Hooded Lanterns
Faction Overview
Formally known as the 4th Provisional Expeditionary Force to Reclaim the Captial, the Hooded Lanterns are an irregular military drawn up from veterans of the Civil war and remnants of the old Halarahh City Watch. Led by the dour Lord Commander Elias Drexel, they wage a guerrilla war against the monsters, bandits, and scavengers who have taken root in their nation's capital. Each has pledged their swords and lives to rebuild Halarahh and restore the realm of Halruaa. Several noble houses have set aside their feuds to support the Hooded Lanterns' efforts. These families believe once the city is restored, evidence will emerge revealing the next true heir to the throne of Halruaa... or enable a cunning house to seize the crown.History
Multiple military operations have attempted to retake the capital of Halarahh over the past twenty years. Each has ended in miserable failure, and the contaminated ruins have swallowed thousands of soldiers' lives. What remains of these assaults are merely twisted monsters and undead monstrosities form from the risen corpses of these regiments. After these disastrous attempts, Halarahh was left abandoned while civil war ripped Halruaa apart instead. These conflicts also ended in vain, with the royal line of House von Kessel undone by fratricide. Halruaa is slowly disintegrating into a realm of squabbling fiefdoms, yet some amongst the fractured nobility hold a glimmer of hope in restoring the nation and rebuilding the capital. They marshaled up the remnants of the royal guard, the city watch, and patriotic veterans of the civil war to make one last-ditch attempt to retake the city. Although officially dubbed the 4th Provisional Expeditionary Force to Reclaim the Capital, this guerilla regiment was nicknamed after magical lamps carried by the old city watch: the Hooded Lanterns. The core members of the Hooded Lanterns are warriors fighting for their homeland. Few honest soldiers survived the civil war, so many veterans have a life of bloody deeds behind them already. On the other hand, new recruits are seldom old enough to have any strong memories of Halrahh before it was destroyed. As such, many possess naïve and idealistic notions honed into simmering rage and fury at a golden age stolen from them. Under the leadership of Lord Commander Elias Drexel, the Hooded Lanterns have finally broken the losing streak of previous military operations. Rather than making an all-out assault on the ruins, they have taken a methodical approach. After spending nearly a year carefully scouting out the ruins, they began clearing out important fortifications in the city to use as staging grounds for future operations. This strategy has paid off: the Hooded Lanterns have managed to establish countless safehouses and supply caches within the city. They captured Shepherd’s Gate and the Halarahh Garrison last year. However, in recent months their efforts have been stymied by sabotage enacted by the Queen of Thieves, and the emergence of a horrific warlord in the Inner City known as the Lord of the Feast. While the Hooded Lanterns have imposed the mantle of law-and-order in the city, these setbacks have revealed their actual authority is limited to their strength of arms. The regiment maintains only a fragile foothold in Halarahh, and their supply lines are now exceptionally difficult to maintain. It’s taking almost everything the Hooded Lanterns have to hold their current position. The Hooded Lanterns are supported by surviving loyal vassals of the royal family who wish to see the old monarchy of Halruaa restored. Many of these wealthy nobles lost estates, treasure vaults, family heirlooms, and personal documents when the city was destroyed, and expect the Hooded Lanterns to retrieve them. In return, these noble houses provide soldiers, materials, and other supplies to the Hooded Lanterns on a periodic basis, but their financial resources are not inexhaustible. Indeed, the Hooded Lanterns have often resorted to selling delerium themselves to make ends meet.
Attire
The Hooded Lanterns are a professional military unit. Every member uses standardized equipment: their uniform consists of a forest green cloak with yellow trim, the traditional colors associated with the Halarahh coat-of-arms. They bear the Hooded Lanterns’ symbol on their chest pieces, and shoulder stitches denote their rank and company. Scout units wear light armor, and often wield longswords, shortswords, and longbows. Guard units are equipped with chainmail, shields, spears, and crossbows. Each member also wears a metal chain with an inscribed plate bearing their name, hometown, and next of kin. Most Hooded Lanterns cut their hair when they sign up, but since many spend weeks at a time fighting, they end up in a disheveled mess by the end of their assignments.
Organization
The Hooded Lanterns are organized into a regiment of five companies, making up a total force of approximately one thousand soldiers plus their support staff, orderlies, and crew. Each company is led by a captain and two lieutenants, and each has a distinct role: Scout Company. Intrepid infiltrators who undertake dangerous reconnaissance operations into the city center. Led by Captain Raine Highlash. Garrison Company. Protects the established holdings of the Hooded Lanterns such as the Watchtower, Shepherd’s Gate, and the Halarahh Garrison. Led by Captain Jakob Slovak, the Garrison company operates at double strength, since these soldiers must be constantly rotated to prevent them from becoming contaminated while on duty. Vanguard Company. These experienced shock troops carry out offensive operations against priority targets, led by Captain Ansom Lang. Reserve Company. A reserve force maintained outside the city composed of new recruits and aging veterans charged with maintaining supply routes. Royal Guard. A special unit is activated only if the Hooded Lanterns discover a royal heir. This small unit is composed of veterans hand-picked by the Lord Commander for trustworthiness and skill.
Known Members
- Chud Hopkins - A halfling scout who occasionally helps with patrols or watches, or works as a chef in the barracks kitchen.
- Sten Livingston - A human scout often positioned out in front of the City Watch Barracks as one of the head watchmen.
- Raine Highlash - A human urban ranger who runs patrols around the Outer City.
- Jakob Slovak - A human urban ranger of Shepherd’s Gate.
- Luther Hess - A rotund guard, lazy and unwilling to do above the bare minimum.
- Alena Kruger - A angry human veteran who prides herself in her combat strength.
- Tresa Metterling - An optimistic guard with a hopeful outlook for Halarahh.
- “Old” Symon Vasilisk - An aging human guard who rarely leaves the barracks and is on his way to retirement.
- Rolf Wagner - A young man of noble birth, sent to the city on his father’s behalf to fight for the Lanterns.
- Greta Braun - A young guard with aspirations of climbing the ranks of the Lanterns.
- Alycia Martell - Afraid of almost everything in Halarahh but determined to fight for her beliefs.
- Aiden Pierce - An always calm hero veteran of civil war and Halaahh campaigns.
The Hooded Lanterns hold three key positions in Halarahh and its environs: the Emberwood Watchtower, Shepherd’s Gate, and the Halarahh Garrison. They have converted the stockade beneath the garrison into a bunker insulated from the Haze. Beyond these key locations, the Hooded Lanterns have several minor bases in old cottages and watchtowers a few days outside the city where their soldiers rest and recuperate after being posted to the ruins.
Goals
- We will uphold the old ways of Halruaa. This must be a city of laws and order. They mean no less today than they did twenty years ago.
- This city was our home, and it will be again. It’s the heart of the realm. There cannot be a Halruaa without Halarahh.
- The patriotic warriors of the Hooded Lanterns desperately want to rebuild their former home. The rank-and-file soldiers fight a guerilla war to reclaim Halarahh street-by-street, slaying monsters, driving out outlaws, and arresting scavengers.
- Many Hooded Lanterns hope a legitimate heir to the throne still survives somehow. Others believe that even if House von Kessel is truly extinct, a new monarchy could be formed by a prominent noble house with some connection to the royal line.
Beliefs
- In battle, you have to seize every advantage. A plan is worth more than any weapon.
- We trust our comrades-in-arms with our lives and are deeply loyal to one another. We staunchly believe that together we can accomplish what none of us could do alone.
- The old nobility of Halruaa provides us with material and supplies. We have a responsibility to ensure their investments and interests are protected, otherwise, we won’t have the resources to continue our fight.
- We all must do our duty to restore our nation. When your commander gives you an order, you follow it without question. You must be prepared to give your life for the cause.
Members Traits
We’re not looking for glory or wealth, we’re fighting for our home. We expect others to respect the seriousness and importance of our goals. We are resolute in facing dangerous monsters and terrible horrors head-on. These mutated creatures aren’t human anymore. If you’re willing to join our cause, we’ll embrace you as a loyal comrade-in-arms.Ranks
- Private (rank 1)
- Sergeant (rank 2)
- Lieutenant (rank 3)
- Captain (rank 4)
- Commander (rank 5)
Founding Date
1402 DR
Type
Military Order
Alternative Names
4th Provisional Expeditionary Force to Reclaim the Captial
Leader
Location
Notable Members
Comments