The Azure Lancers

Few military units have such an illustrious and long history as the Azure Lancers. And fewer still have fallen as far from grace as they. Once the paramount mercenary unit known and respected across the Lancers were paragons of knightly virtue, only serving those whose causes were just. Though few in number the Lancers were without exception superlatively skilled warriors able to adapt to any situation and defeat foes many times their number, their bright blue spears resplendent and wielded with speed and deadly precision. They were often equated with being dancers such was their agility and grace. Stories abound of Azure Lancers weaving a dance of flashing steel through the ranks of their enemies, cutting down foes with single thrusts and cuts.

Over their long history the Lancers served as bodyguards to noble monarchs and as the heroes who swore their services to the oppressed in the overthrow of tyrants. To have the Azure Lancers in your employ spoke as to the integrity and character of the employer. Their aid would often require meagre payment, often only what could be afforded and if the cause was truly just and aligned with their ideals, the Azure Lancers would often waive payment.

Alas, their days of virtue are long passed. Now the Azure Lancers are a corrupt band of sell swords bound together not through a desire to protect the weak and vulnerable and bring peace where was war, but by greed and the lust for the thrill of violence and to display their glory. They are still dangerous fighters that much can be of no doubt and few regiments would dare challenge them openly. Now they are killers for hire, serving whoever can afford their exorbitant fee. At present they serve as the bodyguards and enforcers to the Regent of Dellat, that increasingly erratic tyrant who sees enemies everywhere. They protect him from assassination attempts and eliminate rivals before they have a chance to challenge him.

The current Grand Master of the Lancers is Vikorant Kreez, a cruel but enormously skilled fighter with a keen wit and lust for power. It was Kreez who began the slow rot of the Azure Lancers, slowly infecting the once noble ideals of them member by member and eliminating those who challenged him. He is considered one of the most deadly combatants in the Realms and under his command the Lancers have gained a well earned reputation for brutality and treachery. The Regent of Dellat pays them much to retain their loyalty and their sordid excesses when not on duty are ignored or covered up.

There are perhaps only three individuals that Vikorant Kreez fears; the masked killer known as the Wolf who serves as the Tellandran Emperor's chosen enforcer, the wandering immortal Arthur and Luther Hilvorn, a former Lancer who left the group in disgust. The latter is widely considered as the greatest mortal fighter across the Realms, a man without equal and perhaps the most noble in spirit. Kreez only lives because Luther could not bring himself to land the killing blow when the two clashed for once they were great friends. Disgusted by what his fellow Lancers had become, Luther cast aside his spear and left to become a Knight Errant. His present location is unknown and some believe that the great Luther Hilvorn perished. The Azure Lancers like to believe he died being a pious fool serving a worthless cause. But Kreez doubts that. He fears that Luther is out there still and that one day their paths will cross.

If Luther were to return and challenge Kreez for the future of the Lancers, it would indeed be a fight for the ages and one that Kreez may only win through less than fair means.

 

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT

The weapon of choice for the Lancers was once a six foot spear of light but sturdy wood tipped with an iron broad spear tip. They wore light chainmail beneath their hooded robes that did not hinder their movement. Under the leadership of Vikorant and his corrupting influence they no longer exclusively use spears and instead incorporate other weapons into their arsenal. They also wear heavier armour of dark blue in hue with wicked masks to instill fear in their foes.

Type
Special Forces

Comments

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Jul 22, 2025 12:33 by Jacqueline Taylor

This is a fantastic piece of worldbuilding—rich in lore, with a powerful rise-and-fall narrative that adds depth and moral complexity to the Azure Lancers. I'm especially drawn to the tension between Kreez and Luther; it sets the stage perfectly for a dramatic reckoning!

Piggie