The Scwarzestatd Militia (Done!)
The Schwarzestadt Militia, much like its namesake, is made predominantly from Militia and Levy units drawn from the area of Schwarzestadt and its governed townships. The Militia and Levy troops, both living and undead, generally fight like many of the other levies of the Border Princes (and Empire Proper) with Spear and Shield, or as skirmishing missile units. These are in turn supported with more….’irregular’... troops, generally lurking in nearby wooded areas, culverts and caves awaiting their master's silent call to action.
The steel-core of this army are the Drakenhof Guard, an imitation of their Sylvanian Forebears, they act as an excellent and well motivated heavy infantry regiment. The Drakenhof Guard are each of ‘noble’ birth and are required to provide their own equipment if they want the honour of serving within the esteemed brotherhood. In an attempt to outdo their peers, each Drakenhof Guardsman is outfitted in exquisite plate armour and brandishing the finest great swords, imported from the Empire, Tilea and abroad. These well trained and resolute warriors readily form the middle of any battleline as Hauke knows they will not break, no matter the odds nor will they ever defy their undead overlords orders.
In counterpoint to the stoic, living and well discipled Drakenhof Guard are the Drakenhof Templars, heavy vampiric cavalry, most, if not all, counting themselves amongst the original Drakenhof Templars that Hauke led away from the doomed battle at Hell Fen. While bedecked in the trappings of wealth and power like any Empire-Born noble, the Drakenhof Templars are as ruthless and vicious as any of their undead ilk, and many a charge from this heavy cavalry unit has broken an enemies will to fight even before making contact with a battle line. While they are some of the best heavy cavalry to grace the Border Principalities, given the self-serving and obstinate nature of most Vampires, they can be unruly and prone to ignoring orders if they feel the challenge is beneath them, or that their own hides are in too great a danger.
The final, true threat and reason for Hauke’s power and ever growing stability around Schwarzestadt is Nachtgrusel, Hauke’s semi-tamed Black Dragon. Its egg pilfered from a Dragon’s Horde while the exile’s caravan fought its way through the World Edge Mountains, Nachtgrusel is after almost a century of life reaching the end of its adolescence. Finally maturing into an adult Black Dragon, this has increased the military potential of the both Hauke and Schwarzestadt proper, making them, at the very least, a power not to be trifled with. While odd for a Vampire to ride a living Dragon instead of an undead counterpart, Hauke and Nachtgrusel have a level of understanding in a mutually beneficial relationship and Hauke has never seen the need to turn Nachgrusel into an unthinking, undead automaton and prefers to have a creature capable of its own decision making faculties, for better or worse.
Done and packed and ready for Aldium in Flames, bring it on!!