Nightmare Stalkers

Their overall numbers aren't solely kept, but a single 'unit' such as it were numbers eight to sixteen individuals depending how many couples congregate to that area. They seem almost guided by a holy mission and what some might percieve as Divine providence.

Those whom end up taking up this mantle are usually veterans of their associated Templar orders. They are armed with divine powers, as well as often specialized trapping and hunting equipment. Beyond that, bows and rifles are preferred by the men very often, as well as simple sidearms such as long hunting knives and hatchets. The women, in line with Talia, oft rely more on their divine power and Talia's connection to the elements, empowering them with boons of magick beyond simple prayer-powers, as well as special imbued totems that oft allow them to summon spirit beasts to battle beside them. They are also generally skilled archers and capable with staff and even bare hands if needs must.

Beyond this they utilize a variety of talismans and charms, as well as specialized 'spirit traps' that allow them to lock beasts from the Black to this plane, expensive magick items likely purchased at great expense from a Magisterium campus as they can only be crafted by a potent Diamond Magister. These divining, tracking and forcible plane locking and entrapment tools all combine to allow them to stalk the outer edges of these scarred regions, and seek any Voidlings that might breach into reality near the borders of these scarred regions. They'll track these entities down and attempt to contain, and ultimately if they can manage to lock them to this plane, slay the creatures. Beyond this they will also hunt and destroy any mutated monsters or the like that wander out of those regions and into the borderlands or to close to civilization nearby.

There weaponry as previously noted, seems mundane, but are often heavily blessed and enchanted with a variety of enchantments paid for by the two churches. Banishing runes, and scorching radiance runes are two common choices, generally for larger threats they do not wish to fight to the death, such as Terrors or may the Ascended forbid, a true Nightmare. Banishment is one of the swiftest ways to address Voidlings in general, and if that option works, it is always preferred to fighting head on.

Generally they prefer to travel on foot, finding most animals unreliable, to easily spooked in their line of work and most often, due to religious values, finding other options distasteful. They oft hunt and travel light, preferring the flexibility this allows them, and being more than capable of surviving off the land.

The hierarchy seems based on years hunting and seniority in general, though it is not strict, it seems almost more 'tribal elder' based in how it is practiced. They operate almost as a democracy, but great weight and value is placed upon the words of the oldest and most experienced among their numbers. Rarely do they work with others outside their tight knit groups, but there are a few documented cases and in all those cases this is how the 'structure' of a 'unit' or group was described by those working and fighting alongside them.

As noted, entrapment, that is to cut off the Voidling from their connection to the Void, is a favorite tactic. Whilst this will not remove such a creatures dangerous tainted magicks and other such capabilities, it will make the beast tangible, as tangible as you or I, meaning its inherent protections, a hardiness born of being otherworldly, is stripped away. Once this is done, they generally will prefer to engage from distance with arrows and bullets, preferably using ammo blessed with holy oil and weapons enchanted with scorching radiance runes, knowing Voidlings have a deep vulnerability to both the luminescent magics of the Soul, including radiant based enchantments, as well as to divine blessed substances. They seek to use stalk and ambush tactics and always prefer, if possible, to have time for some of their number to prepare the battlefield when possible.

This is not to say they are incapable if forced to fight straight out. They are skillful combatants in any scenario, and each couple almost seem to fight as one, an island of stability even amongst larger battlefields when such circumstances have provided records of such things. They almost seem as one, no verbal communication required between them, seeming to read each other's body movements and patterns before it happens. If surrounded or ambushed each couple will end up back to back with each other, and it is oft described as if watching two halves become whole the way their movements and positioning compliment, protect and enable each other.

Though it is obvious that years and perhaps decades of time as Templars for their respective churches occur, there is other training that such couples, as condition to take upon this holy mantle, undergo after being wed. However this training is kept a secret even from most of both clergies and is solely known by the most senior amongst the orders of Cloth and Steel for both churches. Even they do not teach it however, and none truly know who does. Such couples take a pilgrimage to Depenwood, specifically to an area of forest just north of Kelethan, a simple shrine, protected by wards and seals so ancient most forget who put them there. This shrine marks a memory of the Depen, and supposedly the place where Talia and Boran found their last triumph, and their demise. Couples will live, eat, and sleep amidst that most holy site for one week. None know what they see, but it is said in the Weave of Dreams they will be forged, in communion. But whatever that entails, whatever the dreams or perhaps dream-walking, they experience, these couples hold their tongues and hold their secrets. Such is the vow they take upon beginning this pilgrimage.

Initially likely quite expensive, but if the churches continue supporting these couples, it is not known in what ways, or financially how much that might cost.

It seems to be a volunteer force, though it is worthy of note the common thread of a woman of Talia's Order of Steel marrying a man of Boran's Order of Steel. Some have accused that the two faiths collude on this, which would be a grave violation of the The Spiritual Severing Agreement however no one can prove definitively any such accusations. The churches for their part insist it is merely fate and the will of the two dieties, for they were wedded and were lovers after all. So it should not be so strange that many of their followers might seek such solace with members of the other faith, and some of those will inevitably fall in love and marry.

Though not known for any major battles in a military sense, the reputation of each group, generally just named for the Scars upon Reality/World-Wounds they happen to make their home near, is built upon stories of their exploits and battles. They are loved and heavily respected warriors and guardians of these regions.

Historically loyal to the churches of Boran and Talia, though it is suspected that loyalty remains, they do by all appearances, throw themselves head first to the mercy and authority of the nation they end up living in, and the even more tightly the region. Oft they'll even join local militia groups, willing to be called upon in times of need within the village or town nearest to them/where they make their home.