Rising Storm

The Rising Storm (in old orc, Alaku-Han) was the elite cohort of the Giver of Banners, which served as the Dark Lord's personal guard. They were the sacred protectors of the Godsgarden, and the enforcers of the Giver's will. They were feared and loathed by the other Legions for their power and favour, but were uniquely positioned to witness all of the abuses of the Dark Lords. After generations as the prime enforcers of the Dark Lords’ cruelty, the Rising Storm became the genesis and driving force of The Uprising.
Although only a cohort, the Storm was commanded by the Giver's Manus. Like all of the original Legion cohorts, it was divided into eight maniples, rising to ten as the Legions grew. Each maniple was also half as large again as those of the other Legions of the same period.

• Banner Maniple, Forged in Blood - The paladins of the Giver, the first maniple was commanded by the Manus and an Adjutant General, and were legendary for their ruthlessness and devotion. They were perhaps the only maniple in the Legion of which not a single orc joined the Uprising.
• Fighting Maniple, Armed with Flame - The second maniple, commanded by a Shield General, were siege experts, specialising in pyromancy.
• Support Maniple, Bathed in Lightning - The third maniple were shock troops under the command of a Blade General, specialising in shock and awe.
• Support Maniple, Cloaked in Darkness - The fourth maniple, commanded by a Legate, used shadow magic to aid them in stealth and assassination, and also included the cohort's main religious formation.
• Fighting Maniple, Bound in Iron - The fifth maniple were a unique heavy cavalry formation, equipped with peerless armour and heavy blades.
• Fighting Maniples - The remaining maniples - three at first, later five - were elite infantry formations. While the first five maniples were loaned out in hundreds to support - and monitor - other Legions, the role of these maniples was the defence of the Giver's territory.