The end of the Great War heralded a new age in the history of warfare. The rapid movement of the army of Mortos took the poorly-defended cities of Seridia by surprise. By the time the citizens of the lands marshalled their troops, it was almost too late. Vowing that this would never happen again, the leaders of the various powers-that-be on the continent of Seridia gathered in a world-shaking meeting and decided that, from that day on, they would form the Seridian Continental Defence Force. (SCDF)
In so doing, they hoped to train enough of the youth of the continent in the ways of warfare and develop new tactics that will overcome any further threats to their survival. While each city had its own private militia, the large majority of warriors wandered the Lands in a roving patrol, on the watch for any danger. In the years that have passed since the Great War, a system of warfare has evolved to meet the directives given to the Defence Force.
Jarrett, Lord of Vermor Castle, was given the task of administrating and training this Defence Force to its peak performance. He was helped by the natural forces of chance and the situation of the recovering continent. Mighty warriors and powerful mages had begun to draw followers around themselves, forming the nuclei of small armies. These, in turn, were drafted en masse by Lord Vermor to form the different branches of the Defence Force, and given mercenaries’ pay. They were free to wander however they liked and recruit whoever they wished, but tasked with the objective of protecting Seridia from outside attack. To develop the fighting potential of these highly-unstable groups of warriors, Lord Vermor instigated the war games that have become so popular on the continent today. Each mercenary army would recruit the best warriors and mages from around the continent before the war, and then fight for honour and glory in the field. By doing so, Lord Vermor was able to both train his soldiers, as well as avoid the costs of upkeep for a standing army.
In the years that followed, four distinct groups of fighters became evident. These are the 4 main Mercenary Armies that form the bulk of the Seridian Continental Defence Force today.
The Iron Hawks (HAWK) were first started by the veterans of the Great War. Having gained battlefield experience the hard way, a large portion of the victorious but heavily-battered army of Aluwen took a vow in the Ruins of Tirnym to oppose all works of evil from henceforth. Under the leadership of Kilmarr Craven, a former sergeant of the Baarg guild, they spent the first few years of their duties organising hit-and-run attacks on the scattered Orcish forces that plagued the Lands. It was largely due to their outstanding efforts on the field that Desert Pines was cleared of monsters during the recovery period. When they heard of the Defence Force being formed, they marched all the way from their hidden base in the Tahraji Desert to offer their services to Lord Vermor. They pride themselves in their fast, vicious attacks, sweeping down on their foes like their namesake.
The Jade Warriors (JADE), as they became known, were initially composed of the warrior tribes in the hills of Portland and the Kamara Desert. Utterly savage in battlefield fury, they almost died to a man in the battles of Portland and Desert Pines under the onslaught of the orcish and undead hordes. The wives and children of these warriors escaped into safety behind the lines of friendly troops during the War. A generation later, the children of these warrior-men, raised on tales of their heroic fathers, joined the Defence Force to render honour to their ancestors. Before every battle, they would paint their faces in the traditional war-tattoos and greenish streaks of their tribes, and that has come to be their name. They are presently led by Lok Par’Thul. Known for their rock-hard endurance, as strong as the mountains themselves, each and every Jade Warrior is trained to fight down to their dying breath, no matter how severely wounded they are.
The Lynx Hunters (LYNX) had a past as predatory as their name suggests. Originally from the Guild of Assassins, they were equally hard-hit by the siege and destruction of the Great War. Reduced to near-starvation levels in the aftermath and rebuilding, a representative from the Legion approached Lord Vermor during his call for the Defence Force, and negotiated with him. In exchange for amnesty for previous crimes committed, and the basic necessities of food and shelter, large numbers of the former criminals turned soldier and enlisted. At first despised by their fellow soldiers, they have eventually won respect for their almost legendary stealth and magnificent fighting skills. Now striving to erase misdeeds in their past, the Lynx Hunters fight for honour and justice for the people of the Lands instead. They are led by a shadowy figure that is known only as FireLynx.
The Winds of Fury (FURY) is the newest branch of the Defence Force. Initially founded by a vainglorious minor lordling known as Lord Pollix, this group of young hotheads went from battle to battle, following the exploits of the older groups. With the dismissal of Lord Pollix due to a silly accident involving swimming in the Riven Sea wearing plate armor, command has fallen to Hurin Forkbeard, who began to reorganise the Order into a sensible fighting force. Still referred to in derision as “the airheads” by the other armies, nevertheless in recent months, the Winds of Fury has developed astoundingly and has gained the grudging respect of their peers. It remains to be seen how great their fighting power truly is once Hurin Forkbeard finishes his restructuring.
These four armies spend months and years training and developing their skills and tactics, in preparation for that terrible day when the trumpets of war shall sound again on the Lands, and the invading hordes threaten our safety. They are our first and greatest line of defence. Let us hope that it is enough.
~Lyanna Lorekeeper~
Elven Historian
Leave a Reply