The Blades of Serenity

A highly-skilled fighting force based in the Forest of Serenity, and headquartered in Seorsa'Emel, The Blades of Serenity are the protectors of the forest and all those who dwell within it. The force is also known by many simply as the Elven Rangers, although this is a catch-all term which tends to refer to both The Blades of Serenity and their sister forces in other Elven occupied regions. Nonetheless, even amongst Elven society, those who serve in the Blades tend to take on the title of Ranger.
Building on the innate affinity for the forests found in all Elvenkind, with years of training in the arts of combat, tracking, and survival; the Blades are unparalled within their own forest realm. It would not be innaccurate to say that they know the Forest of Serenity better than any other individual or group.

Duties

The Blades of Serenity are responsible for both the safeguarding of the Elven settlements within the Forest of Serenity, including the defense of the Elven leadership, and for patrolling the forest itself for any dangers which might arise.

Composition

Manpower

~6000 active-duty Rangers
~10,000 reservists
The Blades of Serenity are exclusively composed of Elves; mostly of the Wood Elf variety, but reflecting a generally representative cross-section of the population in the region.

Equipment

In the course of their regular duties and patrols, the Rangers of the Blades favour light armour, preferring the freedom of movement over heavier, more cumbersome armouring.

Weaponry

The bow is the favoured weapon of many Rangers, but most are proficient with a variety of different weapons. All Rangers will carry a short-sword at all times, alongside a ceremonial dagger for closer encounters.

Structure

The Blades of Serenity are commanded by the First Sentinel, who answers directly to the High King of The Elves.
A patrol formation will typically be composed of between ten and twenty Rangers, led by a Sentinel.

Tactics

Using the terrain of the forest to their advantage, the Blades favour what could be catagorized as guerilla tactics, while out on patrol. Ambushes, traps, and hit-and-fade strikes are all in their arsenal. While their own individual combat skills are already prodigious, their knowledge of the forest is what has made them the force to be reckoned with; striking from the shadows before their foes even know that they are there.

History

Formed alongside the settlement of the Elven capital of Seorsa'Emel by those who wished to see their newly found home protected, The Blades of Serenity have been on duty for nearly 5500 years, making them likely the oldest standing army in Altea.
While their numbers have fluctuated over the centuries, in response to times of crisis and peace, they have been an unending fixture of the Elven realm of The Forest of Serenity.
In recent times, during The Demon War, the Blades were responsible for one of the most successful defensive actions of the entire conflict. Throughout the over seven years of war, not a single settlement within the borders of The Forest of Serenity suffered from a successful attack by the forces of Arch-Demon Val'Gorath and his followers. Any who dared to enter the shade of the forest never returned, as the Blades fought a nigh-on constant guerilla war among the trees. In terrain they know better than perhaps any other group, they were able to prosecute ambushes, hit-and-fade attacks, and, on rare occasions, all out pitched battles with a skill that the cultists and their demon allies were unprepared for.
The Blades' defense of the Forest during the Demon War was so successful that their then-leader, First Sentinel Olarael Sin'ara was despatched to Valliné to consult on the defense of the capital. While there, she would join Crown-Prince Aegic Enarren in the formation of the group known as The Azure Chain, who would be instrumental in ending the war.

Type

Infantry

Founding

3273 AoA

Overall training Level

Professional

Assumed Veterancy

Experienced