Infantry Corps

### Mission Statement

Sworn to the House of Wrynn, the Royal Infantry serve as the first line of defense for the Kingdom of Stormwind.

### Internal Divisions

Stormwind Constabulary
 Royal College of Engineers
Westridge Ducal Guard

### Important Documents

Stormwind Army Field Manual

> "*What makes the grass grow? BLOOD!*"
> ― Common Call and Response
>
>

Sworn to the House of Wrynn, the stoic **Infantry Corps** serves as the first line of defense for the Kingdom of Stormwind. After suffering complete decimation during the First War, the Royal Army of Stormwind has rebounded and now stands as Azeroth's premier fighting force. Footmen, archers, handgunners and armsmen make up the bulk of the regiment's melee and missile troops. Held to strict standards of discipline and issued high-quality equipment, the Infantry will win the day with loyalty, steel, and gunpowder.

The Infantry Corps, in addition to its responsibility for the training and fielding of foot soldiers, is also responsible for the deployment of siege weaponry and the Army's logistics office, which regulates the distribution of arms, rations, and other supplies. Most Army regulars serve under the umbrella of the Infantry Corps, particularly early in their careers, and Infantry Corps NCOs are usually responsible for the training of fresh recruits.

## History

As one of the most prominent fighting forces in Azeroth to date, the Stormwind Army has a long and storied history. While some consider the founding of the Stormwind Militia at the beginning of the **War for Stormwind's Independence** to be the beginning of the Stormwind Army in 627 P.C., it was not until Samson Wrynn's return to the throne after his exile during the **Ten Years' Strife** decades later that the army received its namesake - the difference between the militia and the army being that the soldiers of the army were required to swear fealty to the House of Wrynn over their provincial lords. The Stormwind Army has served the House of Wrynn since its founding, keeping the realm secure and fending off any powers that might threaten the kingdom from abroad.

During the **War of the Three Hammers** in the late 4th century K.C., King Charles Wrynn sent a contingent of cavalrymen of the Brotherhood of the Horse along with several units of the army to fight the Dark Iron Clan of dwarves in the Red Steppes. The forces of Stormwind suffered heavy casualties when Tharussian summoned the firelord, Ragnaros, sundering and destroying the Red Steppes into the charred state they are known for today.

After the shock of the destruction of the Red Steppes settled, the kings of the late 4th and early 5th centuries set their sights on expanding the realm of Stormwind through colonization and conquest. The Stormwind Army was at the front of such aspirations, clearing arable land in Stranglethorn Vale and the Black Morass for Stormwind settlement.

During the **First War**, the Stormwind Army fought valiantly against the Orcish Horde when they surged through the Dark Portal in 582 K.C. While the first attack on Stormwind City was repelled, King Adamant Wrynn III fell in battle. For years the Stormwind Army fought a bloody battle of attrition against the Horde, eventually collapsing and making a mass exodus to the Kingdom of Lordaeron under the command of Lord Anduin Lothar.

After the founding of the Alliance of Lordaeron in the **Second War**, the remaining soldiers and officers of the army imparted their knowledge of orcish warfare upon the armies of Lordaeron, helping prepare the continental defenses as the Horde launched its attack on the remaining bastions of human power. Fighting primarily in eastern Lordaeron, Quel'Thalas, and Khaz Modan, the armsmen of Stormwind fought bravely in critical missions that would eventually lead to the Horde's collapse. Under command of Lord Lothar, the army lead the charge in the Siege of Blackrock Spire, eventually toppling the orcish stronghold and breaking the orcish war effort, leading to the liberation of the Kingdom of Stormwind.

Under King Varian Wrynn, the Stormwind Army was sent forth to rebuild the ruins of the kingdom destroyed by the Orcish Horde. Spending several years, much gold, and the lives of countless men, the Army stamped out the last pockets of land held by the orcs and rebuilt much of the kingdom - though the kingdom never recovered the grandeur it held before the orcs razed it.

Stormwind sent aid to the crippled Kingdom of Lordaeron during the **Third War** in an attempt to secure it from destruction by the Undead Scourge, but its efforts were ultimately in vain. Stormwind's troops were forced to pull back to Chillwind Camp in western Lordaeron, where they continue to fight for Lordaeron's liberation to this day.

After King Varian's mysterious disappearance in 617 K.C., the Stormwind Army fell into disarray and was pulled from most of the kingdom's holdings in Azeroth by Highlord Bolvar Fordragon and Lady Katrana Prestor. The kingdom buckled as the Defias Brotherhood took control of Westfall, the Blackrock Clan of orcs besieged Stormwind's holdings in the Redridge Mountains, and undead and Worgen surfaced and ran rampant in Duskwood. The army itself was stretched to nearly its breaking point, sent to far-flung battlefields across the world while Lady Prestor sought to stir conflict with the New Horde.

When the Dark Portal was reopened in January of 618 K.C., the Stormwind Army was immediately rallied for a return to the world of Draenor to push back and crush whatever forces would threaten the world of Azeroth. This conquest was to be known as the **Burning Crusade**. Upon re-establishing supply lines to Honor Hold, the army laid siege to Hellfire Citadel alongside the New Horde, pushing the forces of the Burning Legion back as adventurers among the rest of the Grand Alliance took the fight to the leadership of the demonic hordes.

Soon after King Varian Wrynn returned to his throne in October of 619 K.C., the army was forced on the defensive as the Lich King launched attacks upon the kingdom and its colonies. At the king's command, the army landed upon the frozen shores of Northrend and established Valiance Keep in his honor. The Stormwind Army fought the forces of the Undead Scourge and the Horde throughout the continent during the **War Against the Lich King**, aiding the Argent Crusade in the push towards Icecrown Citadel - leading to the ultimate defeat of the Lich King at the hands of adventurers on February 16, 620 K.C.

After the victory against the Lich King, the Kingdom of Stormwind surged with growth and pride - its armies set to bring order back to its provinces. Several new fortifications were constructed and fortified throughout the realm. A number of units of the Stormwind Army were sent abroad to do battle with the remnants of the Cult of the Damned and the Horde across the entirety of Azeroth.

The kingdom was shaken to its core when Deathwing erupted from the earth in the great Cataclysm. The Stormwind Army heeded the call to stem the destruction the dragon left in his wake. Conflict with Garrosh Hellscream's Horde erupted during the **War Against the Twilight's Hammer**, plunging Azeroth into a state of unmitigated strife. Only when the dragon aspects banded together with Thrall and a number of adventurers did Deathwing and his cult fall, allowing the army to focus its efforts on the Horde.

The discovery of Pandaria and its subsequent conquest by both sides of the **Alliance-Horde War** pressed the army to maintain the upper hand as new enemies emerged. After joining the forces of Vol'jin's Rebellion, the Stormwind Army led the charge alongside the forces of the Grand Alliance to lay siege to Orgrimmar and oust Hellscream from power.

After Garrosh's escape and the subsequent invasion of Azeroth by the Iron Horde, several units of the Stormwind Army deployed to Old Draenor after Khadgar and the heroes of the Alliance established the fortresses of Lunarfall and Stormshield. While initially the might of Stormwind was evenly matched by both the Iron Horde and the savage environment, Draenor was eventually liberated from the clutches of evil at the close of the **War Against the Iron Horde**. Gul'dan escaped after his climactic defeat at Hellfire Citadel and planned his revenge on the broken isles.

King Varian Wrynn led the vanguard of the Royal Army to attempt to capture Gul'dan on the broken isles but was overwhelmed by an onslaught of demons summoned by the Burning Legion. King Varian gave his life so that the Alliance might escape. Under King Anduin Wrynn, the Royal Army battled on the Broken Isles and throughout Azeroth in the **War Against the Burning Legion**, eventually traveling to the demon world of Argus where Sargeras was defeated once and for all.

Upon their return to Azeroth, the Royal Army was faced with the tensions and open conflict spurred by the material known as Azerite. When Lady Sylvannas Windrunner burned Teldrassil with Azerite-powered weapons, the Royal Army was sent to join the **Blood War** against the Horde and in support of new allies in Kul Tiras.

To this day, the Stormwind Army battles the enemies of the kingdom across the entirety of Azeroth and beyond alongside its allies in the Grand Alliance.

## Paths of Progression

Most Army regulars start their careers directly in the Infantry Corps as an armsman. However, once one has progressed past the rank of Recruit, there are numerous paths one can take, both directly within the Infantry Corps and within one of its subdivisions.

Upon entering the Infantry Corps, a Recruit is given the opportunity to select from a number of primary weapons.

#### Sword & Shield

The bread and butter of the Royal Army, the brave Footmen of Infantry Corps are on the very front lines of battle, wielding a shortsword and heater shield in defense of their comrades. Beginning as an Armsman, a Footman aspires to join the ranks of the Vanguard, trading in their shortswords for powerful broadswords in the service of the Crown.

**Armsman** → **Footman** → **Vanguard**

#### Polearm

The members of the Royal Army's polearm phalanx are invaluable in the breaking of enemy charges. Beginning their service wielding a two-handed spear, these soldiers work towards wielding great armor-sundering halberds, the breaker of cavalry and foot soldiers alike.

**Spearman** → **Pikeman** → **Halberdier**

#### Two-handed Sword

While sword n' board is often seen as the heart of the Infantry Corps, there are those Armsmen tasked with breaking enemy lines with two-handed blades. Beginning as Armsmen like any other, they aspire to wield Stormwind's greatswords and one day to hold the esteemed title of Armsmaster.

**Armsman** → **Linebreaker** → **Armsmaster**

#### Crossbow

Any soldier hoping to join the ranks of the ranged Infantry begins with the crossbow. From there, a Crossbowman has the option to pursue heavier strung weapons, becoming an Arbalist, or to transition into firearms as a Handgunner. Once a Handgunner is certified, there are numerous paths to take as a firearms specialist.

**Crossbowman** → **Arbalist** → **Ballistae**

**Crossbowman** → **Handgunner** → **Siegesmith**

**Crossbowman** → **Handgunner** → **Pistoleer**

**Crossbowman** → **Handgunner** → **Sniper**

### Ducal Guard

Progression in the Infantry will ultimately require admission into the ranks of the Westridge Ducal Guard. These elite warriors serve as the Army's heavy infantry and are masters in their particular arms. Despite their name, they require no additional oaths of fealty to the Duke of Westridge. Soldiers desiring admission to the Ducal Guard are required to complete numerous rites and courses of advanced weapons training before being inducted into the order as a Guardsman.

### Constabulary

The Constabulary comprises Stormwind's military police, responsible for internal security and law enforcement within the regiment. Members of the Constabulary face the unenviable task of ferreting out duplicity and weakness within the Army's ranks and bringing the guilty before a court-martial.

### Royal College of Engineers

Technology has advanced greatly since the opening of the Dark Portal, and here is where Stormwind's brightest minds go to keep their kingdom on the cutting edge. From training the Infantry's handgunners to building fortifications to maintaining Westridge's arsenal of steam tanks, the College employs methods still being integrated into the decades-old doctrine of the Infantry.

### Logistics Corps

An army will not march on an empty stomach. Without the diligent efforts of the Logistics Corps, the Infantry Corps would grind to a halt. Responsible for maintaining the Army's supply routes and managing the distribution of arms, armor, rations, and other supplies, the Logistics Corps ensures that every soldier in His Majesty's army marches to war-ready for battle.

## Related Divisions

While some divisions, like those above, are directly integrated into the Infantry Corps. Others, however, while nominally separate entities, remain closely linked with the Infantry.

### Westridge Cavaliers

To be part of Westridge's elite cavalry is a prestigious honor. As a chapter of the Brotherhood of the Horse, the Cavaliers are technically separate from the Infantry Corps, answerable to the Brotherhood's grandmaster. However, in practice, the Cavaliers are deployed not as an isolated unit but alongside their comrades in the Infantry, and most Cavaliers begin their careers in the Infantry. To become a Cavalier, one must first squire for a fully-fledged Cavalier in good standing with the order and complete the trials put before them by their master.

### Praetorian Guard

Admission to the Praetorian Guard is only available to those who are fully-fledged members of both the Westridge Cavaliers and the Westridge Ducal Guard. Sworn to protect the House of Montclair with their lives, these men and women are the most elite of the elite, the greatest warriors Westridge has to offer.

## Division Leader

**Grand Marshal Maxen Montclair** is the current commanding officer of the first regiment of the Elwynn Brigade; a decorated war hero and veteran of the Orcish Wars and high noble of the kingdom's courts.

A close childhood friend of King Varian Wrynn, Maxen was raised as the heir to the Duchy of Westridge, a mountainous land directly south of Stormwind City. After his father was killed during the initial orcish invasion of the Kingdom of Azeroth, Maxen inherited the title of Duke and the command of Westridge's armsmen. He became a well-known military strategist who secured several victories during the Second War in Northrend and Khaz Modan. Following Stormwind's liberation from the orcish horde, he was a key leader in the reconstruction of the realm.

After suffering a disastrous defeat against the Undead Scourge in Lordaeron during the Third War, Maxen fell into a deep depression that was compounded by the deterioration of the kingdom during the absence of King Varian Wrynn. Only after the king's return did Maxen return to the front lines of the kingdom's service, where he found new purpose and success as a wartime diplomat and force commander during the War Against the Lich King.

Maxen continued his service through the Cataclysm and the War in Pandaria, securing personal allies amongst the Ashenvale Sentinels, Magocracy of Dalaran, Wildhammer Dwarves, and Tushui Pandaren. Maxen currently marshals the First Regiment in the aftermath of the war against the Burning Legion.

## How to Join

New recruits into the First Regiment are automatically placed into the Infantry Corps unless otherwise determined by the recruiting officers. This division is now open to all races of the Grand Alliance, with the exception of Ren'dorei due to their innate proclivity for dangerous magic.

## Additional Readings

* Royal Infantry Forum
* Stormwind Army Field Manual
* Conquest: Medieval Broadswords
* Conquest: Weird Weapons of the Middle Ages
* Conquest: Medieval Crossbows
* Conquest: Early Firearms
* Anatomy of a Battleaxe
* Anatomy of Poleaxes and Halberds
* Anatomy of a Sword
* Anatomy of Plate Armor