Ghetunbalastod ast Corgastor Part 3

Amaderin Lorvelgis ast Ghetunbalastod Corgast   The concept of military brotherhood is nothing new to Qadal. Since the days of Corgastor and beyond, the life of the velgis, or warrior, has dominated the imagination of aspiring young men. The exploits of such figures were preserved in ancient songs and stories that endured over long centuries- names such as Karthuul, the first man, or Mauger the Mighty in Othos, even Corgastor himself reign large. With these stories came individuals who wished to meet and exceed the achievements of their predecessors, both in martial skill and honor. Something of a code began to develop in Everos prior to the life of Corgastor. The velgis of those times called it ‘Amad Velgis’, or the brotherhood of warriors. It was not an organized cult with leaders and hierarchy, but an understanding between fighters that established a baseline of honor conduct and combat. Indeed, the Amad Velgis was often upheld by one enemy to another rather than between allies. It spoke of such things as abandoning ambush tactics, outlawing cowardly methods of fighting such as blinding, or negotiating the release of a defeated velgis from the hands of the victor. This informed future generations on how to conduct war and treat fellow velgis. Corgastor, for example, was raised by his father Ghedelastor on the merits of Amad Velgis. When he waged his war against Étunas, the precepts of Amad Velgis did not apply the Etayen, but did for those Aemar who allied with the Etayen against Corgastor. Ancient traditions were in this way upheld throughout the Awakening and Ascension eras and survived the reign of Corgastor into new periods. However, the collapse of Étunas and the old order of Everos led to an evolution of Amad Velgis, and what it meant to identify as a velgis at all.   When Étunas collapsed, Everos was thrust into the Weeping Era, where the old conflicts between Aemarda and the Etayen which molded society were now absent. No longer was the distant threat of Atûn’s children a concern, and Everos fell into the hands of men, Elivas, and the Daorhu. This would have been a satisfying status quo, but Corgastor refused rule over Everos due to the accord he shared with Nassarus Nathroghal. His duty was complete, and the hero of Aebaster’s children retired into silence and obscurity. This alliance rapidly fractured. Ironcially, without Étunas the realms of men carried nothing compelling that united them. Culture and religion were similar, perhaps, but these things lack the practiceal edge that maintains military alliances between tribes. They turned upon one another, squabbling for supremacy as if the previous years of war had meant nothing. In this context of continental chaos, worse than during the days of Étunas, new breeds of velgis appeared- gisvelgis, othvelgis, and lorvelgis, among others. They were products of a new society, one which was advanced beyond its stable and vaunted past, yet cripplingly divided and without guidance. The laws of Amad Velgis began to fade from memory as the conflicts between velgis expanded beyond tribal rivalries and entered the domain of permanent territorial contests. The role of the warrior became less of a sacred duty of tradition, but a pragmatic tool used by lords, rather than ancient chiefs, to secure political and economic ascendency.   The new roles of the velgis took centuries to properly develop, but they fell within the three general categories aforementioned. First among them, the gisvelgis were warriors of gold, in a literal translation, and were the distant ancestors of modern mercenaries. Those warriors approached the new environment of Everos by demanding worldy goods in exchange for their martial skill. While this mentality was not uncommon among the velgis of eras past, the gisvelgis devoted themselves entirely to the pursuit of wealth. Honor and homeland meant little to them. They sold themselves to warlords in exchange for coinage, but also cattle, iron, salt, and other valuable trade goods. When their time of Service passed, the gisvelgis departed the company of their paid lord as if no bond existed between them. The next payment could come from anyone willing to meet the gisvelgis’ demands, even the enemy of the same lord who lined their coffers days prior. Loyalty was merely a numerical value. This was much the case with another group, the Othvelgis or unbound warriors, who existed in those days. For these warriors, loyalty was a matter of temporary convenience. They differed from the gisvelgis in that their loyalty was not based upon contract. Among the othvelgis, Service to a lord was considered overbearing. Freedom to wander alone in the name of glory and honor, or in a band of like-minded individuals was preferable. In this ways, bands of othvelgis stalked the wilderness in the name of personal freedom, committing acts of terror and salvation with terrible irregularity. Indeed, some othvelgis swore themselves to Aebaster or other Eshan and thus lived according to their will, while others scorned both worldy goods and ideological Service and followed nothing but their own hearts. Whichever the case, both the othvelgis and gisvelgis became common, yet often unwanted, aspects of life in Weeping Era Everos.   Stories of the othvelgis and gisvelgis may taint the image of the post Corgastodmar years, but not every velgis of the olden days turned away from duty and honor. The lorvelgis, known as the bound warriors, upheld some measure of stability and consistency across the continent during that tumultuous time. These individuals were the descendants of the original velgis, bound to their masters and the precepts of the Amad Velgis. Both pragmatic and ideological considerations informed the decisions of the lorvelgis to remain loyal beyond their own desires. In a place and time such as Everos in the millennia after Corgastor’s death, survival required a measure of cooperation. For the lorvelgis, this meant joining themselves to a landlord who could provide them with food, shelter, and a meager wealth. Stability and long term investment required the lorvelgis to settle among the people of their lords, becoming members of the community and thus similar to the velgis of ancient days. Socially, the lorvelgis became something of their own class during this period- part and parcel of daily life rather than mere tools of war. Militarily, the lorvelgis became professional soldiers and officers. In days of old, the velgis were powerful independent warriors under their chief, but there lacked a significant hierarchy. This new breed of warrior could fulfill multiple battlefield roles. In time, the lorvelgis began to supercede the othvelgis and gisvelgis in the minds of average Evosmar- they were seen as warriors while the others were outlaws and mercanries. It is from these Weeping Era warriors from which modern Lorvelgis and orders may trace their lineage.   The concept of Lorvelgast and the lorvelgis evolved once more in the early 1400s, during the reign of Ghetunbast Hairud of House Beyleveld, son of Ghetunbast Haradus the Ehronid. Veterans of the Judge’s War in Othos, championed by Haradus himself, arrived back in Everos with a renewed sense of purpose. The lorvelgis, as many styled themselves, were capable of greater feats of valor than their position as landed soldiers might allow. They had seen the sacrifice of the Warriors of the Eshyod Dhenest, killed to the last man while defending the tear through which Haradus and Corgastor fought Tyrphos! Bound together by a common order, the lorvelgis were an indominable force. It was from this realization that the Amaderin Haradus, or Order of Haradus, was founded in 1407 by Rothad of Gothen. Ghetunbast Hairud was keen to support them, not only for their military prowess, but also because an army of loyal lorvelgis would help secure the Corgastodmar throne his father had adopted from the collapsed Goldheart dynasty. He paid for the equipment of the Amaderin Haradus and granted them quarters within the inner city of Ghethemas, strategically close to the Trident of Aragos. Immediately, these heavily armed defenders of Everos that bore official blessings were the model for honorable conduct. They fought tenaciously against the enemies of Corgastor yet showed mercy to defeated kinsmen and sought minimal profit for their exploits. Indeed, kings and scholars rejoiced that the precepts of the Amad Velgis were revived. For the common people, a world without constant harassment from the othvelgis and gisvelgis was more than enough to satisfy. The rise of the Amaderin proved that warriors could not only destroy but protect.   Chapters of the Amaderin Lorvelgis sprouted up throughout Everos during the 1400s, heralding a decisive departure from the chaos and lawless brigandry of the Weeping Era. Eager young men and women flocked to these groups, often based in ancient earthen forts or cities during those formulative days. They joined for diverse reasons- economic support, personal betterment, comraderie, defense of home and country. All of these factors that existed among the Evosmar during previous centuries, but prior to the Amaderin Lorvelgis the means to unite these individuals was nonexistent. The bold and brave became lorvelgis within their own communities, fighting their fallen counterparts among the gisvelgis and othvelgis. The Amaderin honed these anti-anarchic currents and forged them into an ideology which captured the imagination and bolstered the hearts, minds, and esseythu of the Evosmar population.   Arn elsten ancen velgis- ehron Corgastor ast arn ehrend he’lesc ren diefer. The memory of ancient warriors- spirit of Corgastor and the world he rose from ashes.     Words of the Amaderin Haradus Rise of the Lorvelgis -- 1407   In this critical manner, the Amaderin Lorvelgis became a pillar of the growing Corgastodmar state. It was means by which professional militarism could be harnessed and redirected for the benefit of Everos at large. The Amaderin continued to grow in popularity as a result. Organizations such as the Hemon Ghesed, Silla Eshor, Grey Banner, and others blossomed and thrived during the following centuries. Young men and women flocked to them as retainers and warriors. In the annals of the Evosmar, the 1400s was thus considered a bright time, when the darkness of the previous era could be forgotten and purged with images of a brighter future. It was known as the ‘Gelderas Amadmar’ or the Golden age of Lorvelgast, and memorialized in song and legend. The centuries that followed were equally bountiful for the glorious orders of the lorvelgis, with growth punctuated with only occasional periods of external strife and internal conflict. As the Golden Hand of Corgastor continued to spread across Everos and Qadal, the Ghetunbasts and Solhesunbasts were ever confident that the Amaderin Lorvelgis stood behind the banner.   However, the passage of time revealed a weakness within the Amaderin. Beginning around the 1700s, a measure of dilapidation and corruption characterized the Evosmar Lorvelgis. Attention was turned eastward to Othos and the famous, or notorious, domain of Erothod which was carved from the Eurobasar Tresivar and occupied by militant Corgastodmar migrants. Younger generations of warriors rushed to that frontier, leaving the old guards behind to languish. Like a river dammed, the proverbial flow stagnanted, depriving the Amaderin of growth and tithes from incoming members. In these times of decline following such a promising golden age, the mercenary spirit which was suppressed yet alive within the Lorod resurged. Warriors began to plot and fight against one another, turning honorable rivalries into bloody skirmishes. The realm’s stability suffered, and fear swept across the continent.   ‘One might believe the worst transgressions of Aemarda against its kin are reserved for distant Othos. False, a despicable misconception! Evosmar soil is plagued with bandits like a fallow field choked with weeds. They are no fen-sleeping ruffians marked as pariahs from civilization, as one does note. They are Lorvelgis, so said noble warriors who claim lineage to Corgastor’s first kin! Men of their ilk possess titles and honors, recieving greater rewards in Gissir and priviledges. Corrupt men say these Lorvelgis are distant and anti-thetical cousins to the despised othvelgis and shamed gisvelgis but let me recount for you crimes which I witnessed along the easternmost tributary of the Lornesse.’   A Stroll in Native Eroyther Onregest’s Collection of Evosmar Memories -- 1664   As discontentment regarding the Lorvelgis seethed among those who suffered from their competition, appeals were made to the Ghetunbasts for punishment. The first such requests were made in the 1640s by Lanches and Fennes who were the most common and vulnerable targets of the powerful Amaderin. However, the memories of the Gelderas Amadmar remained prominent among the Ehronis and Ghetûn who dictated matters of regional government. The Ghetunbastûn of Haradus’ lineage were equally reluctant to level charges against the Amaderin. Remember, the inception of the Amaderin had been the porogative of the Beyelveld dynasty. Decades passed without proper resolution to the Amaderin question. Around the year 1676, matters deteriorated futher still. In the southern reaches of the Corgastodmar realm, nearby the foothills of the Aeduccar mountains which marked the borderlands with Grathem, there was an established order of Lorvelgis known as the Rhelodorod. Their self-determined purpose was carrying war against the Grathon to the south, much like the Silla Eshor later would endeavor. However, times were changing. Othos was the new frontier, Grathem was peaceful. This was a poor sign for the Amaderin, who thrived on the loot and Trident favors which they elicited during times of war.   Ghetunbast Nesehel Beyleveld, who reigned in those years, was bitterly torn. Her supporters among the upper nobility and Ehronis were keen to thwart the rise of the Amaderin. They perceived these warrior-lords as significant threats to Evosmar governance, especially with memories of the Weeping Era still alive in the historical record and popular myth. Upon the opposite side, the Amaderin themselves perceived this assault by traditional bearers of power as an unreasonable purge. In remote battlegrounds, the Lorvelgis were the officers who organized local communities in defense and otherwise waged the wars which Ghethemas was unwilling to acknowledge. Without them, the frontiers with the Karthuuzar, Grathon, and Elivas would be mere palisades as opposed to walls. Moreover, the Amaderin held broad appeal among the lower classes and noblility beyond the troubled regions. Stories of crimes travelled along the roads upon gapping lips, but these were yet erratic and unsubstantiated. The Ghetunbast’s own leanings favored the Amaderin, as she desired the protection which the Lorvelgis provided. As it were, resources were being funneled eastward and the continent was deceptively vulnerable. She commanded that the Lorvelgis respect the ancient rights of land and wealth that Lanches and Fennes enjoyed, but otherwise chose to reject direct Trident involvement. Her descendants, Ghetunbastûn Borodongel, Rhesegest, Nesehel II, and others, maintained this course. The Lorvelgis were preserved while Corgastodmar warriors fought and died against the Eurobasar Tresivar.   The decision was made in 1789 by Ghetunbast Whendol --, heir of the first – Ghetunbast, to place restrictions upon the corrupted and increasingly reviled Lorvelgis. He commanded that each Amaderin create for themselves a treatise of purpose which argued for their relevance. The Amaderin ast Hemon Ghesed was meant to fight against Karthuuzar invasions and the Silla Eshor against the Grathon, as examples. These statements were brought before the Ghetunbast for judgement. Those Amaderin who endured the scrutiny of Whendol were allowed Lorod status for the duration of their charge, where numbered in short years or lengthy centuries.   Opposition to the Lorvelgis sprouted once more during the 2500s, after the Great Conflict and before the final conquest of Grathem. The accusations against them were not based on criminal activity or wanton murder in this circumstance. Instead, the Corgastodmar nobility were concerned with the growing influence of the Lorvelgis after Ghetunbast Dothen’s reforms of the military. Before the Lorvelgis were separate and secondary supporters of Corgastodmar military might. Dothen elevated them to prominence and established the Amaderin as permanent warriors to augment the traditional military. The number of Amaderin swelled to unprecedented heights as a response.   Competition with the Amaderin Ehrohela Gastis and Solhesunbast created a severe divide between the secular and religious factions in government.   Ghetunbast Seregesta assaulted the political position of the Lorvelgis by terminating their landownership and thus removing them from the recognized social hierarchy. Titles were then bestowed upon the Amaderin themselves, binding the treatise of purpose to the immediate power and livelihood of those warriors. Those who refused to surrender ancient lands were stripped of their status as Lorod. The message was clear- the mercenary character of the Lorvelgis was dead. In its place, centralized order. The Amaderin whom Whendol once judged as worthy were behind the measure, both in seeking favor from the Ghetunbast and in weakening their rivals.   The vibrant and often controversial history of the Corgastodmar Amaderin came to a sudden close in 3485. In the eastern reaches of Everos, the disasterous war against the enigmatic Yrd, bearing their numerous trunk legs and horrible vines tendrils, ended in Corgastodmar defeat. Scores of noble warriors including Lorvelgis were slaughtered in their endeavor to cleave down the forest. They halted its advance, but this measure was temporary and too costly for the result. With the military power of the Last Light dulled, the Yrd were capable of spreading further in the following years. Common faith in Ghethemas faltered as accusations of incompetence were hurled against the Lorvelgis and officials who collectively governed from the Trident halls. Worse still, the Ghetûn who reigned over the surrounding provinces chafed under the continued influence of religious authorities for whom the deity concerned was deceased. The enduring loyalty for Corgastor which was maintained throughout the 3470s broke under the pressure. Calls for rebellion followed in turn. The first loyal realm to secede was Eroyther in 3487, followed by Loryne in 3488. Lorvelgis of the Last Light were incapable of halting the collapse, and their lot was further complicated by their physical binds to the lands seceding. For example, the Hemon Ghesed was based in Loryne. How could they raise their swords against that place, against their neighbors? Support continued to erode as the months passed, building alike a great storm which swept away 2,000 years of unity. Finally, the Ghetod ast Lornesse seceded into 3490, completing the process begun in 3485 and destroying the final vestiges of the Last Light. Only Ghethemas remained, but the government possessed no legitimacy. For the Amaderin, there was nothing left to swear allegiance. They fractured like their mother country, dividing into numerous warbands and mercenary companies which sought employment with the independent realms now competing for dominance over the rotting corpse.   History thus becomes legend, but there is merit in speaking about the particulars of the Amaderin Lorvelgis. The organization and operations of the orders are similar to that of a professional army, though veiled with ancient ritual, strict discipline, and cultivated honor. Each chapter of the Amaderin Lorvelgis is led by a grandmaster or lord warrior, known as the Ghetvelgis, who is chosen by their peers to guide the order militarily, economically, and politically. This is the standard among them all- except the Amaderin Haradus, which answers directly to the Emperor and the Ghetvelgis is thus chosen by that individual. Beneath the grandmaster are captains, known as Dorvelgis who command the rank and file lorvelgis, both in battle and in civic life. They are parents or older siblings, in essence. As the lorvelgis enter the Amaderin and mature within its ranks, the Dorvelgis are the individuals who ensure their proper spiritual and physical upbrining. The order hierarchy is strictly maintained as a matter of personal honor and collective discipline. For example, a Lorvelgis departing from the chapter citadel much receive the permission of the Dorvelgis and Ghetvelgis. Finances are similarly managed, with the chapter taking inventory of all possessions of the lorvelgis, whether on site or otherwise. When a lorvelgis dies, a percentage of his or her wealth is reserved for the Amaderin, for example. Beyond the order itself, the personal lives of the Lorvelgis within the order are monitored by the Dorvelgis and Ghetvelgis. Marriage is allowed, as the banishment of love can lower morale, yet the duty of the lorvelgis comes first. Lorvelgis cannot depart from the Amaderin to permanently live with their families, barring retirement, furlough, or discharge. All of these things are done to maintain the purity and saliency of the order- preventing its collapse.   As a standing military force, the Amaderin Lorvelgis occupy numerous castles and fortresses across Everos. These locations provide not only a home for the Lorvelgis, but a focal point for local military defense, religious temperance, and economic activity. Like those lorvelgis of the Weeping Era, the Amaderin Lorvelgis act as a staple of orderly Evosmar society- rooted in strong foundations of stone and mortar. This concept of place is prominent among the ranks of the lorvelgis. Certain Amaderin Lorvelgiss, if they are wealthy enough through donations or payments for Service, have forts or castles of their own as headquarters. These Serve as quarters not only for members of the order, but for many gallant young men seeking glory and renown with the greatest warriors in Everos. A famous example of such a location is the Order of the Hemon Ghesed's castle at Cloudsypre. It is an imposing stone fort located atop on of the tallest mountains in northern Loryne and is built upon the ancient Daorhu ruin of Tonom Maldur. The order was founded by the lord of Loryne to help fight off the Karthuuzar in the 1400s, and to this day the Lorvelgis of the Hemon Ghesed defend the Corgastodmar’s northern border from barbarian attacks from this strategic location. Elsewhere, the Amaderin Haradus, the Corgastodmar's most venerable and glorious military order, has its headquarters located in the Southern reaches of the heartlands at the citadel of Vehem Ramehelas. Within its thick walls and high towers have been bred some of the greatest warriors in Everos, bearing their banner forth into conflicts all across the known world. The Amaderin Lorvelgis, therefore, occupy the role of noble warriors on the field, but also provide a very real benefit of stable, enduring military defense.   Veglis ast arn Eshyod Dhenest   The Warriors of the Eshyod Dhenest lay upon the roads of religion and militancy at a time when they were one and the same. The force was formed in the 1160s by Galdyn Goldheart, known as the Malignant Hammer and son of Ghet Horst the Blessed as a personal retinue. In that regard, the Scared Shields were similar to an Amaderin Lorvelgis, as they fought originally for secular purposes for an olûndari lord. In that capacity, they served their lord well, and kept him safe throughout the battles that ensued against rebels and foreign opponents who sought to bring down the newly formed Ghetod ast Corgastor. After years of helping to stabilize first his father's kingdom, then his brother Horst II during his reign, Galdyn changed the focus of the Eshyod Dhenest to a more religious objective. His time on the frontline and maintaining internal safety opened his eyes to the threat that Nemgarotirs and heretics posed to the kingdom's safety, which was in greater jeopardy during the Weeping Era that at any other time. In this capacity, the Eshyod Dhenests found their true calling, and became known as renowned holy warriors in the name of Corgastor. Galdyn Goldheart led them with glory before passing command down to his favored man, a soldier of noble birth named Owyne of Rinarr. The band continued to fight on under successive rulers for years.   Unfortunately for the warriors, and the Ghetunbalastod ast Corgastor, their end came within two centuries. In the infamous year of 1385, Nerodhûnbast Haradus led the forces of the Empire to Othos to do battle with the maleficent force of Tyrphos and his followers. The Eshyod Dhenests were among the first men to step upon the shores of the embattled continent of Othos and were as such the first to feel the fury of Tyrphos. Poor Aemar, whose skin was peeled and warped due to exposure to raw nemeshiral power pressed forward en masse, their armor at times unable to contain the mutated flesh beneath, and their weapons at times too weak to endure their grasp. At one time they were olûndari men, but now they existed only as malign minions of chaos. Hideous Vojûnic monsters surged forward, many of whose despicable nature exceeds description, flailing many limbs and gnashing teeth that were at times longer than a man's sword. The corrupted men and Nemgarotirs melded together in horrendous harmony. Many other abominations existed as well, let that not be forgotten, but their wide variety ensures that only generalized notes of their descriptions exist in written sources. Those were the terrible things that the warriors of the Eshyod Dhenest were brought to fight in far away Othos.   The orders of the Nerodhûnbast to the Eshyod Dhenests was that they should defend the corpse of Haradus for as long as he battled Tyrphos, lest the Nemgarotir destroy the warrior of Corgastor in the midst of his fateful battle. The sword brothers obeyed and created a wall of steel around their master’s corpse and barred their teeth in defiance before the coming foes. The clash between them was like a strike of lightening amongst the already deafening din of the battle. Over the course of four hours, while Haradus fought Tyrphos alongside Corgastor, the Eshyod Dhenests shed their blood as the monstrosities bore ever closer. When Nerodhûnbast Haradus emerged from the tear, it was not the Eshyod Dhenest who saw him to safety, for the last of their number lay dying around him. They had fought valiantly, but nearly a year of campaigning had weakened them severely, and they were unable to endure the onslaught. The final words of the last Eshyod Dhenest were allegedly "Their might was great, but we were greater". With his death came the end of the Order. A monument to the Eshyod Dhenests was erected in Vestidia after the battle and is the only monument to an Evosmar order that exists in that kingdom.   Amaderin ast Haradus   The most venerable and skilled of the Corgastodmar Empire's orders is the Order of Haradus, established upon that emperor's death in 1405. The man behind the creation of the order was a soldier named Rothad of Orburn, who Served under Nerodhûnbast Haradus during the Judge’s Rebellion. After the death of the emperor and the grand ceremonies that followed, he and a few other veterans gathered to speak with the newly anointed Ghetunbast Hairud. This is before the Nobles' Rebellion, and therefore the traditional dynastic succession still held true. Hairud was the son of Haradus, and sons are expected to honor their fathers. To that end, Rothad and his companions suggested to Hairud that something unique be done to honor the martial legacy of his father: the creation of a band of veteran warriors, many of whom would have served in the Judge’s Rebellion that would serve as elite agents of the dynasty. In these early days it hadn’t even cross their minds to call themselves Lorvelgis, for such as term bore negative connotations of mercenary work and lawlessness. It was a byproduct of the turmoil caused by the Weeping Era and the cruel acts of robber Lorvelgis that engrained this negative image into the collective conscience of Everos's people. With luck, Rothad might change their hearts.   Ghetunbast Hairud thought upon the matter, and in the end agreed to allow the formation of such a unit. It would Serve primarily as an honor guard, less oriented toward combat than pageantry and ceremony. So, it was that in 1407 the Most Noble Amaderin ast Haradus the Great was founded, with Rothad as its first Lorobast. For years after that they graced parades and guarded religious function in the capital; they as well became a known fixture for dubbing ceremonies of high ranking nobles turned Lorvelgis. It was as the veterans had desired, for they were showered great honor for their displays, but times were changing. The old soldiers were dying off, and for those that remained the laurels of victories past were becoming withered and grey. By 1420, it was clear to the few that remained, them being elders themselves, that the order needed a new purpose to give it a breath of life. Rothad had died in 1417, so the fundamental changes for the order fell upon Captain Gelimer Troen. He was a young man in 1385, and thus survived until this time. It was only him a dozen other survivors, huddled in their small hall as the years crept in to take them. In a last act they went before Emperor Hairud to once again appeal to him on behalf of the order. Hairud himself was an older man now, well into his forties, and has oversee the early years of the order. For that reason, he was sympathetic when they requested that the privileges of the Amaderin be expanded beyond mere ceremony, and that they be granted the right to recruit Lorvelgis and other honorable warriors to fight in battle.   The Amaderin ast Haradus was quick to accrue honor and renown for itself in campaigns against the Karthuuzar, the Lhendom of Grathem, and Etayen of Nathrovas, and occasionally the Elivas. The reconquest of northern Loryne in 1445, which is infamous as a disputed area, was won with the combined arms of the Order of Haradus alongside the newly formed Order of the Hemon Ghesed. The former acted as a mentor for the latter, and with the more experienced of the orders at the lead the army of Lorvelgis was able to sweep across the tundra and rout the Karthuuzar. In the south during the first War of Grathem in 1463 the order was also successful, for the Grathon men had no response to the strong bodies of mounted warriors facing them. The best they could do was falling back to their keeps and dare the Corgastodmar to besiege them, but where they fought in the open field the Lorvelgis charged onto them and slew them.   When Ghetunbast Whendol’s controversial 1789 edict was passed to restrict and purge the Amaderin Lorvelgis, the Amaderin Haradus received a merciful sentence. They were preserved. Ghetunbast Whendol justified their continued existence upon the premise that the Amaderin Haradus operate as dedicated guardians of Ghethemas, separate from the Trident Guard but more permanent than the standing military.   After 2304, the Amaderin Haradus came in direct rivalry with the Amaderin Ehrohela Gastis.   Although the warriors of Haradus were conspicuously absent from the historical battles against the Grathon people, changes to the various Amaderin required their involvement.   Amaderin ast Hemon Ghesed   The Hemon Ghesed Lorvelgis are among the oldest Amaderin Lorvelgiss in Qadal, having been established by the Ghet deityorest of Loryne in 1443. They, unlike the Order of Haradus, were formed and bred for war. Indeed, they are an order born out of the vicious conflicts between the Ghetod of Loryne and the Karthuuzar tribes that make it their purpose to raid and pillage the south. The itinerant nature of the tribes and the vastness of Nemrohed means that conventional war is a difficult undertaking. Commanding thousands of men in that hostile environment would only be an invitation for attrition and constant ambushes by the enemy. To succeed, Loryne required a stronger, smaller, and more elite force that could launch forays into the north and break up tribal coalitions and counter raid. Feudal Lorvelgis were one option, but these men were acquisitive like other nobles, and were not inclined to march out into the bitter cold for weeks at a time. They had castles to watch over and dynastic ambitions to protect. They were part of the professional warrior class that evolved after the Weeping Era, but they were not free lance men for hire. A standing force of Lorvelgis had to be created to wage the war.   Their name, being the "Lorvelgis of the Hemon Ghesed", represents the noble mission which was laid upon their shoulders by Ghet deityorest in the 1440s. Whilst the Vehem Bandast and the Balendorn mountains provided static and imposing defenses, they alone were not enough to deal with the mobile threat posed by the Karthuuzar. The Balendorn mountains could not defend the villages within the green vales beyond once the barbarians circumvented them, nor could the Vehem Bandast give aid to isolate mining settlements that bring mineral wealth to the province. The lorvelgis that Ghet deityorest formed could act as an iron circle around all of Loryne's holdings, protecting them from any threat at any time. To lead them, Ghet deityorest chose his nephew Tarand, known as the master of Hargrow at that time. He was known as a competent warrior, but more than anything Lord Tarand was a man of money and administration. He had turned Hargrow into a wealthy manor through his control of the gold resources that were traded to Loryne by the Daorhu of Nemrohed within a few years of inherenting it and was well on his way to expanding his enterprise. For the Ghet, Lorod Tarand seemed like a viable candidate to organize these Lorvelgis, but the reality wouldn't be so simple.   In the same way that Lorod Tarand was known for his business mind, he was known for his ambition and greed. Upon recieves word from Ghet deityorest that he was to lead his newly formed band of standing Lorvelgis, Lorod Tarand got to work building a base of power. In these early days Cloudsypre was not the citadel of the Hemon Ghesed Lorvelgis and wouldn't be until the reign of Ghet deityorest III Molkarrat in 1495, known as the "strong hammer" in the language of the Daorhu. Under the command of Lorod Tarand, the Lorvelgis resided in Hargrow, and under the supervision of Lorod Tarand himself. Contrary to what Ghet deityorest desired, Lorod Tarand used the Lorvelgis as his personal retinue and was ruthless in his acquisition of power through the pretense of command. Ghet deityorest was opposed to such actions, but his pleas were only half heeded. In each occasion Lorod Tarand would continue his extortion and tyranny a mere week or two after being told to desist. Finally, deityorest sent a letter to inform Lorod Tarand that he had been removed from his position, which was received poorly in Hargrow. Tarand viewed it as an unjust infringement of his noble rights and refused the Ghet for that reason. Given no other option, Ghet deityorest was compelled to show force to bring justice. The conflict that arose between the Ghet and his nephew almost destroyed the Hemon Ghesed in their nascent years.   To history the event is known as the War of the Broken Circle, which raged from 1446 to 1448. Over the course of two years the war bitterly divided the once close uncle and nephew and torn the Lorvelgis apart into loyal and rebellious elements. The full account of the war is written elsewhere, but it began with Lord Tarand breaking out of Hargrow and seizing the surrounding territory. Thin resistance was mounted, but without support from Ghet deityorest it was of little use. By the winter of 1446, the Lord of Hargrow had established a strong power base. The year 1447 was when the war exploded onto the battlefield. Ghet deityorest marched south east from Vehem Bandast to the newly expanded land of Hargrow. The two sides fought, and the fighting spilled into the Kingdom of Eroyther, which was the precursor to the Duchy of Golenest, and the Ghetunbalastod ast Corgastor proper to the south by Nossen. These transgressions angered both of the additional parties, and they threatened action if it continued. Loryne and Hargrow would have complied had it been possible, but the war had rapidly spiraled out of their hands. Roving bands of robber Lorvelgis and other such brigands became indistinguishable from the legitimate armies causing greater confusion. In the summer of 1447, a string of raids occurred along the borderlands of Hargrow and Eroyther, prompting Ghet Ruthar of Eroyther to invade with an army to stem the fighting. This concluded in the fall of 1447 with the chaotic and confusing battle of Black Trees, in which all three armies clashed in battle against one another. Ghet deityorest was routed by Lorod Tarand and his traitor Lorvelgis, but he in turn was routed by Ghet Ruthar. Before he could enjoy his victory, however, Ruthar himself we severely injured while chasing down routing enemies, supposedly cut from his horse by a retreating infantryman. By the end of the year the war was more chaotic than it was been before.   The war ended abruptly in the spring of 1448. The Defeat at Black Trees and subsequent difficulties of the winter lowered morale significantly among the men of Lord Tarand. Those who came to his side for gold and plunder were discontented by the idleness, and those who joined him to protect the ancient rights of vassals under their lords were disillusioned by the expansion of the war and the dishonorable company Lord Tarand was holding. This toxic mixture led to violent action. Whilst traveling between two holdings of his, the increasingly unpopular Lord of Hargrow found himself alone in his tent surrounded by a group of his officers. The men demanded many things, from the pay promised them to an end of the war that had been so bloody. Tarand tried to calm them, but his words only made them angrier. In the heat of the moment one of his Lorvelgis drew his sword and struck at his lord, calling him a coward and a liar in equal measure. The blow, only meant to stun the lord and break his will, came down harder than expected and dug deep into his chest. The room went silent as the officers realized what had just happened. Lord Tarand sat dead before them, killed by his unruly men. Without their leader, the remaining traitors surrendered to Ghet deityorest, who grieved heavily for the loss of his nephew. It is true that he was angry with him, but the Ghetnever intended to kill him- only remove his title and possibly punish him in the short term. For all parties, the result was devastating. In honor of the dead, deityorest called for three weeks of mourning, with the last one saved specially for Tarand.   The termination of the conflict led to a reformation of the Hemon Ghesed Amaderin. Those who were not complicit in the corruption and pillaging were allowed to rejoin the order, while those who were criminals in the affair were banished. The order survived the time of turbulence, but the nature of the order had changed as a result. No longer would the order act independently from the Ghet of Loryne. The Lorobast of the Amaderin was named a direct vassal of the ghet and put upon his council. That being so, everything the order did would have to be approved by the ghet himself, to prevent the same corruption and villainy that led to the War of the Broken Circle. In modern times, this remains true. The lords of Cloudsypre are beholden to the will of their lord, which is different from the other Amaderin Lorvelgis of Everos that have freedom to act on their own will.   Golenest’s close supervision of the Amaderin did not last long beyond his death. Ambitious lorvelgis took advantage of his descendents, younger Ghetûn and Gheta alike, for their own purposes. The Ghet’s son and heir, Ghemed, was a mere 14 years when his father died in 1455. The new Lorobast of the Amaderin Lorvelgis, a fellow named Ferenaw, settled himself close to the new Ghet and made suggestions for what decisions might be most prudent and wise for the realm embattled by northern enemies. First came a vicious campaign in 1456 against the Fengost and other Karthuuzar tribes north of the Balendorns. The Hemon Ghesed led the Corgastodmar effort while Doarhu allies came in support. This was the beginning of a trend which became common through Corgastodmar history- Aemar settlers attempting to seek riches and prosperity through displacing conquests.   Ghetunbast Wendol was horrified by the grip which the Hemon Ghesed held over Loryne. Without going so far as to disband them unilaterally, he demanded that Amaderin warriors and agents remain outside the confines of Vehem Loryne itself. Moveover, the Lorvelgis were explained for potential disbandment if their foundational mission to defend the Balendorn region was not upheld nor relevant.   During the Great Conflict, the Amaderin ast Hemon Ghesed played an important, although often under-appreciated role. Nathrovayen warriors attempted to creep their way northward in an attack against Ghethemas itself while Karthuuzar in the north desired plunder, warm land, and slaves by attacking southward while the Corgastodmar were occupied.   The Hemon Ghesed was relatively docile during the late 2000s and early 3000s. They continued their sacred charge throughout the generations and expanded their fledging holdings north of the Balendorns. When the wars against the Grathon erupted once more, however, a certain sensation were alive among the warriors of Corgastoria. Years of back-and-forth warfare had eroded the Aebastadmar lands, and now was time for a death blow. No honorable warrior could afford to miss it. For this end, the Lorobast of the Hemon Ghesed dispatched a fenresc under Fenest Taroha to seek glory and honor though the Amaderin itself could not mobilized for the purpose. A signficent 104 Lorod departed with their retainers in the spring of 3304.   The Amaderin ast Hemon Ghesed suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of the Etayen of Amikiras outside of the city of Drakar in 3451, setting the tone for their recent affairs. They had originally intended to stave off further advance of the Etayen horde deeper into the Empire, but calamity struck. The head strong commander of the 10,000-man force decided that attacking the Etayen upon arrival would have good chances of success. Unfortunately, he was proved very much wrong. The Etayen are adaptable warriors, and upon hearing of the Imperial advance were quick to seek an advantage. In the woodlands around Drakar they found the perfect place to set up an ambush. If anything is to be said of the Etayen, it is that they are cunning warriors. To their added benefit, their numbers exceeded 40,000 and the Lorvelgis had only 10,000 esseythu, which make encirclement all the simpler a task.   When the hapless Lorvelgis of the Hemon Ghesed marched into the woods, they were taken completely by surprise by volleys of Etayen arrows and the determined assaults of their skilled swordsmen. The Lorvelgis fought valiantly, killing many Etayen, but were none the less outnumbered, on bad ground, and without reinforcements. They were smashed, and by dusk the entire force had been broken. Select elements of the army survived to crawl back to Cloudspyre, but majority of the force was lost. Worse still, some men of the broken army dishonored themselves and their order by forsaking their oaths to the Empire and Corgastor and turned to banditry and pillaging. It will take years for the Order to recover, and their involvement in the current war is all but over in a single day. Woe to the Corgastodmar realm, woe to the warriors- these were the words sung in sorrow throughout Everos!   "Lorobast Graven, 43rd commander of the Hemon Ghesed Lorvelgis, ordered his host of 10,000 Lorvelgis and infantry to continue down the main road en route to Drakar. The land before them was unfamiliar to the Lorvelgis, whose home lay many miles away in the mountain fortress of Cloudspyre. It was also poorly scouted, as all Imperial forces in the area were held up in the city. Despite this strategic blindness, Graven was confident of his men's ability to take the Etayen by surprise in their siege camps and rout them completely. Their advance proceeded unhindered until the army was well into the woods and rocky terrain of Drakar's foothills. It was there that, while passing through a narrow valley, the Imperial troops were attacked. The Etayen, who are renown as cunning scouts and spies, were well aware of the Imperial host's presence. They decided that attacking the Lorvelgis head on would bring needless loss, and they if they allowed the forces to enter the forest that their cavalry advantage would be lost. With nocked bows and sharpened blades they waited, and when the time came they surged forth like a wave and crashed into their unwary enemies. It was a complete surprise, as if the whole forest had suddenly come to life. The Lorvelgis and their retinue fought bravely, killing many Etayen, but alas it was not enough to redeem their own losses. Men and horse began to pile up as the slaughter continued, up to three feet high it came in the narrow valley. After a prolonged fight the survivors began to break off and retreat down the road they came, their enemies not far from their heels. Many were killed, the captured were killed, and those who remained regrouped in the forests beyond the battlefield. Commander Graven survived, and those who could rallied on him. Together they began their crawl back to Cloudsypre, broken in the most severe defeat in decades."  

Dispatch of Wischest Brelon, Scribe for Lorvelgis-Captain Milare Jankin

Tales of the Drakayen War - 3451   In the time after the siege of Drakar the Hemon Ghesed has occupied itself preparing new initiates to the order, as well as currying favor with the Ghetunbast to receive funding to recuperate what was lost in battle. Lorobast Graven retained his position, but some among his subordinates have come to openly opposing him and blame him for the Order’s near destruction. Whether the accusations are fair or not, the affair and its aftermath will prove tumultuous for the once proud Hemon Ghesed Lorvelgis. If the destruction of the Hemon Ghesed's retinue wasn't a grave enough problem, the Karthuuzar have once again been prowling around the foot of the Balendorn mountains. In times of peace the large garrison of Cloudsypre could easily contend with any possible assault by the Karthuuzar, but in this time of war the fortress is undermanned. It can be said that on all fronts the Lorvelgis of the Hemon Ghesed are embattled and threatened. May the shield hold strong and the sword not shatter!   Amaderin ast Isset Ghonol   The Order of the Scarlet Hand is one of the Corgastodmar Empire's most reliable covert units, in many cases entrusted with missions that are even beyond the ability of the Nerod. When the common man thinks of an order his mind may venture to such things as armored Lorvelgis and waving banners. The Order of the Scarlet Hand is no such order, for their duty is of a more clandestine nature than traditional Lorvelgis and banners can allow. They were founded by Ghetunbast Arelastod II, some four hundred years ago as a means to combat a special sort of enemy. They were founded with the express purpose of stopping the return of Tyrphos. For the past few hundred years their order has diminished in size as their need to exist seemed less and less valid. Now, at the behest of the Speaker of Vehod Lohas, they have been granted purpose. Ghetunbast Lothast II has allowed elements of the order the ability to travel to Othos under the leadership of Lorobast Nygar and contend with the rising threat of Tyrphos and his aspect spirits.   After centuries of service against the remnants of Tyrphos, the charge of the Amaderin was complete. Word travelled from Othos that Sinestra, the last of the Aspect Spirits, was slain. Decades passed without further note or threat. In 3471, the difficult decision was made to disband.   Amaderin ast Silla Eshor   The Order of the Silla Eshor came into existence from the violent wars waged between the Kingdom of Grathem and the Ghetunbalastod ast Corgastor. In 1934, during the interim period between the second and third Wars of Grathem, Ghet Jodormed of Nossen began to organize groups of professional Lorvelgis to deal with the constant skirmishes on the borders. This was by no means a new problem. Indeed, ever since the first War of Grathem in 1463 the two realms had made it a matter of common course to send raiding parties into each other's territories. The difference is that during the previous centuries the ghetûn of Nossen had employed local militias, landed Lorvelgis, or occasionally orders such as that of the Hemon Ghesed or Haradus. It had not been necessary for the ghetûn to go through the expense of gathering and funding a standing force of Lorvelgis to guard the borders. That changed during the 1900s, for Grathem had a new king, and he was prepared to escalate the war and prey on the vulnerable borderlands.   Lhenod Isolbard the Etayen of Grathem was crowned in 1933 upon the death of his father, Lhenod Istemar. He was not the first-born son of Istemar, nor a legitimate one at all. Isolbard was a bastard child, born of Istemar and one of his Etayen concubines, for in that time it was still common for Etayen to live in Grathem. The Lhenod's other two sons had been unfortunate casualties of the second War of Grathem, which had resulted in mass carnage and the loss of some Grathon territory. Istemar was forced by circumstance to legitimize Isolbard and name him his heir, which at the time caused outrage among his nobles. Once crowned king, Isolbard needed to asSert himself as a strong leader and son of Grathem to secure his tenuous position. To that end, he began his reign by reinforcing the battered Grathon army and marching it against the Ghetunbalastod ast Corgastor.   His method was to launch what he called "vengeance raids" against the Corgastodmar frontier, with large numbers of men sweeping through Nossen and Oederan to pillage and burn all they found. They were short affairs, with the longest of them only lasting a few days. The objective was not to wage another war like that which ended a decade before, but to wear down the frontier and keep it weak. Ghet Jodormed was frustrated in his attempts to stop them, for his own land lacked the troops and resources to contain them. He requested assistance from the emperor, but he was denied. The Imperial army was occupied fighting back incursions in the north as well as maintaining the borders against the expansion of the Eurobasar Tresivar. It fell to the local nobility of the region to organize resistance to this threat.   Ghet Jodormed assembled every Lorvelgis he could from Nossen and called for others from the rest of the empire to come to him with sword and horse. To him came come around 100 Lorvelgis with their own men-at-arms and archers to create a force of over 500 men. The ghet combined these forces with his own more numerous, yet less experienced force to create a host of over 2,000 warriors. It was certainly less than what Grathem could muster. It was said that over 5,000 men at a time could fight in these large raids and be gone within hours of their arrival. At the head of this motley force Ghet Jodormed appointed one of his favored warriors, Conregest Balorost of Royston. This man was a decorated veteran of the second War of Grathem. His most notable exploit of that conflict, if one had to be chosen, was his duel with Domus El'jorn, a renowned Neyasi mercenary, at the foot of Drakar. In a fight that lasted for over half an hour, Balorost had been able to wear down his energy before dealing a death blow with a furious blow to the head. It is said that the mercenary's helmet was battered completely around his head and utterly stuck that way. To the mind of Ghet Jodormed, there was no man better suited to the task in all of Nossen, and perhaps the entire southern frontier. The force of 2,000 set forth in mid-1934 to fight the Grathon troops. It was known to them that Lhenod Isolbard intended to launch a raiding campaign in the months before the snow fell so that the empire could not easily pursue them into the south. Conregest Balorost wished to meet them in mid raid while they were divided in the land and busy pillaging the small manors and villages of Nossen and Oederan.   Balorost's host committed to a strategy of shadowing their enemy, for it was not possible for his army to directly attack the 5,000-man raiding force. To make matters even more dire, it was said by scouts that Lhenod Isolbard himself was leading this latest attack. That fact struck fear into the men of Balorost, both his Lorvelgis and his foot soldiers. They had heard stories of the fearsome strength and speed of that master and were told as well that he was quick minded as well. In short, the men of Nossen were outnumbered and faced with a superior commander. Conregest Balorost, however, was not intimidated by the prospects and ordered for his army to continue hounding the enemy at every step. The hope was that his army would be able to catch the Grathon troops out of position, while they were spread out in the countrywide in small warbands. It was a textbook contest between cat and mouse in a military context, the only difference being that in this case the mouse was seeking an opportunity to strike at the cat. If that failed, the presence of Balorost's troops would make it difficult for Lhenod Isolbard to move north beyond the Aedúcarr mountains.   A few days short of a month passed as Conregest Balorost and his men watched hopelessly as Lhenod Isolbard pillaged and razed the area around the southern reaches of Nossen and Oederan. Ghet Jodormed had sent word of his displeasure to Balorost. The morale of the men was low. The supplies required to keep Balorost's host on the field were becoming increasing hard to procure in a region that was being laid to waste. In every sense the campaign to defend the frontier was going miSerably. The greatest shame of this failure was that Balorost's army had not yet faced the enemy in battle. It was a war of attrition, and one that the defending force was losing. Before long the summer gave way to fall, and the warmth of the sun surrendered its place to light frost.   During the fall of 1934, Conregest Balorost and his weary host met Lhenod Isolbard in battle. Their fight occurred in the lowlands southwest of the Aedúcarr Mountains, known to the local people as Aedúm Moor for its rugged and unsettled terrain. It lay just within the border of Oederan, making it a vulnerable zone of conflict that settlers found unattractive. For the engagement to have taken place here implies that Lhenod Isolbard was about to conclude his raiding campaign and perhaps wished to win a field battle to lower Imperial morale and gain prestige. Whatever the case, Lhenod Isolbard changed his strategy at a moment's notice and launched an attack against the Nossenite troops of Conregest Balorost. The Grathon troops attacked at dawn, breaking the months of stalemate and shadowing by attacking the Corgastodmar camp that lay along the foothills of the Aedúcarr Mountains. The camp guards only managed to precede the arrival of the King's men by less than half an hour, giving Conregest Balorost minimal time to prepare his men and plan a suitable defense. The best he could manage was a Series of small hastily built redoubts built atop the small hills that immediately surrounded his camp. His infantry and archers, totaling 1,900 of the 2,000 men, defended these small areas and the camp perimeter. Balorost and the 100 Lorvelgis under his command moved to just behind some hills to strike at the committed enemy a route them. The camp followers and non-combatants had the duty of moving supplies up into the higher mountain areas. The stage was set for the long-awaited clash.   Lhenod Isolbard broke his army into an assault force and a reserve force. The former group consisted of heavy infantry and the small number of cavalry Grathem had at its disposal. The latter group consisted of the skirmishers and other troops that would be brought up if the battle dragged into a protracted fight by the defenders. The assault began a short time after dawn, since the Grathon troops were forced to march a good distance out of their way to reach the army that had purposefully kept its distance to shadow them. As the first armored infantrymen came within sight of the makeshift redoubts of Aedúm Moor, they began to experience light but constant arrow fire from the defenders. Undeterred, the Grathon infantry pushed forward, and over the course of a few hours began to reduce the redoubt defenses and force back the defenders. It was at that point that Conregest Balorost intended to ride forth with his Lorvelgis and drive off the Grathon attackers, but calamity struck. Poor fortunate had it that a lance of enemy troops eager to find a flanking position stumbled upon the position of the waiting cavalry. The small group was quickly butchered by the Lorvelgis, but the commotion it caused gave away the ruse, and Lhenod Isolbard was quick to redirect troops to the area. The carefully laid plan of Balorost began to collapse as the troops manning the defenses began to lose heart and retreat after the cavalry failed to materialize. Across the moor his troops were pulling back, and in small contingents began to ascend the slopes of the Aedúcarr to escape the enemy. Defeat was soundly laid at Balorost's feet.   The defeat stung Balorost badly and drew the will of his men to the limits. His Lorvelgis implored him to retreat and gather more men, one of them doing so from the bed of medical tent whilst having an arrow pulled from his side. Heedless of his subordinates, the commander was not yet ready to relinquish command. With only 1,400 of his original 2,000 men remaining, the army maintained its position in the mountains and risked annihilation in exchange for opportunity. Lhenod Isolbard's army was only a mile or so away through the mountains but were unaware of the location of Balorost's host.   As night descended on the day of that defeat, the men of Lhenod Isolbard rested easy in their camp. A short distance away the men of Count Balorost stood in tense silence just outside their camp. They prepared their weapons, adjusted their armor, and steeled their mettle for a last assault. Balorost himself was away from the army with a small party of close adviSers and huddled close to the trees while trying to peer out into the inky darkness. Despite the close proximity of the armies, Balorost was just as clueless as his opponent on how the terrain and the hills undulated. If he couldn't score a victory that very night then his cause would be lost, along with most of his army if he was so unfortunate. With so few options, what could he possibly do to avoid disaster? Did he lay a clever ambush in the hills like had been done in the wars with Grathem, or did he crush his enemy between two divisions like the Baron of Hargrow had done during the War of the Broken Circle? Perhaps he could have undertaken a war or attrition like had been done during the War of the Black Hills, or if all else failed he could have launched a fighting retreat like Ghet Elgast of Valgorod had done during the war with the Norgost in the 1290s. For all the military precedent that had been set over the years, not a single of those options was chosen. Count Balorost dismounted his horse and chose to pray to Corgastor for salvation from his miSerable situation.   "Great lord of all Everos, look down and see your faithful in great plight. The enemies of your divine rule are many and fierce. The light of your mercy is dimming and the fire of your fury is a mere flicker. Use your power, great Corgastor, and show us the way so that we may slaughter the heathens and foes of your empire. We set our eyes skyward and draw our swords. Esseythu and flesh are in your hands."  

Balorost's Prayer

Archives of the Order of the Silla Eshor – 1951   The exact nature of the event is not known for certain, but the legends are well known and told commonly among the faithful. Before Balorost and his Lorvelgis appeared a Silla Eshor, brighter than any other in the sky. The soldiers in his camp saw it, Lhenod Isolbard saw it, and aptly thought it a bad omen, and even those far away from the frontlines noted it. The famed scholar Aultum of Valastria, an Othosar native, noticed it and wrote in down among his notes as the possible birthing of another deity. It shined to the west in the night sky, and in that moment, it was clear to the commander and his Lorvelgis as to what had to be done. They spurred their horses and rode back to camp at a rapid pace. The infantry and archers were shaken out of their sleepy stupor and put to a forced march through the foot paths and rough terrain of the Aedúcarr Mountains. The warriors groaned and grumpled and were fearful for the doom that may befall them at the hands of the Grathon soldiers. Count Balorost paid them no heed, just as he had ignored the counsel of his Lorvelgis. He had seen a sign. Whether it was for him at all might have been of concern, more so if it led him into the maw of death. Perhaps that uncertainty is the better part of faith: blind and entirely careless of personal safety.   The moon was past its zenith when the ragged host of Count Balorost traversed the stony arches of the mountainside. The star, however, was still burning bright. That was a cause for hope. The kindled fire of hope continued to grow as the men caught sight of smoke emanating from true fires within the valley below. Riding to the front, Balorost saw exactly what he had prayed for: the camp of Lhenod Isolbard, sleepy and complacent after their victory earlier that day. The sentries were few and more of them than not seemed to be half asleep by that late into the night. Everything was in place, and all that remained was to act. Rearing up his horse and calling to his men, Count Balorost of Royston, the chosen man of Ghet Jodormed and sole hope for victory, charged his men forward down the mountain slope and into the camp. Those who were conscious enough to witness their attack saw only the faith glinting of steel and what seemed to be a horde of rabid Nemgarotirs pouring forth from the rock. The charging soldiers swarmed through the camp as men began to crawl out of their tents and stumble for weapons. They were no match. Not torches were lit by the attacking army, so the whole scene was cloaked in darkness. The only security the men of Balorost had from attacking one another in the pall was the dubious assurance that there were so many more enemies than allies that it was highly unlikely. Truth be told, it was a slaughter.   When dawn rose on the next day, the camp was a torn and desolated ruin. Bodies choked the ground of the small valley, and the mountainsides on all flanks were lightly dusted with the bodies of men who attempted to flee. Lhenod Isolbard had also perished alongside his men. It is unsure how exactly the matter proceeded, but his mangled body was found wrapped up in the tattered canvas of his tent. It is more likely than not that he was butchered like a common soldier in the midst of the fighting. Typically, the death of a Lhenod in such a gruesome fashion would be frowned upon, but the desperate nature of the fight put that consideration out of mind. Balorost and his men were exhausted, but they were victorious. They marched back to their camp and rested for the remainder of the day, barely believing that they had survived and won. The whole army bivouacked northward to quickly escape potential reprisals and neglected to even bury the bodies of their enemies. Their carcasses lay there for weeks afterward, and the place is known now as Isolbard's Vale.   The victory of Count Balorost propelled him to greatness. Ghet Jodormed was beyond ecstatic at the news of victory, and he showered his commander with gifts and titles. Balorost used this wealth as expected to expand his estate and power, but an even greater result came of it. In 1936, two years after his victory, the count gathered together the Lorvelgis who had accompanied him to defeat Lhenod Isolbard. He proposed to them the creation of an order of Lorvelgis with the purpose of defending the southern borderlands from roving enemies like had been done in the past. The veterans of the conflict would form the nucleus, and the gifted funds of Ghet Jodormed would allow the recruitment of more brothers and a number of squires to carry on the tradition, so it was that the order was formed. The nascent order, who styled themselves the Lorvelgis of the Silla Eshor, established themselves within the town of Romederas and from there grew in scale and influence.   Ghetunbast Arelastod IV’s victory against Lhenod Aster in 3304 signalled the termination of an independent Grathon state and the unquestioned hegemony over Corgastor over Everos. It was a matter of great celebration. This was, as history proved, the zenith of Corgastodmarism in Qadal. For the Lorvelgis of the Silla Eshor, the destruction of Grathem meant the completion of their formative mission, established some 1,500 years ago and executed vigilantly between those years. The horns were now silent and the banners furled. Yet, Arelastod saw political potential within the passing of the Silla Eshor. He organized the ‘Saducenad’ or Southern Victory, which was intended as a grand ceremony to celebrate the triumph over ancient Grathem and venerate the heroes on the foremost. The Lorvelgis of the Silla Eshor occupied center stage.   Lorobast Pellastor was risen to the political rank of Conregest, providing him titles and incomes which were otherwise barred to individual Lorod. Each of the Lorvelgis who previously served within the Amaderin Silla Eshor, some 600 of them, were raised to Lanches and granted smaller parcels of land to support themselves without the Amaderin. Lands were not divided within traditional Corgastodmar territory for the purpose. Instead, domains held by Grathon nobility were stripped and the warrior-like Lorveglis planted in their stead to cleverly cement Corgastodmar rule in that embattled region. These sword-girdled settlers were the first inhabitants of Hennas, Grathem, and Lohoremas. They established forts and hamlets in military style in accordance with their education within the Amaderin. Former Lorod became merchants and politicans, removing themselves from the battlefield but pursuing these newest endeavors with a martial spirit. It was by their strength that Grathem was successfully pacified between 3305 and 3400, allowing the Corgastodmar domain to enrich itself on trade from the Semyr which was previously barred or limited to them.   Amaderin ast Zomorod   Disbanded per the terms of the alliance between Lodon and Corgastodmar realm.   Amaderin ast Wolonorend   Disbanded after the final destruction of Erothod and repulsion of Corgastodmar from Othos.   Amaderin ast Whesen Bandast   This amaderin has the dubious distinction of being the crucible through which prospective warriors hone their skills in preparation of greater callings. It was founded late in the history of Corgastor’s realm. Ghetunbast Vollus desired a more effective means of training after the horrible casualties of the Great Conflict, ended in 2304, which claimed the lives of so many in the previous generation.   The Army of the Ehrohenod The threats that face the Ghetunbalastod ast Corgastor often defy the mundane realm of tactics and legions. Indeed, the enigmatic Etayen dwell just across the Semyr, seething in their millennia's long rivalry with the Corgastodmar; the legacy of the Weeping Era, where monsters constructed of remnant Vojûn walked the land, can still be felt; and internal threats from religious dissenters and traitors can ply apart the fabric of the Corgastodmar world. When a danger of outstanding gravity makes itself known, the regular military often reaches out to the Ehrohenod for support.   In the Divine Monarchy, jurisdiction of military powers is divided between the crowned emperor and the Solhesunbast, who act as equal co-rulers. The conventional army, navy, and Amaderin Lorvelgiss fall within the direct jurisdiction of the emperor, with some influence from the Solhesunbast. The forces of the Temple fall under the command of the Solhesunbast but are influenced by the emperor. This ensures both that each co-ruler has practical power at their disposal, and that disagreements between them do not lead to a complete paralyzing of the military hierarchy. The forces of the Temple are broken into three organizations, each of which Serves a specific function under the Solhesunbast: The Amaderin ast Nelsor, the Nerod of Corgastor, and the Amaderin ast Ehrohela Gastis. While each of these groups was founded at different periods of history, they were all brought under the command of the Solhesunbast following the ouster of Ghetunbast Galeran II and the establishment of the Divine Monarchy in 2124. The roles are divided between intelligence, of which the Order of Nelsor fulfills; brute military force, fulfilled by the Order of the Holy Sons; and investigation and special operations, which falls to the Nerod. The Nerod differs from the other branches in that it dEtayen both in the covert and overt. These forces working in tandem allows the Solhesunbast to exercise both his or her own will and that of Corgastor in the wider world. This denotes the pragmatic fact that military force is the best measure of true power.   During wartime, the forces of the Ehrohenod operate either independently or with some coordination with the regular military. The best contemporary example is the Drakayen War of 3451, when the forces of the temple were the first arrivals in the south. Jorgast Dhenelon, an esteemed Nerodhest of long service from Oederan, brought his company, the Bearers of Light, southward to Drakar when rumor first began to spiral that the Etayen were stirring. When the conflict erupted in the summer of that year, the Corgastodmar navy was scattered and the army was still dormant. The Etayen made landfall shortly afterward, wreaking havoc and thrusting terror into the hearts of the Corgastodmar population of Sedrohed. Once they marched inland and besieged Drakar, only Davworth stood with the Ducal Guard as the city collapsed into chaos. The Keepers of Lornesse, led by Tristifer Paryn, arrived as the Etayen host settled around the city. Within the population was afflicted by a wretched pestilence which caused them to lose control of their minds and assault those around them. The two Nerodhic companies stood alone with the Ghetûn Guard. Once the worst had passed and the Etayen withdrew to the Fringe, the Keepers of the Lornesse returned to Ghethemas to find the army still mustering. A measure of disgusted disappointment swept over the company at the sight of this sluggish movement. This disappointment turned to shock and anger when word arrived days later that angry Grathons had risen up and murdered the surviving hierarchy in cold blood. Gheta Ezra Gower of the venerable line of Khelorad was slain, as well as Jorgast Dhenelon himself. That was the price paid for loyal Service at war.   During times of peace, the forces of the Temple act as enforcers for Corgastor's will. The Amaderin ast Nelsor, known simply as ranger, has operatives spread across Everos along with some locations beyond it. Members of the order were the first to report disturbances along the southern coast preceding the Etayen invasion in 3451, for example. They were also the ones to report strange activity in Othos regarding the artifacts of Tyrphos the same year, which spurred the Order of the Scarlet Hand to action. The Holy Sons move as an itinerant body during times of peace, assisting Corgastodmar where ever they might require help along the breadth and width of the continent. In 1881, the Holy Sons along the coast of the Gismyr Sea were the first to fight the Axodraharik who initiated the dreadful conflict known as the Axo'izzir. Yor’shagon intended to expand its influence to the rest of Qadal as they had done in Nevan, but the valiant resistance of the Temple forces during the critical first weeks allowed the Valunis's Legion to rally enough troops to oust them. Finally, the Nerod. The constant activity of the Nerod makes it impossible to account their full Service during peace time, but the work is significantly. In the 1650s, Nerodhic Companies under Nerodhûnbast Symon the Strong defeated Warengest and broke his heresy, scattering what remained to Othos. In 2048, a Nerodhic Company under Letha Gosset crushed a wild cult who called themselves "Reborn" and feasted upon the corpses of the dead during the great outbreak of the Pale Blight. In 3451, a rogue nemeshari of Áckesh was slain by the Keepers of Lornesse while cleaving a swathe of destruction through Oederan. His attack was a distraction from the larger Etayen invasion to come, which proved an effective tactic. When the attack did come, the Corgastodmar were caught unaware by its scale and ferocity.   The rigid divisions between organizations belies the underlying tensions of the Temple forces. They, just like any other military or political body, have severe internal disagreements about their purpose and methodology. The Nerod, for example, has often argued for their independence as an organization, like they had been from 1373 to 2124. The Nerodhûnbast had acted under the guidance of the emperor for those years but was otherwise free to act on his or her own will. Thrust under the thumb of the Solhesunbast and into coordination with the Holy Sons and Order of Nelsor has sparked tensions numerous times, especially between the Lorvelgis Commander and Nerodhûnbast. The Order of Nelsor, on the other hand, always viewed themselves as an elite element of the regular military, meant to guide the military just as Nelsor had guided Corgastor. The list goes on, but the matter of importance is the fact that the title "Army of the Temple" does not mean consensus or cooperation.   Amaderin ast Nelsor Elstenast, The First Breath   The agents of the Amaderin ast Nelsor Elstenast are the eyes and ears of Corgastor, seeking that which is hidden and providing the foundations for all Corgastodmar operations. They are a strange collection of yet stranger individuals, recruited from and commanded by an eclectic spectrum of the Corgastodmar population. Children of Ghets and Ehronis might be found among them, but also smiths, farm hands, plowers, bowers’ boys, tavern wenches, and other dredges. Their purpose is multi-faceted. They are scouts in a sense, yet to call them ‘rangers’ or ‘wanderers’ would be a misnomer. In a more accurate manner, they prepare the ground upon which fellows Corgastodmar tread. When a foreign venture is conducted, the Ghetunbast dispatches the Amaderin ast Nelsor to gauge the demeanor of the local population, whether Vestanir, Eurobasar, Anitosse, Neyasi, Etayen, or otherwise. Likewise, the terrain and recent history is examined for potential boons and opportunities. For example, the much-lauded invasion of Eurobia in 1600 and establishment of Erothod was proceeded by months of preparation by the Amaderin ast Nelsor. Agents discovered the composition of garrisons in western Eurobasar, discovered the tenuous relationship between the Demhezzar, Corgastodmar zealots, and their Eurobasar masters, and chose optimal locations for amphibious landings. Their information was instrumental in the swift arrival and stunning success of Corgastodmar forces against Getas II Pyrgos   After the arrival of Corgastodmar forces in Othos, the Amaderin ast Nelsor remained an active presence. They were not merely scouting, however, but fulfilling another foundational function of their organization- gathering support and sowing dissent.   While stories regarding the Amaderin ast Nelsor and general references to Corgastor’s legacy might indicate some extreme, proto-imperial lineage, the organization was founded long after Nelsor’s time. Their origins date back to the 1400s, during the reign of Ghetunbast Haradus I Beyleveld. After a multiple year venture across Othos, which culminated in the death of the great beast Nezhar, Haradus returned to an Everos consumed by warfare and strife. Civil war had broken out between Ghetunbast Corenne Goldheart and her disillusioned nobles, who were opposed to to prolonged involvement of the Corgastodmar realm in Othos. In the ensuing war, Haradus managed to rally loyalist forces and restore order- crowning himself Ghetunbast in 1398. In honor of this victory, Haradus established the Order of Nelsor’s Memory as a means to restore the military. They would, as described, conduct the same work Haradus endeavored to achieve in Othos- contending with minor threats, mingling with the local population, endearing himself with them, and other objectives. He believed this vision was a potent extension of Corgastodmar might at home and abroad. For the organization’s leadership, Ghetunbast Haradus chose Marcarius Vex, an enigmatic character in the history of Qadal who personally accompanied the once-Nerodhest through his tribulations in Othos. When the reigning Ghets and lesser nobility questioned the decision, Haradus silenced them without hestitation. In this unexpected manner, the Beyleveld dynasty created the environment for a meritocratic military entity of national importance. Marcarius Vex and later commanders proved the value of ‘lower’ men through their valor and talent, establishing a long tradition of duty and excellence. The commander of the Amaderin ast Nelsor Elstenast in the Wandering years, Hesdelon, was born the scion of an unremarkable agrarian family. He survived the terror of Zarthum’s devastation and remains a prominent, yet increasingly aged voice of reason within the Last Light of Corgastor.   Beyond history, the Amaderin ast Nelsor possess a rigorous training and selection regimen that culls out the numerous weak in favor of expert agents. In order to join amongst the ranks of the Nelsorians, a soldier is first recommended by their superior officer for extraordinary displays of ability in traditional areas such as marksmanship, trailblazing, and foraging, but also matters of logisitics, diplomacy, and esoteric knowledge. From there, they are approached by the Amaderin and offered a potential spot in their highly selective ranks. The training that follows is rigorous, with months at a time filled with sparring and scouting. The final test, once the initiate is deemed worthy, requires the potential ranger to survive a month in the wild with nothing but their wits and a steel dagger. This is the case in the most literal sense, for they leave the camp with not even a scrap of clothing on their back. The purpose is to show the warriors' dependence on nature and their skills to survive on the field. Those who endure the ordeal are officially inducted into the Nelsorians and are either attached to a military unit or are sent travelling by themselves.   The Nerod ast Corgastor   The Nerod is the mailed fist of Corgastor, brought down with righteous fury on the impure and unworthy. Nerodhûnbast Emmerast is the most recent to tenure the commanding position of the Nerod. The headquarters of the Nerod is within the Trident, located within the city of Ghethemas. The role of the Nerod, militarily speaking, is as a special operations organization. This doesn't mean that they are the most elite soldiers on the field, for that distinction belongs to the Lorvelgis of the Empire's many orders. What it means is that the Nerod can deal with certain "special" situations better than any other branch of the military, due to its wide array of available resources. If there are dark nemeshirs at work by the enemy, for example, the Nerod is sent to investigate and hopefully annihilate the problem. Otherwise, the Nerod operates in the background of a conflict.   The world of Qadal can be a truly terrible place. The Ghetunbalastod ast Corgastor may be seen as a bastion of civilization and order in the chaos that is the rest of the world, but that status has not been acquired easily. Threats within are just as dangerous as those from without, and it can be said that there are many dangers abroad. To keep the realm of men safe from these evils, there is the Nerod. The best, brightest, and those downright foolish enough to stick their neck out for those who couldn't be bothered to care comprise its numbers. While the Imperial army gains glory through their battles, the Amaderin Lorvelgiss have songs written of them, and the guilds grow richer, the Nerod stays behind the scenes grinding through their dangerous work. It is their job to keep the Empire pure from all those who would seek to destroy or corrupt it, and their only reward is a new problem the moment there seems to be peace. When the people pray for Corgastor's protection, the Nerod is his tool.   "They say that only evil hides in the shadows, but what keeps it there? Surely not the village people, huddling in their hovels; nor is it the Solhes, only concerned with their own words; if not them, then it most certainly isn't the military either, my lord, or I would not be writing this letter. There is a greater evil lurking in Drakar, everything I've found leads me to believe so. It is a malign presence and hides easily from those who know not how to look for it. I cannot yet give it a name, but I know where to find it. Send me to Drakar, sire, and I shall find my way inside and cleanse its corrupted heart during this troubled time. That is the role of the Nerod, to cleanse and purge, to purify the corrupt, and weed out the maleficence of the world."  

Letter from Nerodhest Jorgast Dhenelon to Ghetunbast Lothast II

Imperial Archives - 3451   There are numerous Nerodhic companies in the Corgastodmar Empire. Among them, some occupy their own fortresses as headquarters, and others occupy chambers in the Trident. There are those which are large and those that are small. Some companies are renowned, and others are comparatively obscure. Various attempts to enumerate the Nerodhic Companies have been undertaken in modern centuries, but the matter is difficult. Given the hereditary nature of the companies, units muster, disband, merge, and otherwise change upon whims. The latest official account of the Nerod’s resources was created around the year 3448 and contains but six entries. This illustrates an interesting point. Nerodhic forces, though they receive significant historical and popular credit for their exploits, never account for a major portion of the Ehrohenod’s manpower.   “It is the Will and Directive of the wise Solhesunbast that accounts be made regarding the Nerodhic Companies which are prepared for service. Solhes Lorentha, whose long service to the Ehrohend has been unverisally applauded, was bestowed the task. Her findings were as follows.   The Bearers of Light, led by Nerodhest Jorgast Dhenelon   It is such that they might be found in Grathem. Jorgast has long dedicated himself to the crushing of remnant Aebastadmar attitudes among those people. His removal from the region would be a self-inflicted wound upon us.   The Keepers of the Lornesse, led by Nerodhest Tristifer Paryn   These are but newly minded, and too might be found in the southern reaches. You might trust them with limited tasks in this emburdened time. I suggest caution in any regions close to invading enemy hosts, lest they surrender and offer our knowledge.   The Luminaries of the Gosver, led by Nerodhest Rolhest Halon   News reached me that Rolhest is stationed somewhere in the western reaches of our domain. Ever since the defiant foreign policies of Lodon stirred those borders, strange activities have occurred thereabout. What this means for us is uncertain. What is known is that chaos reigns on the extremeties of Lodon while the Lods are turned elsewhere. Maintained his presence there might be our wisest choice.   The Burning Fist, led by Nerodhest Fehela Bethro   Fehela’s location was unknown to me for some time, and it wasn’t until three weeks of inquiry passed that news arrived. Be wary of that foremost. She is said to be somewhere west of Loryne. The Karthuzaar are no doubt a significant issue, and their migration brings untold threats. I would not rely upon her services at this present moment. Further orders might never arrive in due time.   The Northern Wind, led by Nerodhest Isabel Norvon   If the circumstances of Fehela were concerning, Nerodhest Isabel is far worse. Her company is somewhere beyond the Balendorns in assistance of our settlements there. This was told to me through connections on the frontier, not from her own agents. In our present situation, they are useless.   Corgastor's Fury, led by Nerodhest Valdos Elhenor   Valdos is near to hand. He is stationed on respite in Eroyther. I have taken it upon myself to request his immediate return to Ghethemas. He shall arrive shortly with near 100 of his closest companions, which will be great boon for us now.   A further three bannerless companies were discovered, but the details about them were unappealing or obscure. I suggest allowing them time to mature and avoid calling upon them in any circumstance.   As a general course, the immediate withdrawal of those companies which can be spared should be ordered. In the future, Nerodhest ought to be required to request their stations rather than choosing them unto themselves. This shall create obvious backlash but is necessary to avoid the miserable which I have undertaken here.”  

Solhes Lorentha to Solhesunbast Menehalon

Keeping of the Tomes-- 3451   Nerodhic companies are almost like their own noble houses within the Nerod. Each party has its own coat of arms and is led by a Nerodhest, but all are under the control of the Nerodhûnbast, who is in turn beneath the Solhesunbast. Some Nerodhic bands are large, employing maybe more than 100 people under a single Nerodhest, and some are small, containing only a mere handful of people. In similar style to feudal houses, Nerod parties have various subordinate positions to the Nerodhest. How many, and the nature of such positions depends on the size of the company. The smallest companies, numbering only around a dozen men, suffice to have only a second command to the Nerodhest. Such is the case of the Keepers of Lornesse for example, who’s recently founded company employs no more than 14 men. On the other hand, older and more established companies have many officers. The Bearers of Light are one such company, whose over 150 personnel require the Nerodhest to have many lower officers.   Nerodhic companies can act on their own, traversing the Corgastodmar Empire in search of heresy to uproot, or they can act under the directives of the Nerodhûnbast. Indeed, there have been cases where many companies have been brought together to unite against a single, outstanding threat. The most notable case of this occurring was during Warengest’s heresy in 1654. Over 15 Nerodhic companies, totaling over 2,000 Nerod personnel under the command of Nerodhûnbast Segendest the Strong marched against the host of the self-proclaimed Eshesmar and defeated him at the Battle of Kalmacarr. That is an extreme case, but time has shown that the Nerod is required for the continued survival of the Corgastodmar Empire. Their job goes well beyond stemming heresy and religious nay-saying like the aforementioned example. Stopping the very real threat posed by dark nemeshirs, ancient Nemgarotirs, and other malign forces of the world prove to be more often than not the affairs that draw the Nerod's greatest attention. Otherwise, there is no other organization that could halt such evil.   Beyond the mundane Vojûnic abominations and Eshanic apostates, the Nerod possesses the burdensome task of hunting down the cults of rival Eshan. This does not account for Atûn, Mesian, or the Ezontach, who bear equal claim to Qadal. The targets of such purges are Ebal’eshan who sneak from Voryndal against the agreements of Kovûnkal. Unlike the traditional array of enemies, the Ebal’eshan are dangerous because they possess true power. Olûndi who are lured into their grasp thus become fodder for deities competing against Corgastor. The most infamous episode took place between 2354 and 2357, when an Ebal’eshan known as Peyeloros crossed into Qadal from Voryndal after vicious tyranny consumed that place. Peyeloros had aligned himself with the Qazunari for personal gain but was defeated by the fury of his siblings. He escaped to Qadal and desired the power and self-preservation thus denied to him in Voryndal. Over the course of three years Peyeloros corrupted followers of Corgastor, who was the paramount deity in Everos in those days and promised great prosperity for converts. Those in the embattled north-western reaches were the most vulnerable to such sweet words, and thus Peyeloros settled himself within the foothills of the Balendorns. When the Nerod finally discovered the extend of this infiltration, matters were dire. The people of Erehem refused the mandates of Ghethemas and rejected the mastery of Corgastor over Evosmar Aemarda. A host was thus organized by Nerodhest Fhalmekast and bolstered by thousands of militiamen. It was autumn then, and winter was coming swiftly. Fhalmekast recognized that decisive action was necessary to eliminate the threat before more Corgastodmar shifted their allegiance. This powerful force of Ehronvelgis arrived outside the unsupposing township of Abhemas mere weeks before first snowfall. There they encountered a horrible sight and prepared for a ferocious battle which the Nerodhest later recounted for Ghetunbast Dothen III in Ghethemas.   ‘You would be astounded by the carnival of brutality which Abhemas had become over these years! We arrived to witness a great dias of stone which the inhabitants had built to their false Eshanic master. It towered above the town’s defensive walls and dwarfed the homes which lined adjactent. We heard their voices as well, shreeching and howling out for their master to protect them from murderous foes. Whalgel, whom you might recall as a worthy and experienced soldier, assured me that nothing malign would befall us on the advance. The walls were ancient and weak, poxxed with gaps which allowed the daylight to pass. He suggested that a mere 500 men could carry the day against such ruins. I saw no reason to question his assessment, and thus commanded a general advance of our three solhes. As we approached, a monster of immense size broke forth from the wilting gates. Its origin was entirely unknown, and the men were utterly terrified of it. Words fail to capture its visage but suffice to mention that the thing possessed four great wings, numerous spikes and talons, along with a stout and sickly grey body. It towered some 20 strides tall. The advance halted dead and the monster spoke. Its voice bubbled and crackled like some over-flamed stew but articulated in our tongue. The monster named itself Peyeloros and claimed overlordship of these people. Before we could refute the pretensions of the pretender, it hurled toward us with talons glimmering. A swarm of armed militia poured forth from behind, wielding nothing more than clubs and work hammers. We braced for the impact but were astounded by the power with which it hurled men aside like a storm’s gale. At the same moment, a brilliant plume of light burst from the beast and streamed toward Vussalas. It was brighter than Éshabal’s morning rays and blinded us terribly. We fought back with blades, Vojûn, and Corgastor’s own Eshara, slaughtering many of the lesser followers while being entirely unable to slay the monster which lorded over the field. Whalgel was slain, but stuck Peyeloros many times before falling. This I lament to report most of all. Keep his body well, which should have arrived with this letter. While the monster continued its blood work, another among us noticed events transpiring within the town itself. Detheyel, whom you might also recall, drew attention to that stone dias of ominous character. A great gathering was huddled thereupon. Reigning over them all was a strange fellow in armor ornamented with unknown icons and bobbles. The madman proceeded to grasp people from the crowd and sacrifice them with cold murder upon the dias. None fought back against him. For what purpose this sacrifice was conducted escaped our knowledge, but Detheyel resolved to halt it. She mustered around 200 of our surviving warriors and plunged into the town back the monster and militia which we battled. Our battle continued upon the field, with – slaughtering faithful Corgastodmar and bellows of blinding light rupturing from the body. The militia were swiftly routed and left only the chief monster to withstand our fury. Single-handedly, this beast was able to dull the strikes of hundreds- arrows, blades, and spears all smashed against it. Detheyel managed to lead her 200 followers into the town’s heart, where the sacrificers slaughtered Corgastor’s once faithful. She destroyed the wretch with a single strike which broke his head in two, or so the warriors who witnessed it and survived told others. The sacrifices of the innocent thus ceased, along with the violation of the place. Peyeloros yet survived, however, cleaving into flesh with those horrible talons in a desparate frenzy. We continued to strike blood-letting blows, now to greater effect. Detheyel’s warriors emerged from the town and assailed the monster from its flank. Its power waned without the sacrifices being conducted. In time, the monster attempted to retreat but was too weak to escape our numbers. We weakened it through violence and the great light expelled vigorously. Its ferocity waned so that we took advantage and rent its flesh and torn apart its brackish green intestines. In death, the beast roared and flailed as the Vussalas-bound light escaped the corpse and caused it to wither. When – finally perished, nothing but a pitiful husk or leathery flesh remained alive. The city was quiet and its people rendered unto us for judgement.’  

Nerodhest – of the – Company to Ghetunbast Dothen III

Comings of the Eshan, 2357   Alone, that is but one legendary account, but there are many others to celebrate. Centuries prior, in 1385, Nerodhûnbast Haradus waged his famous war against Tyrphos, the rogue Judge of Ácolitus. His host traversed the Wolonorends and arrived in Othos to find that land decimated. Thousands were dead and no realm stood to withstand the horde. However, the noble scions of Corgastor’s lineage were not deterred from advancing futher into that bleak blood land. Their courage inspired remnants of the Vestanir tribes, Eurobasar, Demhezzar, and numerous others to muster together for a final confrontation. Tyrphos, much like Peyeloros centuries later, accepted this challenge and marched toward the western shores of Othos, where the Corgastodmar host was encamped and growing by the day. The gruesome details of the battle are recounted elsewhere, but it was such that Nerod forces were approached and assailed by Tyrphos’s Vojûnic and Ackeshic minions. Among them were hideous constructs of flesh bound with raw Vojûnic power, Nemgarotiric entities spawned from oozing fonts, and innocent commoners whose minds were shattered by Ackesh. General battle erupted between Tyrphos and his ilk against the coalition rallied against him. Thousands died, the memory yet taints Othosar memory. At the battle’s climax, Tyrphos attented to violate Kovûnkal by uniting his essence with Vussalas and assaulting Corgastor directly. Nerodhûnbast Haradus acted swiftly to aid his spiritual master. Meanwhile, the personal bodyguard of Haradus, the Warriors of the Eshyod Dhenest, fought to the last to protect their master. Tyrphos was defeated and his spirit torn to shreds by Corgastor. The powerful remnants were imbued within select fragments of his armor and hurled back into Othos to forever lie dormant. For these valient actions, the Inquisiton thus proved itself to olûndi and Eshan alike. Years later, Haradus ascended to the position to Ghetunbast when the decline of the Goldheart dynasty created a significant power vacuum. The Nerod thus emplaced one of its own upon the throne through strength in difficult times.   Along with operations originating from within the Nerod itself, there is precedent for Nerodhic companies to accompany the regular army during a campaign. This is most commonly the case when dealing with foreign foes. There are many dangerous nemeshirs in the world, and it Serves the Empire well to have men who can deal with such things if they come about. Such was the case for the Etayen War of 3451, where numerous Nerod parties were deployed to Grathem to assist the military in stemming the Etayen tide. In this they proved to be crucial, as the skilled intervention of the Nerod tends to be in such dire situations. For what cannot be defeated by swords and bows, there is the Nerod to bring forth the manifested will of Corgastor.   Amaderin Ehrohela Gastis   The Amaderin Ehrohela Gastis is unique amongst the Amaderin Lorvelgis of Everos. These warriors are a deadly mix between a Lorvelgis and a cleric, taking on the fighting prowess of the former and the nemeshiral affinity of the latter. The difference is that their Amaderin Lorvelgis is not a secular affair that tied to the church, but an entirely religious unit. It was conceived from the beginning to Serve Corgastor, and in that noble duty they Serve. The order is utilized by Ghetûn, Solhes, Ghetunbast, and Nerod at varying times, and by all of the above in particularly dire times. They are renowned for their ferocity in combat, and for their tireless devotion to the Ghetunbalastod ast Corgastor and its Eshanic master. Their only stipulation is that they will never fight brethren of the faith, as is stated within the Tenets of Corgastor. The sole foes of the order are heretics, heathens, and Vojûnic beasts. This is the will of Corgastor by his tenets.   The origins of the order come from the turbulence following the Great Conflict in 2304. The chaos wrought by the war had finally ceased, but the Imperial Era that dawned in its wake made no promises of being more secure than the ages previous. It is truth that the Etayen Ghalûn of Everos were dismantled or destroyed, breaking the power of Etal completely for the coming centuries. It is also fact that Corgastor's Nerod had established itself as an effective means of fighting corruption and chaos. Those things, however, were an aging breed of foes that challenged the Corgastodmar domain, and new threats rose into prominence after the Great Conflict. Eurobia was in full control of Othos and had ousted the Corgastodmar settlers there within the past centuries. The reformed Tresivar stood prepared to challenge the Corgastodmar on the world stage. The Neyasi Rekeyan to the west presented another, more subtle opposition, for their trade networks brought in large tithes of gold and even greater prestige. Although divided into a patchwork of independent nations, the alliance was more than willing to stand against Evosmar aggression. If those problems were not great enough, the newly wrought Fringe of Nathrovas stood as a new frontier for the Corgastodmar that loomed at their doorstep. A new breed of warrior was required to contend with these outstanding threats, one that combined the faithful virtue of Corgastor with the fury of a noble Lorvelgis. The result was the formation of the Amaderin Ehrohela Gastis in 2310 by Solhesunbast – in tandem with Ghetunbast Dothen the Sword’s comprehensive military reforms.   This said, powerful internal pressures informed the creation of this military brotherhood. Ghetunbast Dothen’s aforementioned reforms shifted unprecedented importance upon the Amaderin Lorvelgis and their retinues. Froniter defenses and global power projection became the feverish preoccupations of successive sovereigns. Meanwhile, the ‘professional’ military consisted of little more than a few thousand men-at-arms stationed around Ghethemas. The Lorvelgis were intended on fulfilling these multiple roles simultaneously, turning borderlands into perpetual battlegrounds and militarizing diplomatic discourse. Internally, however, the marked ascendency of the Lorvelgis threatened the saliency of the Dual Monarchy which governed the domain since the 2100s. These warrior realms answered only to the Ghetunbast rather than local nobility, and thus undermined any checks or balances rendered against them. The Ehrohenod, in stark contrast, controlled the Nerod and the proselytizing Amaderin ast Nelsor in reflection of Corgastor’s original band of followers. Neither of these organizations commanded the military might the collective Amaderin Lorvelgis enjoyed. Solhesunbast Lomeragest, the capable opposite of Dothen, swiftly perceived the danger of this imbalance. She responded by capitalizing on the Lorvelgis frenzy which characterized the era. In 2310, the Ehrohenod was ordered to release word among the hamlets and towns of Everos that the Solhesunbast required the service of 5,000 men and women of upstanding character and cursory military experience. Within a month, 10,000 had arrived for the purpose. Lomeragest accepted all of them, flooding the inner city of Ghethemas with eager youth.   Solhesunbast Lomeragest 's summons and the overwhelming growth of the Amaderin Ehrohela Gastis engendered deep unease among the Amaderin Lorvelgis. A bitter and broadly clandestine rivalry ignited between the two factions. The victorious Corgastodmar nation was dragged toward the precipice of war.   The final victory of the Ehrohenod came in the 2500s, when Ghetunbast Seregesta deprived the Lorod of their landed rights, relegating former territories to Amaderin control.   The Amaderin Ehrohela Gastis are Lorvelgis like those in the other orders, but their training is more vigorous and extensive. Skill at arms is engrained into initiates until the swing of a sword and the bash of a shield is more than instinct, but an art in itself. Warriors must be skilled on foot, on horse back, upon the deck of ships, or on rough terrain to reflect the fact that the empire's enemies fight on all fields. Hours of holy devotion and prayer are constantly required to cultivate the deep loyalty and will needed to fight the constructs and heretics that threaten the followers of Corgastor. This in turn ties with a mastery of Eshara that is required of an Ehrohela Gastis that allows them to lay on hands to heal the wounded, call forth wards to hold back malign things, and smite foes with the power of Corgastor. In between those basic expectations, the Holy Sons of Corgastor stand apart because of the order's emphasis on education and knowledge. The brothers and lay sisters of the order are expected to be competent in basic grammar, mathematics, and theology as to be competent in the world outside of the order. That goes against the traditional expectations of military orders, where the only objective is to create soldiers that are able to fight, nothing more. This higher level of literacy and knowledge makes the Lorvelgis of the Holy Sons popular for command positions and higher offices. Other Lorvelgis, in contrast, are limited to personal tutors or limited public education provided by religious authorities.   For those who are accepted into the order after years of training and experience, there are few honors greater, nor such a chance to shows one's devotion to Corgastor. The Ascension of the Holy Sons is a ceremony that takes place every year at the foot of the Trident under the guidance of the Solhesunbast where the initiates become full Lorvelgis. Each member is given a tunic of fine red cloth trimmed in gold, a side sword of silvered steel, and a cloak emblazoned with the open hand of Corgastor. The final touch is an amulet of steel crafted into the form of a hammer with a pommel of a fist and an open hand etched upon the side of the head. These things represent the fury and the mercy of Corgastor that the Ehrohela Gastis are expected to embody. Once the ceremony is complete, the new Lorvelgis are stationed in the New City of Ghethemas before being sent abroad. The current Lorvelgis Commander of the Order of Holy Sons is Lorod Luthar Fergen, a native of Erehem. It is his honorable duty to ensure the Ehrohela Gastis assist the allies of Corgastor across Qadal and protect his holy name.   Mercenaries   The Company of the Whispering Rose is one of the more famous mercenary companies from Everos. They have in recent times changed venue to Othos due to their lack of employment in the stable realm of Everos. Logan Orstead, a noble man from Othos has employed them for 600 dolns for the purpose of gathering an artifact of great power. The old captain of the unit was Preston Carlyle, but he was slain at the battle of the Great Forest against the forces of Admaris, and command passed onto Lieutenant Edgar Denhemas. The Whispering Roses occupy Viod Zarkias as their base of operations now that Admaris has been defeated and the area is free of Nemgarotirs.   The Company of the Silver Saber is a mercenary band hailing from what in previous years had been the Kingdom of Grathem. After the fall of that Kingdom to the Ghetunbalastod ast Corgastor, they were forced by lack of work to seek other lands to roam. They have, like the Whispering Roses, come to Othos in this time of turmoil in an attempt to make a hefty profit. They have recently come under the employ of Emperor Emannar III of Eurobia due to the recent war against Vesitidia.   Freelance mercenaries are another common variety of sellsword to be found in Everos. These individuals are commonly those who for one reason or another don't fit proper into the societal structure from whence they came. Perhaps the person is an ex-soldier, so accustomed to a martial lifestyle that civilian life was impossible to return to after their Service. Perhaps the person was just the village bully, little brains, impressive brawn, and a lack of ambition to go beyond their self chosen calling of hurting others. What could be better for a career than being paid to cause pain on others? Warmongers and psychopaths aside, there are those who take up freelance mercenary work because it is the only option available to them. Times can be tough, even in Corgastor's Empire, and there are those who have nothing left to their name but their own bodies and the ability to swing a sword. In the best cases, such individuals can survive their work until they make enough money to bow out of the business alive, but more often than not the rigors of contract killing either lead to death or a life trapped in that dangerous profession. The most common policy of retirement for a mercenary is slumber six feet under.