The Vanguard
The secret history of the Vanguard operating in K'ul Goran has been difficult to put together, but historians are beginning to put together the pieces, especially since the invasion from Avernus.
Zariel, Archduke of Avernus, learned of the strange geography of the twin continents of Kantas and Joran and how it was relatively hidden and unknown to most forces. Seeking to use it as the staging ground for a massive invasion of the Material Plane, she sent a large force of Minotaurs to Joran, and directed them to settle down and create a civilisation. How this was accomplished was unclear, and the revelation that K'ul Goran was created as a smokescreen by the Lower Planes is something which the country will need to take a very long time to come to terms with, if this history isn't immediately repressed.
Regardless, to keep the plan secret and contained, she entrusted only a handful of Minotaurs to keep an eye on things, keep themselves ready and in crucial positions to be able to activate her plan when the time was right. They would be the frontline in this invasion, and thus the Vanguard was born.
Their specific activities in the centuries following - throughout the entire history of K'ul Goran - are unclear and ultimately unknowable. What is known is their activities in the year leading up to the invasion from Avernus. There appeared to be two distinct levels of membership in this cult - a general member who served as grunts and minor saboteurs and spies across the country, and the elite, leading members who commanded the others and took up the most prestigious positions. They were led by a single cultist, referred to in one correspondence as Yaroc'hi - the Point of the Spear. The latest Yaroc'hi was known to be Gianna Madhand, Mayor of Jarvenol.
Established in the administration of the land, in the military, the navy and even the Senate, as the war with the giants began (part of Zariel's plot), the Vanguard members worked in concert to delay the country's response, causing doubt and discord that meant that the giants were able to set up for a final battle across all of the land, broad enough in scale to cause the blood tide needed to activate the ritual circle.
Following the war, their activities began to be uncovered as they worked towards two goals: the further disruption of the country to leave K'ul Goran disoriented and unprepared for the incoming devilish invasion, and the seeking and destruction of three Seals which was required to complete the next part of the invasion plans.
As the invasion neared, the remaining cultists (many had been discovered and slain) went into hiding to prepare to join the attack. Work is ongoing to uncover all the threads of this, who they were and what impact they had on K'ul Goran throughout its entire history.
Here is a list of known cultists:
- Diamantina Everrage - Senator & Minister of the Treasury
- Sotiris Breakstaff - Senator
- Kaiti Oxtremble - Knight of the Elite Guard, known as 'The Enforcer' - killed by Dawnlander Adventurers
- Torven Cirrusstalker - Errant Guard Assassin - killed by Lightning Titan
- Raksus Highwatch - Cleric of Melil, Commander of the Errant Guard
- Nimbus - Conductor of the K'ul Goran National Orchestra, notably the only Air Genasi thus far seen in the Vanguard
- Admiral Antonios Warborn
- Sea Captain Roxanni Coarsefur
- Gianna Madhand - Former Mayor of Jarvenol, Yaroc'hi
- Babis Farstep, Merchant (bookseller) & Infernal Warlock - killed by Dawnlander Adventurers
- Nikitas Sharpeye, Merchant
- Evi Coldhammer, Merchant
- Kyris Orcslayer, Administrator
- Codrus Stormhoof, Administrator
- Hester Stoutheart, Administrator
- Hilatra Truthspeaker, Administrator
Comments