Phoenix Expeditionary Force
The Phoenix Expeditionary Force was a temporary military unit authorized by the Knight Council and created by Knight Commander Moore. The unit was created because of Strange Events happening on The Moon Izi. Its purpose is to investigate the cause of the Frost Plague and Defend Vreathe from otherworldly threats. The resulting Izi Expedition was a weeks long military operation that saw the unit interact with Fire Elves, fight Magma Wolves, escape Nameless Horrors, and come face to face with several different very powerful Gods.
Date created: September 13th, 2990 I.A.
Date Disbanded: ???
Total Size: 100
Leader: Knight Commander Moore
Force breakdown:
Field Commander Renelle Vernador24 Knights from various orders
Field Commander John Saunders24 Knights from various orders
Reserve Commander Leon Ferrarius48 Reserve Knights
Date Disbanded: ???
Total Size: 100
Leader: Knight Commander Moore
Force breakdown:
Field Commander Renelle Vernador
Field Commander John Saunders
Reserve Commander Leon Ferrarius
Field Commander Renelle Vernador
Ren was involved even before the expedition was created, being one of the knights dealing with the spread of the frostrot condition a few weeks earlier, only to end up in quarantine for several weeks. Ren has experience doing numerous missions and mercenary contracts and has experience leading a team. She is also one of the few people from anywhere on Vreathe that has been to another world. She once visited the Realm of Feylisa.
The actual reason she was chosen as a field commander is because she is seemingly immune to the frostrot that affected other elves and half-elves. Being descended from Saint Nora does have some benefits. Ren accepted the position of Field Commander without hesitation, though she has her reasons for wanting to go offworld for a few months.
Some Knights from Ren's Team
Lucia - The only Leviathan Knight that responded. Hammer user. Expert in Ice Magic, and with the Moon Trace, is immune to aetheric corruption.Claudia - Knight of the World Tree. Sword user. One of the best healers of any knightly order.
Furio - Phoenix Knight. Spear user. Expert in Fire Magic. His fire magic is even more powerful than Renelle's is, but he isn't very precise.
Ellis - Wolf Knight. Club user. Summoner. He summons wolf and bear spirits to fight with him.
Mirielle - Warden of Lions. Staff user. Expert in Earth Magic. Wardens are the elven equivalent to knights. Mirielle has the Crystal Trace, so is immune to the Frostrot.
Axia - Drake Knight. Spear user. Doesn't have any magical specialty. Has the Dragon Trace so is immune to aetheric corruption.
Renelle
"Lucia, what are you doing, signing up for this mission?!? We don't know what we're going to run into out there. What about Zane? What about--"
Lucia
Renelle
"And nothing is going to stop you?"Lucia
Field Commander John Saunders
John Saunders is one of the most experienced knights in the Order of the Phoenix. He fought in almost a dozen wars and his technical skill with a spear is such that he can physically defeat most opponents without ever resorting to magic. John has led numerous teams over the years on the battlefield and was one of Moore's obvious choices for field commander. One other notable thing about John Saunders is the sword he carries, the Eagle Black Blade, an indestructible meteor sword created from the remains of the Dragon Lord Etaltra the Impervious. He still prefers his spear though, which is made out of plain non-enchanted steel.
Some Knights from John's Team
Viktor - Oryx Knight. Sword user. Expert in Gravity Magic. Viktor has been to another world, Cidrnil, but it might not help much on Izi.Valros - Phoenix Knight. Axe user. Expert in Fire Magic. Valros has similar firepower as Renelle and Furio.
Xela - Drake Knight. Spear user. Xela is a 'geomancer' and can read the aetheric life energies in the world around her. This can be a useful ability in investigations.
Rathier - Phoenix Knight. Staff user. Summoner. Uses phoenix feathers to temporarily create a bird spirit that is just as powerful and terrifying as the real birds are.
John
"Congratulations on the promotion Renelle! You finally accepted the job!"Renelle
John
"Yes, well, being a field commander is actually quite boring. You'll find out in a year or two, then you'll ask for your old position back!"Renelle and Lucia walked through the halls of the fort until they were in the courtyard. There, dozens of knights were gathered, talking amongst themselves. They were all wearing their aether suits. They had their weapons equipped and had their bags on their back. They were ready to head out.
"Commander Renelle Vernador! Hey, that actually has a nice ring to it!" Ren turned and saw the last person she wanted to see on Cassel or any world. He was as tall as she was and was wearing darkened plate armor. What gave him away was his messy brown hair and perpetually stupid smirk. It was her brother Arden.
"... I'm busy, brother. I'll fight you again later." Renelle started to walk away, but Arden put his arm out in front of her.
"Not so fast! It's been three years!"
"After what happened, I'm fine with it being three more." Renelle grabbed Arden's arm and started twisting it. Arden quickly pulled it away.
"Alright, look Ren, just listen to me for a second, alright?!?"
"... What?" Renelle put her hands on her hips, "If you start by mentioning anything to do with Aerynn, I'm walking away." Arden opened his mouth to start talking, but Renelle interrupted him, "Or the Tyrant King, or Auntie Laura, or our parents, or really anything to do with this stupid kingdom!" Arden closed his mouth. He stayed silent for a second.
Lucia then jumped between him and Renelle. "Hi Arden!"
Arden sighed, "... Hi Lucia. I guess I'll have to speak to you, while Ren walks away and broods..."
"It's better than you two fighting again!" Lucia said. Renelle started to walk away. Arden noticed that Renelle had at some point moved her hand around her sword, ready to draw it. Lucia grabbed Arden by the shoulders and turned him towards her, "How's Jessie by the way? When was she expecting again?"
"Jessie is fine as always," Arden chuckled, "At least as much as she can be! A few weeks ago, her armor stopped fitting and the Commander put her on reserve! She's still kind of pissed about that."
Lucia laughed, "Yeah, that happened to me too! Then there was the blood magic thing and, anyways... So, she's still a few months away then?"
"She is! Anyways, I'll get to the point. This is why I came here." Arden pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Lucia. The envelope was white with violet floral decoration. The wax seal on the envelope bore the emblem of the Princess of Aluviane. Arden then started speaking "This is an official summons from you know who. Ren can read it and answer, or--"
"She isn't gonna read it!" Lucia said immediately.
"I know." Arden said back. "But hang on to it anyways, alright. You're always around Ren. Maybe there's a time she isn't so..."
"Broody? I'll see what I can do," Lucia shoved the envelope in a pocket. "Take care Arden! And you better be there for Jessie! No dangerous life threatening missions for... at least the next year!"
"You're one to talk... Goodbye for now Lucia." Arden then went on his way.
"So long Arden..."
The sun was setting over the lava fields and everyone was gathered. Commander Moore walked out of the fort and saw that the force was assembled and waiting. He had expected that with so many knights from different orders that they would refuse to get in formation until the last possible minute, at least that is what usually happenes. He figured that Renelle and John had something to do with it. He took his position in front of the unit and called them to attention, but then told them to relax. He ordered the knights to leave formation and gather in a group around him. The knights did so, many of them stayed standing while some in front kneeled.
"Everyone relax and gather around." Moore started, "Your two field commanders will tell you how much I hate this sort of thing. I will say I am glad all of you are up to the challenge. There are some of those above you in your orders that think this is a foolish mission, that we have no business travelling to another world, that we have no business interfering with the problems of another people. They are wrong. We have every right to protect our world, and I am glad to see representation from all 13 Stratos of Saint Nora. I am also glad to see we have two Elven Wardens among us."
"It should be obvious how serious this situation is. This Frost Plague, if it is allowed to spread to Vreathe, will decimate entires kingdoms here. Of equal importance is the being in control of this world you are going to. You have all heard of him. All but two of you are sworn protectors of the church. Beirunes, the God of Fire, the Great Destroyer, that is his name. Two hundred years ago, we had him sign a treaty making his world promise to never go to war with ours. I hear he is a reasonable person and will uphold the terms of our pitiful human laws, but we can't take that chance. We won't take that chance!"
"Your orders are simple: You are to travel to the Moon Izi and make contact with the local Elven population. You are to investigate the source of this Frostrot and assist the Elves there by any means necessary. All of you were chosen for this mission because as humans, you are immune to Frostrot, and those of you that are elves, well, your godly descendance will protect you. And that's an important detail that I want you to remember. A person infected with one form of divine aether cannot be infected with another. It should be obvious from the start that some unknown god is interfering with things on Izi. That is what you'll be looking for."
"I'm not asking any of you to fight a god. Even all fifty of you together won't be able to take down even the weakest of gods. These beings are simply too far above any of us. Once you determine the source of the Frost Plague, you are to immediately return to Vreathe and report to me. I will gather the Knight Council and we will figure out what to do from there. Am I clear?"
"Yes Sir!" most of the knights said in unison. They stood up and saluted the Knight Commander.
Moore returned the salute, then turned towards his two field commanders, "Ren, John, take them to the portal, then split off into your teams. You know what to do from there."
Smoke and Frost III
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I love you used dialogue to flesh out the characters and the story as well as tell about the military unit. I also like the unanswered questions here. I'm intrigued to know more.