Battlefield Awards - Judano's Climb
From FiranMUX
Summary
After a few of the battles - notably Judano's Climb, Fort Triumph, and Fort Zayes - Lord First General Donos Ista Aldrik gave battlefield award ceremonies to honor those who showed exemplary skill on the field or who perished in the fight. This is just his words, edited out of a far larger log which contained much cheering.
Text of Awards Ceremony
Donos lifts his voice, aides amongst the soldiers following suit a few seconds after as they read from the scrolls held in their hands.
"Soldiers of the Republic. Let me first say that you performed magnificently in the battle for Judano's steps. It was one of the finest examples of discipline and bravery ever shown by a Firan army in the open field, as you advanced against superior numbers and, with the aid of the gods, killed, captured or routed every last stinking goat on the field. It was an honour to command you all."
He pauses, waiting for the aides to finish his opening address. "Every soldier who served in the battle will be awarded the Republic Battle award for their actions on the field...you all earned it." *Firan*
Donos says "In every battle there are those who stand out. That doesn't always mean they fought any harder than you, or you less bravely. Some actions stand forwards, some go unnoticed. Know that I consider every one of you to have fought harder, against greater odds and with more courage than anyone could have expected of you...which just means I'm going to expect all the more in the next battle.
Sentry Kelarik repeatedly threw himself into the line in order to aid fallen soldiers be pulled back for the attention of the healers. He has been promoted to Centurion for his actions in battle.
Centurion Sarina was witnessed fighting no less than three warlords, and three of the other goats at once. At no point did she fall, and the healers informed me that on being pulled back, she barely let them tend to her before she threw herself back into the fray to attack again. She is hereby promoted to the rank of Senior Centurion. Yes it's a new rank, yes I will have to speak to the Clan Council and do an endless amount of writing on it. But she earned it, a lot of you will earn it this war. So as First General of the Repblic, in the name of the Lord Viceroy I'm hereby implementing it. I'll deal with the red tape when we've taken Ellish.
Donos again waits for the cheering to die down before he continues. "Centurion Jericho took the Standard of the Enemy, allowing us to give proper funeral to the poor soul trapped upon it. Now, he didn't take it on his own, I know a great many soldiers aided him in clearing the sky. But he was the first to take it. Henceforth Centurion Jericho is awarded the right to wear Iron Armour in the name of the Lord Viceroy.
Sentry Vinetti was a Conscript soldier. We all know what we normally think of Conscripts, fight-dodgers and criminals. Sentry Vinetti, however, engaged Five Goats. Sentry Vinetti did not turn and run, he did not falter, he did not seek to do anything but hold his line and defend his fellow soldiers. He is hereby awarded the Republic Achievement Medal. His family are hereby awarded the sum of fifty thousand Stenis in recognition of his bravery and his sacrifice for the Republic." *Firan*
"Sentry Ghana was reported to have stood, as Sentry Vinetti did. She did not face so many but she, likewise, did not turn and flee. She did not cower. Despite being accounted the smallest soldier on the field, she used that to her advantage. Ducking under blows that would have felled any other, she dropped three goats before finally being taken down herself. The goats were so afraid of this whirlwind of blades she threw about her that they would not go near, instead ordering their archers to drop her at range. Sentry Ghana's family are hereby awarded thirty thousand Stenis in recognition of her supreme sacrifice for the Republic. I further declare that within the Barracks of the Republic there shall be a staff made, known hereafter as the Ghana staff. Any soldier who meets the height of that staff will have no jokes made about their stature, in recognition of her bravery.
Lastly..a name known to one and all. Sentry Elif has been a soldier for a long time. Known to me...known to many of you. While with the archers who ambushed the Shamibelians, a force diverted from their lines and burst upon the archers in the trees. Without pause he dropped his bow and pulled his weapon. Shouting for his companions to go, he stepped into the gap between two trees. As his companions watched he engaged five of them, including a warlord. He did not seek to escape, he did not seek to do anything but buy his companions time. Time so they could live and fight again. He knowingly sacrificed his life because he believed in this army...and this army believes in him. Sentry Elif is hereby awarded the Republic Medal of Honor and his family awarded one hundred thousand stenis and the thanks of a greatful Republic in recognition of his supreme sacrifice."
Donos waits patiently for the cheers to die before lifting his voice, aides following suit around the ceremony. "We...no...you have won the first battle. You have fought as bravely as any general could have asked for you. But I'm not your general. I'm _your_ General. And that means I'm going to ask more of you than any Firan army has been asked of since we kicked the goats out of the rest of the Republic. We have won once. And we're going to do it again. The next battle will be taking Fort Triumph. I won't ever lie to you soldiers. It's going to be bloody and it's going to be hard. But we are going to prevail. We are going to prevail because we are unified, we are disciplined and it's _our_ Republic we're fighting for. Your Squad Leaders and Captains will accept volunteers for those willing to be among the first into the breeches. Be assured that we will take this fort. And the next..and all the way to Ellish. Because you are the most courageous, keenest and scariest...damned if you don't scare me at times, body of troops the Goats have encountered in generations. We walk in the footsteps of those who have gone before us...do not falter..Dismissed."
