Drannore Arakhora
Weavers of magic and swordplay in a dance most delicate.
The name Drannore Arakhora (Elfish, 'The Singing Forest Wardens') refers to a defunct military organization that operated throughout the existence of the Kingdom of Nissius, a faction of elves that ruled over the eastern reaches of the current Kingdom of Crendameth. Any one individual who belonged in this organization, held some position within it or displayed the talents necessary to be considered for recruitment was called a bladesinger, supposedly due to the fact that anyone who would observe such an individual engage an enemy in combat would hear 'the song blades make as their joy is unleashed on the world, with their wielder being its composer'.
The Drannore Arakhora was comprised of highly skilled and apt individuals, all of which answered directly to the Crown of Steeloak and played different roles within the realm, with bladesingers being part of the front lines when armed conflicts arose. After the Kingdom of Crendameth was founded and Nissius became less independent, the Drannore Arakhora saw less and less activity, with most of them being relegated to guarding figures important to the fading kingdom, such as the ruling monarchs. Such was their inaction that there were talks of turning them, the once near-legendary figures that aided Syndil Xiloscient in uniting all of the elves under one banner, into little more than a royal guard.
After the assassination of Queen Yllathra Aeries, known today as Queen Rotwood or Wildroot, the bladesingers were thrown into disarray, followed by a long period of disgrace where the public's trust in them had been permanently shattered. The organization slowly disbanded after being overlooked or ignored by subsequent rulers, each less autonomous than the last until, finally, after the Kingdom was declared as a Duchy, did the first Duke of Nissius formally declare the group as defunct.
Nowadays, the surviving Drannore Arakhora are referred to as spellswords, overpriced mercenaries who only accept high-paying jobs to keep themselves afloat in an ever-changing world that continually seems to be needing less legends.
The Drannore Arakhora was comprised of highly skilled and apt individuals, all of which answered directly to the Crown of Steeloak and played different roles within the realm, with bladesingers being part of the front lines when armed conflicts arose. After the Kingdom of Crendameth was founded and Nissius became less independent, the Drannore Arakhora saw less and less activity, with most of them being relegated to guarding figures important to the fading kingdom, such as the ruling monarchs. Such was their inaction that there were talks of turning them, the once near-legendary figures that aided Syndil Xiloscient in uniting all of the elves under one banner, into little more than a royal guard.
After the assassination of Queen Yllathra Aeries, known today as Queen Rotwood or Wildroot, the bladesingers were thrown into disarray, followed by a long period of disgrace where the public's trust in them had been permanently shattered. The organization slowly disbanded after being overlooked or ignored by subsequent rulers, each less autonomous than the last until, finally, after the Kingdom was declared as a Duchy, did the first Duke of Nissius formally declare the group as defunct.
Nowadays, the surviving Drannore Arakhora are referred to as spellswords, overpriced mercenaries who only accept high-paying jobs to keep themselves afloat in an ever-changing world that continually seems to be needing less legends.
Composition
Manpower
The Drannore Arakhora, in its entirety, was comprised of less than 500 individuals, with the number only dwindling as time went on. Because of the way events were progressing in the burgeoning Kingdom of Crendameth, this was never a concern for the rulers of Nissius, keeping the number of bladesingers at around 150 elves should the need for them arise. As part of an army rather than their bulk, and later as specialized individuals who carried out specific tasks, their numbers were never expected to reach the thousands.
Equipment
For the most part, the Drannore Arakhora's most important piece of equipment was their spellbook, which was kept in a multitude of ways. Most famously, the first bladesingers carried abridged versions of their notes within a retractable scroll hidden within a compartment in their leather vambraces.
Another, very necessary part of their gear was the arcane focus, which was personally manufactured, yet was usually kept as some sort of jewelry so that the spells that needed to be cast didn't interrupt the bladesinger's focus.
Another, very necessary part of their gear was the arcane focus, which was personally manufactured, yet was usually kept as some sort of jewelry so that the spells that needed to be cast didn't interrupt the bladesinger's focus.
Weaponry
The Drannore Arakhora preferred light, versatile swords that could be quickly and easily maneuvered to most other weapons, the most common one being the rapier, followed by the short sword. Some members could, however, find the use of other arms, such as whips, daggers, lances and the like to be more effective or comfortable.
The other weapon the bladesingers employed was, of course, their spells, which varied so widely that no precise classification can be made.
The other weapon the bladesingers employed was, of course, their spells, which varied so widely that no precise classification can be made.
Structure
Because of the bladesingers' versatile role, they never occupied one fixed position as, say, a soldier would, although they always answered to two authorities that directly lorded over them: the ruling monarch of Nissius and the bladecaller, the most skilled member of the Drannore Arakhora and their de facto leader. When in open battle, they would assume the role of a commander, with it being conferred out of respect for the individual's skill rather than out of military protocol, with the bladecaller acting as a general.
Tactics
To a bladesinger, deafeating an opponent as fast as possible was the top priority, using a combination of movement-enhancing spells and swordplay to quickly overwhelm their senses and deliver a fatal blow. This was called sykerylor, the killing storm.
Training
Rigorous physical and mental training was necessary to maintain one's status as a bladesinger. An individual needed to be able to hold their own against multiple enemies while keeping their wits about to cast their spells, so intense concentration was needed.
If any one person wanted to join the Drannore Arakhora, they would need to be able to cast spells, which implied either the innate ability to do so or acquiring the ability through extensive study of the arcane arts, while also having to be talented in the ways of the blade. Both these requirements asked for large investments of any given individual's time and energy, none of which guaranteed their admission to the bladesingers' ranks. In order to be considered for recruitment, one needed to be an elf from the Kingdom of Nissus, preferably one on the younger side of an elf's lifespan, with a high degree of aptitude in the arts of magic and combat and the ability to mix both seamlessly. Some said it was closer to prodigal leves of skill rather than acquired ones.
If these requirements were met, or were believed to be met, one would need to make a demonstration for any member of the Drannore Arakhora with no relation to the candidate. If the bladesinger was impressed by the display, they would wordlessly get up, draw their blade and assume a fighting stance. This was the beginning of the true test, wherein the candidate had several options to be declared as the victor and thus admitted into the Drannore Arakhora:
The Drannore Arakhora were reputed for their discipline when it came to training, presenting no excuse ever to avoid doing so, but were not as open about their methods as most other military organizations might be, training away from prying eyes to preserve the secretive nature of their techniques. Speculation and folklore would soon talk begin building unfounded stories regarding their drills, reputedly as perilous as they were diverse, including anything from blindfolded sparring against multiple, unimpeded opponents to running long distances in very limited amounts of time, being reprimanded for failing to do so.
If any one person wanted to join the Drannore Arakhora, they would need to be able to cast spells, which implied either the innate ability to do so or acquiring the ability through extensive study of the arcane arts, while also having to be talented in the ways of the blade. Both these requirements asked for large investments of any given individual's time and energy, none of which guaranteed their admission to the bladesingers' ranks. In order to be considered for recruitment, one needed to be an elf from the Kingdom of Nissus, preferably one on the younger side of an elf's lifespan, with a high degree of aptitude in the arts of magic and combat and the ability to mix both seamlessly. Some said it was closer to prodigal leves of skill rather than acquired ones.
If these requirements were met, or were believed to be met, one would need to make a demonstration for any member of the Drannore Arakhora with no relation to the candidate. If the bladesinger was impressed by the display, they would wordlessly get up, draw their blade and assume a fighting stance. This was the beginning of the true test, wherein the candidate had several options to be declared as the victor and thus admitted into the Drannore Arakhora:
- Blocking or dodging one hundred consecutive strikes
- Disarming their opponent
- Drawing blood from or managing to strike their opponent once
- Knocking their opponent off their feet
The Drannore Arakhora were reputed for their discipline when it came to training, presenting no excuse ever to avoid doing so, but were not as open about their methods as most other military organizations might be, training away from prying eyes to preserve the secretive nature of their techniques. Speculation and folklore would soon talk begin building unfounded stories regarding their drills, reputedly as perilous as they were diverse, including anything from blindfolded sparring against multiple, unimpeded opponents to running long distances in very limited amounts of time, being reprimanded for failing to do so.
History
The Drannore Arakhora played a crucial role in aiding Syndil Xiloscient in her quest to unite all of the elves under one banner. Being a bladesinger herself, the tales of how these few individuals were able to turn the tides of an entire battle served as a way for the elves' foes to garner respect for their forces, more so after being defeated by them. Because Syndil strove for peace, however, the number of battles the Drannore Arakhora were involved in were limited, as direct confrontation was to be avoided.
Even today, eight hundred years after these events happened and three hundred years after the Drannore Arakhora are no more, their stories are told and sung with a great degree of awe. Although the passage of time has greatly exaggerated the events that happened, and popular perception has mixed these stories with other legends, such as the Warrior from the Apex of the Sun, and are still an important part of the Crendamite elves' identity.
Even today, eight hundred years after these events happened and three hundred years after the Drannore Arakhora are no more, their stories are told and sung with a great degree of awe. Although the passage of time has greatly exaggerated the events that happened, and popular perception has mixed these stories with other legends, such as the Warrior from the Apex of the Sun, and are still an important part of the Crendamite elves' identity.
Historical loyalties
The members of the Drannore Arakhora were loyal to the Kingdom of Nissius first, its ruling monarch second, their individual patron gods third and all else in whatever order a bladesinger so desired.
Type
Special Forces
Founding
At some point during the Age of the Blade, around 800 years ago. Exact date unknown.
Dissolution
The Bladesingers disbanded around three hundred years ago, yet there are still bladesingers about in the world.
Overall training Level
Elite
Assumed Veterancy
Decorated/Honored
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