Iron Torc

The iron torc is a simple iron neck-ring, but within the Vellan Dominion it has come to hold special significance in recent years. Once a piece of unassuming personal decoration, the iron torc has come to mark individuals who've sworn their lives to the defense of the Dominate and passed through singularly challenging circumstances to prove their service. While there are other torc neck-rings still popular in the Dominion, these iron torcs are specially designed to be fitted to the neck of the wearer only once and then never removed. Unlike the wire used in common torcs, the iron torc is built around a solid iron core which must be carefully bent closed on the wearer, and while there are no precious metals or other valuable materials used in its construction the quality of iron and skill of crafting is visibly apparent. The current Vellan Dominate is the only individual who may gift an iron torc to a warrior and once so given it affords the warrior in question a measure of authority beyond their simple rank or station. It indicates that the Dominate trusts the bearer with their very life, and for this reason there are very few holders of these honors. In practice the iron torc is worn only by the most zealously devoted warriors with proven skill who've shown their willingness to sacrifice their own lives in service to the Dominate. For example, Chlothar Broich is one who was given the iron torc after throwing himself in front of an assassin's blade meant for the Dominate. While he lost his left arm to the wound he took, he was able to protect the Dominate and throttled the would-be assassin with his right. Though a simple, low-born soldier, the Dominate honored Chlothar's bravery and loyalty with an iron torc. As this practice is only around 20 years old at this point, there have only been a handful of warriors to bear the iron torc to date, and each of them is known personally to the Dominate and his inner circle making counterfeits both obvious and incredibly dangerous to produce.