To Arm the Chasseurs

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A meeting had been called, and you found it odd that you had been requested to attend. Often times the only ones allowed to enter the meeting halls of the Capital Temple were the ancient sons and daughters of the Faith. While it wasn't rare for some specialists of different fields to be invited to the chambers, you could not fathom what use the sons and daughters could have for a disfigured and disowned noblewoman.

Regardless, you had been called and you would answer. You and your aide, Scribe Noémi, entered the room with proper respect and made the sign of the three on your chests as you faced the Siblings' statues. Surveying the room, you realized you had made an error and soon dropped to one knee, Noémi quickly following and both of you bowing your heads. Before you were some of the most senior bishops and clergy of the church as well as the Young Speaker himself, 'The Prophet of Somer", Arthur Thatcher.

"Please rise Lady Padwen. And don't start with any of the formal stuff, its annoying," he said, to the murmured disagreement of the fossils around him. You couldn't help but smile just a bit at the casual disregard for centuries of tradition from a former peasant young man barely old enough to be an apprentice.

As you rose, you began to motion your question for the council with your good hand, simply asking why you were summoned. It took but a moment for Noémi to give your gestures a voice, but it was another reminder of what had been stripped from you.

"I am honored to have been called to the chamber," Noémi started, "but I am confused as to why. I only received a summons, with no explanation. What use could you have for one crippled such as myself?"

"You are too humble, Lady ne Padwen," one of the Elder Brothers said. "You, who has turned the militia of our church-state from a simple levy into a formidable garrison. Though there are still some detractors-" at that a few of the assembled shifted and grumbled in their seats, "we believe the task ahead of us will be best performed by one who has shown steadfast loyalty, humility, drive, and battle acumen such as yourself."

"What we will discuss in this room will not leave these walls however," a Sister spoke. "You are about to be entrusted with one of the highest secrets of the world. If you were to utter a word about what we are to talk about, you would be immediately excommunicated and exiled." No pressure then, you thought, just a possible exile from most of the civilized world.

Then Arthur began to speak once more, "Before he appointed me as Speaker, I talked with the God Somer many times in my dreams. I don't know why he took an interest in someone like me, but we talked often about the world. He would ask me about my life and I would answer as truthfully as possible. And then he asked me about Goddard."

Goddard the Accursed, the Corrupter, the Rambling Whisperer, and a myriad of other names all flashed through your mind. He who controlled the malevolents and tore at the very foundation of modern civilization. The greatest evil to ever exist, and the antithesis to the three deity siblings of Fredia, Somer, and Etta.

"I said I felt pity for Goddard," Arthur continued. "That he was mad and couldn't think for himself. He reminded me of when some of our animals grew sick and aggressive. I said that I wanted to try to help him if it was possible, to try and end his madness without ending him."

"Somer did not speak to me for many nights after I answered him, and then he returned and explained his history to me. He explained that Goddard was his bother, and that his madness was a result of humanity as a whole. For when Somer had created the races, he had actually created four. Each Sibling was to warden one race. But Goddard went mad before Somer could reveal the fourth race, and in his madness he twisted the fourth and anything he could see into the malevolents. Now, Somer wants to heal his brother, turn him back into what he was, and untwist the fourth race. And the church is going to help him with this work. We will do so by cleansing the lands of malevolents and claim it for all of humanity, while also investigating and researching anything that could be used to heal Goddard."

"That is where you come in, Lady ne Padwen. You who have trained most of our militia will now also arm them with the weapons they will use to cleanse the land. For out of all our higher Brothers and Sisters, it is only you who have stood and fought against any kind of malevolent. Only you who knows what it takes to destroy them"

The appointment to such a higher station seemed so much smaller in comparison to the world shattering information you had just been told. That the Church had been hiding the truth for centuries and that one of the worst plagues of society had actually been caused by one of the revered siblings. And even on top of this was essentially the declaration of a shadow crusade. It was all too much, and your thoughts became swiftly muddled as the conversation continued. You were merely answering rotely and with platitudes about your thoughts on the Division and its training, until an Elder Sister pulled you back with a particularly pointed question.

"Lady ne Padwen, did you hear me?" the Elder Sister asked. Shaking your head no, she repeated her question, "I had said that even though we were fully behind Somer's goals, we need to start slowly. What would your recommendation be for how we are to arm and equip the Division?"

You took a moment before you responded. This would be the defining arms and armor of the Reclamation Division, the weaponry that would reclaim the land. This would decide the tactics and strategies used now and in the future. And so, after much thought, you signed your decision for Noémi to translate;

[ ] Focus on mobility. To truly eliminate malevolents, you had to encircle and destroy them, making certain there were no survivors or spawn that could grow into new threats. (Pushes the Division into a light infantry/cavalry role. Very easy to respond to and outmaneuver most threats.)

[ ] Focus on melee. It might seem counter-intuitive, but enchanted arms and armor allow an average man to stand toe-to-toe with even some of the stronger malevolents. (Pushes the Division into Very short ranged combat. Flip side of this is that almost every soldier will have enchanted arms and armor.)

[ ] Focus on firepower. There are some malevolents that are all but immune to ball and blade, and require the cannon's roar. For those that are weaker, grapeshot will do. (Pushes the Division towards an artillery role. Slow moving, but relentless firepower.)

 

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To be filled out at a later date.

 

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To be filled out at a later date, and as knowledge is gained.

 

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To be filled out as questions occur/items are brought up in story.

Spoiler: Races of the World

The world is currently filled with three races; the Bassal, Fain, and Gern. Any race can give birth to any other race, and there is no connection to genetics to base what race the child will be born. The only guidelines there seem to be is that there is a 40/50/10 chance to give birth to a Bassal/Gern/Fain child respectively.

-The Bassal could be considered the most 'normal' of the three races. They are the chosen of Somer they have been blessed with more endurance and stronger than average bodies and and are able to channel mana into their own bodies to accomplish feats of strength and endurance beyond standard. Of course the training to do so is both rigorous and requires above average dedication. While most Bassal will never have to worry about getting sick with the common cold or flu and could comfortably work a field from sun-up to sun-down without fatigue, unless they specifically train for it they will not be able to lift a carriage or outrun a horse. Bassal live around 130 years.

-The Fain are the Fredia's favored. They are, to a person, statuesque in beauty and are all able to manipulate the free floating mana in the air. These are the magicians and sorcerers of the world and can grow to be very powerful individuals. Of course, like the Bassal, in order to do so they require immense dedication and training. Though this is offset by the fact that most can live beyond 300 years old. Many successful merchants and rulers make use of Fain associates and advisors if they are not Fain themselves.

-Gern are said to be the most active of the three races. Charges of Etta they are ever curious and ever lively, as they do not sleep. Gern are blessed with instead two states, active and deductive. During their active state Gern are rambunctious and lively folk, constantly tinkering, asking questions, and running from one curiosity to the next. During their deductive state they slow down immensely and think over all the information they have gathered. As well, Gern can imbue mana into objects, creating enchantments and wonderous works. They have it the easiest to accomplish their magic in general, but still require training to achieve great feats. Gern can live up to 90 years.

 

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"Artillery. Artillery and heavy shot Sister," Noémi translated. "If we are to truly purge the land of the malevolents, then we must be prepared to destroy any that we come across. I have seen some beasts charge through an enchanted spear wall like it was but toothpicks against a bear. Still others have ben shot by line after line of infantry to no effect. We must put our trust in artillery."

"Well then," an Elder Brother replied, "with such an impassioned plea, what can we do but accept your decision? Although I think our financiers won't be too happy about it." There was some muttering and chuckles from his response. Some were simply agreeing while others were making remarks of 'waste' and 'extravagance'.

As the muttering stated to grow into conversations and threatened to turn into arguments, Speaker Arthur raised his voice.

"Brothers and Sisters, why did we ask Lady Padwen the question if we aren't going to accept her answer? It may be difficult, but if this is what our expert believes is the right path forward, then so do I."

At his admonishment, the room grew quiet once again. Some of the Elders looked ashamed while others smiled. Discussion afterward in the room consisted mostly of how the church were going to finance and organize a heavy Division. It was decided there would be two brigades of grenadiers, and a brigade of heavy guns. Ridiculous as a unit for war against fellow men, but exactly what was needed against the malevolents.

Afterwards, you were informed about the resources that were to be made available to your station. A small plot of land just outside of the capitol city limits and a set amount of funds necessary to be used for testing of provided arms and armor. A veritable army of staff and messengers who had been given permission to visit all corners of inhabited land. And finally the (implicitly limited) ability to call on the higher members of the Church, including Speaker Arthur, to push through bureaucratic hurdles should you deem it necessary. And with that, conversation began to die.

"Well then, I believe any more discussion we have will not require Lady ne Padwen's presence," the Elder Brother who had first spoken to you spoke up. "Please, follow the priest outside the door to your new room. And thank you for your input."

Taking your dismissal for what it was, you turned to Speaker Arthur. After a moment, and one of the Elder Sisters leaning over to whisper something to him, he bid farewell with a small wave of his hand. You had to suppress a smile as you left the room. Outside the room a scribe stood and motioned for you to follow him.

You couldn't help but look at the many art pieces and relics as he took you through the hallowed halls of the Grand Cathedral. How many of the artists knew the secret? How many of the pieces were meant as a subtle message to reveal the truth? Unless they were alive to tell, you would never know.

Your guide soon brought yourself and Noémi to a side hall and directed you towards a moderately sized office. Inside were three desks and sets of seats, shelves for the multitude of documents you would soon be pouring over, and a single Gern visitor.

He turned at your entrance, and you saw how old he was. Where most Gern were blessed with a long life if they reached the age of 60, this old man looked ancient. His hair, both on the top of his head and his wildly growing facial hair, was nearly completely white. Deep valleys of wrinkles and scars criss-crossed his face. He greeted you cheerfully with a voice that was deep and strong.

"Ah, Lady ne Padwen. My name is Arsène Port. I am to be one of your colleagues in this new venture the Young Speaker has set out for. It is my pleasure to meet you fair lady," he finished with a slight bow. "I will be leading the efforts to uncover information about malevolants that we do not know. I look forward to working with you. And please, you may speak freely. I am able to understand you perfectly fine without a translator."

"Thank you for meeting us Ser Port," you signed while also motioning for Noémi to take a rest. "I too look forward to a beneficial relationship. If greetings were all though, I must ask you to leave. We have received our first tasking from the Church in our endeavor."
"This was but a simple greeting. good day then ladies," and with that he left your office.

You pondered on the best arms to provide the Division with as you and Noémi sat down. There could be no question that the infantry would be provided with muskets a their line weapon. But they would need to have something extra. While grenades had fallen out of favor with most line armies, they were still used for certain assaults and engagements. Of course, you could also ask for something slightly bigger such as hand mortars or small cannons to update the very idea of grenadiers. Even artillery carriages could afford to be something 'other' than strict field guns since they would not be expected to engage other armies. With those thoughts in mind you spent the next few days sifting through reports and sending out requests to neighbors both large and small for small batches of;

Infantry Weapons
[ ] Grenades, simple explosives thrown by hand. The cheapest, and most prolific option.
or
[ ] Heavy guns, man portable artillery. Specialized and limited, but could provide more firepower.

Artillery
[ ] Field guns, simple and elegant. With their size and simplicity, they could also be enchanted.
[ ] Rockets, powerful but indiscriminate. Explosive and deadly, but also the most temperamental, inaccurate, and expensive.
[ ] Volley guns, accurate but weak. These would provide the most accuracy, but be the most vulnerable and not be as damaging as other options.

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A/n: Any sort of questions are welcome. Going to put up a moratorium for Aug 4, 2024 at 10:30 AM