Citadel Guard - Revision history

Hailmur at 16:31, 6 July 2026

2026-07-06T16:31:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:31, 6 July 2026
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			==Overview==
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=CitadelGuard_Colour.png\|align=right\|width=300}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=CitadelGuard_Colour.png\|align=right\|width=300}}
	~~==Overview==~~
	The Citadel Guard are the only [[Urizen]] [[Army\|army]]. Records of an "Army of the Citadels" date back to the time of [[Imperial_history#Terunael\|Terunael]], making them arguably one of the oldest continuously operating military forces in Imperial history.		The Citadel Guard are the only [[Urizen]] [[Army\|army]]. Records of an "Army of the Citadels" date back to the time of [[Imperial_history#Terunael\|Terunael]], making them arguably one of the oldest continuously operating military forces in Imperial history.

Hailmur: /* Traditions */

2026-04-30T23:58:21Z

Traditions

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:58, 30 April 2026
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	The general of the Urizen army has rarely had difficulty securing the use of [[magic items]] of note. At one time, for example, the Citadel Guard carried a unique magical standard - a [[Celestial Sigil]] widely considered to be the first such standard of its type. {{:Celestial Sigil}}		The general of the Urizen army has rarely had difficulty securing the use of [[magic items]] of note. At one time, for example, the Citadel Guard carried a unique magical standard - a [[Celestial Sigil]] widely considered to be the first such standard of its type. {{:Celestial Sigil}}
			====Stormcaller====
			The General of the Citadel Guard bears ''Stormcaller'', an artefact [[:category:rods\|rod]] reclaimed from the [[Long_grass_and_stormclouds#Flags_(Mareave)\|Courath of Icarion]]. It is the legal property of the title. If the general loses their position, then the item must be given to the new general with all appropriate haste. The general is encouraged to take all appropriate precautions to keep this item safe.

	==Composition==		==Composition==
	Most units in the Citadel Guard include at least one trained spell-breaker, a sentinel skilled at identifying, evaluating, and combating enemy magicians on the battlefield. Every spell-breaker favours a different approach - some use specific magical items like a [[Thresher's Cudgel]], but spears and bows are most common. The key element of a spell-breakers training is judgement. There are magicians on every battlefield, the vast majority of them are not worth special consideration. The goal of a spell-breaker is to identify when an enemy magician - or enemy ritual team - is actually likely to achieve something decisive - to use their magic to make themselves a node in the net of the heavens. Only then will the spell-breaker leap into action, risking themselves to nullify the threat. More than one prominent Urizen hero began their study of arete as a spell-breaker in the Citadel Guard.		Most units in the Citadel Guard include at least one trained spell-breaker, a sentinel skilled at identifying, evaluating, and combating enemy magicians on the battlefield. Every spell-breaker favours a different approach - some use specific magical items like a [[Thresher's Cudgel]], but spears and bows are most common. The key element of a spell-breakers training is judgement. There are magicians on every battlefield, the vast majority of them are not worth special consideration. The goal of a spell-breaker is to identify when an enemy magician - or enemy ritual team - is actually likely to achieve something decisive - to use their magic to make themselves a node in the net of the heavens. Only then will the spell-breaker leap into action, risking themselves to nullify the threat. More than one prominent Urizen hero began their study of arete as a spell-breaker in the Citadel Guard.

Hailmur at 21:04, 16 April 2026

2026-04-16T21:04:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:04, 16 April 2026
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	Although the Citadel Guard are powerful, they are the only army Urizen is ever likely to control. There have been attempts over the centuries to deal with this problem but the fact remains that Urizen is the least martially-inclined of all the Imperial nations, as well as having one of the lowest populations. Indeed in recent years even the [[Imperial Orcs]] have begun to outstrip the Urizen in terms of sheer numbers.		Although the Citadel Guard are powerful, they are the only army Urizen is ever likely to control. There have been attempts over the centuries to deal with this problem but the fact remains that Urizen is the least martially-inclined of all the Imperial nations, as well as having one of the lowest populations. Indeed in recent years even the [[Imperial Orcs]] have begun to outstrip the Urizen in terms of sheer numbers.
	-->		-->

	The Citadel Guard are led by the first [[General]] of [[Urizen]], who is appointed at the Summer Solstice each year.		The Citadel Guard are led by the first [[General]] of [[Urizen]], who is appointed at the Summer Solstice each year.
	__TOC__		__TOC__

Hailmur: /* Overview */

2026-04-16T21:04:51Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:04, 16 April 2026
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	Unsurprisingly, the Citadel Guard has a large number of trained magicians in its ranks, including ritualists, battlemages, and magical specialists including healers and diviners. The core of the army, however, has always been made up of [[sentinel\|sentinels]] trained to support and fight alongside their more magically adept cousins, supplemented by skilled diviners who use [[Day magic]] and [[Night magic]] to help direct the Citadel Guard to where their abilities can be most effective.		Unsurprisingly, the Citadel Guard has a large number of trained magicians in its ranks, including ritualists, battlemages, and magical specialists including healers and diviners. The core of the army, however, has always been made up of [[sentinel\|sentinels]] trained to support and fight alongside their more magically adept cousins, supplemented by skilled diviners who use [[Day magic]] and [[Night magic]] to help direct the Citadel Guard to where their abilities can be most effective.
			<!--
	Although the Citadel Guard are powerful, they are the only army Urizen is ever likely to control. There have been attempts over the centuries to deal with this problem but the fact remains that Urizen is the least martially-inclined of all the Imperial nations, as well as having one of the lowest populations. Indeed in recent years even the [[Imperial Orcs]] have begun to outstrip the Urizen in terms of sheer numbers.		Although the Citadel Guard are powerful, they are the only army Urizen is ever likely to control. There have been attempts over the centuries to deal with this problem but the fact remains that Urizen is the least martially-inclined of all the Imperial nations, as well as having one of the lowest populations. Indeed in recent years even the [[Imperial Orcs]] have begun to outstrip the Urizen in terms of sheer numbers.
			-->
	The Citadel Guard are led by the first [[General]] of [[Urizen]], who is appointed at the Summer Solstice each year.		The Citadel Guard are led by the first [[General]] of [[Urizen]], who is appointed at the Summer Solstice each year.
	__TOC__		__TOC__

Twiggy: /* Army Quality : Highest Discipline */

2026-02-09T17:08:01Z

Army Quality : Highest Discipline

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:08, 9 February 2026
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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=CitadelGuard.jpg\|align=right\|width=650}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=CitadelGuard.jpg\|align=right\|width=650}}

	==Army Quality : Highest Discipline==		==Army Quality : [[Highest_discipline\|Highest Discipline]]==
	The Citadel Guard's prowess with battlefield [[Army qualities#Magic\|magic]] is unparalleled. The use of the [[unmade trove]] has granted the army [[Highest discipline\|advanced understanding]] of certain potent [[Highest discipline#Highest Discipline\|techniques]] unknown outside of Urizen.		The Citadel Guard's prowess with battlefield [[Army qualities#Magic\|magic]] is unparalleled. The use of the [[unmade trove]] has granted the army [[Highest discipline\|advanced understanding]] of certain potent [[Highest discipline#Highest Discipline\|techniques]] unknown outside of Urizen.

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	There is an element of risk here; once a technique has been employed it cannot be called on again immediately; access to the techniques "refreshes" during the Summer Solstice after which all of them are available once again.		There is an element of risk here; once a technique has been employed it cannot be called on again immediately; access to the techniques "refreshes" during the Summer Solstice after which all of them are available once again.
	{{Judgement\|Assembly=Urizen\|Raised By=Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer\|Judgement=The Empire comes to the people of Urizen and speaks of Loyalty and sacrifice. We have sacrificed enough. The Empire has shown us they only value our army - not our people, not our home. If the armies of the Empire abandon Zenith, I urge all loyal Urizeni to support the disbanding of the Citadel Guard. The Empire will not benefit from our army if they will not save our people.\|When=Spring Equinox 384YE\|Outcome=Upheld with a Greater Majority, 140-0}}		{{Judgement\|Assembly=Urizen\|Raised By=Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer\|Judgement=The Empire comes to the people of Urizen and speaks of Loyalty and sacrifice. We have sacrificed enough. The Empire has shown us they only value our army - not our people, not our home. If the armies of the Empire abandon Zenith, I urge all loyal Urizeni to support the disbanding of the Citadel Guard. The Empire will not benefit from our army if they will not save our people.\|When=Spring Equinox 384YE\|Outcome=Upheld with a Greater Majority, 140-0}}

	==A Clear Threat==		==A Clear Threat==
	* '''The National Assembly could pass a mandate to disband the Citadel Guard'''		* '''The National Assembly could pass a mandate to disband the Citadel Guard'''

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial army" to "[[Army"

2026-01-16T09:42:12Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial army" to "[[Army"

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:42, 16 January 2026
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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=CitadelGuard_Colour.png\|align=right\|width=300}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=CitadelGuard_Colour.png\|align=right\|width=300}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	The Citadel Guard are the only [[Urizen]] [[~~Imperial army~~\|army]]. Records of an "Army of the Citadels" date back to the time of [[Imperial_history#Terunael\|Terunael]], making them arguably one of the oldest continuously operating military forces in Imperial history.		The Citadel Guard are the only [[Urizen]] [[Army\|army]]. Records of an "Army of the Citadels" date back to the time of [[Imperial_history#Terunael\|Terunael]], making them arguably one of the oldest continuously operating military forces in Imperial history.

	Unsurprisingly, the Citadel Guard has a large number of trained magicians in its ranks, including ritualists, battlemages, and magical specialists including healers and diviners. The core of the army, however, has always been made up of [[sentinel\|sentinels]] trained to support and fight alongside their more magically adept cousins, supplemented by skilled diviners who use [[Day magic]] and [[Night magic]] to help direct the Citadel Guard to where their abilities can be most effective.		Unsurprisingly, the Citadel Guard has a large number of trained magicians in its ranks, including ritualists, battlemages, and magical specialists including healers and diviners. The core of the army, however, has always been made up of [[sentinel\|sentinels]] trained to support and fight alongside their more magically adept cousins, supplemented by skilled diviners who use [[Day magic]] and [[Night magic]] to help direct the Citadel Guard to where their abilities can be most effective.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Military Council" to "[[Military Council"

2026-01-15T12:22:40Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Military Council" to "[[Military Council"

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:22, 15 January 2026
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	The Citadel Guard predate the Empire by several centuries. After Urizen [[Urizen_history#Joining the Empire\|joined the Empire]] during the reign of [[Emperor Giovanni]], they gained access to significantly greater resources allowing their numbers and scope to be expanded. Supplies of food from the Marches and elsewhere meant that many of the [[farm\|farmers]] of Urizen who had lived a thankless life toiling to produce enough food to keep the spires alive were freed to enter military service, abandoning agriculture to become professional soldiers and swelling the number of sentinels in Urizen dramatically.		The Citadel Guard predate the Empire by several centuries. After Urizen [[Urizen_history#Joining the Empire\|joined the Empire]] during the reign of [[Emperor Giovanni]], they gained access to significantly greater resources allowing their numbers and scope to be expanded. Supplies of food from the Marches and elsewhere meant that many of the [[farm\|farmers]] of Urizen who had lived a thankless life toiling to produce enough food to keep the spires alive were freed to enter military service, abandoning agriculture to become professional soldiers and swelling the number of sentinels in Urizen dramatically.

	Throughout history, the Citadel Guard has played a pivotal role in Imperial strategy. Their ability to extend the magical reach of the Empire cannot be overstated, a priceless advantage when fighting in territories that are not under Imperial control. As a result, since the [[Imperial_history#.2854_YE.29_Scouring_of_Redoubt\|scouring]] of [[Redoubt]] in 54YE the Guard have been front-and-centre in almost every attempt to expand Imperial boundaries. Historians speculate that only ignorance of the army's magical capabilities saw it relegated to a home defence role prior to this. Once the [[~~Imperial~~ Military Council]] finally understood the full implications of what the army was capable of, demand for the Guard to join campaigns all over the Empire predictably increased. While engaged abroad, the Urizen secured support from the armies of other nations - while their army was helping the Empire expand and secure its borders their homeland was often protected by armies from [[Highguard]], [[Navarr]], and [[Dawn]].		Throughout history, the Citadel Guard has played a pivotal role in Imperial strategy. Their ability to extend the magical reach of the Empire cannot be overstated, a priceless advantage when fighting in territories that are not under Imperial control. As a result, since the [[Imperial_history#.2854_YE.29_Scouring_of_Redoubt\|scouring]] of [[Redoubt]] in 54YE the Guard have been front-and-centre in almost every attempt to expand Imperial boundaries. Historians speculate that only ignorance of the army's magical capabilities saw it relegated to a home defence role prior to this. Once the [[Military Council]] finally understood the full implications of what the army was capable of, demand for the Guard to join campaigns all over the Empire predictably increased. While engaged abroad, the Urizen secured support from the armies of other nations - while their army was helping the Empire expand and secure its borders their homeland was often protected by armies from [[Highguard]], [[Navarr]], and [[Dawn]].

	A common criticism of the Citadel Guard is that they take a more detached view of war than some are comfortable with. Their ability to deliver potent magical devastation is only one part of this; some of their generals have gained a controversial reputation for weighing everything in mathematical terms and seeking the path of greatest gain regardless of the human cost. In the reign of [[Emperor Frederick]], after a particularly costly engagement with the Druj, general Mithara of Duoseptem was [[The_Throne#Defender_of_the_Empire\|removed from their position]] by [[the Throne]] with an admonishment to remember that the "numbers" the general dealt in each had a name. During his tenure as general, Emperor Frederick kept the Citadel Guard in a defensive position, causing grumbling in the Imperial Military Council which he endured stoically commenting only that it was not merely the Urizen who needed to treat this as a learning experience.		A common criticism of the Citadel Guard is that they take a more detached view of war than some are comfortable with. Their ability to deliver potent magical devastation is only one part of this; some of their generals have gained a controversial reputation for weighing everything in mathematical terms and seeking the path of greatest gain regardless of the human cost. In the reign of [[Emperor Frederick]], after a particularly costly engagement with the Druj, general Mithara of Duoseptem was [[The_Throne#Defender_of_the_Empire\|removed from their position]] by [[the Throne]] with an admonishment to remember that the "numbers" the general dealt in each had a name. During his tenure as general, Emperor Frederick kept the Citadel Guard in a defensive position, causing grumbling in the Imperial Military Council which he endured stoically commenting only that it was not merely the Urizen who needed to treat this as a learning experience.

Hailmur at 17:31, 4 August 2025

2025-08-04T17:31:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:31, 4 August 2025
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	{{CaptionedImage\|file=CitadelGuard.jpg\|align=right\|width=650}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=CitadelGuard.jpg\|align=right\|width=650}}

	==Army ~~quality~~ : Highest Discipline==		==Army Quality : Highest Discipline==
	The Citadel Guard's prowess with battlefield [[Army qualities#Magic\|magic]] is unparalleled. The use of the [[unmade trove]] has granted the army [[Highest discipline\|advanced understanding]] of certain potent [[Highest discipline#Highest Discipline\|techniques]] unknown outside of Urizen.		The Citadel Guard's prowess with battlefield [[Army qualities#Magic\|magic]] is unparalleled. The use of the [[unmade trove]] has granted the army [[Highest discipline\|advanced understanding]] of certain potent [[Highest discipline#Highest Discipline\|techniques]] unknown outside of Urizen.

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	There is an element of risk here; once a technique has been employed it cannot be called on again immediately; access to the techniques "refreshes" during the Summer Solstice after which all of them are available once again.		There is an element of risk here; once a technique has been employed it cannot be called on again immediately; access to the techniques "refreshes" during the Summer Solstice after which all of them are available once again.

	{{Judgement\|Assembly=Urizen\|Raised By=Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer\|Judgement=The Empire comes to the people of Urizen and speaks of Loyalty and sacrifice. We have sacrificed enough. The Empire has shown us they only value our army - not our people, not our home. If the armies of the Empire abandon Zenith, I urge all loyal Urizeni to support the disbanding of the Citadel Guard. The Empire will not benefit from our army if they will not save our people.\|When=Spring Equinox 384YE\|Outcome=Upheld with a Greater Majority, 140-0}}		{{Judgement\|Assembly=Urizen\|Raised By=Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer\|Judgement=The Empire comes to the people of Urizen and speaks of Loyalty and sacrifice. We have sacrificed enough. The Empire has shown us they only value our army - not our people, not our home. If the armies of the Empire abandon Zenith, I urge all loyal Urizeni to support the disbanding of the Citadel Guard. The Empire will not benefit from our army if they will not save our people.\|When=Spring Equinox 384YE\|Outcome=Upheld with a Greater Majority, 140-0}}

	==A Clear Threat==		==A Clear Threat==
	* '''The National Assembly could pass a mandate to disband the Citadel Guard'''		* '''The National Assembly could pass a mandate to disband the Citadel Guard'''
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	The skilled veterans of the Citadel Guard will not vanish when the army disbands. Sentinels will return to their citadels, sword scholars to their temples and magicians to their spires. The ability of Urizen to defend itself will be dispersed and distributed through the territory. This is not unprecedented, as anyone who is familiar with the history of the Towerjacks can confirm. The architects who built the Heliopticon and founded Imperial lore will find new ways to defend Urizen. But the nation will no more heed the call of the Military Council to sacrifice Urizen for the good of others.		The skilled veterans of the Citadel Guard will not vanish when the army disbands. Sentinels will return to their citadels, sword scholars to their temples and magicians to their spires. The ability of Urizen to defend itself will be dispersed and distributed through the territory. This is not unprecedented, as anyone who is familiar with the history of the Towerjacks can confirm. The architects who built the Heliopticon and founded Imperial lore will find new ways to defend Urizen. But the nation will no more heed the call of the Military Council to sacrifice Urizen for the good of others.
			{{CaptionedImage\|file=Andronikos of the Lighthouse-That-Was.jpg\|caption='''Andronikos of the Lighthouse-That-Was''', General of the Citadel Guard\|align=left\|width=320}}
	{{RecentElections\|General_of_the_Citadel_Guard\|the title of [[General]] of the Citadel Guard}}		{{RecentElections\|General_of_the_Citadel_Guard\|the title of [[General]] of the Citadel Guard}}
	[[Category:Imperial Army]][[Category:Urizen]][[Category:Military Council]]		[[Category:Imperial Army]][[Category:Urizen]][[Category:Military Council]]

Twiggy: /* Army quality : Highest Discipline */

2025-08-01T19:30:14Z

Army quality : Highest Discipline

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:30, 1 August 2025
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	==Army quality : Highest Discipline==		==Army quality : Highest Discipline==
	The Citadel Guard's prowess with battlefield [[Army qualities#~~magic~~\|magic]] is unparalleled. The use of the [[unmade trove]] has granted the army [[Highest discipline\|advanced understanding]] of certain potent [[Highest discipline#Highest ~~discipline~~\|techniques]] unknown outside of Urizen.		The Citadel Guard's prowess with battlefield [[Army qualities#Magic\|magic]] is unparalleled. The use of the [[unmade trove]] has granted the army [[Highest discipline\|advanced understanding]] of certain potent [[Highest discipline#Highest Discipline\|techniques]] unknown outside of Urizen.

	The army still possesses the ability to gather crystal mana and other magical resources for use by their general, and regularly does so when assigned to a defensive position or engaging in resupply in a safe territory. It is easy for the general to overlook the utility of this [[army orders\|order]], but in times of mana shortage it has been used to good effect. Likewise, the general of the army can still be used as a focus for potent ritual magic that is channelled through an esoteric application of the magical [[~~Ritual_theory~~#The_Law_of_Dominion\|Law of Dominion]] to effect a territory normally beyond the reach of the [[Regio#The_Imperial_Regio\|Imperial regio]].		The army still possesses the ability to gather crystal mana and other magical resources for use by their general, and regularly does so when assigned to a defensive position or engaging in resupply in a safe territory. It is easy for the general to overlook the utility of this [[army orders\|order]], but in times of mana shortage it has been used to good effect. Likewise, the general of the army can still be used as a focus for potent ritual magic that is channelled through an esoteric application of the magical [[Laws_of_magic#The_Law_of_Dominion\|Law of Dominion]] to effect a territory normally beyond the reach of the [[Regio#The_Imperial_Regio\|Imperial regio]].

	In addition to these abilities, the Citadel Guard now have the ability to channel unique realm magic effects. These abilities require significant strategic planning to employ effectively, given that they are available for only one season out of every six in a rigidly defined order. Whether using [[Day magic]] to [[Highest discipline#Technique_of_the_Celestial_Key\|map a territory]], evoking a [[Highest discipline#Technique_of_the_Bond_of_Tears\|shield of protection]] with [[Winter magic]], channelling [[Summer magic]] to [[Highest discipline#Technique_of_the_Mountainous_Ascent\|establish a beach head]], or any of the other potent supernatural abilities this quality grants, the Citadel Guard's unmatched ability to bring the exact tool for the job to the exact moment where it will do the most good.		In addition to these abilities, the Citadel Guard now have the ability to channel unique realm magic effects. These abilities require significant strategic planning to employ effectively, given that they are available for only one season out of every six in a rigidly defined order. Whether using [[Day magic]] to [[Highest discipline#Technique_of_the_Celestial_Key\|map a territory]], evoking a [[Highest discipline#Technique_of_the_Bond_of_Tears\|shield of protection]] with [[Winter magic]], channelling [[Summer magic]] to [[Highest discipline#Technique_of_the_Mountainous_Ascent\|establish a beach head]], or any of the other potent supernatural abilities this quality grants, the Citadel Guard's unmatched ability to bring the exact tool for the job to the exact moment where it will do the most good.
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	{{Judgement\|Assembly=Urizen\|Raised By=Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer\|Judgement=The Empire comes to the people of Urizen and speaks of Loyalty and sacrifice. We have sacrificed enough. The Empire has shown us they only value our army - not our people, not our home. If the armies of the Empire abandon Zenith, I urge all loyal Urizeni to support the disbanding of the Citadel Guard. The Empire will not benefit from our army if they will not save our people.\|When=Spring Equinox 384YE\|Outcome=Upheld with a Greater Majority, 140-0}}		{{Judgement\|Assembly=Urizen\|Raised By=Clytemnestra of the House of the Wanderer\|Judgement=The Empire comes to the people of Urizen and speaks of Loyalty and sacrifice. We have sacrificed enough. The Empire has shown us they only value our army - not our people, not our home. If the armies of the Empire abandon Zenith, I urge all loyal Urizeni to support the disbanding of the Citadel Guard. The Empire will not benefit from our army if they will not save our people.\|When=Spring Equinox 384YE\|Outcome=Upheld with a Greater Majority, 140-0}}

	==A Clear Threat==		==A Clear Threat==
	* '''The National Assembly could pass a mandate to disband the Citadel Guard'''		* '''The National Assembly could pass a mandate to disband the Citadel Guard'''

Hailmur: /* Composition */

2025-05-21T01:37:46Z

Composition

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:37, 21 May 2025
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	The general of the Urizen army has rarely had difficulty securing the use of [[magic items]] of note. At one time, for example, the Citadel Guard carried a unique magical standard - a [[Celestial Sigil]] widely considered to be the first such standard of its type. {{:Celestial Sigil}}		The general of the Urizen army has rarely had difficulty securing the use of [[magic items]] of note. At one time, for example, the Citadel Guard carried a unique magical standard - a [[Celestial Sigil]] widely considered to be the first such standard of its type. {{:Celestial Sigil}}
	==Composition==		==Composition==
	Most units in the Citadel Guard include at least one trained spell-breaker, a sentinel skilled at identifying, evaluating, and combating enemy magicians on the battlefield. Every spell-breaker favours a different approach - some use specific magical items like a ~~threshers cudgel~~, but spears and bows are most common. The key element of a spell-breakers training is judgement. There are magicians on every battlefield, the vast majority of them are not worth special consideration. The goal of a spell-breaker is to identify when an enemy magician - or enemy ritual team - is actually likely to achieve something decisive - to use their magic to make themselves a node in the net of the heavens. Only then will the spell-breaker leap into action, risking themselves to nullify the threat. More than one prominent Urizen hero began their study of arete as a spell-breaker in the Citadel Guard.		Most units in the Citadel Guard include at least one trained spell-breaker, a sentinel skilled at identifying, evaluating, and combating enemy magicians on the battlefield. Every spell-breaker favours a different approach - some use specific magical items like a [[Thresher's Cudgel]], but spears and bows are most common. The key element of a spell-breakers training is judgement. There are magicians on every battlefield, the vast majority of them are not worth special consideration. The goal of a spell-breaker is to identify when an enemy magician - or enemy ritual team - is actually likely to achieve something decisive - to use their magic to make themselves a node in the net of the heavens. Only then will the spell-breaker leap into action, risking themselves to nullify the threat. More than one prominent Urizen hero began their study of arete as a spell-breaker in the Citadel Guard.

	Those who join the Citadel Guard who show skill with ritual magic are brought together to receive extensive training in battlefield rituals. Rather than attempt to create a single mighty coven, the army focuses on developing a number of covens that can act independently based on shared mastery. They are also taught how to understand the Net of the Heavens and apply it on the battlefield so that they employ their magic at critical moments. Rituals such as [[Hands of Sacred Life]], [[Inevitable Collapse into Ruin]], or [[Thundering Roar of the Lion-bound Horn]] can all prove decisive if cast at the right moment. The covens try to adjust their roster of mastered rituals to complement the campaigns the Citadel Guard is currently engaged in. For example, when the [[Druj]] are active a ritual such as [[Ascetic Star of Atun]] becomes significantly more useful. The large supplies of mana available to the covens of the Citadel Guard ~~ensures~~ that they soon receive more experience with ritual casting than almost any other students of magic. Some of Urizen's most famous battlefield ritual teams first came to prominence while serving in the Citadel Guard.		Those who join the Citadel Guard who show skill with ritual magic are brought together to receive extensive training in battlefield rituals. Rather than attempt to create a single mighty coven, the army focuses on developing a number of covens that can act independently based on shared mastery. They are also taught how to understand the Net of the Heavens and apply it on the battlefield so that they employ their magic at critical moments. Rituals such as [[Hands of Sacred Life]], [[Inevitable Collapse into Ruin]], or [[Thundering Roar of the Lion-bound Horn]] can all prove decisive if cast at the right moment. The covens try to adjust their roster of mastered rituals to complement the campaigns the Citadel Guard is currently engaged in. For example, when the [[Druj]] are active, a ritual such as [[Ascetic Star of Atun]] becomes significantly more useful. The large supplies of mana available to the covens of the Citadel Guard ensure that they soon receive more experience with ritual casting than almost any other students of magic. Some of Urizen's most famous battlefield ritual teams first came to prominence while serving in the Citadel Guard.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=CitadelGuard.jpg\|align=right\|width=650}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=CitadelGuard.jpg\|align=right\|width=650}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:22, 15 January 2026
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	The Citadel Guard predate the Empire by several centuries. After Urizen [[Urizen_history#Joining the Empire\|joined the Empire]] during the reign of [[Emperor Giovanni]], they gained access to significantly greater resources allowing their numbers and scope to be expanded. Supplies of food from the Marches and elsewhere meant that many of the [[farm\|farmers]] of Urizen who had lived a thankless life toiling to produce enough food to keep the spires alive were freed to enter military service, abandoning agriculture to become professional soldiers and swelling the number of sentinels in Urizen dramatically.		The Citadel Guard predate the Empire by several centuries. After Urizen [[Urizen_history#Joining the Empire\|joined the Empire]] during the reign of [[Emperor Giovanni]], they gained access to significantly greater resources allowing their numbers and scope to be expanded. Supplies of food from the Marches and elsewhere meant that many of the [[farm\|farmers]] of Urizen who had lived a thankless life toiling to produce enough food to keep the spires alive were freed to enter military service, abandoning agriculture to become professional soldiers and swelling the number of sentinels in Urizen dramatically.

	Throughout history, the Citadel Guard has played a pivotal role in Imperial strategy. Their ability to extend the magical reach of the Empire cannot be overstated, a priceless advantage when fighting in territories that are not under Imperial control. As a result, since the [[Imperial_history#.2854_YE.29_Scouring_of_Redoubt\|scouring]] of [[Redoubt]] in 54YE the Guard have been front-and-centre in almost every attempt to expand Imperial boundaries. Historians speculate that only ignorance of the army's magical capabilities saw it relegated to a home defence role prior to this. Once the [[~~Imperial~~ Military Council]] finally understood the full implications of what the army was capable of, demand for the Guard to join campaigns all over the Empire predictably increased. While engaged abroad, the Urizen secured support from the armies of other nations - while their army was helping the Empire expand and secure its borders their homeland was often protected by armies from [[Highguard]], [[Navarr]], and [[Dawn]].		Throughout history, the Citadel Guard has played a pivotal role in Imperial strategy. Their ability to extend the magical reach of the Empire cannot be overstated, a priceless advantage when fighting in territories that are not under Imperial control. As a result, since the [[Imperial_history#.2854_YE.29_Scouring_of_Redoubt\|scouring]] of [[Redoubt]] in 54YE the Guard have been front-and-centre in almost every attempt to expand Imperial boundaries. Historians speculate that only ignorance of the army's magical capabilities saw it relegated to a home defence role prior to this. Once the [[Military Council]] finally understood the full implications of what the army was capable of, demand for the Guard to join campaigns all over the Empire predictably increased. While engaged abroad, the Urizen secured support from the armies of other nations - while their army was helping the Empire expand and secure its borders their homeland was often protected by armies from [[Highguard]], [[Navarr]], and [[Dawn]].

	A common criticism of the Citadel Guard is that they take a more detached view of war than some are comfortable with. Their ability to deliver potent magical devastation is only one part of this; some of their generals have gained a controversial reputation for weighing everything in mathematical terms and seeking the path of greatest gain regardless of the human cost. In the reign of [[Emperor Frederick]], after a particularly costly engagement with the Druj, general Mithara of Duoseptem was [[The_Throne#Defender_of_the_Empire\|removed from their position]] by [[the Throne]] with an admonishment to remember that the "numbers" the general dealt in each had a name. During his tenure as general, Emperor Frederick kept the Citadel Guard in a defensive position, causing grumbling in the Imperial Military Council which he endured stoically commenting only that it was not merely the Urizen who needed to treat this as a learning experience.		A common criticism of the Citadel Guard is that they take a more detached view of war than some are comfortable with. Their ability to deliver potent magical devastation is only one part of this; some of their generals have gained a controversial reputation for weighing everything in mathematical terms and seeking the path of greatest gain regardless of the human cost. In the reign of [[Emperor Frederick]], after a particularly costly engagement with the Druj, general Mithara of Duoseptem was [[The_Throne#Defender_of_the_Empire\|removed from their position]] by [[the Throne]] with an admonishment to remember that the "numbers" the general dealt in each had a name. During his tenure as general, Emperor Frederick kept the Citadel Guard in a defensive position, causing grumbling in the Imperial Military Council which he endured stoically commenting only that it was not merely the Urizen who needed to treat this as a learning experience.