Dragonsbane Squadron
Dreadlord Sol (Elias)
Dreadlord Rook (Sable Pembroke)
Various named NPCs (see entry)
Headed by Lieutenant Dreadlord Black, the Dragonsbane Squadron is a group of elite Anirian Knights that consists of around 25 men, women, and Dreadlords hand chosen for their highly specialized abilities, peerless skills, and long list of military, strategic, and battle accolades. Considered the elite of the elite, those within the Dragonsbane Squadron are tasked with missions that lie beyond the scope of normal soldiers. Specialized in dealing with those of great magical power, these Knights are often tasked with hunting down Rogue Dreadlords or other people and creatures that pose a threat to Anirian society.
Dragonsbane Squadron earned its namesake for its penchant of hunting and killing dragons within and throughout Anirian territories.
Hierarchy & Operations
The Dragonsbane Squadron is a smaller unit within Captain Holstag's Company and is commanded by Samantha Black. It operates within the Western Army of Vel Anir under the command of General Blackforge.
While there is no set hierarchy beneath the Squadron Leader, in general most members defer to those of greater seniority within the Squadron unless otherwise named mission leader by Sam.
Knights within the Squadron are assigned their schedules of tasks, training, duties, and missions by Sam. They are expected to maintain peak physical condition, a healthy diet, and continue their training while within Vel Castere. Their schedules while home are often full, though weekends are granted for leisure time they must always be prepared to arm-up at a moments notice. They are never off-duty from their sworn oath to protect Vel Anir and its citizens from threat. Failure to uphold this honorable duty can result in being discharged from the Knights and potentially imprisonment.
Anirian Knights are typically assigned individually to missions though they may at times be tasked with leading units of regular soldiers or Guards. However, it is not unheard of for groups of Knights and even entire Squadrons to be shipped out for higher threats - one such being the hunting down of ex Archon Gilram and his ilk. Rest assured, if one witnesses a full Squadron of Knights moving together then the danger level is significant.
Each Anirian Knight serving within Captain Holstag's company is given a callsign to operate under at all times. Callsigns are single-word names, often relevant to either the Knight's skillset or history, and is utilized as a means of protecting their privacy and the security of their family. Historically speaking, callsigns have always been assigned by one's commanding officer, though Sam has given her squad members the choice to pick their own within reason (but sometimes a callsign just happens and it sticks regardless of personal preference).
Within the Dragonsbane Squadron the unwed Knights live together in halls that house 8 in total. Married Knights are provided separate housing for them and their families within the residential district of Vel Castere.
While there is no set hierarchy beneath the Squadron Leader, in general most members defer to those of greater seniority within the Squadron unless otherwise named mission leader by Sam.
Knights within the Squadron are assigned their schedules of tasks, training, duties, and missions by Sam. They are expected to maintain peak physical condition, a healthy diet, and continue their training while within Vel Castere. Their schedules while home are often full, though weekends are granted for leisure time they must always be prepared to arm-up at a moments notice. They are never off-duty from their sworn oath to protect Vel Anir and its citizens from threat. Failure to uphold this honorable duty can result in being discharged from the Knights and potentially imprisonment.
Anirian Knights are typically assigned individually to missions though they may at times be tasked with leading units of regular soldiers or Guards. However, it is not unheard of for groups of Knights and even entire Squadrons to be shipped out for higher threats - one such being the hunting down of ex Archon Gilram and his ilk. Rest assured, if one witnesses a full Squadron of Knights moving together then the danger level is significant.
Each Anirian Knight serving within Captain Holstag's company is given a callsign to operate under at all times. Callsigns are single-word names, often relevant to either the Knight's skillset or history, and is utilized as a means of protecting their privacy and the security of their family. Historically speaking, callsigns have always been assigned by one's commanding officer, though Sam has given her squad members the choice to pick their own within reason (but sometimes a callsign just happens and it sticks regardless of personal preference).
Within the Dragonsbane Squadron the unwed Knights live together in halls that house 8 in total. Married Knights are provided separate housing for them and their families within the residential district of Vel Castere.
Academy Apprenticeships
Upon experiencing the success of having trained Samantha Black (formerly Ralene Banick) within the Knights from the age of 10, Captain Holstag has now implemented seasonal apprenticeships for suitable Initiates at the academy. Those Initiates who meet the requirements for training are shipped off to Vel Castere for 6-month long stints per year to receive military and further magic training under an active duty Knight and/or Dreadlord within the Squadron. These Apprentices see a great deal of live action and dangerous missions, but are also exposed to the strategic and regimented training of the Anirian Knights. Newly graduated Initiates who have served at least five apprenticeships within the Squadron are then fast-tracked to membership of the Anirian Knights as an option for their post-graduation careers.
Dragonsbane Squadron Members
Squadron Leader:
Squadron Dreadlord Knights:
Squadron Knights (Named NPCs):
These NPCs are not members of the Dragonsbane Squadron but still operate within Captain Holstag's company and/or make appearances from time to time within Vel Castere in relevance to the Knights and their cause.
- Lieutenant Dreadlord Black (Samantha Black)
Squadron Dreadlord Knights:
- Dreadlord Wolf (Davi)
- Dreadlord Sol (Elias Sirl)
- Dreadlord Rook (Sable Pembroke)
Squadron Knights (Named NPCs):
- Cookie - Short, stout, built like a friendly boulder, often mistaken for an overgrown dwarf. Described as an angry boar on the battlefield. The beloved and unofficial chef of the squadron. Cookie comes from a long line of professional chefs and spent his childhood working alongside his chef father. Served as a professional chef for several years in his youth before joining the Guard. Was hand-picked for Holstag's Squadron for his unusual talent with short swords and his knowledge of their lethal use against human bodies. When traveling with others of the Company, Cookie delights in creating great feasts for his fellow Knights out of what they catch or hunt. Kindly with a strong paternal side. Cookie can be counted on as a strong shoulder to lean on.
- Mess - Twin sister of Mizer. A woman of smaller, spry stature who favors small blades, stealth, and subterfuge. Short, sandy-colored hair kept at jaw length. Cutting, honest, with a sense of humor as sharp as her knives. Known for making messes on the battlefield and in the kitchen. Rarely returns from battle without being completely covered in blood and viscera.
- Mizer - Twin brother of Mess. Known for his highly advanced and strategic mind, likes to get things done with peak efficiency. Doesn't like to waste time or money. Frugal. Easy-going, soft where his sister is sharp. Flirtatious but seldom successful with women. Tall, wiry, wheaten-blond.
- Route - An extremely talented scout and route drafter with a prior education specializing in cartography. Route heads up the task of mapping out pathways to victory alongside Sam. Excellent swordsman with a strong sense of battle acumen - career soldier. Fiery and passionate as is befitting his hot Cortosi blood, Route's family was part of a Cortosi city taken by Vel Anir in his youth. His parents pushed him to join the Guard to give his anger an outlet and it worked pretty well. Recently married to his third wife, Vivien, a vivacious and bubbly Field Medic who serves as a Nurse out on the battle fronts. The squadron has a running bet for how long this marriage will last, though Vivien is also of Cortosi descent and seems to have a good pulse on how to curb Route's temper.
- Fern - Average build, stout and strong. Fern specializes in herbology as a hobby and is quite good at identifying plants and their many uses. She tends to the gardens at the Squadron's halls and around Vel Castere in her free time. A green thumb. Soft spoken, kind, maternal - training in field medicine and can act as a medic while out on missions. Fights like a shield maiden. Long brown hair, brown eyes.
- Hammer -
These NPCs are not members of the Dragonsbane Squadron but still operate within Captain Holstag's company and/or make appearances from time to time within Vel Castere in relevance to the Knights and their cause.
- Lieutenant Sparrow (Sahari Ashforn) - Leader of the Crosswind Squadron(Wiki here)
- Bigman - Captain Holstag's "little" brother. Big, strong, dependable, loveable, friendly. Suffers from gigantism and stands at a whopping 7'8'' and weighs in at well over 550lbs. While the rumor mill has always said that Holstag's family has giants as ancestors, this is patently false, but gigantism does run in the family and Bigman is the third recorded case of it within ten generations. Bigman's purpose within the Knights is limited due to his size and he is generally stationed at the Head Quarters where he trains new Knight recruits and serves for home front protection.
- Flint - A highly decorated military man whose family has served Vel Anir for generations. Sharp, scathing, highly disciplined, often said to have no idea what the word fun means. While he's earned himself a great deal of respect and honor for his many years of service, he holds a strong hatred towards Dreadlords that will likely never soften. Devoted to his cause, the man will stick his neck out for anyone that doesn't bear the title of Dreadlord.
- Rolanalion Ivindiir - A former Scribe of the Durannen Hearth of the elven kingdom of Loriden, now exiled and disgraced for acting against direct orders of his Queen. Rolan joined the Monestary Brotherhood of Vel Anir where he could continue his archival work in peace - or so he thought. Pressed into Monastic duties, he became caught up in greater Anirian affairs when his recognition of ex-Archon Gilram got him tangled up in their hunt for the man. He assisted Sam in her efforts to forge an alliance with his people, the elves of Loriden, and now also serves as an Ambassador between the two. Begrudgingly. Loriden elves are known for their distaste of humans but were rarely ever at odds with Vel Anir, having historically chosen not to help their brethren to the south in their wars. Rolan conducts himself diplomatically but there is always a tone of supriority to his words and actions when dealing with humans. He proudly rides a great grey elk named Silva - one of the few things he was allowed to take with him from his heritage into exile. Exceptionally racist against fae.
