The Obsidian Brigade
The Obsidian Brigade is the ironclad fist of the Doge’s authority, an elite and feared paramilitary faction whose loyalty to Golgatha’s ruler is absolute. Based within the foreboding Citadel of Sorrows, the Brigade serves as both jailers and enforcers, their presence a constant, oppressive reminder of the Doge’s dominion. Their name derives from their signature black armor, which gleams like polished obsidian and seems to swallow light, reflecting only the grim visage of those who dare to oppose them.
The Brigade’s members are handpicked from among Golgatha’s most disciplined warriors and ruthless tacticians. Recruits endure a brutal selection process, where strength, cunning, and unwavering loyalty to the Doge are tested in grueling trials. Only the strongest and most obedient survive, their identities consumed by their service. Upon induction, each member is stripped of their former name and life, adopting a rank and number instead. To the Doge, they are no longer individuals—they are tools, perfect and unyielding.
Appearance and Equipment
The Obsidian Brigade is immediately recognizable. Their black plate armor is both functional and intimidating, adorned with jagged engravings resembling the walls of the Citadel itself. The armor is rumored to be enchanted, rendering it impervious to fire, cold, and minor magics. Their helms are featureless save for a thin slit for vision, giving them an eerie, inhuman appearance.
Each member carries weapons forged in the depths of the Citadel. These weapons, often greatswords or halberds, are made of a dark, gleaming metal that seems to hum faintly with suppressed energy. Their weapons are said to be imbued with enchantments, capable of striking down even the most magically resistant foes.
Roles and Duties
The Brigade’s duties extend beyond mere protection of the Doge and his family. They are the keepers of order within the Doge’s District, ensuring that no whispers of dissent or rebellion take root. They also oversee the Citadel of Sorrows, managing its prisoners and interrogating those who dare oppose the Doge. The tortured wails that occasionally echo from the Citadel are a testament to their brutal efficiency in extracting confessions or enforcing the Doge’s will.
In battle, the Brigade functions as an elite strike force, deployed only when the Doge’s power is directly threatened. They are known for their precise, calculated maneuvers and their ability to turn the tide of even the most desperate conflicts. Tales of their involvement in quelling uprisings or eliminating enemies of the state often end in a single, grim conclusion: no one escapes the Obsidian Brigade.
Reputation and Mystique
To the common people of Golgatha, the Obsidian Brigade is as much a myth as a reality. Their reputation for ruthlessness is whispered in taverns and markets, their presence in the streets silencing conversations and drawing fearful glances. For many, they are not just enforcers but symbols of the Doge’s unchecked power—faceless specters who cannot be reasoned with, bribed, or escaped.
Rumors swirl about the Brigade’s nature. Some say they are no longer human, their bodies and minds altered by the Citadel’s dark magic. Others claim their souls are bound to the Doge, their every thought and action dictated by his will. These stories, though unverified, only add to the aura of dread surrounding them.
Hierarchy and Leadership
At the top of the Obsidian Brigade stands the enigmatic Marshal of Obsidian, a figure as shrouded in mystery as the Brigade itself. Known only by their title, the Marshal is said to be both a tactical genius and a cruel enforcer of the Doge’s decrees. They answer only to the Doge and serve as the final authority within the Brigade. Beneath the Marshal, lieutenants command smaller units, ensuring discipline and efficiency throughout the ranks.
The Obsidian Code
Members of the Brigade adhere to a strict code of conduct, known as the Obsidian Oath, which forbids disobedience, personal ambition, or any actions that could harm the Doge’s interests. Those who break the oath face execution—or worse, permanent confinement in the depths of the Citadel of Sorrows, where they join the very prisoners they once guarded.
The Obsidian Brigade is more than just a guard force; they are the Doge’s shadow, his wrath, and his watchful eyes. To face them is to face the unrelenting power of Golgatha’s most feared ruler, and to cross them is to court oblivion.
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