Allies of Camlach

History
Since the dawn of Terre d'Ange, the eastern border of Terre d'Ange has been threatened by Skaldi incursions due to raids, mass-killings and slave-seekers looking to pillage and force their way into Terre d'Ange. The Houses of Camlach realized they could not defend the border on their own, and created a coalition that eventually formed the largest military unit next to the Royal Army. The banner of the Allies is a flaming sword on a sable field.

Composition
The Allies of Camlach are both as simplistic as their stereotype and complex, contrary to how some may see Camaelines.

Leadership
As a military alliance, the Allies of Camlach has historically been focused on military cooperation and unity. Marriages between Allied houses are common, proofs of loyalty to the cause as well as respects to cooperation amongst the noble houses. The Patriarchs/Matriarchs of the founding Houses currently comprise the leadership of the alliance, with the Commander of the Allies being the nominal head of the coalition. This position is usually held by the Sovereign Duc, as it was with Isidore d'Aigelmort before his betrayal and also after the House's full reinstatement.

The other Houses of Camlach are not formally members, however give respect and support to the coalition in times of need as well as answer calls to aid. There has been no large push for any of the houses to request formal acknowledgement into the group as of yet. In matters not pertaining to direct military affairs, the houses are offered invitations to voice their opinion however they do not carry as much weight as the founding members, most visibly seen in House d'Eltoine.

Realm of Influence
The Alliance covers any situation in which the Province is dealing with conflict. Originally this has been restricted to strictly military matters, however in recent years this has expanded to economic as well as political matters due to realization that a political or economic fracture amongst the houses is just as damaging as a military one. While this does not stop the typical noble plots between Camaeline houses, it offers a buffer against provincial-wide coups. If the Province is weak, the enemy will succeed. This mindset has made many outside of Camlach view the Province as a military state, and to a point they are not wrong.

Due to the ever-pressing need to maintain fortifications along the Camaelines, many noble youth spend their first years as adults manned at a garrison upon completing their education. This is meant to both keep garrisons manned as well as ensure cooperation between the houses in the future.

Military Organization
Contrary to many people who observe the Allies at work, the Allies of Camlach are not a unique and separate force. Instead, the Allies comprise of the military forces of the camaeline noble houses put under one banner. This has given the illusion of the Allies' massive size when fully mobilized.

Leadership of the Allies forces in the field depends on where the conflict is at, which garrison is near it, and who is leading the garrison. Most of the time, it comes down to which person of the highest military rank and experience is on the field first. This method has allowed the houses to form ranks quickly to better combat the aggressor.


 * Notable Garrisons of Note:
 * Orlais - A garrison built into the Camaelines that oversees the Orlais pass, an area of flatland within the Camaelines that connects Camlach to the Flatlands. This is where the treaty between King Magnus Stal and Terre d'Ange was signed. After Stal's death, the treaty was annulled.


 * Astuce - A fortification that is the farthest away from Camlach, built on the eastern slopes of the Camaelines. Astuce is the main source of information on Skaldic activities to the Allies, relying on it's proximity to Skaldia as well as it's natural obscurity due to it's position in the mountains.


 * Turin Keep - Turin Keep has been the sight of negotiations between Camlach and Milazza when situations have needed one. Located at the center of the southern camaelines where the mountains branch east and west forming Camlach's southern borders, Turin has taken control of the paths that lead into Skaldia, Caerdicci Unitas and Terre d'Ange. This has made Turin a place of interest for traveling merchants. Many have mentioned making Turin into a trader's city, however House Aiglemort has continuously refused claiming that expanding Turin's purpose would increase it's likelihood of assault.

The Peasantry
The peasantry and the Allies share a mutual interest in defending the eastern border against assault. Should the Skaldi manage to breach the border and enter Terre d'Ange, it is not unheard of for a mob of peasants with pikes and torches to march under the flaming sword. Militias of peasants are known to frequent garrisons when a call to arms comes from a requesting garrison, usually consisting of families who have lost a loved one from a raid or seen a family member die in an assault and seeking nothing more than vengeance.

Non-Military Matters
In recent years the Allies have become more involved in the affairs of the province beyond military operations. Typically, the Duc attempts to gain a consensus amongst the Allies relating to policies and agendas dealing with the Province. While this new tangent to their mandate fosters further cooperation and unity within the Province, it is not as simple as agreeing to collective security. However, the Houses have well-received this movement as they gain more influence by being a desired counsel on matters.


 * Economics
 * Camlach always needs money to fund their defensive campaign. This necessity has made the Allies begin acknowledging economic needs as part of their mandate. This has resulted in aiding over-encumbered houses with money, food and supplies. This is most notably seen in the winter months.


 * Camaeline Policies
 * While the Allies are by far not a political entity, the veil of unity pressures on the noble houses to discuss matters with each other more than other provinces. The Allies then become an ad hoc council for the Duc in regard to policy matters.