08-10-2006, 02:46 AM
Tactics of Active Ordination
by Berel Sala
by Berel Sala
As recent times have shown us, faith alone is not always effective. When outnumbered, outwitted, and out-supported, we may fall. Against enemies more used to field tactics, have superior numbers, and able to muster forces greater than ours as well as having larger support than ours, we need tactics. As one fans a flame to guide its growth we must use tactics to hone our faith and strength. The Order of Doctrine and Ordination would do well to drill the tactics will the three active orders and to record these with painstaking accuracy.
Tactics for the Order of the Watch
The Way of the Watch is to defend. Watch the Temple, do not sleep or tire until your time is fulfilled, afterwards relax as Vehk would by Lake Amaya. When on duty, your faith in the Three and the Saints will protect you. Watch the land as vigilantly as our guardian and master Vehk does, and stay as tirelessly as our mystery Seht. Here are tactics proven to work well for you defenders of the Tribunal Temples.
The Stunning Shield. Use your shield, blessed with the insignia of the Hand, to knock back intruders. This will ensure the life of the trespasser is safe and the criminal and relatively unscathed. May Ayem's mercy guide your shield.
The Mind Strike. Use the skills taught to you by your commander to cast a Destruction spell upon the criminal. Strike at the agility or the speed or the strength to sap the offender of his or her ability to carry out the crime.
The Feigned Anger. Act the stern protector, show no weakness, own no faults. This attitude alone should deter many of the less foolish or less professional criminals and trespassers.
Tactics for the Order of War
The Way of War is to attack the enemies of our faith, three Gods, one true faith. Your strength is only as great as your faith. Pray before each battle, pattern your humility as one of the Saints. Crush our enemies with Almalexia's wrath. Here are proven strategies to hone your faith to destroy the enemy's will.
The Shield Wall. The Shield wall, taught to us long ago in our ancestor's wars against the wild Nords, is a simple tactic. Line all your shields together to form an impenetrable wall of shields. It worked against disorganized and cowardly barbarians, it will work again for us.
The Pointed Charge. The charge is formed with the bravest warrior in front and the rest behind, forming a spear point to shatter an enemy strong point. Choose only those with the strongest will, for it is a risky tactic and doomed if strength and faith are inadequate. No shame is made if there is no success, but all the shame if the Pointed Charge is deflected and routed. Better to die with honor than flee with shame.
The Encircling Stance. Line your fastest soldiers on the flanks and your most enduring in the center. When the enemy charges, use your flanks to envelope their forces. This way the enemy has less room as only their outside warriors can fight but all your forces can be used.
The Honor Charge. Every Ordinator will recall the greatest of his or her ancestors and ask Almalexia for the strength to achieve victory. Once the honor of each has been secured and the proper rituals completed, all ordinators will be rallied to battle. This is a suicidal charge and seemingly most effective to win a losing battle. This was used in the Siege of Abernanit to defeat Dagoth Thras and also in the Battle of Tear to defeat a Molag Bal cult.
Tactics for the Order of Inquisition
The Inquisitors must quietly strangle heresy where it schemes and thrives. Among a thousand there is one traitor, and that traitor must be converted with the greatest of torture or humiliation. Also, the task of interrogating enemies such as Cult Witches and Sleepers of Dagoth Ur, which remain a threat to the Temple, are in the hands of the Inquisitors. We must do evil to right the Temple, we must kill in secret to protect the foundations.
The Long Tongue. Iron hooks will be attached to the tongue of the heretic and the tongue will be pulled slowly, until the heretic signals his or her surrender. If pulled off, resort to stretching and burning. Skinning is last resort.
The Ebony Death. Use specially made Ebony weights and force one down the heretic's throat. The Stone will slowly scrape away the innards of the criminal and weigh down the body.
The Dagoth bane. Use the Dispel of Telepathy as taught by Sotha Sil to torment to linked soul of the Corprus Dagoth. Then take the tentacles and strangle it with its own tubes. Then burn the face off, it still will not die, for they are as evil as we are just. Then to dispatch it swiftly, hack the body apart.