Apostles of the Lance

The **Apostles of the Lance** was a sub-branch of the Sire of the Kratocracy. It was made up of Hirati, formal soldiers of the Fideron Kratocracy, and Auxiliaries, informal, reserve, and support soldiers. They were focused primarily on their use of spears, lances, pikes, and other long reach weapons.

## Organization

### Administration/Officer Pillar(peacetime)

The Apostles of the Lance were administered by the current Margrave of the Vesivia Margravate, who was partially subservient to the Lord Councilor of the Kratocracy. The Vesivia Margrave was the Commander-in-chief of the Apostles of the Lance, acting as the supreme authority of the Branch.

Beneath the Margrave was the four Lord Legionnaires, who held control over the four Legions(10,000 per Legion) of the Apostles. Beneath the Lord Legionnaires came their second in command, the Vice Lord Legionnaires. They acted as counsel for the Lord Legionnaires and an intermediary between the lower ranks and the higher ones.

Beneath the Legionnaires, came the five Lord Halberd, who led the five Halberds(2,000 per Halberd) of each Legion. They, of course, had a second in command in the form of the Vice Lord Halberd.

Beneath the Halberd, came the four Lord Lancers, who led the four Lances(500 per Lance) of each Halberd. They had a second in command in the form of the Vice Lord Lancer.

Beneath the Lancers, came the five Lord Spearions, who lead the five Spears(100 per Spear) of each Lance. They had a second in command in the form of the Vice Lord Spearion.

Beneath the Spears, came the ten Lord Poniarder, who lead the ten Poniards(10 per Poniard) of each Spear. They had a second in command in the form of the Vice Lord Poniarder.

### Administration(wartime)

It is expected that wartime might force the Apostles of the Lance to expand their standing army. In this case, a few more ranks are applied to further separate ranks.

Above the Lord Legionnaires but below the Margrave were the High Lord Legionnaires, who each held control over two Legions(Grand Legion, 20,000). They were rarely instated, so rarely in fact that 2 Legions are only considered as such if a High Lord Legionnaire existed, and one hasn't been instated in several decades.

### Men of Arms/Martial Pillar

#### 1st Column/Base Rank

These ranks have no true equal in the administrative body of the Apostles, as they are too low to have such an equivalent.

Sakir, 1st Order was the first base rank any Apostle can get.

Sakir, 2nd Order was the second base rank any Apostle can get.

Sakir, 3rd Order was the third base rank any Apostle can get.

#### 2nd Column

These ranks are roughly equal to a Lord Poniarder in rank:

Drytor, 1st Order was the first 2nd Column rank any Apostle can get.

Drytor, 2nd Order was the second 2nd Column rank any Apostle can get.

Drytor, 3rd Order was the third and final 2nd Column rank any Apostle can get.

#### 3rd Column

These ranks are roughly equal to a Lord Spearion in rank:

Dasktor, 1st Order was the first 3rd Column rank any Apostle can get.

Dasktor, 2nd Order was the second 3rd Column rank any Apostle can get.

Dasktor, 3rd Order was the third and final 3rd Column rank any Apostle can get.

#### 4th Column

These ranks are roughly equal to a Lord Lancer in rank:

Drakir, 1st Order was the first 4th Column rank any Apostle can get.

Drakir, 2nd Order was the second 4th Column any Apostle can get.

Drakir, 3rd Order was the third and final 4th Column rank any Apostle can get.

#### 5th Column

These ranks are roughly equal to a Lord Halberd in rank:

Ratir, 1st Order was the first 5th Column rank any Apostle can get.

Ratir, 2nd Order was the second 5th Column any Apostle can get.

Ratir, 3rd Order was the highest possible rank a Apostle could get without joining the Officer Pillar.

### Other Ranks

#### Marshal Commander of Defense

The Marshal Commander of Defense was a rank only instated during times of extreme emergency. They would be granted absolute authority over any military force. It is disputed if the Marshal Commander outranks the Lord Councilor, but, fortunately enough, no Marshal Commander to date has tried to usurp the Lord Councilor.

## Personnel

### Population

The Apostles of the Lance were expected to maintain a standing army of at least 40,000, split into four Legions(Three legions of Hirati, one legions of Auxiliaries). Though they generally drew their personnel from Fodoloms, capable soldiers from other races have been inducted somewhat regularly to both the Hirati and the Auxiliaries. All ranks beneath Margrave are accessible by any soldier, but the Margraves and Lord Councilor are elected by the Fideron Council from Fodoloms only.

### Training

The Apostles of the Lance focused on strength, far more than any other branch of the Sire of the Kratocracy. Such strength was needed to lob heavy spears great distances or puncture thick armor with solid thrusts. If applicants are not up-to-par, they are placed into the Auxiliary training that best fits their skills(Medical, etc.). Completely incapable applicants are denied entry into the formal army but are enlisted into the reserves.

In times of peace, such recruiting events are generally held biyearly, one on the day after the Day of Broken Chains, and another on Councilor's Day. In times of war, volunteering is available all year.

Though it isn't mandatory, having some modicum of military service is generally expected, and most political jobs tend to stem from the military in some way or another.

### Ranking

The Apostles of the Lance followed the same ranking system as the other branches of the Sire of the Kratocracy, split into two Pillars(Officer Pillar vs Martial Pillar). The Martial Pillar consists of non-Officers, men dedicated to the blade and not to the command. The Officer Pillar, conversely, consisted of men who sought to command soldiers in battle.

## Equipment

### Aervos Outfit

The Aervos Outfit was an equipment set focused on extremely heavy armor and large, thrusting spears. Utilizers of such an Outfit tended to wield heavy lances, such as the Danovor-pattern Barrier Lance or the Harah-pattern Pike.