Disciples of Ynoch

"Judgement! Judgement! Judgement is come!"

-Battlecry of the Third Angelic Legion

The Disciples of Ynoch are the Third Angelic Legion, soul-scions of the Seraph Raphael. They are known as the most fanatical of all their brother legions, and are among the seven legions who remained loyal to Ynoch during the Fall. They are renowned for their zeal, rigidity, and their implacable will. They are warrior-priests among the legions, and none other ever spread the faith of Ynoch as fervently as them. Due to the religious zeal they brought to conquered populaces, they had one of the largest recruitment pools of any legion, and as a result grew to be among the largest of them.

History
The Third Legion was first deployed alongside the First and Second Legions during the first conflict within the Angelic Conquest, against the Arakur Pantheon, in BA 97. The Arakur were completely overwhelmed and utterly subjugated within three weeks. After the First Legion named themselves the Godbreakers in honor of their Seraph, Michael, and his victory over the Arakur, and the Second chose to dub themselves Lightbearers, Raphael decreed that the Third should henceforth be known as the Disciples of Ynoch, as a gesture of devotion to his father.

In BA 98, the Disciples of Ynoch fight alongside Azazel and the Sixth Legion, with Raphael having command of the force as they war against the El'sherah. Despite numerous victories, Azazel's repeated deviations from battle plans in order to pursue glory results in massive setbacks for the invasion. After the Sixth return home in disgrace, the Disciples of Ynoch are reinforced by the Seventh and Eighth Legions, and complete the campaign by BA 99.

In BA 162, Raphael and the Third single handedly engage the Viracoca Pantheon. After peace terms are negotiated, an assassination attempt is made on Raphael, who responds by ordering the full scale annihilation of the pantheon's gods in retribution for their treachery.

Organization
The Disciples of Ynoch have long been among the largest legions, and this is due largely to their practices of converting the populace of worlds they conquer to the worship of Ynoch. While this was universal across the legions, none other was as systematic as spreading Ynoch's worship as the Disciples, and no other legion made it their first priority upon a conquered world. No other legion was entirely composed of priests and proselytisers. As a result of the faith they inspired, the Third enjoyed large numbers of recruits, allowing them to achieve numbers of around 175,000 at the height of their strength. The legion is also known for having the largest sized units across the legions of the Ynochim.

Hierophants - Voices of the Seraph, Lords of the Hosts
Raphael's Cherubim were known as Hierophants, each charged with leading one of the seven Hosts of the Legion. In the fullness of their power, a Host numbered 25,000 legionnaires, the largest Divisional unit in any of the legions. Every Hierophant was a Voice of Raphael. They carried his word down to the legion and those they conquered, but so too did they speak their words to Raphael. The Seraph recognized that he would encounter challenges of all varieties, which would test his character and drive. As such, he selects his seven Voices based on their personalities and predilections, so they might always advocate to him in one of the manners he required. Whenever one of his Hierophants was slain, Raphael would always choose replacements with similar natures.

The Seven Voices go thusly:

Voice of Virtue: Disciples are chosen as the Voice of Virtue for their ability to inspire others, to erase any thought of failure, and to maintain adherence to the Dream. Commanding the First Host of the legion, the Voice of Virtue as serve as a role model for others to emulate, much like Raphael himself. They must be possessed of unshakable faith in Ynoch and the Dream, and a powerful personal charisma so that others might share in it. The Voice of Virtue is the closest to the Seraph, his confidant, and sometimes has the privilege of sharing his confidence without the other Hierophants.

Voice of Truth: A Voice of Truth is selected for their absolute honesty and honor, so that they might always provide Raphael with the truth of any situation, even when he did not wish to hear it. The Voice of Truth is charged with commanding the Second Host, the Host of Truth. To be selected is a sign of the Seraph's belief in the Disciple's honesty, yet it also gave the responsibility of telling Raphael what he might not want to be told, even in the midst of his anger.

Voice of Mercy: As Raphael is of the belief that mercy is one of the most important qualities in a general, he has a Voice for Mercy among his Hierophants. The Voice of Mercy is chosen for their righteousness, their calm heart and forbearance, for it is their place to calm the Seraph's anger if ever it should arise, and convince him to dole out leniency when he might otherwise choose destruction. Yet let it not be thought that the Hierophant of the Third Host is meant to plead for every foe they come upon. The Voice of Mercy must also advise Raphael when a foe is unworthy of forbearance, and annihilation is the only fate they deserve.

Voice of Prudence: The Hierophant of the Fourth Host is always an individual of forethought, caution, and even temper. When the urge strikes Raphael and his Third Legion to rush into battle, the Voice of Prudence must temper it with caution, wisdom and planning. Logic must pervade their thoughts, and wisdom rule their hearts. Theirs is the cool head that must prevail over the fires of zealotry, when their heat grows too hot.

Voice of Wrath: Standing almost as a foil to the Voices of Mercy and Prudence, the Hierophant of the Host of Wrath is given their place due to the fire in their blood, and their power to spread that fire into others. When doubt or hesitation holds sway in the legion's command, they must burn it down. When the Seraph becomes too concerned with care for mortals, for instance, the Voice of Wrath is ever there to remind him of the sacrifices required for victory.

Voice of Erudition: The Hierophant of the Sixth Host is always an individual of scholarly bent, wise, learned, and clever. It is their duty to know as much as they can of the history and cultures of the places the legion travels to, so that the Seraph might be given any knowledge he should require to inform his decisions. It is also the duty of the Voice of Erudition to preserve necessary records, and purge those too blasphemous to remain, a decision which they hold the burden of making.

Voice of Regret: The Voice of Regret is Hierophant of the Seventh Host, and held perhaps the most unenviable position of Raphael's Cherubim. It is their place to remind the Seraph of his and the legion's failings whenever the time called for it, so that they might never be forgotten. The Voice of Regret is furthermore burdened with recording the legion's history, and knowing it inside and out so as to provide the Seraph with their counsel.

Apostles - Heralds of the Seraph
Raphael's Apostles are his Ophanim guards, who accompany him into battle, and when needed, can be dispatched to fulfill missions of personal import to the Seraph. The Apostles always numbered seven warriors. While formidable battle prowess was always a necessity in their selection, Raphael first and foremost sought out companions who were courageous, dutiful, and above all, unquestionably loyal. The Apostles are ranked based on the amount of time they have served Raphael as Ophanim and his Heralds. Each is named after one of the Seven States of Glory. In order from highest to lowest, their ranks are: Herald of Justice, Herald of Absolution, Herald of Reformation, Herald of Enlightenment, Herald of Renewal, Herald of Diligence, Herald of Prosperity

Exarch - Lords of the Covenant
Every Hierophant had four Exarchs who reported to them. The Exarchs hold sway over a Covenant, which usually number 6,250 warriors, the largest Regimental unit in the legions.

Templars - Fists of the Hierophant
The Templars were the Malakim of the Third Legion, a Hierophant's elite veterans. Each Hierophant holds a single Vigil of Templars under their command, to be deployed wherever they deemed necessary. Unlike some other legions, Hierophants do not employ their Malakim as personal guards, instead keeping faith with their other warriors to defend them when necessary.

Deacons - Keepers of the Vigil
Five Deacons serve every Exarch, and had under their command a Vigil, a Battalion unit which numbered 1,250 Disciples.

Legates -Shepherds of the Convocation
Each Deacon has five Legates who reported to them. Legates lead units known as Convocations, each of which was 250 strong, and a Company sized unit.

Chaplains - Guides of the Ordinate
Ten Chaplains, each with a twenty-five man Ordinate underneath them, serve every Deacon. Chaplains, in addition to commanding the Disciples of their Ordinate, also served as spiritual advisors to their Disciples, and lead their subordinates in chants and battle hymns as they marched into battle.

Disciples - Legionaries
Within the Third Legion, every legionary was known as a Disciple, after they completed their Novitiate training. Veteran Disciples are known as Disciples-Adherent, and serve in the first Convocation of every Vigil. No matter their status, however, every warrior of the Third Legion is expected not only to be a soldier, but also a priest, able to convert nonbelievers to the worship of Ynoch, which is their solemn duty.

Combat Doctrine
The Third has the largest sized units of any of the Angelic Legions; they always deploy in force. The Disciples of Ynoch are rigid and stalwart in their approach to war, having a highly centralized train of command that emphasizes obedience and adherence to orders. Once given an objective, lower ranking members of the legion pursue it with fanatic zeal, until it is carried out, they all perish, or their orders change. Any means necessary are allowed for fulfilling objectives, allowing for lower ranking legionnaires opportunities to display their creativity and tactical acumen.

As faith and discipline are core tenets of the legion, all Disciples are trained to obey orders unquestioningly, and to never deviate from them unless ordered to do otherwise. Given the high levels of fanaticism the legion is known for, retreat is an extremely rare act for them. Once a force of Disciples of Ynoch has been committed to battle, they would rather die to the last than bear the shame of retreat. Any foe who overcomes them always does so at great cost, as it is the legion's preference to fight until every one of them is dead than give up an inch of ground.

Battle Rituals
It is customary for the Disciples to march into battle with standards held high, drums beating, and chants and mantras from the Book of Raphael or Code of Ynoch upon their lips. The most common phrase from the former has become the legion's primary battlecry: "Judgement! Judgement! Judgement is come!"

Before battle commences, it is customary for officers to lead sermons and prayer for their subordinates, as they call out to Ynoch and the Seraph to look down on their deeds with favor, and reaffirm their faith and devotion. Days and nights before battle or during sieges, it is customary for the enemy to hear drumbeats and chanting recitations from the legion, which serves to unnerve their foes and lower enemy morale.

Training and Recruitment Doctrine
Due to the effort the legion put into converting worlds to worship of Ynoch, the Conquest era legion had one of the largest and most devoted recruiting pools, which in turn allowed them to become one of the largest legions. Recruits are selected primarily for their faith and a capacity for obedience, which is analyzed through the Dominions of Thought and Aura. Those found lacking in these areas are weeded out. During their training, recruits are given the title of Novitiate, and while they are trained in the arts of war and battle, each and every one of them is educated in the Code of Ynoch and Book of Raphael, to the point that they can educate anyone on its contents. Furthermore, Novitiates are continuously indoctrinated into obedience, to a degree that is rivaled only by a scant few other legions.

When a legionnaire has completed their training, and is fully infused with the soulseals of the Seraph, the newly made Disciple of Ynoch is not merely a warrior, but also a priest, ready to bring Ynoch's word to Creation and annihilate all his enemies.

The Seven States of Glory
The Seven States of Glory is what the Disciples of Ynoch use to describe the process they undertake after conquering a realm, and readying it for Raphael's vision of the Dream. The Seven States were developed after the Conclave of Shangri-La, when it was decreed that each legion would have full autonomy in governing the worlds they conquered. Each State is part of the process of convers

The First Stare (Justice): The Stare of Justice takes place directly after a realm has been conquered. Punishments are delivered to those who resisted the conquest and were in previous violation of the Code of Ynoch, and to those who continue to resist. The severity of the punishments varies on a case by case basis, depending on an individual's actions and what sort of position they previously occupied.

The Second State (Absolution): Once Justice has been carried out, the time has come for Absolution. Those left in the wake of the legion's conquest will be in need of healing, comfort, and protection. In essence, this State focuses on securing the well being of the people in the newly conquered realm.

The Third State (Reformation): Once the Second State is complete, it becomes time to rebuild the land and infrastructure of the conquered realm. New buildings in accordance to Ynochian designs are erected, and new forms of law enforcement, medicine, and other staples of the Ynochian Ascendancy are put into place, ready for use. All of the benefits brought about in this stage spring from temples and shrines devoted to Ynoch, where citizens can receive food, healing, and other commodities.

The Fourth State (Enlightenment): Enlightenment begins after the necessary reformations to the infrastructure of a subjugated world have been put in place. Once it is complete, the time comes for all citizens to be converted to the worship of Ynoch. This is initially carried out by the Disciples, but as more and more mortals convert, new adherents can be used as emissaries to spread Ynoch's word. Those who accept Ynoch are given access to all the benefits which stand ready from the Third State.

The Fifth State (Renewal): Once worship of Ynoch has been fully accepted, Renewal begins, as all the benefits of Ynochian rule are integrated on a realm wide scale, allowing for the rebirth of the conquered society to begin.

The Sixth State (Diligence): The Sixth State involves the newly converted world adhering to all the laws and teachings brought upon them by the Legion. Any deviations at this time are corrected, to ensure a safe and secure society.

The Seventh State (Prosperity): By successfully adhering to all the changes put in place by the Disciples of Ynoch, a world will have transcended its previous flaws and become perfect and prosperous, and in Raphael's view, in line with Ynoch's Dream.

Heraldry
The symbol of the Disciples of Ynoch is the golden Ynochian sunburst upon a black field. In the sun's center are a pair of twin warhammers. The symbol is representative of the legion's devotion to Ynoch. They are his will and his fury made manifest, a part of him, just as the hammers are set within his light, which encompasses them at all times.

Battlegear
The armor of the Third Legion is black warplate, lined with golden trim. It is tradition for legionnaires to personally inscribe their left shoulder plate with a line of scripture from the Book of Raphael or a tenet from the Code of Ynoch that is most meaningful and significant to them. The right shoulder displays both a symbol which denotes the legionnaire's rank, but also a specific line of scripture which is reserved solely for that rank. The helms of officers are adorned with crests designed to resemble the rays of the sun. For ceremonial occasions, officers are known to sport capes and cloaks of black and gold.