Solen Order

The Solen Order are comprised of several companies of fighting men dedicated to the temple_of_light. The order constitutes the largest group of fighting men within the borders of the Kingdom of Dakar that does not answer to the throne. Instead, the entire order answers only to the Kommandeur Solen who is either the Patriarch or a clergyman who has been given the title for a given task.

The Solen Order traditionally numbers about 900 men, divided into 10 companies of 80 - 100 men. Each of the companies is led by a Paladin who receives his order directly from the Kommandeur or Patriarch. In truth these orders are traditionally vague and the paladin is expected to exercise a great deal of tactical authority in the field.

The men chosen to enter their ranks are not simply selected for their skill at arms, but their religious fervor as well. Instead of weakening the fighting strength as a unit, the discipline within the order makes them a formidable fighting force. This does not mean that they never retreat, as they have left the field of battle when necessary, instead it indicates that they have never retreated in disarray - they have always retreated in good order.

Each company comprises 7 squads (about 7-9 men each) of fighting men and the remaining company provides support. Those providing support range from highly trained scouts, healers, priests, administrative staff, and other people necessary to serve the order in its current job. Most of these fighting and support men stay with a single company their entire service to the order unless they have been selected for one of the three elite companies.

This elite guard is the first order and serves as the personal guard of the Kommandeur Solen. The Ehrenwache only serves in the field when either the Kommandeur or Patriarch is in the field; otherwise this guard is typically broken up into small guard units. They are responsible for guarding the Kommandeur, Patriarch, Archbishop, and serve as a honor guard for the ruler (see Aurora I) and any heir apparent.

This company serves alongside the dwarves of Stoneheart Hold in the cold northlands where the Dakarians once lived. There are several holy sites in the north and the church has even built a few temples among the Brundswag in an effort to convert them. The barbarity of the Brund and other dangers cause them to replace about a third of their number each year. The veterans of this company have seen more combat than another other company in the Solen Order.

This elite company is also the only company of heavy cavalry within the Solen Order. Comprised almost exclusively of the younger sons of Dakarian nobles who will never inherit lands or title. This gives this company a reputation not only of young firebrands, but the only company where family title has any measure of weight.

The Kommandeur, as he is typically called, is the highest rank within the order and is the only man that can command the entire order into battle or override the command on a paladin. By church law the Kommandeur Solen is the Patriarch, but in practice he names another member of the clergy to serve as Kommandeur aeres-Solen (Commander in Honor of). The Kommandeur and those who assist him do so from the holy city of Kitzingen where he can receive the Patriarch's orders. Only when the entire order goes into battle does the Kommandeur take the field

Each of the companies is led by a single Paladin. He serves as the tactical leader of the company as his orders typically give him wide variance on how he may accomplish his mission. The personal power and strength of a Paladin stems not from his own experience, but in the fact that as the direct agent of the gods during any conflict he can serve as the focus point for their intercession upon this world. Through the Paladin the gods may exercise their will upon the world.

The Geistlicher is not within the formal rank of command for the fighting men of the company, he is the highest ranking clergyman that serves the company. He answers only to the Patriarch, not to the Kommandeur aeres-Solen. He provides religious services to the members of the company and as a strict moral compass for the Paladin. Because he is outside of the chain of command the Geistlicher is able to go anywhere in the camp and enter anyone's tent abode of their rank.

This is the senior ranking sersjant and carries the word of the Paladin down to the other sersjants. Furthermore, he is singly responsible for all discipline with the ranks unless it involves a crime against the tenets of the church, those crimes are dealt directly by the Paladin. He is the man that strengthens a faltering line and handles small adjustments during battle leaving the Paladin free to command the overall battle. When necessary he is expected to provide a counter-voice along with the wisdom from his years of experience.

The squad led by the Forsvarer is called the first squad and is expected to maintain itself better than any other squad. Traditionally the honor of carrying the banner into battle is given to the first squad, but a Paladin may strip that right to either show his displeasure with his forsvarer or favor one of the other sersjants.

Each squad within the company is led by a sersjant. His responsibility is not only see to the discipline of his men, but also ensure that the forsvarer's orders are carried out.