The Echelonian Host

The Echelonian Host is a secretive organization that operates out of the Obsidian Acropolis at the western edge of Trackless Wastes, nestled into the southern end of the eastern side of the Giantkeepers, roughly at the junction of Ordland, The Pious Union of the Awakened and The Verum Imperium.   Though most of the agents of the Echelonian Host that interact with other peoples of Yorth appear to be vaguely humanoid creatures with somewhat predatory features and prominent horns known as Tieflings, rumors persist that a number of more imposing and frighteningly cunning beings inhabit the Acropolis and in many cases seem to be the real authority figures within its mysterious yet seemingly well-ordered hierarchy.   The Host differs from most of the other political entities on Yorth in that they seem to have no particular political agenda, nor any affiliation with any of the deities connected to any of the other peoples. The actual origin of the organization is little understood, and the Obsidian Acropolis itself seems to have appeared out of nowhere in an inhospitable and little-visited region, though it definitely appeared after the formation of its neighbors.   Unlike the divine magic favored by the residents of the The Union, the devoted study of the arcane found in the Verum Imperium, or the naturalistic hybrid of the two seen throughout The Kingdom of Zelaya, the Echelonian Host peddle a unique flavor of the arcane gifted directly to its affiliates as a reward for their services. Though Host agents are not all that common in Yorth, their abilities with magic are well regarded, and their chief goal seems to be to expand their number through targeted recruitment. Access to magic otherwise unattainable as a reward for simple loyalty attracts many who feel they have otherwise gotten the short shrift in their respective societies, and their numbers have steadily increased in recent times.    This, in turn, has caused no small amount of wariness from leadership in all of the major societies of the planet, especially as the Great War rages on. Just what the Host are up to, what exactly their goals are (their agents are tight-lipped about these things and only seemed concerned with recruitment efforts), elude just about everyone. They seem quite wealthy and do purchase a number of luxury goods, but seem not to be particularly concerned with standard commodities. However, as they haven't been linked to any particular violence, terrorism, or open warfare, for now the Host remains a minor curiosity at best and mild annoyance at worst.