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History
House Chandus are the lieges of the County of Repton March, a fief composed of the mountains and valleys of the Ergonian region bordering the Vir Sidus Empire in the east. They are known for the antiquity of their bloodline, the beauty and difficult terrain of their fief, their soldiery and devotion to the Duchy of Tarris.
They are one of the smallest Counties in the West, and only have two Greater Lordships as vassals - De Ufford of Aspendon in the north, and Chandus of Leodis, a cadet line of the main house in the south. They also have two Lesser Lordships of Highlanders, formerly Caltu tribesmen - Clendenning in the centre-east, and Strathclyde in the south-east.
The first mention of House Chandus was almost a millennium ago, though not in the same name, and in a different era and Empire. A family of men from the capital were recognised for their service to the Vir Sidus Empire and given lands to settle in a valley west of the Ergonian mountains, in the Imperial Province of Firen. Their good service was mainly due to several generations of fighting for the Legions, and now, against the newly minted Partharian Empire, they contributed to the defeat of those mighty foes. Or if not defeat, then at least to the staying of the tide. The newly ennobled men, bearing the surname Candius, settled in the Valley of Scales. The valley's name originated from the trading road that led from the Empire's heartland out into the Province of Firen and the scales used to weigh trade goods in the city of Strannaeus. Much later, the people would be called House Chandus, and the town, much diminished and half ruined, Strand. Such is the march of time.
It was the job of these stalwart men of the east settled in an Imperial bastion to provide a century, that is a hundred men, of legionnaire infantry as well as the appropriate auxiliaries and levies should the time arrive. They built a small legionary fort that would eventually transform into a small castle and called it Sun Shield, for their eastern location, their eastern origin and their guardian role. For hundreds and hundreds of years, the Candii guarded this well travelled road for the Empire and sent their men to fight for its glory. And then, at a point in the pivotal crisis with the barbarian Garail hordes invading, the Empire decided to pull back. It was assumed that all of the Legions would be recalled and indeed, most marched long and hard back over the mountains to the Empire's home. Not all soldiers left, though – indeed, there were so many soldiers and officers who felt their roots were deeper in the West. The Candii were among these. And so, following their house leader, Lord Marcus Candius Solentus (also known as Lord Marc Chandus), the men of House Candius and their company of legionnaires remained in place. In the chaos of the forging wars, they defended their valley, kept the Imperial road and the river Scamander, which ran through the valley, open to trade and movement and kept their vassals safe. Eventually, they found a House of like values and stalwart resolve and swore to them; House Reine became their overlords.
Hundreds of years passed. The Province of Firen gave way to the Kingdom of Galenthia and House Chandus, as it was now known, provided their exceptional heavy infantry and pike militia to Houses Reine, Tarris and Romante. They fought and they died. The House kept contact with their old kinsmen through contacts in the Vir Sidus mountain fortresses and kept up trade, but diversified into sheep, goats, cattle, agriculture and mining – it would turn out that both iron and silver ore was plentiful in the mountain passes around the Valley of Scales and the town of Strand. Without ambition to expand out of their valley, House Chandus remained a minor affair but consolidated its hold on the Valley of Scales. By the time of the Thirty Year War, the castle of Sun Shield had become well built, well defended and incredibly well provisioned, watching over the valley from its position part of the way up the middle of Tyr Mountain. The town of Strand, though much contracted and filled with Imperial ruins which belied its immensely prosperous past was still a thriving, healthy trading town on a healthy trade route. The Valley’s second town, Silvermines, filled the coffers nicely.
As the Thirty Year War expanded, eventually House Chandus was called to contribute many soldiers and militia to the fighting and away from its defence from the frontier with the Caltu tribes. The Lord of the time, Lord Henry Chandus, took most of his sons, daughters and troops to the North to fight in Aequor. The Chandus soldiers, especially the professional heavy infantry acquitted themselves very well under Tarris banners, but took severe casualties. Many of the Chandus who went north did not return to the Valley of Scales or Sun Shield, including the Lord of Sun Shield Keep.
Again in the Succession War, the Chandus were called to banners. As a new generation came of age, their soldiers' ranks were replenished. Again, they fought excellently. On more than one occasion, the Sun Shield Guards, the house infantry troops, performed admirably along with their liege's forces, the Dragon's Claws of House Reine. Again, they lost a Lord of Sun Shield. This leaves the first Lord, now Viscount to be the previous's second youngest brother and his father's fifth child. Viscount Thomas Chandus has been tested by half a lifetime at war, a sworn knight and a brave, pragmatic man. He has garnered much experience since he took control of the Chandus fief and with their absorption of lands many times their original fief's size, the future lays open.
Overview
- Cover
- Culture
- Lands and Holdings
- County Grand Council
- Vassals
- Economy
- Legends
- Reputation and Rumours
- Traits or Stunts
- Current Members
- Recent Events
Many in Chandus lands speak Imperial Common as a second language. This was a function of being a border fief and formerly a transit point for trade coming from the Vir Sidus Empire. Today, while merchants may not exercise this tongue with their Imperial counterparts, it is still often taught by tutors to the well to do, including members of House Chandus, but many citizens of Yeoman status speak it with varying degrees of proficiency. Old habits die hard, and being bilingual is considered both a mark of sophistication as well as a suitable pursuit given the Chandus's heritage. Now that a significant number of former Caltu tribesmen have settled in the Kingdom, their barbarian language has also become one in common parlance in the eastern borders of the County. Still, it does not have the same resonance with Reptonians as Imperial.
The members of House Chandus and consequently their commoners are known to be pragmatic in their lives and outlooks. They are affable and friendly to each other and outsiders, which likely comes from their history as a trading post. They are also noted as rather phlegmatic in the face of hardship. This has enabled them to thrive in the challenging, somewhat isolated terrain of the Barony and push on past recent hardship endured by war and occupation.
The Chandus have an unswerving loyalty generally instilled in them from a young age, from the lowest peasant following his Viscount to the Chandus nobles themselves in their dealings with their lieges, House Tarris. While this brought them into the First Succession War on the wrong side, it has since kept them on the side of the Royals and earned them a reputation as reliable. Their loyalty has had phenomenal rewards - first a Barony and now, a County.
They consider discipline to be one of the highest virtues, to the point that sacrificing personal comforts and money for the greater good of the community is seen as a core value. It's no surprise, then, that this small House is known to be extremely devout to the Faith of the One and have defended it viciously from any slanders, perceived slights or heresy. However, the sum of their traits usually brings out the positive aspects of the faith the most.
House Chandus has a rich heritage, long lineage and steadfast reputation that they seek to preserve and foster. They are blue bloods and ancient nobility in the truest sense of the word and bear this proudly. They do not suffer insults to either them, their vassals or their lands well.
The County of Repton March is made up of various segments. Originally centred on the Valley of Scales, in Mai 1866, the Chandus Lordship was granted the lands of House Malkess, creating the Barony of Repton March. Several years later, they absorbed their other neighbour, the the Sedar Barony and were thus raised to a County, though the seat remains in the Valley of Scales. The County makes up the southern portion of the Kingdom's Eastern Marches region, formerly abutting the Vir Sidus Empire and now a dangerous border land occupied by the new Goblin Kingdom and a variety of successor Vir Sidian warlords.
The first and originally held Chandus possession is the Valley of Scales, a vast, beautiful and somewhat isolated region. It is their most important holding by far. An old Imperial road, still well maintained, runs from east to west, going from the former Vir Sidus Empire's border fortress of Castra Vetera, now possibly occupied by forces of the Goblin King, through the mountains into the valley and out again to the Barony of River Wood.
The River Scamander originates in the mountains to the east of the valley, broadening significantly within and moving onward through the Duchy of Tarris, merging with the Leonor River and eventually emptying into the Great Salt River. The south end of the valley is bordered by Three Peaks Mountain, while the northern end has the enormous Tyr mountain protecting it. It is on this mountain side that Sun Shield Keep is built. It has withstood numerous large raids by Caltu tribes formerly living in the mountains as well as a prolonged siege by Thorn forces during the Second Succession War.
Despite its isolation, the Valley of Scales is well populated. The city of Strand has massively expanded in the last decade. Strand is an incorporated community with a council, a variety of guild halls and a strong wall located in the west central part of the valley and along the Scamander River. After having contracted following the withdrawal of the Vir Sidus Empire in the 14th century, it has now grown to the point that it is nearly the same size. The second town, Silvermines, is not quite as big as Strand and located in the southeast area of the valley, astride Three Peaks Mountain. It has the majority of the mining guilds and the town's mint to go along with the eponymous silver mines, though iron, copper and tin make up the majority of metal extracted. There are several villages of varying size, from east to west - Badenyon (a Caltu or Highlander settlement, the seat of the Lesser Lordship of Clendenning), Loris, Willow, Tyr (adjacent to Sun Shield Keep). In the far west is the Valley's centre of viticulture, the town of Circester.
A number of observation posts and strengthened forts are present throughout the valley, mainly to watch for Goblin raids from the east and potential incursions from the west. They are well supplied and built to signal further in of any incursion and, if the raid is large enough, provisioned with quick ponies to consolidate inwards. Some of them were upgraded to motte and bailli forts in Spring 1874. They've performed their duty admirably in the last few years, enabling the movement and fortification of troops and equipment into the Town of Strand to withstand the Second Succession War and then providing early warning during the Goblin King's attempted invasion in the spring of 1870.
The second holding of Repton March consists of Aspendon, held in fief by the Great Lordship of House de Ufford after it was stripped from the defunct House Malkess in 1866. Its capital is also called Aspendon.
The third piece of territory is Leodis, the former lands of House Sedar, absorbed after the scions of that noble family were destroyed during the War of the West in Fevrier 1869. The Barony has since been broken up into a Greater Lordship, which the Viscount awarded to his brother Sir Henry Chandus as a reward for service in 1873 and the remaining hinterland absorbed into county directly. Leodis is composed of two valleys connected by a sizeable north-south passage carved through the mountains a thousand years ago. While the Leodis fief is bigger in size than the Chandus's capital Valley of Scales, its lack of significant mines means that it has had to focus its economy on less profitable ventures. Still, it is agriculturally productive and important to the County's economy as well providing strategic depth. Leodis also contains the settlement of Strathmore (a Caltu or Highland town), which is the seat of the Lesser Lordship of Strathclyde.
The fourth and smallest piece of the County of Repton March is a narrow strip of territory in the far west that connects the entire fief together called 'The Narrows'. Initially started as a small dirt road connecting the Valley of Scales and Aspendon, it is now a fully maintained road with way stations, manned forts and a few fortified villages, providing a reliable, easily traversable ground link between the County's component parts.
With the promulgation of the Charter of the Valley in 1865, forms of local government were set up within the Valley of the Scales. These forms quickly expanded outward on the absorption of the Malkess fief of Aspendon and then on the raising to the County of Repton March in 1872.
The County is divided into a series of Shires, some rural and some urban. Each Shire elects from its number a Reeve to the County Grand Council to represent their interests and petition the Viscount when necessary; some urban Shires elect more than one - four in the case of the City of Strand. Both franchise for election and eligibility to be a Reeve are restricted. Electors must be gentry, craft masters, merchants above a certain property level or yeomen who have served at least six years of service in Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment, the Repton Highlanders or the Repton Yeomanry. Electors must also be at least 30 years old and be able to read and write. Only one elector is permitted per family, and gentry generally have more sway than lower orders, in that their votes are counted first. The same rules apply to those who wish to become Reeves.
Each Shire also has a Warden appointed to it by the Viscount, or in the case of Aspendon and Leodis by their respective lords. The Warden must be a knight or a former officer of either Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment, the Repton Highlanders or the Repton Yeomanry, although occasionally a serving officer will be appointed to this position. In vassal areas, Wardens generally come from the local knights and regiments. Wardens are in charge of the platoon of professional troops on local duties (see Professional Troops - Breakdown), policing, command and training of the levy and the administration of local justice.
In overall administrative control of each section of the fief are appointed Magistrates. There are three - the Magistrate of Scales (appointed by the Viscount, also administers the Narrows), the Magistrate of Aspendon (appointed by Lord Aspendon) and the Magistrate of Leodis (appointed by Lord Leodis.) There is also a Constable, a senior knight in Chandus service who oversees the County's Wardens - this is always the Master at Arms of Sun Shield Keep. The Constable holds the rank of Decurion in Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment.
The Grand Council meets no less than twice a year, bringing together the three Magistrates, the Constable, the Shire Reeves and Wardens and either the Viscount himself or the Viscountess, Princess Livia Aerelious. Matters dealing with law, order, justice and local government are discussed and petitions are heard, presented by Reeves to the council from their populace.
Beyond the Grand Council, several townships have their own assemblies, include the capital city of Strand, with Bailiffs in charge of the townships and a Mayor of Strand. Representatives of these town assemblies are called Aldermen. The assemblies are empowered solely within their own towns, though they liaise with Reeves and Wardens in matters of defence and justice. Franchise for electors to these smaller councils is less restrictive in general, and those who might not qualify to vote in the Grand Council can do so for this level by holding a County Warrant that demonstrates honourable service with the banner.
All councils in the County have the right to propose laws. In the case of the Grand Council, these must be approved by the Viscount or Viscountess. In the Valley of Scales, laws proposed by the town assemblies are generally approved by the Magistrate, while in both Aspendon and Leodis they are approved by the Lords themselves. Councils also deal with things such as care and administration of roads, toll houses, water supplies and sewers, public buildings and, importantly, regularisation of weights and measures used in trading.
Election to the office of Reeve immediately entitles one to be counted among the County's gentry, which is a boost in social status that also means that their children can serve as officers in both Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment and the Repton Yeomanry.
Overall, the Council system has proven extremely popular with the inhabitants of the County, and is one more thing setting them apart from their neighbours.
House Chandus has two Great Lordly houses sworn to it, House de Ufford and House Chandus of Leodis and two Lesser Lordships of Caltu origin, Strathclyde and Clendenning. The de Uffords, ennobled as Lesser Lords after the Second Succession War for the stalwart service of then Sir Wulfred de Ufford to the realm and House Tarris, were then raised to the Greater Lordship at the beginning of the War of the West. They have title to the old Malkess lands of Aspendon.
House Chandus of Leodis, a second Greater Lordship, was created in the early 1870s and awarded by the Viscount (then Baron) to his brother, Sir Henry Chandus, and is formed out of the greater part of the old Barony Sedar, though the western areas have been retained under the County itself to provide strategic depth.
In several key points at the east of their domains are two clans of settled Caltu, called Highlanders by the other denizens of the County. They are organised into the new Lesser Lordships of Strathclyde and Clendenning. They have accepted fealty to Galenthia, by and large converted to the faith of the One, and taken to agriculture and service to their new home. Strong settlement by demobilised veterans of the County's regiment has led to a mingling of cultures, and it is likely that their expertise will be crucial in any renewed conflict to the mountainous east. By order of Duke Gauvain Tarris, large motte and baille fortifications have been constructed in their lands and staffed with garrisons from the Tarris Border Regiment. The Highlanders also are on the front line against the evils of the deep mountains.
Both Chandus houses and de Uffords have a considerably larger proportion of free yeomen who own title to their land than most nobility. This has given the Chandus a ready class from which to draw clerks, administrators and officials, as well as providing a strong middle class in both town and country. The yeomen also provide the majority of soldiers to the House, both professional and militia.
Prior to late 1872, they were vassals to House Reine but have since become sworn only to the Ducal house, Tarris.
The Valley of the Scales was, historically speaking, a major transit point for trade from the Vir Sidian east to the Imperial Province of Firen. When the Empire retreated over the mountains, travel was restricted to the east but trade continued to operate. The normal route was for trade goods to be brought over the mountain passes, which were defended by Vir Sidian legionaries, by caravan and wagon. Some would then continue on the old Imperial road into the Kingdom of Galenthia, while the vast majority of goods would be loaded onto river barges to be shipped down the River Scamander, passing through House Riven's lands to the County of Windholme's capital at Riverrend and then down to Tarris Fortress Duval, where it would be loaded onto boats and shipped along the coast. This made for a rich windfall by the custodians of the river's head, House Chandus, and contributed to their lack of interest in expanding outside of their Valley.
However, one Lord of the Chandus realised that the capricious and inscrutable nature of the Imperial authorities could result in a major crisis for the Valley's economy. Lord Edward Chandus, the namesake to the current heir of the House, lived during the 1500s IE and helped, during his reign, to significantly diversify the Valley's economy into agriculture and mining. While the mountains were known to have rich deposits of ore and the soil of the valley to be very fertile, he brought in incentives for yeomen to settle down to farming by providing them with title to land, and encouraged the formation of the Miners Guild which continues to direct the extraction of riches from the mountains. Still, it is undoubted that the cessation of trade hurt Chandus fortunes, turning what was once a very wealthy lordship into a moderately prosperous County.
Today, their economy is thus built on the triple pillars of agriculture, mining and trade. When the Imperials finally did close off trade with the west in the late 1840s (excepting the city of Rhone in Aequor), the Valley of Scales was well situated enough to continue brisk, versatile business. Agriculture is quite varied, from significant wheat, beans, pulses and vegetables in most of the arable lowland to wine grapes in the western end of the valley, near the town of Circester. Circester wine has steadily increased in quality and is becoming a big seller at market, which has proven a windfall for the Chandus. The foothills of the fief are mainly planted with fruit trees while further up the slopes, sheep and goats are kept, mainly for wool though there are also meat and dairy varieties. Agriculture has become far more productive over the last decade following improved irrigation and more incentives for both yeoman farmers and retired soldiers to settle on the land.
As the river is thick with barges, fishing is not extensive and only for domestic consumption.
The mines of the Valley of Scales produce mainly iron, copper and small amounts of tin ore, although one mine produces a small amount of silver which House Chandus has monopolised. Some of the ore is transported from the town of Silvermines to be processed by the Smelter's Guild in the capital, Strand, and then produced into finished product by the Smiths Guild – steel and bronze. However, most of it simply goes down river in its smelted state to the lands of House Riven, House Reine and House Tarris and eventually to the rest of Galenthia. This is where the vast majority of trading is done, ending up in the great port of Duval. While some barges do come upstream into Chandus lands with goods, it is nowhere near the outflow, most of which is payed for in gold and silver.
Aspendon has added small inflows of stone to the market, which is administered by the de Uffords but generally shipped to market by barge on the Scamander. Leodis, on the other hand, mainly provides more agricultural inputs. The Highlander Lordships of Strathclyde and Clendenning occupy more marginal lands, and thus generally keep sheep and goats, especially the good wool that the County is building a reputation for.
Over the last decade, infrastructure has massively increased following concerted investment by the nobility of the county. Irrigation canals, roads, and new organisations, such as the Weaver's Guild, have diversified the economy and significantly strengthened its fundamentals. Much of the money gained has been continuously reinvested into further improvements, although the military budget certainly eats up a strong portion, as does storing grain and other goods for thinner years in the future. An exodus in the spring of 1875 of some merchants dissatisfied with laws favouring veterans in trade caused a dip in revenues and a spike in prices, albeit a manageable one.
Assumed - Pragmatic, Affable, Phlegmatic
Justified - Disciplined, Loyal, Devout, Expert Infantryman
Knight Marshal Viscount (Sir) Thomas Chandus. His full title is, “Viscount of Repton March, Lord of Sun Shield Keep, Strand and the Valley of Scales, and Tribune of Viscount Chandus’s Repton Regiment.” He is also the Knight Marshal of Galenthia, and a member of the Royal Order of the Griffon.
Captain Sir Scarlett Chandus, officer commanding No 10 Company, Repton Highlanders who are attached to Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment.
Lady Victoria (Langer) Chandus (NPC), the mother of the Chandus brood. Known by some as the Iron Lady for her demeanor.
Templar Sir Charles Chandus (NPC), Member of the Order Militant Templar, Thomas's older brother. He lives in the Tusca lands of Rikton, having forsaken his inheritance in order to serve the One Faith and his Order.
Sir Henry Chandus, Lord Leodis (NPC), a newly raised vassal of the main line. Formerly Magistrate of the Valley of Scales and Prefect (Commanding Officer) of 1st Battalion, VCRR. Thomas's younger brother by two years.
Lady Isabelle Chandus (NPC), the youngest Chandus sibling. Over the last decade, she has emerged as a wily, cunning courtier serving the Duke of Tarris. In 1867, she moved to the Royal Court at Firen and served as an assistant to The Keeper of the Seals, the Queen's Chancellor. During the War of the West, Lady Isabelle moved back to her home Duchy, taking an appointment in Duke Gauvain's service as one of his ministers. She has a quick mind and an even quicker wit, and while she is young, she has been recognised for her talent with numbers and administration. Her position as an highly eligible bachelorette has made her the target of a myriad of suitors but as of yet, she has turned them all down.
Since Thomas was raised to the Lordship of the house in 1860, the Chandus have expanded massively, absorbing first their former vassals turned traitor the Malkess at the end of the Second Succession War and then their fellow Barons the Sedar, destroyed in War of the West. Their military forces have significantly grown, and casualties taken during the campaigns have been replaced. Still, although they now have a border with a potentially hostile Goblin Kingdom and whatever else lay beyond the Ergonian mountains to the east, they are entrenched and prepared to deal with what may come.
Banner Forces – Professional and Militia
- Cover
- Professional Soldiers - VCRR
- Professional Soldiers - Repton Highlanders
- Professional Soldiers - Breakdown
- Militia
- Levies
- Overall County Banner Strength
- Ranks
- The Colours and Battle Honours
- Regimental Marches
Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment: The origin and history of Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment (VCRR) has been kept meticulously, drawing back five hundred years ago to an amalgamation of elements from the XXII Ironsided Legion and the III Mountain Auxiliary Regiment of the Vir Sidus Empire. Once it became apparent to the local soldiers that the Empire would not be returning to the Civilised West, their Lord commander consolidated them into a new, mixed regiment which continues today. It has integrated elements of House Malkess and House Sedar's military by amalgamating them into its proud history.
The motto of Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment is, "Swift and Bold"
Troops from the regiment are stationed throughout the fief and broken up into two battalions, which are assigned to different roles - the 1st Battalion conducts regimental duties (which includes formed deployments both inside and outside the fief), and the 2nd Battalion conducts both Warden duties (guard and policing) and reserve duties. Soldiers held by the County's landed knights are mostly enrolled and trained members of the VCRR. There is a constant cycle of recruitment, often conducted by retired or cadre soldiers outside of the main body but still retained by the County.
The overall Tribune of the Regiment is Viscount Thomas Chandus himself, who also commands the entire banner. The Prefect (commanding officer) of 1st Battalion VCRR is Sir Carl Wayland. The Prefect of 2nd Battalion VCRR is Sir Russell Terentius. Below these are two Decurions, who act as second in command to the Prefects - Sir Ainsley Buller for 1 VCRR and Sir George Vincentius for 2 VCRR. The Decurion of 2 VCRR commands all training activities and the reserve component of the banner. The Constable of County Repton March, who is also Sun Shield Keep's Master at Arms, falls under 2 VCRR as well and is ranked as a Decurion, commanding the troops under the Wardens on local duties.
The 1st Battalion, which is on regimental duties, is made up of two companies of elite men at arms (the Sun Shield Guards), a company of Galenthian infantry spearmen (the Ironsides), two companies of longbowmen (the Leatherbacks), and two squadrons of lancers (the Hobelars). A small headquarters and support section includes the Prefect and Decurion's staff as well as a squadron of mountain scouts, the Rangers. Finally, the administration company, which consists of the integral baggage train and specialists usually have complements of professional soldiers, but consist of mainly of teamsters and militia troops rotating through their feudal service. Companies or squadrons break down into units of around twenty five called platoons or troops, respectively, and further into sections of roughly seven.
The 2nd Battalion is composed of soldiers on Warden duties (garrison and policing), scattered throughout the fief in small sub-units, as well as those on reserve duties, who conduct large scale training and handle the intake of new recruits. (See bottom of Professional Soldiers - Breakdown tab for more info)
The regiment drills together on a regular basis and has an excellent esprit de corps, as could be imagined from a unit with a five hundred year history. The regimental headquarters and main barracks is located in Sun Shield Keep, though there are forts and posts located at key points in the Valley of Scales, Leodis, Aspendon and the Narrows manned by its soldiers. These observation posts work via signal fires to quickly alert forces to a penetration. If the incursion is large enough, they are provisioned with ponies to make an escape after setting their signals. Soldiers rotate through each garrison, though there are always a core retained at Sun Shield Keep, called the 'Quarter Guard'.
When not on duty requiring them to be in armour, their uniform is a grey, high collared doublet for ordinary duties, a grey tunic for heavy work and physical training, or a grey frock coat (ceremonial) with cobalt facings. All forms of dress are normally accompanied by grey trousers, mountain boots and a form of headdress which varies by element. The VCRR's cap badge is a silver sun in splendour, under which is a hunter's horn, crowned by a gilt Viscount's coronet. Ranks are located on top of the shoulders for officers, above the wrists for warrant officers and on the right upper arms for other ranks (Serjeants and below).
Outside of the VCRR, Repton has recently gained another unit from Caltu immigrants to its lands. Part regular and part militia, these Caltu troops had originally been trained by forces of the Thorn and hired Kentairish mercenaries to fight as pseudo-legionairies, as well as being armed as such by the Thorn's broad coffers. Since their arrival in Repton March and settlement at Badenyon and Strathmore, their forces have been re-purposed and now supply peltasts (heavy skirmishers), scouts and a few men at arms. They are well armed and typically lightly armoured, and are expected to disrupt enemy formations, raid in depth and strike flanks or rear areas. In the hard, broken terrain of their home, they move only on foot, but there is talk of provisioning them with ponies to aid in their movements on campaign.
For a cap badge, they wear a brass Columbine (a typical mountain flower) crowned by a Viscount's coronet in their glengarry bonnets. Their motto is, 'Who Would Separate Us?'
Most Repton Highlanders serve under the banners of both Lords Clendenning and Strathclyde, in a hybrid militia-professional organisation that sees them rotating in and out of full time under the banners. A full time cadre of Highlanders is attached to the VCRR as an understrength company, No 10 Company. Service is seen as crucial to integration into Galenthia and the County and Lords Clendenning and Strathclyde have made it a strong point of pride to ensure that their young folks do their bit.
The Highland pseudo-gentry is afforded the same rights as those elsewhere in the County and makes up most of the Repton Highlander officer corps. However, a number of County knights of a non-Highland background have also taken commissions with them.
Overall throughout the county, the Repton Highlanders are numbered at 550 all ranks, regular and militia.
The numbers of the soldiers in the banner of Repton March fluctuate as with any force. Units being kept at full strength are especially difficult to affect on campaign.
The number of troops on regimental duty with the 1st Battalion is listed below.
The Sun Shield Guards are a hardened group of roughly 200 elite men at arms. They are well equipped, well trained and well blooded from years of warfare, most recently in the Second Succession War, the War of the West and the Parthian Winter War. The soldiers drill extensively in both close order formation fighting as well as individual martial skills. Formerly equipped mainly with banded plate Lorrica cuirasses similar to those made in the Vir Sidus Empire, they now wear lamellar cuirasses with pauldrons, greaves and vambraces, large shields, broadswords and either heavy war darts called 'wasps' or larger javelins. Their focus is on swift, crushing charges that have broken many enemy formation; likewise, their coordination and discipline have enabled them to hold off large numbers of enemies. In late 1867, they were granted the title of Guards in recognition of their long service to the house. For headdress when in unarmoured uniform, Guardsmen wear a grey pileus pannonicus.
The Ironsides consist of 150 hardy, disciplined Galenthian infantry designed to hold the line in large scale battles and well as operate on their own in small engagements. They are greatly accustomed to living, marching and fighting in the mountainous environment where their homes are located, though their experience has been broadened over the last decade by service outside their traditional mountain heartland. Formerly called Borderers, they were granted the name Ironsides in 1874 in recognition of their outstanding service throughout the preceding decade. This name harkens back to the Regiment's predecessor, the XXII Ironsided Legion of the Vir Sidus Empire. They are equipped with mail or scale hauberks, kite shields, 'wasp' heavy war darts, a thrusting spear and gladius shortsword. For headdress when in unarmoured uniform, Ironsides wear grey caubeen berets.
The Leatherbacks are 150 longbowmen employed by House Chandus. Their name comes from the fact that for most of their existence, they were equipped with leather jerkins. Over the last few years, they were re-equipped with mail shirts, but retain a square of harden leather on their chests and backs to preserve their tradition. They carry longbows, shortswords (or other hand weapons) and bucklers. This has made them useful in the mountains of the County of Repton March, where ambush and canalising terrain means that all men must be able to defend themselves and swiftly turn to attack. They've also proved themselves on the open battlefield as able to engage enemy at distance and close for face to face combat, especially with other light troops. They are well regarded as ambush troops. For headdress when in unarmoured uniform, they wear grey archers' bycockets.
The Hobelars are the two squadrons of lancers, 150 in total. Originally, they were only mounted on the stout ponies common to the Valley of the Scales (called hobbies, where the company's name comes from). Since the end of the Thirty Year War, the Hobelars have been provided by House Tarris with reasonably good, light Tarris horses to ride in battle. However, they still train and retain a large stable of ponies and are accustomed to riding either, terrain and campaign dependent. The Hobelars are equipped with mail or scale armour, lances, swords, javelins and large shields which protect their lower legs. Their horses are unarmoured, trading security for mobility. Typically, the Hobelars are employed as close scouts, messengers, to harass and when the time comes, light shock cavalry, used to break flanks, the rear and vulnerable points in enemy formations, attack light troops and hunt down routers. They excel in this role but are certainly not intended to stand toe to toe to heavy foot soldiers or knights. For headdress when in unarmoured uniform, hobelars wear grey busbies with a white feather atop the peak of the hat, which honours their crucial role as messengers during the Battle of Goldhollow in 1868.
Ranger Squadron is the squadron of roughly 100 men designed to be the commander’s eyes and ears far afield. They are expert scouts, especially in mixed mountain and wooded terrain. They are equipped similarly to the Leatherbacks, with longbows and warhammers or axes to go along with bucklers. In battle they usually augment the archers, but have also been sent to screen the flanks and rear of the line or perform other unusual tasks. Outside of battle, they often ride shaggy mountain ponies to increase their range, but do not fight ahorse. For headdress when in unarmoured uniform, rangers wear grey Kausia hats.
No. 10 Company, The Repton Highlanders are 50 former Caltu soldiers of a larger group who act as heavy skirmishers and scouts. While a significant amount of Repton Highlanders serve under the two Highland Lords, 50 are attached directly to VCRR in the form of an half company. They disrupt enemy formations, raid in depth and strike flanks or rear areas. Although capable of standing and fighting, their doctrine is to strike, disrupt and withdraw in order to preserve the element of shock. No. 10 Company wears scale or maille hauberks unlike most of their peers (who typically wear lighter harness), carry bucklers and short gladii swords and either a quiver of javelins or slings. For headdress when in unarmoured uniform, Highlanders wear khaki coloured balmorals.
Breakdown of VCRR & Highlander forces on regimental duties
1st Battalion, Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment
Sun Shield Guards (Elite Men at Arms): 200
Ironsides (Galenthian Infantry): 150
Leatherbacks (Longbowmen): 150
Hobelars (Lancers): 150
Rangers (Scouts): 100
No. 10 Company, the Repton Highlanders
50 Peltasts (Heavy Skirmishers)
Total - 800
As with most noble fiefs in the West, beyond those soldiers of the 1st Battalion on regimental duties, the 2nd Battalion further augments the banner. Independent platoon groups of troops are controlled by the knights of County Repton March in their capacity as Shire Wardens. Knights holding the position of Shire Wardens are all ranked at least Lieutenant in either Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment, the Repton Highlanders or the Repton Yeomanry.
These troops are on what is termed Warden duties, primarily conducting security and policing duties in their areas and liaising with either local militia or levies. However, they are still required to retain proficiency in their core battle tasks, and during protracted campaigns or war may rotate with troops who are forward deployed, acting as a secondary reserve. Platoons regularly rotate out of the line regimental companies in order to fulfil Warden duties.
Since becoming a County, the 2nd Battalion also has several companies in what is termed as reserve duties, again directed by the knights and officers of the County's banners. These troops are mixed in nature, being a combination of all elements of the regiment - shock infantry, spears, bows, lancers and rangers. They act as the primary reserve pool for the regiment when on campaign and do not typically conduct local security, instead focusing on regular training exercises. These exercises may be both internal or with the militia and levies of the fief. The training cadre is housed in the reserve companies and this is seen by many as a sought after posting outside of normal regimental duties.
Finally, a small amount of soldiers were spun off from the 2nd Battalion and trained by the Viscountess's Navalese retainers as marines in Juillet 1875, augmented by militia, and serve on board the nascent riverine force that patrols the Scamander and its tributaries. They form a small ship's company of 25 for the galley, and smaller platoon or section level forces for the smaller ships, and are designed to be augmented by militia in times of war service. The marines are trained in navigation and fighting aboard ship. The Marines are not heavily armed or armoured, relying on speed and violence of action. They man a galley, a caravel and several small leans.
The Repton Yeomanry: The Repton Yeomanry (RY) are the militia of the Repton March. Their Prefect is Sir Alan Ferrius, a long serving militiaman who rather unusually has never served in the retinue forces, though he has experience from innumerable campaigns. The commanding officer and his staff serve as permanent soldiers, as do the officers commanding the companies and their own staffs. The vast majority of Yeoman, however, are part-time soldiers.
Each community is tasked to provide a certain number of pikemen, sometimes alternatively equipped as spearmen depending on their task and situation. They are organised to act as a light phalanx. The Yeomanry are equipped in padded gambesons, steel helmets and typically carry pikes and small shields, with each Yeoman also issued a gladius as a side arm. Some yeoman may equip themselves with better armour out of their own money.
While the majority of the Repton Yeomanry are pikemen, some communities instead provide militia crossbowmen for the muster. The Scales Yeomanry Company also provides a limited number of marines to assist the small riverine patrol force.
For headdress when in unarmoured uniform, Yeomen wear khaki coloured Phrygian caps. Their cap badge is two pikes and two bolts crossed behind a buckler with the house's coat of arms and crowned by the Viscount's coronet. Their is, "Never Yield".
Members of the Yeomanry are often on call up to augment Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment, though their service is for a limited duration outside of war times.
Yeomanry contingents are organised in units called Companies, and are further broken down into Troops according to their town or village's guild or fellowship. The militia system is a major point of pride for citizens of Repton March, as well as being exceptionally useful. They have good morale, their own officers, serjeants, musicians and standard bearers and have a very good record on campaign. Many of them are former members of Viscount Chandus’s Repton Regiment, but their ranks are composed from men and women of all walks of life.
Following the absorption of Leodis and Aspendon into the Chandus fold, various other companies were set up. The largest company still remains the Scales Yeomanry Company (S Company), many whom are residents of the City of Strand, the County capital. They act as a nucleus to the Repton Yeomanry.
While most Yeomanry units are located in communities and many of their members are urban dwellers of some sort (from the city of Strand, towns, villages of the county), many inhabitants of rural areas have joined the militia voluntarily and travel once a week to attend muster.
The members of the Repton Highlanders not rotating through regular assignment follow the typical militia rules and are counted among the numbers for the Highland Lords. As with their comrades on active duty, they mostly fight as heavy skirmishers, with some archers and slingers among their number.
There is a compulsory muster once a week where both Yeomanry and Highlander units gather in their communities around the County and train for most of the day. This is followed by a small, locally held feast, paid for by the County. Up to once a month in peace times but usually every two or three months in the spring, summer and autumn, Yeomanry and Highlander units from all over the County consolidate together in order to train as a mass unit and with the participation Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment. Sometimes, they even deploy elsewhere in the Duchy with the rest of House Chandus's banner to train with their allies.
Breakdown of Militia
Yeomanry Pikemen - 700
Yeomanry Crossbowmen - 200
Yeomanry Marines - 100
Total - 1000
With the waging of the War of the West and especially the emergence of the Goblin Kingdom as a concerted threat on the County's eastern border, the long neglected institution of levies was revived in the early 1870s. Their purpose is two-fold - to aid in local policing as deputies of the Shire Wardens, and in the protection of local areas when the threat of Goblins, bandits or other raiders springs up. However, they are also given rudimentary training to fight in formation, though this has yet to be tested in any true battle and this is not their main purpose.
Levies units are set up directly under the oversight of Shire Wardens and the professional troops under them in numbered platoons. Most levy units are from rural areas of the county. They are provided with padded gambesons, helmets, and either spears and shields or a sling. Levies in Highland (former Caltu) areas are equipped with javelins and a small shield. Each levy member is expected to also provide for themselves a hand weapon of sort, which for many means a club, a hatchet or in the case of wealthier members, a dirk. If a member has the means to equip themselves with superior harness, they may do so at their own cost. Unlike the militia, levies do not have access to their own armouries, with arms being stored at the Shire Warden's keep and doled out at the muster, though they store their armour at home.
Those veterans of Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment living in rural areas often act as levy Serjeants or Corporals and are provided with a leather jerkin and a gladius. Shire Wardens and sometimes VCRR Platoon Serjeants act as levy officers.
Levies are called together once a month to train during most of the year except during sowing and harvest seasons, when musters are often delayed. At least twice a year, levy platoons gather in company level concentrations to train for open warfare. Beyond their training musters, they may be drafted for duty in support of County officials in their local Shires.
The first time they were called for a full muster was in Aout of 1875, during the largest mobilisation that the County had conducted in living memory outside of war time. They performed adequately under the supervision of the retinue forces and militia to escort civilians to their 'war stations' (behind town walls), and to act as an in place force in fortifications. They remain largely untested in large scale battle, but even their limited success was a significant morale boost for them. They remain a cheap and useful tool which help secure the County at the lowest level, as well as providing an outlet to serve the Shire and the Viscount to those who may otherwise live their lives very close to the land, in isolation.
It is estimated that there are no more than 1,000 listed on the levy muster roll directly to the County at any one time; each vassal house has its own levy arrangements. Levy service is compulsory for two years, and usually drawn from the list of those eligible for voting in the various county assemblies.
These numbers include all ranks - standard retinue troops, landed knightly retinue, militia and levies.
Repton March Banner (County)
1st Bn Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment - 800 (incl 50 from Repton Highlanders)
2nd Bn Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment (knightly) - 875
The Repton Yeomanry (militia) - 1,000
Repton levies - 1,000
Repton Riverine Force - One Galley (Nemesis), One Caravel (Surprise), Three Leans (Shark, Wolf, Falcon)
Aspendon Banner (Great Lordship)
1st Aspendon Regiment - 200
1st Aspendon Light Regiment (the Blackguards) - 125
Aspen Battalion of Militia (Horse, Foot and Shot) - 375
Aspendon levies - 250
Leodis Banner (Great Lordship)
Leodis Horse Guards (Ergonian Greys) - 200
Leodis Regiment (knightly) - 200
Leodis Fencibles (militia) - 250
Leodis levies - 250
Strathclyde Banner (Lesser Lordship)
No. 1 Company, Repton Highlanders - 100
No. 2 & 3 Companies, Repton Highlanders (militia) - 150
Highland ceorls - 150
Clendenning Banner (Lesser Lordship)
No. 4 Company, Repton Highlanders - 100
No. 5 & 6 Companies, Repton Highlanders (militia) - 150
Highland ceorls - 150
OVERALL: County & vassals
Professional retinue - 2,600
Militia - 1,925
Levies - 1,800
Vessels - 5
TOTAL: 6,325 at full strength
One of the greatest strengths of both troops of Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment and the Chandus militia is their well organised officer and non-commissioned officer corps. Command and control has always been of vital concern to the regiment and they have continued the Vir Sidian tradition of in depth organisation.
Officers, often though not always knights, are generally from good families in the Barony, especially the unlanded gentry, children of knights and well to do yeomen, while non-commissioned officers are usually career soldiers who've been promoted from the ranks. Very occasionally, an NCO will perform their duties to such a high degree that they will be granted a commission. This entails a significant jump in social status into the gentry class. Officers are expected to conduct themselves as gentlemen and professionals on all occasions. The rank and file are typically titled after their role and trade.
Officers
- Tribune: The overall commander of the regiment. Thus far, this is always the head of House Chandus. Sometimes called the Colonel of the Regiment. His rank insignia is three miniature suns in splendour surmounted by a county diadem badge.
- Prefect: The commanding officer (CO) of each of the regiment's two battalions. Their rank insignia is a miniature sun in splendour surmounted by a County diadem badge and they wear a crested helmet. CO of 1 VCRR commands the field troops on regimental duties, while CO 2 VCRR coordinates all independent platoons on Warden duty (under local knights) and supervises militia and levy training. The commanding officer of the Repton Yeomanry (militia) is also a Prefect.
- Decurion: The deputies of the regiment, either battalion second in command or the Master at Arms/Constable of the County. Usually senior serving knights of high distinction, the Decurions ensure that the behind the scenes matters of logistics, administration and other organisational details are handled properly and professionally. Their rank insignia is a county diadem badge and they wear a crested helmet.
- Captain: Officer commanding (OC) of companies, as well as several senior staff positions in the units are occupied by Captains. This is often, though not always a knightly position. Their rank insignia is three miniature suns in splendour arranged in a triangle and they wear a crested helmet.
- Lieutenant: In charge of platoons or troops, second in command of their companies or junior staff positions. Their rank insignia is two miniature suns in splendour and they wear a crested helmet. All knights are automatically given the rank of Lieutenant, which is the minimum rank required for assignment as a Shire Warden.
- Ensign: A junior officer, often in training. Squires are assigned this rank when they serve a knightly officer, as are those of the local, gentry and well to do yeoman who seek to serve in the Chandus banner as a career. Very rarely, a senior soldier may be promoted to Ensign to recognise extraordinary service and potential. Their rank insignia is a miniature sun in splendour and they wear a crested helmet.
Other Ranks
- Warrant Officer: The senior most rank that common, non-knightly soldiers will usually attain. In charge of discipline, administration and keeping the men in ranks during battle. Essentially, they are the strong right hand men of the officers, common soldiers of long service and skill who make sure the men are ready and able to perform whatever mission their officers and knights have in mind.
The senior most Warrant Officer is appointed Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), with the second most senior being called the Quartermaster (QM) and handling the organisation of logistics and the camps. The more junior Warrant Officers are appointed Company Sergeant Major (CSM) and performs the same job at a lower level. Some specialised staff functions are conducted by other Warrant Officers.
Although they are not commissioned in the same manner of officers, Warrant Officers are awarded a special "County Warrant" charging them with their increased duties, as well as having the privilege of being addressed as "Sir" by their subordinates. They are entitled to wear a cobalt sash bordered with sable (dark grey) in their ceremonial uniforms. Their rank insignia is a miniature sun in splendour with a wreath around it and they wear three feathers in their helmet crests.
- Serjeant: Serjeants are the backbones of battalion and senior non-commissioned officers. They are senior soldiers who provide strong experience to platoon or troop commanders as their second in commands and staff support to companies. They also often help lead levies when on local duties. Without Serjeants, the banner would not run – it is as simple as that. They are often the most experienced soldiers that the average troop deals with on a regular basis.
Serjeants are entitled to wear cobalt sashes in their ceremonial uniforms. Their rank insignia is three chevrons pointing downward and they wear two feathers in their helmet crests.
- Corporals: Corporals are junior NCOs and usually billeted as section commanders, a sub unit of platoons. They also act as standard bearers and buglers. Their rank insignia is two chevrons pointing downward and they wear one feather in their helmet crests.
- Lance Corporals: Lance Corporals are junior NCOs, acting as section second in commands. They may also act as buglers or drummers. Their rank insignia is one chevron pointing downward, and wear a short half feather in their helmet crests/
- Guardsman/Trooper/Ranger/Yeoman/Private: These are the basic rank for soldiers serving House Chandus, changing depending on their role, unit and element. Sun Shield Guards, Hobelars, Rangers and Yeomen are all titled according to their role, while all others are called Privates. The vast majority of soldiers employed professionally or in feudal service to House Chandus are of this rank. Most never rise beyond it during their time in service.
To be added…
The Sun Shield Guards receive a charge from the Thorn mercenary "Red Demons" cavalry, Battle of the Ruins, 1866 IE
Regimental March of Viscount Chandus's Repton Regiment: The regimental quick march of VCRR is, One and All and is notable for its use of light bugles and slightly faster pace than most regiments, which stems from the unit's quick movement in step on the battlefield and the parade square.
Regimental March of the Repton Highlanders: The Repton Highlanders currently have no march, though this is certain to change in the near future.
Regimental March of the Repton Yeomanry: The Repton Yeomanry won its regimental march in battle in an unusual set of circumstances. Towards the end of the First Succession War, the forces of House Chandus faced off against the now defunct House Mathis, a Fallow Lands house that stubbornly stuck by its affiliation with Anton Romante even after the swearing of most Thorn houses to the Rose. On the battlefield, the Scales Yeomanry (The Repton Yeomanry's predecessor) faced off against the Mathis House spears. Hearing them strike up their marching tune, the Captain commanding the Yeomanry turned to his musician and with a laugh said, "Horns and drums - if Lord Mathis wants to face us, we'll beat him to his own damned tune. Strike up Killaloe!"
The battle was won by forces of the Rose and the Yeomanry was granted Killaloe as a battle honour on their colours and a quick march.