Steed Wardens
The Steed Wardens are a revered faction dedicated to the training, bonding, and deployment of flying mounts and their riders. Their primary purpose is to combat corruption in the world, focusing on quick responses to corrupted creatures. By targeting these threats early, the Steed Wardens aim to prevent the spread of corruption and safeguard the vulnerable.
The Bonding Ritual
Central to the Steed Wardens' practices is the Rite of the Eternal Reins, a sacred ritual that establishes a spiritual link between rider and mount. This bond transcends the physical realm, allowing a mount to be spiritually summoned back to life if defeated. The ritual involves:
- A test of character for the rider, ensuring their will and spirit align with the values of the Wardens.
- A ceremonial pact with the spirit of the chosen mount, guided by Warden Marescalci (masters of the mount).
- A week of isolation during which the rider and mount must navigate challenges together, forging an unbreakable connection.
Mounts typically include pegasi, griffons, hippogriffs, and other tamable flying creatures, with each type requiring its own specialized training. Some particularly gifted Steed Wardens form bonds with rarer mounts, such as wyverns, though such wardens are few and far between due to the unpredictable nature of even the least among dragon-kind.
Training and Hierarchy
Steed Wardens undergo years of rigorous training, including aerial combat, survival, and the study of corrupted creatures’ behaviors. Their ranks are as follows:
- Novices: Initiates who care for the mounts and learn the basics of flying and combat.
- Skyblades: Full-fledged wardens who undertake missions, respond to threats, and preemptively track corrupted creatures.
- Warden Marescalci: Veteran wardens responsible for training new recruits, overseeing rituals, and managing strategies for combating corruption.
- The High Marescalci: The leader of the local eyrie, chosen from among the warden marescalci for their wisdom, leadership, and unparalleled connection to their mount.
Only when a novice achieves the rank of Skyblade will they be permitted to undergo the ritual. At that point, their training with other mounts is ended, and they must nurture their own mount to the point that it can bear them in flight.
Role in the World
The Steed Wardens are one of the most mobile forces in the fight against corruption. From their Eyries—fortresses built into mountains or high cliffs—they monitor vast regions, deploying quickly to areas under threat. These eyries also serve as training grounds, sanctuaries for mounts, and repositories for knowledge about corrupted creatures.
The faction is often called upon by kingdoms and settlements to deal with outbreaks of corruption, but they maintain independence, choosing missions based on their own judgment rather than political alliances.
Philosophy and Values
The Steed Wardens believe in harmony between rider and mount, emphasizing respect, trust, and mutual dependence. They view their mounts as equal partners, not tools, and seek to exemplify balance and vigilance in their fight against corruption.
The faction also promotes early intervention over reactionary measures. Steed Wardens are trained to identify the signs of corruption in its early stages, enabling them to neutralize threats before they escalate.
Notable Figures
- High Marescalci Kael Eryndor: A griffon rider known for his daring tactics and ability to inspire his riders in the darkest moments. Operates the eyrie in the mountains of the Verdant Vale.
- Warden Marescalci Lyssara Windwhisper: A pegasus rider who oversees the initiation of new members and has written treatises on mount care and bonding rituals. Operates the eyrie in the mountains of the Snowcloak Dominion in the absence of an appointed High Marescalci.
- Skyblade Taryn Stormclaw: A hippogriff rider celebrated for her unmatched aerial combat skills, often sent on missions into dangerous, corrupted territories. Operates the eyrie in the western mountains of Dunewald, the newest eyrie with most recently tamed creatures.
Challenges and Conflicts
While highly respected, the Steed Wardens face several challenges:
- Corruption among their own: Rare cases exist where a rider is corrupted, causing the corruption to bleed into the mount through their spiritual connection. Not only is this a dangerous loss for the faction, but the resulting monstrous mounts are things of nightmares.
- Taming rare mounts: The creatures which are raised by the Steed Wardens are wild by nature, and it takes a unique commitment to the creatures from birth to domesticate them for use as a mount.
- Maintaining neutrality: Their independence occasionally draws ire from rulers who expect loyalty in exchange for their services.
Crest and Symbols
The Steed Wardens' crests vary depending on the eyrie. However, they tend to share the following features in common:
- A depiction of the creature associated with the eyrie reared up and unfurling rainbow colored wings, which represent the spiritual connection between man and beast
- A mountain range representing the location of the eyrie
- A dark slate colored background
Variations exist with the rainbow colors appearing as an arch behind the creature. The important part to ensuring the crest is recognized as belonging to the Steed Wardens is that both the creature and rainbow colors are present.
