"The wind does not beg for war. But when war comes, it does not ask permission to kill." — Steppe Proverb
Formation & Doctrine
The United Gale Army was formed after the fall of the Zhong Empire by decree of Altan, warleader of the steppe-born clans. It is a coalition military force composed of infantry, cavalry, and scouting detachments drawn from the thirteen banners. Its mission is survival, deterrence, and unified response to external threats. Command Structure Supreme Command held by Altan Direct field commanders: Khulan: Cavalry and Scout Detachments Burgedai: Infantry Legions Gale Council oversees logistics and garrison assignments
III. Divisional Breakdown
4 Infantry Legions (rotational) 4 Cavalry Legions (rotational) 1 Scout Detachment (merged Rangers and Steppe Trackers) Stormguard units: elite strike and defense force, separate but supreme in wartime chain of command Training & Trials Recruits enter basic at age 13 Standard training includes: Martial combat Archery (mounted and ground) Qi endurance (if applicable) Terrain tactics and weather endurance Age 17 and above must pass the Trials: No ritual combat Pain threshold, environmental survival, and formation cohesion tested Combat Doctrine Dual-purpose training: every warrior trained in melee and ranged combat Cavalry trained in hit-and-run raids, battlefield mobility, and terrain adaptation Infantry trained in trenchwork, defensive holds, spear-and-shield lines Scouts trained in stealth, terrain reading, long-range archery, sabotage Reserve Forces Civilian militias formed from elders, retired soldiers, and citizen volunteers Drilled monthly in basic archery, formation defense, and evacuation protocol In wartime, can field 5 full auxiliary legions Serve to reinforce city defenses, man outer walls, and guard strategic points The Reserve is the spine of the city's layered defense network, operating in tandem with the Gale Army and Stormguard
VII. Deployment & Rotation
Gale Army rotates between city garrison and frontier patrol every 3 months 2 Infantry Legions on garrison 2 Infantry Legions on border patrol Cavalry rotates on similar schedule to prevent fatigue and maintain operational sharpness Scout detachments operate independently but are assigned to each theater These forces are tasked not only with border control and raider suppression but also peacekeeping duties within the steppe regions
VIII. Stormguard Protocols
Stormguards are the primary elite defenders of the city and its leadership In wartime, the Gale Army supports Stormguard operations Assigned as flank security, reinforcement units, or forward vanguard No Gale unit supersedes Stormguard battlefield authority Current Status (As of Year 2 Post-Zhong) Four infantry legions operational Four cavalry legions trained and deployed Scout detachment fully functional, merged with former ranger units under unified doctrine Gale Academy at capacity City defense network supported by active Reserve drills In wartime, the Reserve can muster an additional five legions' worth of auxiliary defenders Though not professional soldiers, these Reserve units are drilled monthly in formation tactics, archery, and shelter defense Their purpose is to reinforce the city garrisons or absorb shock during large-scale invasions Border and Peacekeeping Rotation The Gale Army operates on a rotational deployment cycle: two legions on garrison duty, two legions stationed along frontier zones These rotations shift every three months to prevent stagnation and ensure combat readiness across regions Stormguard Supremacy While the Gale Army maintains order and patrols the steppe, the Stormguards remain the primary elite defenders of the city and throne In times of war, Gale legions will reinforce and support Stormguard operations, serving as shock troops, flank screens, or vanguard columns as required No Gale unit outranks the Stormguards in battlefield authority—their command is absolute when the sky breaks Code of Conduct Loyalty to the Gale banners and command hierarchy No theft, extortion, or abuse of civilians Cowardice in battle punishable by expulsion or execution depending on outcome Desertion or betrayal punishable by death Aid to allies and fair treatment of wounded regardless of clan or region Duels between soldiers permitted only under sanctioned trials or for oath resolution Recruitment Rites All recruits take the Oath of Flint and Flame upon passing Trials: "Not for coin, not for blood, not for clan. For the fire that guards us all." Oath taken alone, without ceremony, under guidance of senior trainer Recruits branded or marked with iron sigil depending on command designation Recruits without qi may enter but are expected to compensate through endurance
XII. Stormguard–Gale Joint Operation Protocols
Stormguards assume command during critical missions or high-level threats Gale forces may be seconded to Stormguard leadership for: Defensive fortification Urban clearing High-value target engagements Joint signal codes established for communication in mixed-unit engagements Gale officers trained in Stormguard doctrine and tactics for seamless integration