Blood of Martyrs
The Blood of Martyrs is the moniker by which a rag-tag remnant of the Scarlet Brotherhood is known. Once a group sworn to a holy mission to retrieve the legendary Sword of Orman following a nebulous prophecy writ by holy vision, their quest ended in failure, the sword condemned as an accursed relic by the brotherhood's surviving leadership. Many of their numbers were lost in this futile struggle - though the fires of faith are not so easily extinguished.
Following the Scarlet Brotherhood's wisdom, the Blood of Martyrs represents an ostensibly more pragmatic section of the crusade - willing to subvert, manipulate and even briefly co-operate with the impure and the profane if it means that humanity might rise once more as the dominant power in Lordaeron - and convey these fairweather friends to their waiting pyres.
Founding of the order
Despite their current identity, the order was first formed following a call to action by esteemed Father Esarus and Champion Mordecai Renn. Known as the Swords of Orman, the unit set off on a perilous quest to find their namesake weapon: a legendary blade wielded by Orman of Stromgarde himself. With the sword in the grasp of the newly reforming Scarlet Brotherhood their zealots would have found a strong symbol to rally towards and the mighty artifact itself would serve well in cleansing the undead hordes holding grip over the north.
In the first months of their known activity, Swords of Orman have been conducting their search all over Lordaeron, battling undead foes on their way, Scourge and Forsaken alike. Although the chase was cryptic and the only clues were often riddles left by beings of the Light as well as visions experienced by Father Esarus and Champion Renn, the order would find itself achieving victories against the undead and building a noticeable presence in Lordaeron, with the legendary sword, seemingly always behind the next corner.
First Northrend expedition
A major turning point for the Swords has presented itself, when in one of his divine visions Father Esarus saw an image of their holy weapon among the burning husk of a gigantic tree, far in the icy lands of Northrend. With forces of Alliance, Horde, and Sylvanas’s loyalists alike already set upon its windy shores, the crusaders decided to venture out north and secure the sacred relic before it could fall in hands of monsters and heathens. Swords have taken upon a mantle of an Alliance-sworn Lordaeronian battalion and arrived at Grizzly Hills, blending into southern forces.
The Crusaders have proven to be poor infiltrators and after multiple arguments with the Alliance units, they were forced to leave the camp and act on their own once again. As days passed, Swords of Orman engaged in skirmishes against the Horde and Knights of the Ebon Blade they have met on the way. Eventually, vision of the burning tree has come upon Father Esarus once more and under his guidance, the crusaders have ventured out to the remains of Vordrassil in the center of the woods, where they have tangled themselves into an open battle between Alliance, Horde, and Banshee’s loyalists.
Battle of Vordrassil has proven to be devastating for the Swords. With Father Esarus dead, Champion Renn missing and the majority of the crusaders wounded, Anointed Aleena Siabi has led their remnants through the forests, heading for New Hearthglen where they hoped to find help from the Scarlet Onslaught. On their way an argument over Horde-welcoming villagers in Silverbrook resulted in Anointed lost in the night, never to be found again.
After days of perilous journey through into the frozen wastes of Dragonblight, fighting through packs of feral Scourge infesting the area, Swords of Orman have finally made it to New Hearthglen. Joined there by Arceli Darlowe sent from Lordaeron to recover what remained of the expedition, the crusaders spent their time recovering in what remained of the fortress, under the suspicious eye of the Onslaught. Eventually having enlisted a crew of pirates, the Swords made their way back home in an atmosphere of failure.
The order reborn
Upon finding out the outcome of the Swords’ search, leaders of the Scarlet Brotherhood decided to put the holy mission on hold, given how perilous it has been and how it’s very legitimacy has been put into question with demonic involvement. Captain Darlowe proved to be its final victim as in her desperate struggle to rescue her scouts she fell ambush to a group of Alliance warriors and was presumably taken prisoner far into the city of Stormwind itself.
Left as the only leading figure having survived the search, Anointed Karillan Rosa has been put in charge as captain of the reconstituted order, now known as the Blood of Martyrs. With a veteran warrior Nils Lindholm anointed to be her right-hand man, their current mission is to protect Lordaeron and win the heart of her people, so the Scarlet Crusade can launch once more and claim the northern kingdoms back for the living.
Founding of the order
Despite their current identity, the order was first formed following a call to action by esteemed Father Esarus and Champion Mordecai Renn. Known as the Swords of Orman, the unit set off on a perilous quest to find their namesake weapon: a legendary blade wielded by Orman of Stromgarde himself. With the sword in the grasp of the newly reforming Scarlet Brotherhood their zealots would have found a strong symbol to rally towards and the mighty artifact itself would serve well in cleansing the undead hordes holding grip over the north.
In the first months of their known activity, Swords of Orman have been conducting their search all over Lordaeron, battling undead foes on their way, Scourge and Forsaken alike. Although the chase was cryptic and the only clues were often riddles left by beings of the Light as well as visions experienced by Father Esarus and Champion Renn, the order would find itself achieving victories against the undead and building a noticeable presence in Lordaeron, with the legendary sword, seemingly always behind the next corner.
First Northrend expedition
A major turning point for the Swords has presented itself, when in one of his divine visions Father Esarus saw an image of their holy weapon among the burning husk of a gigantic tree, far in the icy lands of Northrend. With forces of Alliance, Horde, and Sylvanas’s loyalists alike already set upon its windy shores, the crusaders decided to venture out north and secure the sacred relic before it could fall in hands of monsters and heathens. Swords have taken upon a mantle of an Alliance-sworn Lordaeronian battalion and arrived at Grizzly Hills, blending into southern forces.
The Crusaders have proven to be poor infiltrators and after multiple arguments with the Alliance units, they were forced to leave the camp and act on their own once again. As days passed, Swords of Orman engaged in skirmishes against the Horde and Knights of the Ebon Blade they have met on the way. Eventually, vision of the burning tree has come upon Father Esarus once more and under his guidance, the crusaders have ventured out to the remains of Vordrassil in the center of the woods, where they have tangled themselves into an open battle between Alliance, Horde, and Banshee’s loyalists.
Battle of Vordrassil has proven to be devastating for the Swords. With Father Esarus dead, Champion Renn missing and the majority of the crusaders wounded, Anointed Aleena Siabi has led their remnants through the forests, heading for New Hearthglen where they hoped to find help from the Scarlet Onslaught. On their way an argument over Horde-welcoming villagers in Silverbrook resulted in Anointed lost in the night, never to be found again.
After days of perilous journey through into the frozen wastes of Dragonblight, fighting through packs of feral Scourge infesting the area, Swords of Orman have finally made it to New Hearthglen. Joined there by Arceli Darlowe sent from Lordaeron to recover what remained of the expedition, the crusaders spent their time recovering in what remained of the fortress, under the suspicious eye of the Onslaught. Eventually having enlisted a crew of pirates, the Swords made their way back home in an atmosphere of failure.
The Sword of Orman
Shortly after the Swords made their way back to the Scarlet Monastery, given the tragic demise of all their leaders, Arceli Darlowe has been granted captaincy over the order to lead them in continuation of their holy mission. In addition, the newly appointed captain has chosen promising adept Karillan Rosa to act as her anointed warrior. For a long time the order shifted focus to mainly protecting the land of Lordaeron, as without Father Esarus and Champion Renn clues to find the Sword of Orman has become almost entirely lost. A change in the winds came when rumors of the holy artifacts began circulating anew across Lordaeron. Back on their trail, the crusaders have followed elusive agents of the Kirin Tor, mysteriously pursued by demonic forces. Just as fate appeared to be turning for the Swords, their scouts sent to survey the northern kingdoms in search of more clues have been all found dead. One final trail they were left with was the accursed city of Stratholme being a possible location of the sacred weapon, though with Scourge remnants and forces of the Argent Crusade occupying the city, gaining an entrance appeared to be impossible. With Captain Darlowe desperately trying to save what remained of her scout force, Anointed Rosa led the further pursuit of the relic. An opportunity to access Stratholme has presented itself, as the Swords encountered a group of crusaders, claiming to had been sent to retrieve the artifact but still failing to successfully get through the city. The leader of this unit has proposed to join forces with the Swords for another attempt and to give them an edge he has revealed a way to obtain a level of legitimacy before Stratholme’s argent wardens. Following his advice, the crusaders made it to the Tomb of Tyr where a group of Knights of the Silver Hand was said to be performing rituals honoring the fallen watcher. Encounter with the Silver Hand quickly turned the tables on Swords of Orman, as shortly after the paladins’ demise, their fellow brothers were revealed as eredar demons, having tricked them in aiding in a dark deed. As the order pursued their demonic foes further into the tomb, braggart demons revealed the search for the Sword of Orman having been set up by their dark master from the very start. According to the eredar, visions sent upon Father Esarus and Champion Renn were meant to lead them to their demise and allow a remnant of the Burning Legion to seize control over the order and the reborn Scarlet Brotherhood as a whole. Plans of the demons were seemingly thwarted, however, as following a fight with the crusaders, the cavern where their foul ritual was to be conducted has caved in upon them.The order reborn
Upon finding out the outcome of the Swords’ search, leaders of the Scarlet Brotherhood decided to put the holy mission on hold, given how perilous it has been and how it’s very legitimacy has been put into question with demonic involvement. Captain Darlowe proved to be its final victim as in her desperate struggle to rescue her scouts she fell ambush to a group of Alliance warriors and was presumably taken prisoner far into the city of Stormwind itself.
Left as the only leading figure having survived the search, Anointed Karillan Rosa has been put in charge as captain of the reconstituted order, now known as the Blood of Martyrs. With a veteran warrior Nils Lindholm anointed to be her right-hand man, their current mission is to protect Lordaeron and win the heart of her people, so the Scarlet Crusade can launch once more and claim the northern kingdoms back for the living.
Leadership:
- Alessia Fleura (Captain)
- Aldwin Ward (Anointed)
- Arceli Darlowe (Deceased)
- Aleena Siabi (Deceased)
- Mordecai Renn (Deceased)
- Father Esarus (Deceased)
- Karillan Rosa (Deceased)
- Nils Lindholm (Missing)
Mutual Disinterest
The Martyrs have fought alongside the Dirge on several occasions, and whilst there is no love lost between the two, neither care about the politics of the other parties homelands, so mutual self-interest results in the occasional alliance, provided both sides benifit.
Hostile
The Blood of Martyrs is certainly not loved by many. The Order considers this group of humans to be ignorant, barbaric, and without shame. Their methods in the Light are considered blasphemy, they are considered heathens and either shown the path or be put down.
Hostile
The enemies of the Lordaeron must be purged. And it goes for either side of the Conflict. The Requiem and the Blood is a fight between the living and the undead. The fight in which neither side will settle for peace until the other is annihilated.
Hostile
The Highblood Myrmidons, along with their trusted Forsaken allies, see the scarlet infestation near their border as an annoyance to be dealt with. A pest to be exterminated. They will seek to remove these Humans from the former lands of Lordaeron whenever they can.
Hostile
The King’s Cudgel does not care for heretics causing trouble within the north.
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