From undying loyalty, they came."
"Fought for House Aurellion despite disdain."
"It was then their legend began!"
"Swore an oath that is lifelong."
"Stemmed from the loyalty of Leon Mantelon".
"No matter what the future holds."
"They will stand by their oaths of old."
"All for their lord so bright."
"To shine his benevolent light."
"Upon people here and far."
"No matter where they are."
A song about the Pelican guard.
….
After Reginald's unique unit acquired its special feature, new notifications appeared before him.
[Please choose the standard equipment for your unique unit. Please bear in mind that the higher the quality and selected customised equipment for your unique unit is, the more expensive it will be to outfit each individual soldier with it.
Because you must buy the equipment for each individual soldier in your army if you want to have a professional army with standardised and uniform gear. Cavalry, while one of the most powerful and deadly units on the battlefield, also happens to be the most expensive.
This is especially true for heavy cavalry because you have to buy the warhorse, armour for the warhorse, some sort of heavy armour as protection for the soldier in addition to all the weapons you want a unit to have, as well as train them to pay for their food and salary.
Overall, building an elite army, while it can be rewarding as it allows you to conquer and defend land, also happens to be a very expensive endeavour, and this expense is the reason why nations who suffer a significant or catastrophic defeat usually need years to recover their strength. Especially for elite and veteran armies who have fought many wars, as the experience, coordination, and fighting ability gained over many years of fighting battles is not something that can usually be replaced quickly.
A list of various pieces of equipment appeared in front of Reginald, everything from differing types of armour, helmets, gauntlets and shields to longswords, short swords, lances and javelins. Only weapons that the unit was skilled in were listed, but Reginald's unit, which has both the Polearm and Throwing Mastery skills, allowed the young player to have a large selection of weapons to choose from.
Reginald started on the defence of his soldiers. The first thing he gave them was a form-fitting customised set of crimson steel plated armour engraved in the centre would be the sigel of his house, a pelican feeding three chicks. Inspired by the 15th-century Barbute, the helmet would allow these soldiers to have decent vision, much better than one heavily restricted by a visor, while also adequately protecting the face from most fatal blows. However, the eyes and mouth remained exposed to arrows, but the increase in vision for the soldiers was worth the tradeoff as it would increase their vision while fighting on the battlefield. A crimson cloak flows down the soldier's back, the edges just reaching the ankles of their steel-plated boots, the sigil of House Aurellion emblazoned in the centre, the rims of the armour shine with a slightly golden light infused with bits of gold.
A red plume extends out from the top of the helmet, with two wings extending out from the front to the sides of the helmet. Basic soldiers would have normal rounded pauldrons protecting their shoulders. On the other hand, officers would have pelican-headed pauldrons to help differentiate them.
Higher officers, like commanders, would have golden wings extending from their helmets instead of the basic, crimson-coloured ones worn by the regular soldiers. These officers' elbow and knee guards would also be shaped in a wing shape. The only issue is that this customised armour was expensive, totalling nearly 70 gold for a set for a soldier and 100 for an officer!
This is because the armour for the officers allowed for more customisation, allowing them to put their own personal touches on the armour while also providing more defence as they have higher stats allowing them to wear heavier, more protective armour than the basic soldier.
After finishing the touches on the armour, being more expensive than a standard set of armour due to its customised and form-fitting nature, granting the wearer more movement, he then chose to give his soldiers a sword which would hang from their hip a polearm shield and dagger. Each soldier can also be equipped with javelins and other throwing weapons if required, but this will not be a part of their standard equipment. A warhorse will also be given to them alongside a set of armour for it. All of this will make equipping one soldier cost nearly 500 gold, most of that being spent on the high-quality horse and the horse's armour to help protect it from arrows.
If possible, Reginald wanted his men to have horses which had high endurance, allowing them to ride over longer distances while, If possible, maintaining speed. This is another reason for their high cost, as not only will his soldiers have high-quality equipment but also mounts.
This is not including costs for training and feeding the men themselves, making it even more expensive it also made the young player have a new appreciation for the need for wealth, so Reginald decided that his first order of business after entering the game would be to become rich even if his dynasty specialised in military affairs it did not mean that he would neglect the acquisition of gold setting up many businesses to gain the funding he needs to be able to pay for an army.
Obviously, not every soldier under Reginald's command will be part of the pelican guard the first reason is that they were truly too expensive, and the second is that he would need lighter troops like archers, crossbows and skirmishers to make his army more versatile. This would mean that only some soldiers would cost 500 gold, but even a light cavalry would cost at least 70 gold for basic leather armour, a fast horse, a shield and a spear. They will also likely need javelins or a bow, increasing the cost as every arrow and javelin must be purchased or made in the game. Again most of this money would be spent on a warhorse that usually costs at least 50 gold for a decent quality one, and the other equipment would also not be of the best quality as good quality weapons cost at least five gold, if not more each.
The games focus on realism, made things like war and battles to be very costly as you need to pay for the supplies of an army, the salaries of the soldiers, the equipment of the soldiers and the training of the soldiers in the army.
This means that every death makes you lose not only a man potentially loyal to you and your dynasty but also any experience he had gained in previous battles. Luckily in most cases, their equipment can be recollected and repaired later after their demise as long as you win the battle, but if you lose, you lose their equipment too, increasing the cost and burden on the losing side.
Most powerful dynasties and player factions in the future will have some sort of scavenging division whose job would be to scavenge battlefields they had won on for equipment they could put in storage to help to replace what they had lost. These pieces of equipment could even be sold later for a good profit due to the large number of nations and conflicts that would appear in dynasties online would mean that there was always a market for iron and used weapons due to the endless conflict struggle between competing dynasties for land and resources.
If one included the basic exchange rate of 1 silver for £1 and considered that 10 silver made 1 gold, then it would cost 10x500, which is £5000, to buy the equipment for one member of The Pelican Guard at its most basic price not including any fluctuations in the market, of course, he would have to buy this money from a player as the company does not sell in-game currency only turns it into real life money. This meant that even if Reginald scraped every penny he had right now, he could not even afford to buy the equipment for one soldier in this unit if he tried to purchase in-game money from players, making the young player slightly regretful, but hoped that their effectiveness would be worth the considerable expense.
After making his own unit, Reginald gained insight into the vast amount of money needed to fight and sustain a war and the amount that could be gained from selling war-based armaments. He also learnt of the large amount of money that could be gained from Dynasties Online, and this has changed his plans somewhat, making him focus on gaining multiple streams of revenue in the game to help increase and maintain his dynasty's power.
After thinking about the logistics of war and realising how much he needed to gain gold not just to survive in the real world but to expand his influence in the game, a final system notification appeared in front of him.
[Please choose a name for your dynasty's unique unit]
After seeing the notification, a virtual keyboard appeared in front of him that he could use to name his unit; after thinking about it for a bit, he came up with a name that would eventually be recognised and feared through Dynasties Online.
[Unit name imputed was 'The Pelican Guard.' Would the player like to confirm this name? Please remember that once the unit's name has been confirmed, it cannot be changed unless the unit goes through a major restructuring.]
Reginald pressed the confirm button, and the system asked its next question.
[Would you like to customise your unit's command structure? Don't worry; this can be changed at will if you don't create one, a basic military structure will be generated and used for your unit.]
Reginald already knew what kind of structure he wanted for The Pelican Guard, who would be the future bodyguards and maybe even royal guards for his noble house in the future, and so quickly went through the many notifications that appeared.
The eccentric player decided to make two distinct groups. The first would be the personal bodyguard for the head of House Aurellion, known as The Pelican Protectors. This would be a tiny group of the best and most loyal fighters in The Pelican Guards. Their role would be to protect and enact the will of the head of House Aurellion, and this group would have 1 commander. These soldiers are also likely to be the first to receive orders from the noble house's head due to their easy access to their lord.
The second would be the more army-based and general Pelican Guard. While they would still be elite soldiers and protect House Aurellion but would be more general guards guarding other important members of House Aurellion alongside their main residence. This group would have 1 Grand Commander and 6 other commanders and be split into 9 different groups, with the Grand Commander being in charge of the overall command of The Pelican Guards but would only have direct control over 3 of the 9 groups, with the other Commanders each having direct control over one.
This system was designed so military power would be split, meaning that if somehow someone managed to get one or two people to infiltrate The Pelican Guards, or a commander got corrupt or power hungry, then others would hopefully still be loyal to House Aurellion and help to prevent any power grab made by this person and their other supporters.
No system or person was infallible to such vices, no matter how loyal they were supposed to be, so Reginald decided to take no chances in this regard. But this separation of power may make mobilising The Pelican Guard harder if there is a power struggle, especially in a situation of regency in which the regent oversteps his authority or tries to command these soldiers in times of strife due to their fanatical loyalty to House Aurellion.
After finishing and confirming his unit's structure, a screen appeared in front of him.
[You have two officers, Captain Aldorus and Captain Darius, from your last Dynasty event that can be recruited to your noble house. Would you like to add them as officers in the Pelican Guard?]
Reginald obviously chose yes, as these two played critical roles in the Battle of Brunag, helping him to obtain victory. He also looked forward to how they would develop in his following events. Reginald even suspected that if he didn't choose to create a unique unit, he would likely be unable to incorporate them into his dynasty and faction, as the system would never allow him as a landed noble to be too powerful.
Then a final screen appeared in front of him, similar to the character sheet in DO detailing a short description of the unit, its role and various other pieces of information.
….
The Pelican Guard: {Unique Dynasty Unit)
Description: The Pelican Guard are the elite soldiers and bodyguards for the Aurellion Dynasty, equipped with some of the best gear on offer. Other powers should be wary of the morale and skill of these soldiers, who are some of the most expensive currently available and known for their unwavering loyalty to House Aurellion and morale in battle.
Trained as both knights and infantrymen, The Pelican Guard was created by The Grandmaster of Loyalty Leon Mantelon for his friend Lucius Aurellion after he became a landed noble in the empire wanting his friend to have some loyal soldiers and bodyguards to protect him in future wars, not trusting the Chavarian Royal Family to defend his liege after he heard rumours of royal knights instantly turning and killing a comrade they had worked with for years after being ordered to by the royal family.
Leon Mantelon's loyalty towards the Aurellion Dynasty has been deeply ingrained into the unit and training of The Pelican Guard, making them fanatically loyal to the Dynasty to the point of disregarding all others.
Base attribute gain:
Strength +2
Agility +1
Dexterity + 0
Vitality +2
Intelligence +3
Wisdom +2
Charisma +1
Unit Base Skills:
Armour Mastery.
Coordination.
Insight.
Mental Fortitude
Perception.
Polearm Mastery.
Throwing Mastery.
Riding.
Swordsmanship.
Unarmed Mastery
Unique Unit Trait:
Protectors of Aurellion: (Customised Unique Unit Trait)
Description: Known for fighting to the last man and their eternal loyalty to House Aurellion, this unit will stand steadfast beside their lord even to the gates of hell itself. Their morale is exceptional, almost never breaking, becoming the perfect loyal bodyguards and soldiers for the Dynasty.
Effect: Soldiers will seldom betray the house they serve, being loyal to the death.
While being led by their lord or protecting a member of the dynasty they serve, these soldiers will become unbreakable. If their lord dies, it is likely that some, consumed by anger and will go on a rampage having no regard for their lives while trying to avenge their lord.
Soldiers of this unit will disregard any order not given by the head of the dynasty they serve and will only respect orders from dynasty members from the house they serve.
Ideal Equipment:
Customised Form Fitting Steel Plated Armour. (Medium Heavy Armour)
1 Warhorse.
1 Fine Steel Longsword.
1 Polearm weapon of choice.
1 Fine steel dagger.
One kind of throwing weapon
Shield
….
Reginald looked over his unique unit carefully. It was obvious to him that if it were not for promoting Leon to the Grandmaster of Loyalty, his choice of the mental fortitude skill, and his insistence on loyalty and integrity, then he would have been unable to create such a formidable unit, but while this unit will be one of the best in the game, it will also be one of the most expensive, the system most likely made his unit this powerful because of its high cost to create and train.
Like all unique units and aspects of DO, a player's decision and the traits of a dynasty heavily affect how good a dynasty or unit will be. Not having 1 thing could be the difference between success and failure and a powerful unit and a less powerful one!
This unit would become legendary throughout the player base as the most cockroachy annoying unit ever created. Many generals and players would curse at this unbreakable guard who always seemed to fight to the death with the incredible skill of the soldiers in it, taking 2-3 lives minimum for every one of theirs. Names such as 'Aurellions Army of Shameless Simps' would be common nicknames that enemies of House Aurellion would have for this strong, steadfast bodyguard Reginald had created.
Many saw The Pelican Guard as overpowered, not realising the extremely high cost of training and equipping just one of these soldiers. If they did, they would see them as slightly more balanced, but this would not stop the people boarding the House Aurellion hate train in the future, not that these haters would be able to do anything without suffering from The Pelican Guards steel.
Reginald then smiled slightly when he saw a system notification that he was hoping for and expecting.
[Congratulations to Player Rising Pelican of Loyalty for being the first player to create a unique unit rewarding player by upgrading the 'Protectors of Aurellion' Unique Unit Trait]
….
Protectors of Aurellion: (Customised Unique Unit Trait)
Description: Known for fighting to the last man and their eternal loyalty to House Aurellion, this unit will stand steadfast beside their lord even to the gates of hell itself. Their morale is exceptional, almost never breaking, becoming the perfect loyal bodyguards and soldiers for the Dynasty.
Effect: Soldiers will almost never betray the house they serve, being loyal to the death.
While being led by their lord or protecting a member of the dynasty they serve, these soldiers will become unbreakable. If their lord dies, it is likely that some, consumed by anger and will go on a rampage having no regard for their lives while trying to avenge their lord.
While protecting or fighting under the command of a member of House Aurellion, increase this unit's fighting prowess by 10%.
Soldiers of this unit are likely to disregard any order not given by the head of the dynasty they serve or his appointed heir, respected commander or proxy and will only respect orders from dynasty members of the house they serve.
….
Reginald was ecstatic when he saw the updated unique unit trait, as it helped to increase The Pelican Guards fighting prowess that the eccentric player originally had to sacrifice to make them unbreakable.
This was yet another example of the bonuses that only players like Reginald who decided to play the game and create their character before the game officially started and before most people had joined could attain.
Also, what he did not know was the main reason why The Pelican Guard was so powerful as a unit was that it is extremely rare for first-time players like Reginald to win such an overwhelming victory allowing them to gain a reward, allowing them to create a unit of their own during the dynasty history system.
It was even rarer for them to turn down the opportunity to become a landed noble 1 rank higher than usual in exchange for a unique unit which is why the system, which always wanted rewards to be fair and of similar value, allowed Reginald so much leeway when creating The Pelican Guard.
After being satisfied with the outcome of his reward, he then asked the friend system a few questions about things that he needed clarification on.
"Friend System, what exactly is a Unique Dynasty Unit?"
"It is a unit that normally only your dynasty has access to, while it is possible for someone to create one similar to yours because yours has the bonus of being the first as such, being most likely the most powerful or one of the most powerful unique units in the game as such would be almost impossible to replicate."
"This is, of course, as long as you keep the training manual and knowledge of how to train your unit a secret; otherwise, others will be able to replicate it, albeit normally in a worse manner, similar to how most countries base their special forces of the British SAS but most don't get to their level of competency."
"This knowledge and the training manual can also be passed on from one dynasty leader to the next, essentially becoming an Inheritable Dynasty Trait granting you a unique unit that only you can create."
"What about this base attribute gain thing?"
Reginald asked.
"That is quite easy! While every race and person has a base set of attributes depending on one's occupation and training, different ones can be increased. For example, a lumberjack would most likely have more strength and vitality than a writer due to chopping wood and doing manual labour every day, so what you see are the base gains you see is what attributes that will be gained by someone after completing the basic training and becoming an official Pelican Guard."
"Due to Pelican Guards being a unique unit, it has essentially become its own occupation, like a swordsmen or archer, for example. These are considered occupations though they will not appear on one's character sheet unless it is obvious or they want it to. Due to you creating the occupation's stringent requirements and their strict training, people gain more attribute points than normal from training as one, just like one would if they became one of the Royal Chavarian Knights that you fought beside during your event."
After asking his questions and being satisfied with the answers, a system notification soon appeared.
[Your second Dynasty History Event, 'The Fall of House Aurellion, has been created. Would you like to enter it.]
Reginald wanted a break after winning the Battle of Brunag and so logged off after confirming with the Friend System that he could leave the system notification open for later as long as he completed all his Dynasty History Events by the deadline.
After pressing the log-off button, he swiftly left the virtual world as it swirled out of existence again, returning Reginald to the real world.