In Heilbronn, a raised banner is not merely cloth on a pole but a blood oath made manifest—a declaration that changes the landscape of power and marks its bearer for either glory or swift death.
A raised banner represents:
Public declaration of intent that cannot be withdrawn
Challenge to established authority
Call for others to rally to your cause
Target for your enemies to focus upon
Symbol that will adorn your tomb or throne
The Secret Council: Secure commitments from at least three power brokers before public declaration
Resource Stockpile: Gather sufficient supplies for three months of conflict
Escape Routes: Establish fallback positions should your initial stand fail
The Hidden Army: Position forces strategically before revealing your intentions
Succession Plan: Prepare for your likely death by arranging who continues your cause
Location Matters: Choose ground with defensive advantage or symbolic significance
The Blood Oath: Your banner must be christened with the blood of its bearer
The Declaration: Formal statement of grievances and intentions, copied and distributed widely
The First Followers: Those who kneel first must be rewarded most richly—or eliminated if victory comes
The Witness: Ensure neutral observers document the ceremony for historical legitimacy
The Rebellion Banner: Inverted colors of your liege lord—direct challenge to authority
The Claim Banner: Ancient house symbols with succession markers—declaration of rightful rule
The Coalition Banner: Combined symbols of allied houses—temporary unity of purpose
The Night Banner: Solid black with secret sigils—vengeance rather than governance
The Ascendant Banner: New symbolism declaring birth of power rather than continuation
The First Battle: Must come quickly before momentum fades
The Message Carriers: Send your declaration to every corner of the realm
The Swift Alliance: Secure additional supporters through immediate shows of strength
The Inevitable Betrayal: Identify which early supporters will turn against you first
The Point of No Return: Burn bridges that would allow retreat to your former position
Remember: In Heilbronn, three-quarters of raised banners end up decorating the halls of those they challenged. The banner is a promise written in your own blood—fulfill it or join the forgotten pretenders whose ambitions outpaced their resources.
The wisest banner-raisers understand that the symbol itself has power only when backed by steel, gold, and the calculated timing of opportunity meeting preparation.