The Morbid Doctrine

An informational codex regarding the doctrines and guidelines of the Queen’s Rotgarde

-Edition III- 

If you have been given this publication you have been accepted into the 3rd Battalion of the Tirisfal Foot Guards, fondly known as the Rotgarde. An honour indeed – yet it is an honour that requires STRICT adherence to the means-tested protocols of the Forsaken war machine, as well as the discipline of tempered iron. The fact that you now bear the Jaws of Undeath shows that you have, at the very least, the potential stand as a paragon of the Lordaeronian cause, and for this reason I bid you warm welcome and shall, no doubt, be proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you as a brother in the near future.

Executor of the Rotgarde

Of History

With many years of service, the Rotgarde has come to possess a rich history and an unwavering military tradition. I have attempted to condense some of the information I find to be either relevant or interesting here, although if it interests you I encourage you to discover more.

The Rotgarde was attached to the Hand of Vengeance shortly after its creation, led by the well-respected High Executor Armillian Nategarth. The unit was later placed within the structure of the Tirisfal Foot Guards shortly after the coming of the Lichfall. Nategarth was aged and perhaps caught up in his ways, but nevertheless led his men into a silver age of warfare until his betrayal and execution at the hands of his then-third in command, Gorod Rotworth.

For a time, Rotworth took the mantle of acting Executor alongside Executor Perroy, his loyalists covering up the murder of Nategarth. In the end, his treachery was discovered and Rotworth was slain in a great melee between the two rival executors, beginning the reign of Phillip Perroy proper – a reign that has continued to this very day (with a brief interregnum during the destruction of Deathwing the Destroyer and the expedition to Pandaria, when the decorated cohort was put under the command of a set of poorly-prepared petty officers, and then split up and reassigned for over a year).

During these three “eras”, the  Rotgarde have been honoured many times for their victories against partisan efforts to reclaim Lordaeron, Alterac and Strom. The greatest of these are listed below:

The Folly at Fenris

An example of the LIGHTNING WARFARE often employed by the Rotgarde, the partisan order of knights known as the Order of the Bloodied Crown was ousted from an entrenched position by a flanking Rotgarde force, driving them from Fenris and into the boiling waters of Lordamere lake. Although many escaped, their losses were innumerable.

The Plaguemist Gambit

An event whereupon a combined Forsaken host consisting of the Rotgarde and the Hand of Agony defeated an outnumbering mounted column of Stromic knights led by Eorl Felian in the Plaguemist Ravine of the Hinterlands. Felian’s host was defeated by a cunning ruse by the deathstalkers, who advanced from the rear and cut down the steeds of the back of the column, sending man and beast into a blind panic. Although Felian and his commanders escaped, the crows feasted well that day, and it is said that the screams of the dying still haunt the pass.

Bloody August

Whereupon the Alliance, led by Commander Averheim and his infantry, moved to encircle and destroy a combined Horde host garrisoning Conquest Hold. Putting into effect a scorched earth stratagem, the Rotgarde were able to cripple the outnumbering force by poisoning the water-source and by focusing offensive efforts on the Alliance’s supply lines. In the end, the Alliance were scattered by the fury of a marauding orcish warband, having had their strength and morale sapped and their assaults halted by the noble Forsaken defenders.

The Wildhammer Encirclement

When the Wildhammer dwarves and their Alliance allies broke the truce and struck at the Forsaken heartlands with an elemental storm, the Rotgarde spearheaded a costly effort to avenge the attack. After many days of battle, the combined Horde army encircled the Aerie peak and forced the Wildhammer into a series of negotiations and appeasements.

The Descent of the Bjora

As the Alliance attempted to seize the rich resources of the Krasarang Jungles a number of months before Legionfall, the Rotgarde and a host of loyal allies came to meet them. Outfighting and outmanoeuvring the sluggish Alliance offensive while also fending off savage Sauroken assaults, the Horde was – in the end – able to smash from the skies the Alliance gunship known as the Bjora, destroying it UTTERLY. The Alliance were forced to abandoned the theatre soon after this humiliation, allowing for an uncontested Horde victory.

The Harrowing of the Three Corners

In response to Alliance imperialism, the Rotgarde and their allies struck boldly into the Stormwindian heartland of Redridge, bringing FIRE and SWORD to the Three Corners. After two weeks of the Alliance being soundly thrashed in their own dominions, the Horde was able to draw their slovenly counter-attack in a deadly trap within the Blackrock Mountain, where they honoured the memory of Lothar and Doomhammer both by almost destroying the unfortunate joke that was the Alliance’s military effort there and then. Wrynn’s lickspittles were saved only by the arrival of Argus giving them time to flee the battle.

This is but a minuscule selection of the successes we have encountered in our years of service. Every scar upon a Rotgarde’s flesh is a tale of a victory worthy of song.

Of conduct

A member of the Rotgarde must carry themselves with utmost dignity and set an example for their lessers. For this reason, the following must be kept in mind:

The Queen above all else

It is a wretched thing, to speak ill of our saviour. A soldier of the Rotgarde found to be blaspheming against the Dark Lady shall have their tongue removed for its poisonous ways.

Vulgar Language

Any language befitting a peasant or a lackwit is prohibited. We are professional soldiers and the very vanguard of Lordaeron’s will – it is a personal humiliation to me to see my men running their mouths and spitting insults that are more worthy of children or perhaps the Living than the Forsaken. Any disciplinary action is at the officer’s discretion.

Uniform

The men of the Rotgarde are permitted – within reason – to select their own attire from the armoury as it suits them, yet it is a requirement that the proper colours of our Lady’s regime (royal purple and iron grey) be displayed. You must always bear your colours (the LEGENDARY Jaws of Undeath) visible in the form of  a tabard, surcoat, jacket or otherwise and must carry the uniform hood upon you (although it is not necessary to wear it at all times). Ridiculous and clownish garments will be dealt with at an officer’s discretion. Members of the Deathguard are advised to have a set of deathguard’s mail or platemail forged for them. Certain exceptions may be made for PRESTIGIOUS and ELITE armours earned through ranking in War Quarter or Steamwheedle tournaments, though you must keep a more traditional uniform on hand should you be ordered to – for example – participate in an impromptu parade.

In the case of abominations and other less traditional Forsaken peoples, the company’s icon must be visibly tattooed on their chest or worn as a badge.

The Weakness of the Flesh

The Forsaken ought only have two loves – Lordaeron and the Dark Lady. Anything beyond this is a distraction – the only thing the heart of a true Rotgarde soldier should pine for is an Azeroth united beneath the icon of torment.

Of Faith

Although it is not required that you abide by the Shadow, utmost respect should be shown to the Cult and its clergy.

Tradition

It is traditional to acknowledge the arrival of a brother / sister by saluting and clicking your heels together. The company’s motto “Seven Kingdoms, One Empire” should be echoed whensoever a comrade utters it, as a show of mutual respect, unity and dedication to our cause.

Of Promotions

Promotions shall be handled either individually or en masse at a gathering. The promotion to loyalist is significant because it signifies the trust of the Rotgarde command and your place amongst the core strength of the company. Each man or woman promoted to this rank will be awarded a dress dagger with accompanying sheathe as a symbol of office, to be worn at all formal occasions both civil and military.

Standing Orders

 

• Loyalty and obedience are the highest virtues. A superior’s orders should be followed without question.

 

• Promote the greatness of the Forsaken nation in all things

 

• Present the Forsaken as the paramount guardians of the Horde.

 

• Present the Alliance as an eternal enemy to be combated in all theatres.

 

• Ensure the primacy of the Forsaken and the Horde across all Azeroth.

 

• Ward the borders of Forsaken territory.

 

• Identify weaknesses at enemy borders.

 

• Be vigilant for threats to the Forsaken and to the Horde, domestic and foreign.

 

• Destroy literature denigrating against or questioning the Queen and her council.

 

• Seize artifacts and antiquities of historical or magical value by any means necessary, to be used or destroyed under the Dark Lady’s orders.