The Deadwatch
An elite group of specialized warriors that fight on the frontline against the Sleeping Army, a horde of Undead that rise everynight in the Xeador Marsh. The Deadwatch is mostly comprised up of lower-class people wanting to work their way up in the system by gaining prestige and power fighting a real, dangerous threat.
The Deadwatch was established directly after the night of the Blood Moon in 469AU. During that night, all the lycanthropes of Xeador were wiped out by Strahd and the other Vampire's. The Xeador Marsh was the main homeland of the lycanthropes and became a bloody battleground over the night.
Due to some unforeseen actions and dark necromancies, the land of the Xeador Marsh was cursed during the night of the Blood Moon. Thousands of Undead creatures crawl out of the ground throughout the marsh every night without end. These creatures can be animated limbs all the way up to giant undead creatures filled with magic. The Deadwatch was established by the Kingdom to hold the borders of the Xeador Marsh, sectioning it off, and fighting the endless hordes of Undead each night to make sure they don't flow into the mainland and attack nearby towns and cities.
Being a member of the Deadwatch is considered by some to be a great honour, and considered by others to be a death wish. Most die at the skeletal hands of the Undead, but those who survive become legends for the exploits and upon the rare retirement, are often given a noble title and parcel of land within the Kingdom as gratitude.
Notable Deadwatchers:
- Lyra Glorychaser - A powerful commander within the Deadwatch known for her raw arcane power despite being so young.
- Imrodel Falavaul - In her past life, Imrodel was a High Elf baker that lived in the border between Khotus and Xeador. A Werewolf lost control and destroyed her home, killing her family in an act of unrestrained willpower and savagery, and Imrodel saw it all and barely survived, albeit with a gruesome scar that covers her face. Since then, she devoted her life to stopping the lycanthrope curse, hoping to wipe them all out so that people don't have to live in fear of the beast coming out at night. During her hunts, she gained favour with Xeador and during the Blood Moon became a Vampire herself, and has now devoted herself to the Deadwatch. Acts as second in command of the company. She has silky, silver skin and cropped red hair. She stands very tall at 6'4" and has a lean, lithe build where she uses her dexterity in the battlefield.
- Zarod Thundersword - The Watcher, leader of the Deadwatch since its creation. He is a large and brutish Vampire man that, in life, had Orc blood in him, giving him a hulking form and slightly jutting teeth. He has been a Vampire for centuries, and is known for his cunning as a military commander and proficiency with strategy. Many consider it a slight to him that he is not fighting in the ongoing wars, but it is because Zarod simply refused to go to war. He has no wish to push into other lands and destroy the cultures there, especially the Orcish homes in Western Seven Cities. This kind of refusal would have lead to public execution for anyone else, but Strahd Von Sarovich considered Zarod too valuable and accepted the refusal, giving him command of the Deadwatch instead. His name, Thundersword, was given as a legendary title for the sword he wields in battle that looks like it is made out of a pure lightning bolt, thrumming and jolting with power but somehow contained in his mighty hands.
Structure
The Watcher commands all, and whatever he decrees is followed as law by the other Deadwatchers. Below him are Commanders, who only report to him, but otherwise must be followed in turn. Below Commanders, of which there are two within the order, Imrodel and Lyra, are the regular soldiers of the Deadwatch. They are brothers and sisters in arms and all equal with one another.
The Watcher reports to Strahd Von Sarovich but no other noble, even if they have a much higher standing than the Watcher. This is because the Deadwatch is established as a military necessary, so Strahd can avoid politics and personally control the order.
By the sword, we protect the Undying from the Undead
Founding Date
469AU
Type
Military Order
Alternative Names
The Other Dead
Training Level
Trained
Veterancy Level
Decorated/Honored
Demonym
Deadwatchers
Leader
Leader Title
Parent Organization
Location
Allies
The Glorychaser family, although new as a Vampiric House, has a long history of heroics. When they joined with Xeador and the Deadwatch was established, they became fast friends. The Deadwatch needs strong soldiers, and Joseph Glorychaser was producing several new children in an attempt to pass on his overwhelming sorcerous power, but he had to trial several different methods because of the new vampiric methods he was attempted to pass on his power. Glorychaser children were sent out to the frontlines at a young age to test their power, and most of the time they were powerful soldiers. All but one within the Deadwatch is dead now, but they fought and slew many Undead before they fell. Because of this, they are on great terms and work together closely.
Allies
Strahd von Sarovich and the rest of House Sarovich have complete control over the Deadwatch due to it's military nature. The Deadwatch seems to be happy under the direct control of Strahd, for the moment at least.
Friendly
The Deadwatch and House Dilisnya have to work closely together due to their geographic locations. Reavermire , one of the Vampire Capitals that belongs to the Dilisnya family. Reavermire almost borders the Xeador Marsh, and the Deadwatch and Dilisyna family often have to work together to fight the hordes. Despite this, they are untrusting of one another and often quarrel, due to the Deadwatch's perfect loyalty to House Sarovich and Dilisnya's attempts at gaining power and favors. Among the Vampire houses, all are attempting to gain control and power, and Dilisnya views the Deadwatch as such a tool.
Hatred
The Deadwatch believe the Lycanlaws are to blame for the endless hordes of Undead that rise each night in the marsh. The Lycanlaws are extinct now, but as they were decimated during the Blood Moon, it is believed they cast some kind of hex on the ground, and now the Deadwatch believe it is up to them to clean up after the Lycanlaws, who curse them after their death.
Passive
House Astrohel were the first House to try and use the Deadwatch for anything other than their established purpose. It is now known that Dilisnya pushed Astrohel to try and sway the Deadwatch, but the Deadwatch do not want to anger such a large House. Instead they show the other Houses that they are not to be messed with by how they handled Astrohel. The Deadwatch hates betrayers and will persecute them as such. The Deadwatch now hate House Astrohel and don't accept any recruits with ties to the House.
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