The World's Fighters are made up of the widest range of individuals, from farm hands skilled with the sword, to the Royal Knights of Gojeziel. These skilled Mortals have trained hard in the fields of Sword, Shield, and Combat to reach a point beyond that of a typical warrior. These truly masterful fighters have learned to supplement their battle-earned skills with amazing feats of might or magic. A "Fighter" can emerge almost anywhere and stand for almost anything (or nothing!).
The Martial Practices of the Fighter
Arcane Archer:
- Pioneered by the High-Elves during the Dark Ages, Arcane Archers led many Bow Regiments in the original Crusade to secure the civilized world. Since then, the practice has been replicated by various others due to the High-Elves fastidious documentation on the technique leaking. A vast majority of Arcane Archers are affiliated with the High-Elven Militaries, currently or previously. However, various others have mastered the technique and proved powerful additions to militias and armies across the civilized world.
Battle Master:
- None have mastered the art of Martial Combat as well (and quickly!) as the Hobgoblins, and nothing displays this as well we the incredible Battle Masters they've produced. Battle Masters are at home on the battlefield and use tactical combat techniques to swing almost any fight to their advantage. While none can match the skill of the Native Practitioners, the techniques have spread since Mortals banded together for the Great Dragon War.
Cavalier:
- Cavaliers represent the panicle of Mounted Combat Prowess on the battlefield and have led nearly every charge in Ultari's major battles. Any conflict involving Cavalry is near guaranteed to include these impressive combatants. Organized militias and national armies are natural stomping grounds for the Cavalier. Balgorzians, in particular, appreciate their abilities.
Champion:
- The Champions of Eridani are unique to no one race or creed and represent truly exceptional combatants who've developed their Raw Physical Power to Deadly Perfection. Through both extensive training and battlefield experience, these individuals have honed their abilities far above those of typical soldiers or warriors. Champions can exist anywhere a need meets a will strong enough to rise above the rest. Soldiers, Tribal Warriors, Soldiers, even a humble peasant within a ramshackle militia.
Echo Knight:
- Filling the elite ranks of the feared Sword of the Maker, Echo Knights lead the Sword's small, but elite, para-military force. None can claim mastery of the forces they control. Their beliefs keeps them at odds with the High-Elf Religious, and the inability to reproduce the feats of the Echo Knights was frustrating both Religiously and Academically. An experiment was supposedly performed that, while causing a massive explosion, infused the abilities into a small group of "volunteers", most of which fled the ruins. These subjects are rumored to be hunted by a High-Elvin "Black-Guard", though these suspicions (and existence of the Black-Guard as a whole) have never been proven. A vast majority of Echo Knights are associated with the Shimmering Swords of the Grand Maker, be it currently, previously, or in training. However, according to rumors, many individuals of various different groups may be wandering (or running) across Ultari.
Eldritch Knight:
- During the Dark Ages, the combined foot-troops of the Civilized world were led by powerful High-Elven Centurions, later referred to as the Eldritch Knights. However, through need or subterfuge, the techniques were spread and can now be found (though very few in number) within various armies across Ultari. Eldritch Knights are very common throughout the High-Elven military, but a respectable number exist outside of their ranks.
Psi-Knight:
- During the Great Uprising, all of Eridani rose up against the Dragon Overlords. One of the final members of the World Alliance were the insectile Nethlect race. One of their many invaluable additions was the training of an elite group of soldiers to expand their minds to protect against them against the Dragon Lord's magic. Eventually, these powerful Mental Warriors were referred to as the "Psi-Knights" and while many joined the Dragonborn in the Mortal Fellowship, some went their own way. A majority of Psi-Knights are part of the Mortal Fellowship, but many have emerged across Ultari; their mental powers making them prized Elite Guards or Negotiators. However, a growing number are found being associated with the regions various Thief organizations for obvious reasons.
Rune Knight:
- Long ago, the Frost Giants of the North learned to harness the power of runic carvings, a feat that has yet to be replicated on a similar scale by Mortals. In the midst of the Ice Age, the Giants were forced south by the great glaciers and eventually encountered the ancestors of the Balgorzians. Winning their favor with much needed food, the Giants and ancient Balgorzians developed a close bond and eventually shared some of their secretes. Honored Balgorzians are the typical recipients of Runic Warriors training, but a lucky few have managed to be. Training as a Rune Knight is an revered position within Balgorzian culture and don't pay kindly to outsiders learning these ways.
Samurai:
- A warrior who draws of their own implacable fighting spirit to augment their own martial abilities is known as a Samurai. While this fighting style is a staple among the Wood Elves and Drow, any mortal can draw upon their spirit's energy, even if they don't know it.
