Stoneguard
The Stoneguard is the formidable military force of Stoneheart Hold, known across the Wildlands and beyond for its unyielding discipline, innovative craftsmanship, and legendary valor. Composed of elite dwarven warriors, smith-knights, and elemental tacticians, the Stoneguard stands as both shield and spear for the mountain kingdom—defenders of ancestral halls and scourge to any who dare threaten them, whether frost-wreathed beasts from the north or fireborn monstrosities from Emberfall.
Structure
- Stonemarshal – Supreme commander of the Stoneguard, chosen from the highest ranks by Thronemar Hall and anointed in the flames of the Anvil Spire.
- Warhosts – The primary operational units of the Stoneguard, each comprising several hundred warriors under the command of a Forgecaptain.
- Anvilborn – An elite heavy infantry unit clad in flame-tempered plate and bearing rune-hammers that channel elemental force. Often used as shock troops or forge-guardians.
- Frostshield Sentinels – Specialized shield-bearers trained to resist elemental onslaughts. Their glacial-enchanted tower shields and formation tactics can hold a line against dragons, fire elementals, and siege beasts alike.
- Tunnel Blades – Agile skirmishers and scouts adept in subterranean warfare. They specialize in ambushes, trap-setting, and fighting in the dark passages of the Stoneheart Mountains.
- Ashwardens – Battle-priests and elemental channelers who wield the blessings of the Stoneheart Pantheon, especially Velgrin Emberhand and Thorgra Icevein. Their war chants can bolster allies or shatter enemy morale.
Culture
All Stoneguard recruits undergo years of rigorous training within the Barracks of Blackstone, where combat is blended with smithcraft and lore. It is believed a warrior who knows how to forge his own blade is more deeply bonded to it in battle. Training includes:
- Elemental resistance drills in flame chambers and frost tunnels.
- Shield wall combat in shifting terrain.
- Smithing rites, where each guard forges their own ceremonial blade or war-gear.
- Ancestor trials, invoking spiritual rites that test courage, honor, and memory.
Public Agenda
- Widely respected by humans, elves, and even rival dwarven clans, the Stoneguard is known not just for its might, but for unyielding discipline and honor.
- During the Cataclysm of Flame, Stoneguard units were among the few mortal forces to stand against Vrakorath’s infernal onslaught and live to tell the tale.
- In peacetime, they serve as keepers of law, guardians of relic-halls, and escorts for rune-lords or foreign dignitaries.
- Some Stoneguard veterans take on oathbound quests, leaving the Hold to repay blood-debts, guard distant forges, or hunt ancient threats.
Assets
The Stoneguard are outfitted with some of the finest weapons and armor ever crafted:
- Frostforged Steel – Weapons imbued with deep-freeze enchantments capable of weakening fiery foes and bypassing natural resistances.
- Obsidian-laced Plate – Flame-resistant armor treated with molten mineral layers and reinforced with froststeel veins.
- Runeshields – Carved with ancestral wards that can reflect fire, dampen sound, or repel hostile magic.
- Warbrands and Hammeraxes – Personalized weapons passed down or reforged through generations, often bearing names and battle records.
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