Dog unit

AKA: "Dog Soldiers" or "Dogs"

Introduction

The Dog Unit, also referred to as the Dog Soldiers, or simply the Dogs, is a unit based in the realm of Numenor. The Dog Soldiers specialize especially in pole arms.

The Dog Soldiers are divided into cohorts, each taking the name of a Greek or Roman god. Each Cohort is supervised by a Sergeant who answers to the Captain of the unit. The Sergeant, or Orion, or Dog Tamer, has unquestionable authority within his/her cohort. The Captain has unquestionable authority of the unit as a whole. Though the Captain does have such authority he/she is always receptive to others in the unit.

The Dogs are happiest in the thick of battle. For them Paradise is in the very middle of the line fight, making sure no enemies break through the center. Their causalities are often high because of this, but they welcome this fate, and give thanks to the God of War for the opportunity to serve His blood-lust.

The Dogs are expected to be very familiar with the Spear and Glaive, but are only required to fight with whatever weapon they are most comfortable with, except for battles when they are to be tested for promotion. They are expected to be proficient shield bearers and will be called upon to defend the glaivesman at the heart of the cohort.

The motto of the Unit, "Fidelitas et Ferocitas" (Fidelity and Bravery/Ferocity) is what the Dogs live by. They are ferociously loyal to the Dog Unit, and the Realm of Numenor.

Ares, the God of War, Patron of the Dog Unit

Ranking System Within the Unit

The Dog Soldier who sets a good example for others, and who continually shows improvement as a warrior can expect to make higher ranks. Those ranks and their expectations are described below.

Canis Minor – Recruit

The rank of Canis Minor is an initiate in the Unit. It is an automatic rank given to the newest members of the Dog Soldiers.

Responsibilities: The Canis Minor is expected to train her/his skills with all weapons classes, but to especially train with the weapon he/she is most comfortable. The Canis minor is expected to listen to and learn from his/her superiors, both within the cohort and unit.

Guard Dog – Private

After official induction into the unit, the Dog Soldier automatically makes the rank of Guard Dog.

Responsibilities: The Guard Dog is expected to set a good example for the Canae Minor. He / She should continue to develop as a fighter, and should be familiar with the Spear and Glaive, and prove to be a good shield bearer. The Guard Dog will be tested by leading packs of Canae Minor in battle.

Time to Rank: About 6 months.

Hound – Private First Class

The Dog Soldier who makes the rank of Hound has demonstrated a continuing effort to better him/herself as a warrior and leader. He / She has led packs of Guard Dogs and Canae Minor into battle, and has been successful with the Glaive and Spear. The Hound is an excellent Shield bearer. The Hound has attended practices regularly and has attended at least 1 major event.

Responsibilities: The Hound continues to set a good example for other Dogs. The Hound will be asked to lead a pack of Guard Dogs and Canae Minor in battle. The Hound continues to develop as a Glaivesman and Spearman, as well as a Shield Bearer.

Time to Rank: Depending on the Dog's development it can take anywhere from 9 to 11 months to gain the rank of Hound.

Rottweiler – Corporal

The Dog Soldier who has made the rank of Rottweiler has successfully led packs of Hounds, Guard Dogs, and Canae Minor into battle. By this time she/he will have become highly skilled Shield Bearers, Glaivesmen and Spearmen. The Rottweiler is a model warrior, someone newer members of the unit look up to and seek out for advice. They are humble in the face of defeat, and modest in victory. The Rottweiler will have attended practices regularly and attended at least 2 major events and other smaller events.

Responsibilities: The rank of Rottweiler brings much responsibility with it. The Rottweiler is expected to always maintain calm and control. She / He is expected to be both a fierce combatant as well as a well spoken diplomat. The Rottweilers are leaders within their Cohorts. She / He will be expected to regularly lead packs, and will be tested by leading the entire Cohort itself into battle.

Time to Rank: The rank of Rottweiler is a difficult one to achieve. The fighter who wishes to make Rottweiler must attend practices consistently. If the fighter is injured, he/she can watch during practice, and the attendance will be given the same weight. The time it takes to achieve this rank is variable, but at the minimum it will take at least a year and a half, but usually longer.

Cerberus – Under-Sergeant


Cerberus is the Right Hand of Orion. The Dog Soldier who has made this rank is someone the Sergeant greatly trusts, and holds in high esteem. Cerberus is a mighty warrior, a humble diplomat, a strong leader, and a gracious listener. Cerberus never backs down from a fight, but is merciful in meting out justice.

Responsibilities: Cerberus must be prepared to be the leader of the Cohort while sacrificing the title. Cerberus will work closely with Orion in handling the affairs of the Cohort. Cerberus hardly ever misses practice, and attends major events regularly. The rank of Cerberus demands more service than glory, and the Dog Soldier who wishes to become Cerebus must accept this graciously. Cerberus will frequently, if not always, be in command of packs during battle.

Time to Rank: The time it takes to make the rank of Cerberus is entirely variable, and is completely up to the discretion of Orion. Most Dog Soldiers will never make this rank, often of their own choosing. Those who do will have proven themselves time and time again. It is highly unlikely, though not impossible, that there would ever be two Dogs of the rank of Cerebus within a cohort at the same time.

Orion, The Dog Tamer

Orion, or Sergeant, is the unquestionable leader of a Cohort within the Dog Unit. The Dog who makes this rank will have proven him/herself to the Hades of the Unit to be an exceptional warrior, and a humble, gracious leader.

Responsibilities: The ultimate responsibility of all actions of any Dog lies at the feet of that cohort's Orion. The mistakes of those Dogs are the mistakes of Orion. It is Orion's responsibility to lead the Dogs in battle, to delegate the Cohort's affairs to trusted members, and to maintain the highest standards of behavior within his or her Cohort. It is also Orion's responsibility to guarantee a Cohort's presence at major events. One of the most important responsibilities of Orion is to train his/her replacement as Orion of the Cohort.

Time to Rank: Making the rank of Orion is entirely at the discretion of the Hades of the Dog Soldiers. Hades decides on this under the advisement of the outgoing Orion. Most Dogs will never make this rank. There can only be 1 Orion within a cohort.

Anubis
Anubis is the chief servant of the Hades. Acting as the physical embodiment of the supreme will of the Hades, the Anubis presides over Unit ceremony and is the ultimate enforcer of the wishes of the Hades.

The Anubis serves the requirements of life and death within the Unit. In service to Hades and the Underworld, Anubis welcomes in newly born dogs and watches over their growth. As directed by his Hades, he destroys and resurrects dogs into positions of higher service. As the worldly manifestation of Hade’s unquestionable right, Anubis fulfills the wrath of Hades and devours the flesh of dogs of both feral and untrustworthy natures. As the keeper of stories and deeds, Anubis holds the power to immortalize dogs of service and distinction for all eternity.

Hades

The Hades is the unquestionable leader of the Dog Unit. All the responsibility of the actions of the Dogs lies directly at the feet of Hades.

Awards and Honors

There are several different awards that the Dog can be honored with. These awards can only be given by the Khronos, Orion or Cerebus.
The Golden Shield

The Golden Shield is awarded to the Dog who has impressed either Cerebus or Orion with his/her shield work, especially in defending a Glaivesman or Spearman.


The Club of Hercules

The Club of Hercules is awarded to the Dog who has shown great strength in battle, having defeated many enemies at once.


The Collar of Cerberus

The highest honor a Dog can achieve is the Collar of Cerberus. This is awarded to the Dog who has shown overall excellence in every aspect of the game of Belegarth, including fighting, defending, leading, etc. The Collar of Cerberusis not necessarily awarded because of one battle, as the Golden Shield and Club of Hercules sometimes are. This is an award for achievement over time.