Valanian military decorations

From Scandia

There are a number of decorations that can be won by a legionary in the armies of Valania, usually as the result of uncommon bravery or skill. This page aims to give a complete summary of all of them.

Badges

The lowest level of awards comes in the form of a badge that is sewn onto the soldier's dress uniform and, usually, his combat fatigues as well. Most legionaries tend to have two or three of these. Many badges are available, ranging from service decorations to marksmanship awards. The rarest and most coveted badge is the Scandian Games badge, awarded to a soldier whose skill is such that they are selected for the Valanian Games team, usually for the Winter Games' shooting events.

Medals

Medals, of bronze, silver or gold, are awarded to those soldiers of distinction who have brought honour upon themselves or their Legion. The highest become treasured family heirlooms. It is notable that legionaries are never awarded medals for their length of service, as this is rewarded by badges only.

Wreaths

A wreath represents the highest honour that Valania can bestow upon its soldiers. The wearer of a wreath gains many privileges in addition to land and income. The following are the most famous wreaths made:

• The Laurel crown gives the citizen the right to wear a wreath of laurel. This is a reward for saving the lives of fellow soldiers. The citizen is entitled to an additional pension of Vd5,000 per year, and must be applauded when wearing it, even by men more senior than himself.

• The Grass crown is the very highest military decoration that a citizen may aspire to. It is awarded for saving the lives of an entire Legion or army. Unusually, it can only be awarded to the individual by the army he saved, not by a higher-ranking officer or the Senate. Of the five people who have won it in all of Valanian history, four were generals. The fifth, Primus Castus, was the most remarkable. He was a centurion, and after the disastrous battle of Pluvial in 1239, he and his twenty men held the rearguard of the retreating Valanians against an entire Ingallish army. Not surprisingly, his reward was posthumous.