The Dunwarden

The Dunwarden, much like the Church of Illumination, are one of the few organisations that survived the fall of the Empire. To this day they range beyond the Eastern fringes and patrol the mountains that separate Albion from the endless grass sea of the Veldt Steppes. They have zealously guarded the mountain passes even after the Empire fell, for they know if their positions fell, more damnable things than horse raiders would enter Albion. 

Structure

The Dunwarden are an old concept, and many nations within Albion heed their advice with respect, none more so than the Margraves of Southmarch. It is no coincidence that the Dunwarden are based there, in the capital of Naporia. Southmarch men make up half of all Dunwarden, a fact in which they take great pride in. Nevertheless, other realms are also represented, as there is a romantic notion to becoming a Dunwarden Ranger. The reality is, as is often the case, disappointing.
Nevertheless, to become a Dunwarden a potential recruit must first show a proficiency in sword and bow, after which they can join as a Vaco. A Vaco is the lowest rank of the Dunwarden, and are essentially scouts. It takes years of service to advance to the rank of Dunwarden, the only other rank besides the leading rank of Captain. 

Born Mountaineers

The Dunwarden are exceptionally trained survivalists, their environment dictates everything for them. They are known to appear on a cliffside for a deadly ambush, only to slink away again unseen moments later. Though they would never reveal the locations, the Dunwarden make extensive use of the natural caves and grottos that dot the Eastern Mountains as makeshift camp sites and stashes from which to launch expeditions and ambushes from. Their very nature is nomadic, much like their preferred prey: the Rurii. 

Hunter & Prey

The natural prey of the Dunwarden are first and foremost the Rurii, a name given to the nomadic horse people that live out their lives in the steppes. The Rurii refer to themselves as Mora-Bantár, but they have few chances to bring it up in everyday conversation. The skin of the Mora-Bantár is known to be exceptionally hairy, which helps them survive the extreme cold of the unforgiving nights in the steppes, but also singles them out from the rest of the realms of Albion.
The Rurii rarely see the rest of Albion, however, for they are known raiders and picked off by the Dunwarden whenever they are spotted crossing the mountains. However, the Dunwarden are few in number, and a particularly stubborn warlord could lead his horse-archers through the mountains en masse. Such transgressions are usually halted by the armies of Albion, but not before villages and livelihoods are destroyed.

The Dunwarden lack formal heraldry, preferred is the simple axial symbol found on trees and rocks.

Type
Rangers
Location
Naporia
Territory
Eastern Mountains