The Wolverines

Bollox!

 

THE ARTICLES OF WAR

The Wolverines are an honourable free company of mercenaries formed in times long past by the mighty warrior Garlan. It is our noble way to fight honestly and in accord with our solemn word as free fighters.

ETHOS

A Wolverine is a free man, unbound by chains of feudal servitude, his loyalty lies to his brothers and his commanders. The single, most important rule which all Wolverines must follow is 'Wolverines First'. Rank earnt on the battlefield is to be respected. Rank gifted only through the accident of birth is of little account.

A Wolverine is a Warrior and must keep his sword sharp, trust not to magick but to cold steel and valour. Magick is everywhere and cannot be ignored, but use it sparingly and do not embrace it.

A Wolverines word is iron and he is bound by it. No man shall make contract except the Captain, any contract shall be honoured by all.

A Wolverine never leaves a brother to fall alone, or cheats or scorns a fellow Wolverine. In a treacherous world a Wolverine can only trust and rely on his brothers.

A Wolverine is a warrior at all times, a warrior is armed at all times, every Wolverine must always have a weapon at hand or he is shamed, and punished by his peers.

Every Wolverine is free to worship his own god in his own way, no man shall scold another for his honest beliefs providing such worship does not harm others.

DUTY

 

 

 

 

It is the duty of the Captain of the Wolverines to promote adherence to these rules and to appoint officers of good mettle to enforce the just laws of this free company. The final word of Wolverine law is the word of the Captain, if the Captain wishes he may decide to call for a vote of the warriors to conclude any matter he wishes.

It is the duty of all Wolverines to follow the orders of their Captain and his appointed officers on all matters military and fiscal.

RANK and POSITION

The following are integral ranks in the Free Company of the Wolverines:-

Captain - Leader and 'Father' of the Company. The final word on all matters.

Seneschal - Wordsmith and wisdom of the Wolverines. His role is as advisor to the Captain on all arcane matters and he deals with any politics so that the Captain does not slaughter any ambassadors. The Seneschal is always a wise and level headed Wolverine.

Sergeant - Chiefly responsible for shouting, beating and military bullying, which is good for the character of a lowly Wolverine. He shall remind the warriors that they are not likely to get rich, but are likely to die with a spear in the gut spitting defiance at the enemy. The Sergeant ensures that all Wolverines act in a manner that would please Garlan himself. 

Champion - First Warrior, elected by mass melee after defeating his peers, he is to be found in the front rank, whether in victory or defeat. He is the beating heart of Wolverine valour. Any Wolverine found worthy may be Champion though be he humble and lowly in rank.

                        

Lieutenant - Appointed when thought necessary by the Captain to command a force of Wolverines. He shall act as the right hand of the Captain, has many of his powers and is responsible for the men under his command, this temporary promotion is accepted without question and respected by all.

No Wolverine should become overly accustomed to the trappings of rank, all shall serve time as a trooper before gaining high position. All shall return as humble troopers when their time in rank is over.

The Champion shall be selected at intervals not exceeding one annum. All other rank are selected by vote, each Wolverine granted a voice. Each rank shall serve no more than two annum without placing themselves before the warband to vote anew. At each vote any man may put himself forward for rank.

If a warrior of rank dies on the battlefield, a trooper may be appointed to take his place. Such troopers must place themselves before a vote of the warriors at the next opportunity.

DISCIPLINE

Discipline gives more force on the battlefield than mere numbers. A disciplined warrior is a credit to the Wolverines, a slothful warrior a disgrace. Every warrior shall carry himself proudly in accordance with Wolverine rules. The following are considered offences against the Wolverine code:

  • Unready - An unarmed Warrior is unready.
  • Slothfulness - Both in appearance and lack of alacrity in following a superiors orders.
  • Dishevelled - A poor standard of dress.
  • Disgusting - A poor standard of cleanliness.
  • Sleeping on duty - An indication of slothfulness.
  • Drunkenness - If it renders one unfit to hold a weapon (The Captain is never considered drunk, merely 'well oiled').
  • Gambling -  When such acts lead to high losses and bad debts.
  • Whoring - With unclean harlots likely to spread disease.
  • Insubordination - All Wolverines shall respect their officers.
  • Theft - A Wolverine is a warrior not a thief (at least not to fellow Wolverines).
  • Looting - Wolverines are too busy fighting to engage in looting (that is what every Wolverine will tell everyone else).
  • Assault - Attacking a fellow Wolverine or allied person.
  • Murder - Killing a fellow Wolverine or allied person.
  • Cowardice - No warrior should be found wanting in courage
  • Mutiny - A heinous crime indeed! worthy of a slow and very painful death.
  • Beastiality - Making union with beasts of the field.
  • Slackmouth - We are not eloquent people and should not (unless in battle) use colourful / aggressive / none civilised speech, as this can offend potential employers and effect the warbands treasury. Leave it to the elves if in doubt! 
  • Bimbling - A combination of 'Drunkenness', 'Insubordination', 'Whoring' and 'Theft'.
  • Conduct Unbecoming - Incurring the Captain's displeasure by acting in a manner considered to be unworthy of a Wolverine.

PUNISHMENT

Any lapse in discipline will result in any of the following punishments decided by the Captain. 

  • Beatings - A Wolverine may be beaten at any time at the discretion of a superior for any infraction of the Wolverine code. An unready Wolverine shall be beaten by all of his fellows, regardless of rank to remind him of his duty. Any lapse in discipline  can result in any of the following punishments. 
  • Exile - A serious punishment awarded by the Captain or Sergeant after a Courts Martial.
  • Death - A serious punishment awarded by the Captain only. On the battlefield this punishment may be immediate. In all other circumstances it shall be awarded after a Courts Martial.
  • Cruel and Unusual - A fitting punishment adapted to fit the crime by the Captain or the Sergeant.
  • Ye Courts Martial - A court of Warriors can be called to try a villian at the Captains request. The Captain can ordain such a court if he feels the crime is serious, if he feels unable to decide the matter alone, or if he finds it amusing to do so. The Court of Warriors shall hear the villain and weigh the worth of his words and defence before deciding his guilt. after the guilt is established the Captain will pronounce the punishment as he decides fit, the warriors may also suggest a punishment which they feel fitting.