The Hooded Lanterns
The Hooded Lanterns are an irregular military force drawn up from remnants of the old Drakkenheim City Watch and veterans of the Gloomshire Civil War. Led by the grim Lord Commander Elias Drexel, they wish to drive out the monsters and outlaws who infest their nation’s capital and restore the realm of Gloomshire.
Background
Multiple military operations have attempted to retake Drakkenheim over the past fifteen years. Each has ended in miserable failure, and the contaminated ruins have swallowed thousands of soldiers’ lives. What remains of these assaults are merely twisted monsters and undead monstrosities formed from the risen corpses of these regiments. After these disastrous attempts, Drakkenheim was left abandoned while civil war ripped Gloomshire apart instead. These conflicts also ended in vain, with the royal line of House von Kessel undone by fratricide. Gloomshire is slowly disintegrating into a realm of squabbling fiefdoms, yet some amongst the fractured nobility hold a glimmer of hope in restoring the nation and rebuilding the capital. Three years ago, they marshaled up the remnants of the royal guard, the city watch, and patriotic veterans of the civil war to make one last-ditch attempt to retake the city. Although officially dubbed the 4th Provisional Expeditionary Force to Reclaim the Capital, this guerilla regiment was nicknamed after oil lamps carried by the old city watch: the Hooded Lanterns. The core members of the Hooded Lanterns are warriors fighting for their homeland. Few honest soldiers survived the civil war, so many veterans have a life of bloody deeds behind them already. On the other hand, new recruits are seldom old enough to have any strong memories of Drakkenheim before it was destroyed. As such, many possess naïve and idealistic notions honed into simmering rage and fury at a golden age stolen from them. Under the leadership of Lord Commander Elias Drexel, the Hooded Lanterns have finally broken the losing streak of previous military operations. Rather than making an all-out assault on the ruins, they have taken a methodical approach. After spending nearly a year carefully scouting out the ruins, they began clearing out important fortifications in the city to use as staging grounds for future operations. This strategy has paid off: the Hooded Lanterns have managed to establish countless safehouses and supply caches within the city. They captured Shepherd’s Gate and the Drakkenheim Garrison last year. However, in recent months their efforts have been stymied by sabotage enacted by the Queen of Thieves, and the emergence of a horrific garmyr warlord in the Inner City known as the Lord of the Feast. While the Hooded Lanterns have imposed the mantle of law-and-order in the city, these setbacks have revealed their actual authority is limited to their strength of arms. The regiment maintains only a fragile foothold in Drakkenheim, and their supply lines are now exceptionally difficult to maintain. It’s taking almost everything the Hooded Lanterns have to hold their current position. The Hooded Lanterns are supported by surviving loyal vassals of the royal family who wish to see the old monarchy of Gloomshire restored. Many of these wealthy nobles lost estates, treasure vaults, family heirlooms, and personal documents when the city was destroyed, and expect the Hooded Lanterns to retrieve them. In return, these noble houses provide soldiers, material, and other supplies to the Hooded Lanterns on a periodic basis, but their financial resources are not inexhaustible. Indeed, the Hooded Lanterns have often resorted to selling delerium themselves to make ends meet.Attire
The Hooded Lanterns are a professional military unit. Every member uses standardized equipment: their uniform consists of a forest green cloak with yellow trim, the traditional colours associated with the Drakkenheim coat-of-arms. They bear the Hooded Lanterns’ symbol on their chest pieces, and shoulder stitches denote their rank and company. Scout units wear light armour, and often wield longswords, shortswords, and longbows. Guard units are equipped with chainmail, shields, spears, and crossbows. Each member also wears a metal chain with an inscribed plate bearing their name, hometown, and next of kin. Most Hooded Lanterns cut their hair when they sign up, but since many spend weeks at a time fighting, they end up a disheveled mess by the end of their assignments.
Founding Date
5009
Type
Military Order
Leader
Location
Notable Members
Comments