The Order of St. Boniface
The Order of St. Boniface
A Knightly Order, representing Köln's desire to fight the pagan forces in the East and drive them out of Europe, the Order of St. Boniface makes up the most elite and well equipped of Köln's armed forces. Großmesiter Wilhelm Becker, with the support of the Pope and König Johannes II, has decided to allow other nations to set up their own branches of the Order throughout their lands, giving them access to some of the Order's powerful knights and sergeants.
OOC: This will follow the order system as developed by me some time ago - it is in the game rules, though it hasn't been used yet.
Order Rules:
Level 1: 200,000 up front, 100,000 per turn, 20,000 of which goes to the nation in charge of the order (may only recruit 1 troop type of veteran quality)
Level 2: 300,000 up front, 250,000 per turn, 50,000 of which goes to the nation in charge of the order (may recruit 1 troop type of guard quality and 1 of veteran quality)
Level 3: 600,000 up front, 400,000 per turn, 80,000 of which goes to the nation in charge of the order (may recruit 2 troop types of elite quality and one of veteran quality)
The troop types being chosen by the nation that owns the order.
At level 3, the elite units in question are unique and have bonuses like any other unique unit, thus the cost of a level 3 order is justified, though high enough that it cannot be exploited. The orders only allow you access to the troops, you still have to pay their upkeep.Level 1: St. Boniface's Chapter House
Allows recruitment of:
St. Boniface's Sergeant Spearmen: Veteran Spearmen - Sergeants are those of a lower social standing who are admitted into the Order mainly to deal with administration and to serve as lower quality troops. These sergeants serve as light infantry, wielding spears. Despite their humble weapon choice, they are still a force to be reckoned with. They have extensive training with their weapon of choice and are equipped with fine armour. They, like all in the order, have devoted their lives to the protection of Christendom, and they will fight to the last man to defend it.
Level 2: Church of St. Boniface
Allows recruitment of:
St. Boniface's Sergeant Spearmen: Veteran Spearmen - Sergeants are those of a lower social standing who are admitted into the Order mainly to deal with administration and to serve as lower quality troops. These sergeants serve as light infantry, wielding spears. Despite their humble weapon choice, they are still a force to be reckoned with. They have extensive training with their weapon of choice and are equipped with fine armour. They, like all in the order, have devoted their lives to the protection of Christendom, and they will fight to the last man to defend it.
St. Boniface's Mounted Captains: Guard Light Cavalry - Those sergeants who have proven themselves to be devoted to the cause, (having spent at least 15 years in service) and who have a history in combat, are promoted to the next, and highest level available to those not of noble birth - the captains. Each is given between two and three horses and a squire to care for them. They form the mobile core of the Order's armies - faster than any genuine knights, and able to fight for longer, but less well armoured.
Level 2: Order of St. Boniface Headquarters
Allows recruitment of:
Sentinels of St. Boniface: Elite Pikemen (UNIQUE UNIT) - These men, the Sentinels of St. boniface, are the most elite foot soldiers the Order has to offer. Of Knightly rank, the Sentinels are made up entirely of men of noble birth. Their strength is in defence, when their long pikes and heavy armour form an impenetrable wall, making them nearly unbeatable if the flanks stay protected. They are also extremely well disciplined, having taken many vows similar to those taken by the Templars and other knightly orders. However, their weakness is their lack of manouvrablity - on rough terrain or across long distances they will move slowly, and they tend not to deal well with ambushes.
+ Well disciplined (rarely rout/break formation)
+ Excellent in defence provided the flanks remain secure
+ Well armoured
- Slow to manouvre
- Bad on rough terrain
Champions of St. Boniface: Elite Heavy Cavalry (UNIQUE UNIT) - Battle hardened from their experiences in the first crusades, these men are the best that the Order has to offer. The genuine knights of the Order, these men are as feared by Pagans and Muslims as the very best Teutonic Knights or Templar Knights. They wear the best heavy armour available in Europe, yet through vigorous training their horses lose little speed because of this. As a result, their charges are enormously powerful, however the horses lack stamina, and in a long battle they tire quickly. As well as exceptional fighters, the Champions of St. boniface are also zealous Christians, and this can have a serious effect when facing Pagan or Islamic foes. In such situations, they will never flee, but may attempt hopeless charges and ruin a general's plans.
+ Powerful charge
+/- Religious Zealots (Never ever flee, and sometimes charge into impossible situations)
+ Fairly fast moving
- Tire quickly
Saxon Marksmen: Guard Archers - Though no match for the British longbowmen, the Saxon people have always known how to handle a bow. To make up for the severe lack of ranged troops in the Order's armies, they have hired several thousand of the best Saxon archers available as mercenaries. Though they are not as devoted to the cause as the men who are actually part of the Order, they are loyal to their coin, and will fight long and hard provided they get paid in full.
