The Band of the Red Hand
From Convergence
Contents |
History
996NE
-The Band forms as a mercenary group in the aftermath of the Battle for Tarwin's Gap under the leadership of Marc al'Thor. Since the Borderlands are unable to pay to keep them on hand, the group wanders the Borderlands looking for work. Finding nothing along the Blighborder, the hit the far coast and head south, arriving at Falme just after the Seanchan.
-Sensing trouble, the Band stays around. However, with the exception of a few brawls with the Children of the Light, who were also present, no fighting was forthcoming until Rand al'Thor arrives. Rand enlists the help of his uncle to extricate Egwene al'Vere, Nynaeve al'Meara and Elayne Trakand from the Seanchan. The Battle at Falme ensues. Matrim Cauthon blows the Horn of Valere; the Band, with the help of the heroes bound to the Horn, push the Seanchan back into the sea while Rand battles Ba'alzamon in the sky.
-The Band recognises Rand as the true Dragon and Rand, fearing the Children of the Light, who were also killed in the fighting, sends the Band to the Two Rivers to protect his home against any retribution. The Band is also responsible for hiding the Horn of Valere.
997NE
-The Band arrives in the Two Rivers and begins to set up a permanant base there called the Citadel. Construction is barely under way before the Battle of Emond's Field commences when Trollocs come pouring out of the Waygate from old Manetheren. Trolloc horde is crushed and Band starts patrolling the area. Stories about old Manetheren begin to be retold.
-Rand calls the Band to Cairhien to deal with the Shaido besieging the capital. Marc is killed during the Battle of Cairhien and Mat assumes the command. Shaido are broken and scatter.
-Mat leads Band back home, bringing Elayne and Nynaeve with him.
-Lan, his Bond with Moiraine broken when she "kills" Lanfear, arrives in the Citadel. He and Nynaeve marry there.
998NE
-Black Tower takes an interest in the Band after their first dealings with them at Cairhien. The Black Tower sends Asha'man to infiltrate the Band's ranks and confirm their loyalties. The Wolfkin, whose help was enlisted during the Battle for Emond's Field, discover the spies and alert Mat. The infiltrators are dug out and the purpose of their mission shared. Band and Black Tower form an alliance, the term of which include Asha'man on Citadel grounds to help with Healing and building the Citadel.
-Ogier are also asked to help build the Citadel.
-Bubble of Evil hits the Two Rivers. The Bubble duplicates the Band and Banders are forced to fight an "evil" replica of themselves. Following the Battle of the Dopplegängers Emond's Field begind to refer to Mat as "Lord Mat" and the name quickly spreads through the Two Rivers.
-Word reaches Elayne that her mother is being held hostage by Rahvin. Mat refuses to send the Band against Caemlyn. Rahvin's sends a request that Elayne is to be returned to the capital but she refuses and so a force is set against the Band. The Andoran force, discontent with "Morgase's" rule switches colours and joins the Band.
999NE
-The Band is invited to the King of Murandy's wedding which turns into a massacre when Asmodean reveals that the bride is actually Semirhage and the two duel.
-Rand sends the Band down to Illian to help evict Serashada from the country where she is masquerading as the Queen of Illian. With the help of the Black Tower and the militia from the Perfumed Quarters Serashada is killed and Illian bends knee to Rand.
-Elayne, Egwene, Nynaeve and Lan leave the Citadel for Ebou Dar in search of the Bowl of Winds.
-The Citadel is finally finished.
1000NE
The Citadel
Military Structure
Infantry
The Band has roughly 12,000 Infantry soldiers. Unlike the Band's cavalry, the infantry is mostly comprised of "low to middle classes". Its officers are mostly former mercenaries or farmers' sons looking to get off the farm and makes some "real money".
Each banner consists of 3000 regular soldiers, split up into 12 Companies; in each Company there are 5 squads. This makes the basic infantry operating unit 50 soldiers. A Squad Leader is in charge of his 50 soldiers, a File Leader is then in charge of 250 soldiers. A Banner Captain is in charge of the whole banner and answers only to the Commander and the First Banner Captain.
Black Banner
Anvil Banner
Fist Banner
Shield Banner
Cavalry
The Band boasts one of the largest (and best) cavalry divisions in the world. At 4,500 fully trained mounted soldiers, it's as large a cavalry division as any nation can put together. At its core are Sheinaran heavy cavalry as well as Cairhienin and Andoran nobility whose lands were either taken or simply decided to take up with the Band.
Each cavalry banner is roughly 1500 strong and is split into six squadrons. Like the infantry banners, the cavalry banners are led by a Banner Captain who answers only to the Commander and First Banner Captain, who happen to be the same man, Matrim Cauthon. The basic operation unit is 25 men, also called a squad and led by a Squad Leader.
Mat's Banner
Thunder Banner
Mallet Banner
Scouts
Fox Banner
Swift Banner
Snake Banner
Medics
Blue Banner
Red Banner
Heart Banner