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 Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 11:04 pm
 CHESS PIECES AMONG OTHER THINGS
There are three military factions found within the continent of Chess, our game board. They are the Blanc, Noir & Hong armies. Blanc and Noir are more actively aggressive against each other than the Hong. A fourth group are the Prophylaxis Guards or simply the Guard for short. All soldiers have two paths of advancement open to them: an offensive path and a defensive path.
For Blanc and Noir, they advance using the traditional pieces of chess. Order of promotion is:
xxxxPawn ⇢⇢ Knight ⇢⇢ King
xxxxRook ⇢⇢ Bishop ⇢⇢ Queen
For the Hong army, they are as follows:
xxxxxxxxx⇢⇢ Elephant ⇢⇢ Minister ⇢⇢ General
xxxxSoldier
xxxxxxxxx⇢⇢ Cannon ⇢⇢ Horse ⇢⇢ Chariot
For the Hong army, they are as follows:
xxxxxxxxx⇢⇢ White Amaranth ⇢⇢ ???
xxxxGuard
xxxxxxxxx⇢⇢ Red Amaranth ⇢⇢ ???
Ranks are not restricted by the gender connotations of these titles. A male is just as likely to become a Queen as a female is to become a King.
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 2:17 am
███ GENERAL PHILOSOPHIES BEHIND BLANC AND NOIR ARMIES The structure of the army for Blanc and Noir are essentially the same. The major difference is that Noir is more focused on the offensive while Blanc has chosen to strengthen their defense.
This is due both geographical location and different methods in achieving the same goal. Both kingdoms are two sides of the same coin. While Blanc is interested in protecting the Gates of Paradise, Noir is intent on storming them and force the entrance open.
「 Blanc Terrain 」 Blanc is in a mountainous region that receives generous amounts of snow every year. It is surrounded by a forest that eventually makes way for fertile land suitable for farming. Combined with the water produced when the snow melts and the fertile land, farming is the kingdom's chief industry. Moreover their capital was built on a massive outcropping between two mountains. The king's castle bridges Mount Halcyon and Mount Augue. It doubles as a fortress and entrance into the the majority of the kingdom is impossible without a Sherpa. Mobilization of enemy troops is quickly stopped because of such natural obstacles.
These factors combine to make laying siege to the Blanc Kingdom nearly impossible. It is suicide on the enemy's part to even try. And it is with this that the Blanc Kingdom has been able to make an army capable of outlasting their opponent.
「 Blanc Views Towards the Gates 」 In the way of values, Blanc does not believe that having access to the Gates equates to happiness as Noir does. It is a special privilege, not a right. To have access to it, is wonderful. But without it, life wouldn't change much. Moreover, the powers behind the Gates are completely unknown. Only myths and legends offer any explanation and Blanc finds this support too weak. But, the unknown is also what causes fear for Blanc. Their purpose is only speculated upon; what would happen if they were forced open?
With this philosophy and this fear, Blanc has decided that it is better to wait for the Gates to open of their own accord. They will be awarded for their patience while avoiding disaster at the same time.
「 Noir Terrain 」 The Noir Kingdom is concentrated along the coast and near rolling hills. There is very little covering for ambush from the sea and from land. However, it also means that there are no obstacles in the way for enemies to be delayed by. Thus, it is with this in mind that Noir developed an aggressive and fast acting army. With their location by the sea, the Kingdom is rich in money and access to outside resources by trading with other kingdoms and by being the gateway onto the western side of the Chess Continent.
「 Noir Views Towards the Gates 」 Moreover, Noir is intent on forcing the Gates of Paradise to open so that it's assumed benefits can be utilized for all. They do not want to wait for the Gates to open of their own accord as humans can not outlive something eternal. Within this reasoning is the value placed upon the individual. Every life matters and so, in turn does ensuring each one's happiness.
In this way, they are less pragmatic than the Blanc and their views about the Gate are much more romanticized. There is an underlying current of fear, but the hope far outweighs any reservations a Noir might have.
「 Recruitment 」 Enlisting in the army typically begins at age 17 and it is open recruitment up to age 40. Lying about age is not unheard of and occurs often. However, if the soldier doesn't mention it, the Kingdoms will pretend not to notice the error.
Soldiers aged 40 and above must either take a teaching or advising position or retire. Old soldiers do not make an efficient army, but their years of experience are a valuable well Blanc and Noir know not to dismiss.
xxxx Only one King or Queen may be active at any one time. When successors ascend to this position, the previous King/Queen is retired and will often either take on an advising role or spend the rest of their days doing whatever they wish.
xxxx Knights command brigades and platoons. Platoons are larger than brigades.
xxxx Bishops may command medical stations, city hospitals and village clinics with a small force of rooks.
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 2:31 am
███ PAWN LADDER
This ladder of advancement is offensive. Soldiers who begin as pawns will be sent out to the front the most frequently and encounter the most amount of danger.
「 Pawns 」 are essentially cannon fodder. They are numerous in number and due their relatively new status into the army, are somewhat expendable. Of course, measures are taken to reduce the number of casualties as much as possible as neither Kingdom wants to kill off their population.
They are equipped with short swords (Blanc) or double edged daggers (Noir) and minimal protection to help with mobility. As they are often shuffled from post to post based on need, extra baggage is an unnecessary burden. Pawns move in either platoons or brigades. Newer pawns are put in platoons for experience under older Knights. As Pawns improve, they are moved into smaller brigades under more active Knights. Eventually, when they have gained enough experience and skill, they will be offered promotion into Knighthood.
Fresh Pawns receive training from their Knight. There is no academy to teach them the basics of battle. Those who have drawn the short end of the stick may end up with a lazy Knight and be forced to find training elsewhere. It is not frowned upon to look for training from a better Knight.
For roleplaying, you may choose to have your pawn to be in the same brigade/platoon as another pawn of the same nation. If you also have a Knight of the same nation, you may even have said pawn be a member of your Knight's brigade/platoon.
「 Knights 」 command the bulk of the pawns in service. As mentioned before, Knights can be divided into two categories: active and inactive. Active knights will lead operations and, less often, campaigns. Inactive knights are older knights who have already had their fair share of action. They are stationed at the castle and outposts for administration jobs (concerning Pawns & Knights) as well as serve as mentors for younger Knights and Pawns.
「 Grand Knights 」 are the King's war adviser and spends most of his/her time at the castle to assist the King. All Knights report to him/her for assignments. Should the King ever be unable to perform his duties, the Grand Knight takes over military duties until the King is well again. The Grand Knight will always be an NPC.
「 Kings 」 rule the offensive end of a Kingdom. They make all final decisions in regards to war and the army. In addition, matters concerning the law are ultimately handled by the King. He/she presides over trials for criminals who have committed high crimes. Crimes such as murder, arson, treason and so on are a king's responsibility.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 9:26 pm
███ ROOK LADDER
This ladder of advancement is defensive. Soldiers who begin as rooks will often protect the borders of the Kingdom, manage medical facilities and act as medics in platoons. Out of the two, rooks have the most varied jobs.
「 Rooks 」 are equivalent to medics. As they first start out, they will only be experienced enough to administer basic first aid - that is, tend to surface wounds and mild illness (e.g. fevers, colds). A small group of rooks are assigned to each platoon and it is one or two rooks per brigade.
This isn't to say that rooks can not fight. Though they are weaker in terms of fighting ability, this is compensated for by using heavy hitting weapons. For Blanc, they are axes and for Noir they are scimitars. In one on one fights, rooks can hold their own. Against more than one opponent, the slow speed of axes and heavier scimitars hinders them. It is not advised for a lone Rook to take on more than one opponent.
Other duties could be managing armories and supplies stores. Pharmacies may also be a post Rooks are assigned to.
「 Bishops 」 are equivalent to doctors. They can diagnose illnesses, treat serious wounds and prescribe medicine. This position demands that the soldier has a vast store of medical knowledge. To achieve this promotion, it is often required for a rook to spend time at the Kingdom's castle apprenticed to a bishop to gain the experience necessary to rise to Tier 2.
Bishops do preside over a group of rooks but not to the extent that those on the pawn ladder might. Rather, they merely act in the capacity of supervisor. In actuality, rooks assist their bishops more than they learn from them.
This position will also interact with civilians more than a rook would. Whereas a rook will always be moving around from post to post as they are needed, bishops have longer, and often permanent, assignments. They may become the village doctor or something similar in various locations throughout the kingdom.
「 High Bishops 」 act as the Queen's eyes and ears. As the Queen must always keep track of the logistics of the army, the High Bishop will split the work with him/her. They can advise and make decisions on smaller matters, but they cannot have an active part in moving Rooks where they need to go. It is more often that the High Bishop travels the kingdom inspecting conditions of medical facilities and testing the abilities of the Rooks and Bishops. High Bishops will always be an NPC.
「 Queens 」 command the army's medical force. He/she has sole control over the direction they take and to where certain bishops and rooks are assigned. In addition, queens are the foremost doctors of the Kingdom. It is the only way to become promoted to this position. They do not often leave the Kingdom. Only on emergencies.
Queens will also be the ones who 'hold down the fort' so to speak on the home front. Additional duties include civilian affairs, border patrol and financial duties.
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Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 9:29 pm
███ HONG RANK LADDER
Division of duties within the Hong army is similar to Blanc and Noir. The major difference is that the starting rank, Soldier, may choose which path of promotion to take.
「 Elephant Ladder 」 is the equivalent of the Blanc and Noir Rook ladder. A difference is that within the Hong army, it is expected that Elephants do not neglect their combat abilities. To advance onto General, soldiers must be adept in all aspects of war.
「 Chariot 」 is the equivalent of the Pawn ladder with the added bonus of having a cavalry. Soldiers are the cannon fodder, but once they advance to a Chariot they gain the option of being part of a cavalry or manning artillery.
「 Heads of the Army 」 There is no King/Queen equivalent. That would piss Xifeng off. The Empress and her circle of generals have the final say on any army matters. Her generals are not equal to the Elephant ladder's generals.
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