The Imperial Hounds

The Imperial Hounds are the primary military force of Tovan Province. Sworn to The Tarvalan Empire, the Hounds are currently responsible for all law enforcement, security and travel of high profile personnel within the Empire. Because of this duty, the Imperial Hounds have outposts scattered all around the Empire, from where personnel can sleep, train, hold meetings and plan their duties.

## Homeland

The Hounds reside within Tovan Province, which located in the centre of the Empire's lands and is away from the borders of the Royalist Alliance. A province with a proud military history, and encouraging training from the finer troops in the empire. Commanders from Tovan are renowned for their military success.

Tovan is also a nation which prides itself on building and industry. It's siege builders are some of the better builders in the Empire. Often used in sieges to build mantlets, palisades and catapults, the Tovan builders association work hard to ensure speed without sacrificing quality.

## Culture

The Hounds strive to be the best Tovan and surrounds can offer. They have a strong reputation of being loyal, dependable, honest, and placing their imperial duty above their own lives. Those that pass training are welcomed into the barracks in the assumed rank of 'pup'. Most members attain the rank of Hound Knight eventually, and a select few go even higher. Knights are stationed at an Order house at one of the many locations within the Empire. There, they discuss all matters of politics and have a direct hand in the future of the Hounds.

## Leadership

The Inner circle of Hounds is lead by General Roland le Mondfor otherwise known as the “Alpha”. He has served the Empire for over twenty years and built the new order under his own strength. He is the prime example of a Stout commander.

Below him are the Inner Circle of Knights that each deal and protect different sectors of the imperial land, they work together to further the improvement of Imperial Law and its security.

## Internal Groupings

Most commonly groups of Imperial Hounds are organised into “Packs” this is the equivalent of a squad between 2 to 20 warriors.

A grouping of packs is called a “Hunt”. They consist of between 3 and 100 Packs. Single knights can be seen escorting Officials across the countryside, one knight alone is enough of a reason for bandits to leave their escorts alone.

## Relationship with other Sub-factions

The Imperial Hounds have strong ties with most factions due to the nature of their duties. Many factions are happy to have the Hounds as allies, due to their reputation and prowess.

There are some that dislike General Roland, for the manner in which they believe he usurped Tovan from Grand High Marshall Vorann.

## Battlefield Behaviour

As the experience of a Hound grows with time, the newer, younger Hounds are more headstrong and eager for battle while the older, more experienced Hounds are patient fighters. These older hounds would be equipped with better armour and weapons and often march into battle with the pups on flanking maneuvers. Usually the older Hounds form the shield-wall in many conflicts across the Empire.

## Appearance

The colours of the Imperial Hounds are Black and Red in usually a quartered fashion. This may vary from each Hunt but as long as the visible colours are red and black with the emblem of the hounds on their person is acceptable. The Hounds rate armour as most important and thus you will see many Hounds in either full or half plate roaming Imperial roads or in a lord's court.

## Imperial Marshalls

Previously, the Order of Imperial Marshalls was operating out of Tovan. This order was established during Tarvala's time as Emperor. However, in recent times - due to internal clashes and failures on multiple battlefronts, a leadership challenge was issued in 1045AT by General Roland le Mondfor, following The Speech at Burnajern (1044AT).
Grand High Marshall Vorann, who led the forces at the time, was killed in an honour duel with Roland, who revealed he had Capitol support and written orders to dissolve the Marshalls in order to found the new organisation in its stead.