my experiences, and I intend to do so. Although, if I continue to write as frequently as I have throughout my youth, no doubt I will have to buy another journal soon enough.
There are apparently four Divisions in the Order – the Fleitture infantry, the Javellon sappers and cannoneers, the Dragoon light cavalry and the order I was selected to join; the Fiercier heavy cavalry division. Apparently it is due to my Mother’s noble birth and that I have had some basic experience with horses that I was chosen? Whatever the reason is, I am proud to be part of such a gallant force, charging the enemy with sword in hand to fight in melee like the legendary Knights of  old!
==Wednesday, 18th October, 1797 – Peace in Austria==
It would seem that the war between Austria and France is coming to an end. Apparently Austria has signed a treaty recognising France’s control of much of Europe, including ceding Belgium to them. However, just because this stage of the war is over doesn’t mean our service has ended – since Prussia’s retirement from the war two years ago, we have since been working for my homeland of Great Britain – and their war with France yet continues. This is good for me, however, as I have been notified that I am to receive a Commission and become an Officer of the Order! All the work I have put in and combat I have seen over the past six years has finally paid off, and I am to be able to lead my fellow Fierciers into battle not as Sergeant Cooke, but as Lieutenant Cooke! It has a nice ring to it.
==Tuesday, 24th May, 1803 – War against Napoléon Bonaparte==
After only a year of peace, it seems war looms over Europe yet again, and the Order of Vallentus is once again marching into battle. Last week, Great Britain once again declared war on France following the aggressions of our old enemy Napoléon Bonaparte – Consul-for-life Napoléon, that is, as he has saw fit to claim himself ruler of all France. Due to our exceptional service and countless military successes under both Prussian and British employ over the past decade, Great Britain has once again seen fit to employ our Order to serve under them for the duration of this war. Under the leadership of the Commander, the Order is sure to be brought to even greater fame and affluence following this war  – I have no doubt that we shall go down as history as one of the finest mercenary forces to have ever existed, like the famous Swiss Pikemen or German Landsknechts of centuries past.
==Monday, 9th December, 1805 – Lamentation==
It has been a full week now since the defeat at Austerlitz. We have, after many days of marching and regrouping of the shattered remnants of what was our once seemingly unbeatable Order, taken refuge and set up camp outside the city of Opole. The men's morale is the worst I've ever seen it – we're facing daily desertions, and the once-vaunted discipline of the Order has crumbled; drunkenness, fighting and petty theft has become ubiquitous amongst the soldiers. Truth be told, I am struggling to maintain even my own faith – after all our decades of victories and after so many of us have fought and died, we have been brought so low by but a single battle. Our Commander has been slain alongside so many of our officers, the men have taken heavy losses and now all that we fought for is teetering on the brink of oblivion. Were I still just an Initiator without my years of loyalty and service, would I too consider desertion in times such as these? It troubles me to think of it.
I will do what I can to restore order. I will not let our Commander die in vain and all that we have fought for, all that so many friends and comrades have died for, simply be cast aside after one defeat – even one so disheartening and complete as this. There must be a way, and so long as I have breath left in my body I will not let the Order die here; we will return, and stronger than ever.
May God have mercy on the fallen.
==Wednesday, 15th October, 1806 – Battle of Auerstädt==
It is now my ardent belief that Napoleon and his Marshals must have signed a pact with Satan himself! Our Order may have fallen to quite the sorry state since Austerlitz, but even taking that into account the defeat today has confounded me. We were under the command of General von Schmettau of the Prussian Army, attacking General Gudin de La Sablonnière’s position at the village of Hassenhausen. I don’t know how it happened, but despite outnumbering General Gudin and Marshal Davout’s forces seemingly two-to-one, we were repeatedly repulsed and routed – I have even heard that General Schmettau and the Duke of Brunswick both fell in the battle: perhaps this is why there seemed to be so little command and control throughout. Fortunately, our Order took minimal losses during the battle and subsequent retreat – save yet another blow to our pride.
I am certain this would not have happened under the leadership of the old Commander, God rest their soul. Perhaps it is time we moved westward and focused on recruitment and training before we begin seeking a new employer? I will mention it to Major Karvelis tomorrow.
==Sunday, 21st August, 1808 – Battle of Vimeiro==
Finally, a grand victory like the days of old! Under the command of the famous Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, we were stationed alongside the main British and Portuguese force at the village of Vimeiro, covering a beachhead they were using as a landing site for reinforcement and supplies. Though I am a Cavalryman through and through, I must say that today’s victory must truly be given to the British line infantry and our own Fleittures Division – their time fighting and training alongside the British Infantry have improved their ability to fire in consistent, accurate volleys and push back the French advance. If we could only afford more cannons for the Javellons – and perhaps more horses to bulk out both our and the Dragoon’s Divisions, I dare say our Order might yet survive these wars.
==Friday, 19th March, 1813 – Prussian Nobility==
It seems our recent return to form and successful work for the British Crown over the last few years has been recognised. Over the last few days, our Order has been in talks with some young Prussian noblewoman fresh out of the Alfherzen Military Academy in Königsberg  – I think she is the daughter of the academy’s founding family? Maybe it's her belonging to such a haughty lineage that has lead to our Order’s leadership taking leave of their senses and apparently deciding to simply hand over our venerated company to some outsider who’s likely never even seen battle before!
Still, from what little rumours I’ve heard about the preceding talks, there were some interesting ideas being presented. It might merely be an embellishment, but apparently there are talks to form two entire new Divisions within our order – wielding not muskets or rifles but blunderbusses and hand mortars, of all things! While I have my reservations, however, I cannot truly say if this decision was all bad – apparently these Prussians are willing to invest a great deal of wealth and manpower to our Order, and while we have been faring better as of late, I am not under the mistaken belief that our Order is anything like the glorious fighting force it once was; we’ve been under-supplied, under-trained and badly led for years. I can’t believe I’m even putting it to paper, but perhaps a change of leadership and some new investment is precisely what our Order needs?
Only time will tell. For now, I shall continue to serve the Order with all the loyalty and devotion I have until now, whomever its leader may be.
==Monday, 21st June, 1813 – Battle of Vitoria==
I was wrong to have doubted Lady Alfherzen – today, they both proved themselves a fine and respectable warrior. Today was a glorious victory for our new Order, and our first use of the new Helfysher and Krüger was a resounding success. We were working alongside British forces lead by Sir Thomas Graham, flanking around retreating French forces while Sir Arthur Wellesley, who I have had the privilege of fighting under in previous battles, cut them off in a brilliant strategic feint. Our Order performed magnificently in the battle, with the Fleittures and Helfyshers devastating the French ranks, while the Javellons and Krügers manoeuvred into position, protected by Dragoons, and proceeded to rain fire onto the enemy. Finally, when the enemy’s morale was all but broken, the bugle sounded and I had the honour of taking part in the charge that routed them as the Captain of my own company alongside both our new Commander and Major Victoria – my first combat action since my promotion last week.
What a surprisingly fitting name for such a battle – apparently Vitoria comes from the Latin Victoria, meaning Victory? It is as though it was fate that brought us here this day – and hopefully it is a sign of things to come, such that Vitoria shall be known as the battle in which the Order began its return to the acclaimed fighting force it once was.
==Tuesday, 1st February, 1814 – Battle of La Rothière==
Avante Vittoria! Glory In Victory! Today’s battle has been yet another resounding success for the Order of Vallentus: any who might have doubted that we have returned to our former glory will surely believe it now! We have been serving under Generalfeldmarschall von Blücher in recent months, and fought alongside the coalition forces today at La Rothière. As I have grown to once again expect, the Order’s discipline helped us win the day, with our infantry and cannons holding the line with our allies and employers while we Fierciers and Dragoons fought alongside the Cossack forces, harrying advancing French forces and using the snowstorms to conceal our movements. At this rate, it is only a matter of time before the seemingly undefeatable Emperor Napoléon will be forced to concede – and I am proud to say that our Order will have played no small part in ensuring that!
==Saturday, 2nd April, 1814 – Battle of Paris, Napoléon’s Defeat==
Finally, after more than a decade, the war in Europe is over! Earlier today, the French senate passed an act declaring Napoléon officially deposed and his regime ended. It is likely only a matter of time before Napoléon himself is forced to accept this and abdicate, as he is in no position to face the coalition’s combined might. I should also write of the great battle fought over the last few days – the battle for Paris, the battle that shall likely go down in history as the end of these Napoleonic Wars. We are still under the employ of Feldmarschall von Blücher, and accompanied him and the coalition forces to the outskirts of Paris, arriving on the 29th of March. The next morning the Javellons set up their artillery and began bombarding the city alongside the coalition, as the rest of the divisions accompanied the main Prussian force in attacking the north of the city and routed the French forces from Aubervilliers as our allies attacked from other directions: eventually forcing the beleaguered French to surrender and Joseph Bonaparte to flee the city.
I do not know what will happen next, but part of me is apprehensive to see the war come to an end. It seems strange to write such a thing, as I have seen so much death and destruction over the past 11 years – including a great many of my friends and comrades. And yet, I have grown accustomed to war, to life on the march and to the fury and thrill of battle – what will I do now there are no battles left to fight?
==Monday, 20th March, 1815 – Napoléon’s Return==
What we all thought impossible has happened – Napoléon has returned from his exile on Elba and once again threatens Europe! How many times must we fight one man before he accepts he is defeated? It is said he will enter Paris any day now, with his new army and many of his surviving former officers alongside him. Just when we thought our contract with Great Britain had finished, we are once more called upon by the new Duke of Wellington; our old employer Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley himself, to fight alongside him and the Prussian Army under Feldmarschall von Blücher when we inevitably clash with Napoléon’s forces once more.
In preparation for the upcoming fighting (Fighting that, I must confess, I have grown to miss over this past year of nothing but recruitment, training and diplomacy) I have been informed that Commander von Alfherzen intends to promote me to Major. It is an honour to, after all these decades, finally be able to wear the vaunted Red Sash of the Hermeres – I hope I shall prove myself worthy of the Commander’s faith in me in the battles that are to come.
==Sunday, 18th June, 1815 – Battle of Waterloo==
Today will go down in history as one of the finest days in the history of our Order. Our forces joined up with the Duke of Wellington’s allied army at Waterloo, a few leagues south of Brussels, in order to intercept Napoléon’s oncoming army before it reached the city. The Duke had managed to find a highly defensible location, and we spread our forces throughout the area ready to resist the French attack until such a time that our Prussian allies – along with several other companies of our Order – could join us in the battle. Needless to say, while the fighting was intense and both we and our allies took heavy losses, through the might of the Order, leadership of our Commander and tactical brilliance of the Duke of Wellington we eventually won the day and routed the entire French force! The last ditch attempt of Napoléon to reclaim his throne and to once more plunge Europe into conflict has been crushed, his forces scattered and all the final hopes of those who would follow him dashed. The Order has truly and beyond all doubts been reformed – not just into the outstanding fighting force it once was, but even greater than it ever was before! Whatever lies ahead, the Order stands stronger than it ever has thanks to the support of our Commander and Patron Lady Alfherzen and the loyalty, discipline and courage of all who serve her.
==Monday, 18th December, 1815 – The Coronation of Queen Charlotte I==
I have spent the last 24 years of my life in near-constant war, fought all across Europe from the steppes of Russia to the beaches of Portugal, slain more opponents than I can even recall with sabre and pistol alike… And yet not even in my wildest dreams could I have predicted a day such as this.
After our decades of service to the British and Prussian crowns, plus a great deal of diplomacy and political manoeuvring by both the von Alfherzen and von Victoria families in Prussia, our now-famous Commander Lady Charlotte von Alfherzen has been crowned a Queen. The Order of Vallentus is to be a Mercenary Company no more, but rather the standing National Army of the new Kingdom of Vallentus in Northern France. If all of this was not unbelievable enough, Lady Alfherzen has confided to me in recent days that she intends to make me a Duke of this new Kingdom, and that I am to help oversee the transition of the Order into its new role. Furthermore, we are to form an elite Royal Guards division to protect our new Queen – and the most experienced Officers of the Order who have been fighting alongside her are to make up the core of this new division; as such, I have been invited to join and intend to accept.
I don’t know what is to become of our new nation, or how well I will fare in my new role as a nobleman, but my loyalty to the Order and to my new Queen is beyond all doubt. I will do all in my power to ensure our success, no matter who would stand in our way, and I would follow the Order and Queen Charlotte I to the ends of the Earth if necessary.
For the Order, for our new Nation and for our new Queen – Avantte Vitoria!
==Monday, 3rd April, 1820 – Promotion==
Today is a most auspicious day! In return for my assistance over the last few years producing written materials for the Order, as well as my help overseeing the recent rapid expansion and development of the Order’s forces, I have been promoted to Brigadier. I am to be one of the Generallis, and thus join the High Command of the Order – at a most important time, no less, as this is the year we intend to increase our recruitment and training efforts tenfold. Our nation has been thriving these past few years, but we are still beset by those who doubt our legitimacy and would liken us to nothing more than a puppet state for the great powers of Europe. But, with the many promising new recruits that have joined us in recent years, and with our most recent improvements and developments, I am certain that the next decade will be a golden age for Vallentus and consolidate our power and prestige in the eyes of the world.
The Order of Vallentus will march onwards and stand steadfast against all those who would seek our destruction – just as we always have.
==Conclusion==
This is the end of the memoirs of William J. Cooke for this period in the Order of Vallentus’s history, and provide an overview of most of the key events of the Order’s origins as mercenary company right up until it was fully transformed into the true National Army of Vallentus we know it as today. For further reading and context about this period of the history of Vallentus, it is recommended that you seek out other writings from the period such as can be found in the Royal Library of Vallentus or the Vallentus branch of the Alfherzen Military Academy’s archives.
= Trivia =
*Founded: 18th December, 1815
*Government: Constitutional Monarchy
*Demonym: Vallentian
* Currency : Vallentian Crown
*Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
*Its national languages are English and German due to its Anglo-Prussian heritage, with English as its official primary language
Category:Millitary Groups]]
Category:Order Of Vallentus Lore