Howling Sands Protectorate
History
The Howling Sands Protectorate has a storied history tied to the harsh, unforgiving terrain of the Khorun Sands. Established centuries ago by the first settlers of the region, the Protectorate was created to ensure safety and order across the sprawling desert. Early in their history, the settlers of the Khorun Sands were frequently under threat from raiders, wild beasts, and environmental challenges. The Protectorate emerged as a cohesive military force designed not only to defend settlements but to keep the trade routes open and protect the essential movement of resources across the region.
Over time, the Protectorate’s role expanded, and it became an institution that unified the various scattered settlements of the Sands. Unlike traditional armies, the Howling Sands Protectorate prides itself on flexibility and the ability to respond to threats quickly. This is why their soldiers, known as the “Guards of the Sands,” are granted free passage across all settlements within the Protectorate’s jurisdiction. The freedom to move between settlements allows for swift deployment where needed most, giving the Protectorate a reputation for rapid and strategic responses to emergencies.
The name “Howling Sands” comes from the legendary desert winds that howl through the region, and this moniker also speaks to the relentless nature of the Protectorate’s soldiers, whose training mirrors the harsh environment they protect.
Objectives
The primary objective of the Howling Sands Protectorate is to maintain the security and stability of the Khorun Sands and its settlements. Their duties include:
Defending the region from external threats, including marauding bandits and hostile creatures.
Ensuring the free movement of goods and people between settlements by maintaining safe trade routes.
Responding swiftly to natural disasters, such as sandstorms, and other emergencies.
Enforcing local laws and ensuring order within settlements, though they respect the autonomy of each individual settlement.
Promoting unity among the various communities within the Sands, acting as both defenders and mediators when conflicts arise.
Their secondary mission includes providing essential training to the people of the Sands, ensuring that in times of crisis, settlements can defend themselves until the Protectorate’s full strength can arrive.
Uniform or Symbols
The uniforms of the Howling Sands Protectorate are designed to be practical for the extreme conditions of the desert. Guards are outfitted with light, breathable armor made from a blend of durable fabrics and metals that offer protection while allowing for flexibility and mobility. The armor is often adorned with patterns or symbols representing the settlement from which the individual hails, ensuring a sense of local pride.
The Protectorate’s emblem is a stylized scorpion, the natural predator of the Sands, encircled by a pair of crossed spears. This symbol represents both the deadly and protective nature of the Protectorate, as well as their readiness to defend the Sands at all costs. This emblem is often worn on the chestplate of the armor or displayed on banners and flags during formal events or military gatherings.
Additionally, members of the Protectorate are given cloaks made from desert-dyed fabric, which helps to shield them from the sun while blending in with the vast, sandy environment. The cloaks are worn loosely, allowing freedom of movement while maintaining an air of authority and respect.
Locations
The Howling Sands Protectorate operates across all settlements within the Khorun Sands, a vast region of arid deserts and scattered oases. While there are no centralized forts or headquarters in the traditional sense, the Protectorate maintains a network of smaller outposts and watchtowers strategically placed near key locations. These outposts are often located at major crossroads, near the most dangerous stretches of desert, or in areas prone to trade activity.
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