Qumortanes of the Land-Empire

Corps Qumortane of Qara was the secret police of the Empire. Their task was singular: the preservation of the Orthodox temple, and the collection of items of metal Qum, the creation of which was lost centuries ago, the basis of the Land-Empire army, industry and icon...
Times ald. Times ancient.
The Kiri champion wields a full curved sword of Qum, and a segmented armor of scales not easily pierced by mortal men. In the pre-dawn dark a spark of blue escapes from the scabbard lined with lead and silver. Much more cannot be distinguished of the man, than that he is of great stature, and carries the gwla of higher thegns, one lined with the metal of Qara. This would place him amongst the captains of the land-- men directly below the captain-general, the great Týoll. Around him swarm soldiers of lesser build, officers and messangers. The army is campaigning beyond the Raäna, having skirmished with Mihurites for several weeks, marching and camping, leaping through gaps in the Mihurite forces, burning and pillaging-- A soldier passes, a lowly man from Tvbéra. He carries water. Pox scarred, illiterate, in his forties. One of the privates to die first, Regiment Fifteen, Pike Four. He brings the water to his tent of twelve men, and places it down.
"Eru-erand Savz'tarn Anmura of Issqar. You were right." spake he to his companions in the tent. "Sleeps in his armor. Sleeps *soundly* in his armor. Has had women in his armor."
"My, my." the on with Henna-painted forehead mumbled. "In-law to Týoll." And they make porridge.
"Recent promotion-- Never lost a duel... Never lost a fight. Falls down with a flagon of mead, not one drop spills." spoke another one, with a crooked tooth.
Someone passes, and they keep stirring the porridge. Pondering if there is a contingency to fall to, should they duel him for the blade, apply to arrogance-- poison in soup, blade in the dark? Kiri are not known to suffer their leaders to be tried for foreign laws. So they speak more, their conversation falling to deaf ears, as there is a thousand units as their's, who prepare their march so... All these men are as anyone else.
"I wonder if they know." the pox scarred stirs porridge and muses. "Kiri tend not to be sloppy whence it comes to intelligence."
"Well-- we were not welcomed to the Houselands with an open hand and a flagon, either way, thus-- who knows." spake one of them.
"Our mandate is this Savz'tarn. I see little security around him. I would duel him for his position and arms." the youngest of them, thus far quiet spake.
"You mean *I* would duel him. And never leave this camp, as I cannot inherit his position, sword or gwla." spake the pox-scarred one, and tasted his broth with slight anticipation, and went on to nod to the others, who lined up their packs for breakfast.
"Knife, then?"
"Takes time and an opening. There are few - and our champion, hmm. He could well fall tomorrow. One can hardly trust a leader from the front will see his victory." mused further the pox-scarred man, and sighed. "I believe we ought to 'bring our grievance' to the Captain-General Týoll. He is in camp. Matters are lined up quite nicely."
"What are you planning, sir?" spake the youngest.
"This is a grand haul. An entire sword made of Qum. We must no only gain the blade, but secure it against others who desire it." spoke the pox-scarred captain, and with a slight smile eyed his cadet. "Follow me and observe. The rest of you, remain here."
And they walked, the two of them. The new Qumortane, and the somewhat less new. Some sergeants gave them a nasty look, as they were not to leave their unit, but were busy to prepare for march, and did not bother to stop or question them. A lieutenant of their regiment was drowsily sipping coffee on a plank, with his men preparing his horse. A man concussed, with bruises all over his un-helmeted head-- he eyed the two men to come to him, and scowled.
"You are not lost. Speak." he said, and his voice was a tad septic.
"Grievances to the great Týoll." spoke the pox-scarred. 'He is in camp?' said the lieutenants expression, yet he merely emptied his mug.
"We will see. Who are you soldiers?"
"Qumortanes." said the captain of Qumortanes and the lieutenant barked a pup of laughter, yet his smile died upon looking the men in the eye again. He stopped to think, a few seconds.
"I see. I do see. Messanger!" what followed was an impossibly jargon-jumbled conversation between the officer and his runner, which neither of the Qumortanes could follow. "Follow me."
And they were brought to the tent of Týoll, commander in chief of the entire army, leader to the Kiri war-effort heading west. He was a tall, gangly man with combat scars, whose eyes were alive, sharp, intelligent and *dangerous*. He had himself a blue-steel gwla-- yet he was also lord adopted by the Empire. Before him stood the Savz'tarn of Qum-fame, who was tilting his head back as the Týoll waited. The Qumortanes entered the tent, and saluted, as was proper. As they entered, the pox-scarred man rubbed his brows to remove the glued, fake ones, and deliberately exposed his thinning, almost gone hair. He seemed not healthy at all-- yet he moved yet with a brisk, agile pace and dexterity. Týoll stared him down, upon entering.
"Credentials, or hang." spake the Týoll, and prepared from a book a copy of the pox-scarred captain's signet, which was presented to him with a bow, as well as some Imperial orders. He took them all to his desk, and he compared for a minute, wet the signet with water, and sniffed it. He eyed the two Qarans present, and went through the credentials he had been given with a sour expression. He eyed the men present, and made a decision. If Týoll had been grumpy before, now he was furious. "Sastar, I am a busy man. I am a busy man, and must see to the function of this Duchy. One of them is *diplomacy*. Does. This. Seem. Clear--"
There was a thud-like pause.
"Give my your sword." rumbled the Týoll. "Give it to me." and the captain hesitated. Týoll let out his hand, and immediatly the blade rested in his grip. He drew it, and let his eyes rest upon the blade. "Waste-ful arro-gance, you *fool*!" He seemed ready to burst. "You *fool*! Build your palace out of solid gold?! I will deal with him. The blade is yours." And Týoll cast a murderous eye to the baffled captain, his eyes darting from Qumortane to captain-general.
"Hail Emperor. I thank you for your cooperation. Will I be hindered with my men, were I got depart?" inquired the pox-scarred Qumortane.
"No. But you may not travel the roads west. Leave south, then return through Mölqara or the Khaerela docks. Or any route which will keep you from the enemy."
"My lord--" whispered one of the men. "His neck-guard!" and the young man was hushed with a stern eye and a gesture.
"Hail Emperor, we leave your hospitality, captain-general."
"Trust not our hospitality in the future. Nor mine. Farewell."
And the Qumortane left with the sword, yet without the gwla. They walked, and walked, having picked up their gear and men under the eye of Týoll's spies. Only after taking the road out to picket, and even then were eyes upon them, they were sure. Then they spoke.
"Why lord, why leave orders incomplete!" the youngest of them spoke.
"Orders?"
"All Qum! And not only the blade. This man has to be visited again, and the Kiri lord warned us not to return!"
"Son--" spake the pox-scarred man. "It is better to cast a single leg from a lamb to the wolves, than lose the entire carcass. And your life."
"And by this you mean--?"
"You will see. Qum is but metal, important as it is. Do you understand, that this army marches toward the City? They will not, by themselves topple her walls. But they will march again, at *our* behest, should they feel indebted."
"Why would they? They were humbled."
"Hmm, no. Reminded that we bear no ill will to those who honour those to practice: law, book and sun."
"...as it was not Týoll to breach, but one of his captains. I see."
"And, a thing more, corporal."
"Yes?"
"Our orders are to retain the Empire first, weed heresy, and then gather Qum. Of these we achieved all, at the expense of a single throat-piece. You may question, but come to answers by your own logic, if you were to remain Qumortane. God gave you mind, and the capacity and will to use it."
"This sounds... dangerous." and the youngest man eyed his commander in an inquisitor's manner. But the Qumortane clanked his finger onto the blade's led lined scabbard, and merely eyed back, with the younger man looking down before long.

Career

Qualifications

A proven soldier of undeniable faith, with the favor and trust of the Emperor, and the Empire. Alternatively, anyone to possess ability to either defend or evade, and have the necessary assets within the Empire to be trusted with the critical task of gathering Qum...

Career Progression

Haraerlans are typical Qumortane-candidates: they have the martial spirit, loyalty as well many skills necessary. Lesser intelligence services often pose candidates to the Corps. Generally, volunteers are preferred: there have been cases of officers looking to get rid of troublesome, politically chosen subordinates via letters of recommendation. The first Qumortanes were specialized knights to wield weapons and armor made of the ancient metal-- however, the growing rarity of the metal lead to squires being expected to procure their arms and armor, eventually becoming a police force and inquisition for Qum and Orthodoxy both.

Payment & Reimbursement

Qumortanes generally live life 'on the road' and are well cared for financially. What they need is what they receive. They are officially the hunters of Qum and all heretical items and ideas, and thus partially monastic. The work they do is its own reward.

Other Benefits

As ministers ultimate of the Orthodox church, whence it comes to armed men, they are créme de la créme of Qaran milito-religious elite. Many of them answer directly to the Imperial throne, especially his Thousand Eyes, the office to see to communication in the Empire. Many answer directly to the Emperor. Qumortanes are considered land-owners and nobles by cloth both, and have franchise in the Gilded Council, as well as the Orthodox Temple episcopal conferences.

Perception

Purpose

In the 7-100s onward, gathering of all Qum in the known world, and preserving it for the security of the Empire. Before this, religious police and 'inquisition' even if they worked largely in secret, causing dissidents and heretics to disappear to be cruficifed, should they not surrender to the judgement of the Temple Orthodoxy. Even in the 7-600s do Qumortanes hunt hereitcal elements, even if they are seen more as an imperial secret police, rather than a religious order...

Social Status

A semi-monastic order, and most definitely a casté. One does not 'un-become' a Qumortane, and the honor in becoming one is the greatest imaginable for most Qarans.

Demographics

Roughly 6 000 agents, sergeants and associates. These come from all walks of life. The spear-weilders, the ring-leaders and command, number about 100. Qaran Empire is home to perhaps 15 000 000 people.

Operations

Tools

Arms, information, spoken word, devices and locations to interrogate and finally either execution by spear, crucifixion, or Walk of the Broken, an Orthodox pilgrimage to the Emperor, for him to either pardon, or not.

Materials

As the Qum-metal is radioactive, handling it causes eventual loss of body hair, mental breakdown, and eventually death by radiation, or cancer. This happens during several years and decades, and not to all agents. In order to fight this, Qumortane-corps (as their military wing is called) knows dozens of rituals of cleansing, most of them for the soul.
A rare mold can be injected into the body of a Qumortane, which is likely to kill, but is effective in treating the radiation poisonin long-term.

Workplace

Chapter Houses exist, which change regularly. The Corps does not wish to present a single target to be wiped out by the state, or a foreign enemy. On the road, merchant inns, temples, schools, brothels and bawd-houses, baths-- anywhere people can be found, one can find a Qumortane agent. The spear-wielders themselves are fairly recognizable, as they often lack body-hair, and seem pale and otherworldly, and when necessary wield masks of different material, or make-up and wigs to hide themselves...

Provided Services

Being much like a police force, they can be reached by informants and agents by means known only to the in-group-- many legends and fables exist, and some of them are indeed true. A typical way is to attach an imperial five pence postal stamp onto the outer window of where one wishes to reach an agent, who will wear the colour the same colour as the stamp, and arrive there within five nights. Or, make a simple garland subtly inappropriate to the season, and wear it in the market crowd.
Legends abound. Hand-shakes, hidden languages (which is true) and even men being proof to arrows and musket balls are known...

Dangers & Hazards

Aside from radiation, and heretics, the internal investigation often finds traces of corruption. This is sometimes fabricated, for others to rise in rank and gain power in the Corps, and this way the Temple.
The most obvious is murder by mob, especially in the fringe regions of the Qaran Empire. Mölqaran Qumortanes are especially adept at making a quick escape, as well as hide in the country side, and cities. All Qarans are suspect in the country. Tiniest slips in accent can lead to being beaten, and maybe lynched...
Mihurites, at times, imprison Qumortanes for years to negotiate with the Empire.
Kiri have little which the Empire want. The few Qarans who venture there tend to keep to themselves, yet travel openly. At times they are way-laid, which seldom ends well for the bandit. Legends abound of their spears and swords cutting through iron and steel as if it were soft leather.

Alternative Names

Wielders of Blue Steel (Qara), Long Reach of the Empire, Flickering Shadows (Mihurites), Poncer Butchers, Fancy Sabatons Stomp on Children (Mölqara) Locust-bringers, Marching Genocide, Slavers (Sarlükkans)

Type

Religious

Demand

The Empire requires a Symbol to strive toward, and most deifnitely fear. Qumortanes are romanticized, and are vital, in the long run, to the safety of the Empire.

Legality

Police and intelligence force of Qara, who formally need permission and local liaisons to work abroad. They seldom do so, as their mandate is that of secrecy and rooting hereitcs and the metal Qum.
They work in the shadows, and let their reputation drive others to remain lawful, and Orthodox.

Related Materials

• Qum, or Blue Steel