Talons
Faction Description
The Talons are a faction of monster hunters enhanced by magics to better hunt their prey. They are hardy group of survivors, who face death on a daily basis. They work mostly for coin, but have a strict code they must follow, based on honor and helping those in need. In recent years they have increased in influence, and now are hailed as either heroes and protectors, or as the arm of enforcement for the new regime under the reining Dragon Sol.Faction belief/dogma
- Creed- If someone stands beside you, offer your sword. If someone stands behind you, offer your shield. If someone stands against you, offer no mercy.
- Protect the innocent, honor your word, do not involve yourself in politics; they only muddy the waters of right and wrong.
- All power is achieved with a price, ensure the price is paid by you alone.
Faction strength and influence
The Talons have grown considerably in strength and influence over the past few decades. Each of the large cities in the Northern Kingdom host a garrison of Talons, A Talon is positioned inn each of the smaller towns and hamlets as well, and each Talon Stronghold has expanded in scope to allow for teaching of new apprentices. The Talon Strongholds are set aside as a place of learning, re-armament, and recuperation, as well as a safe haven for any roaming Talons (or weary travelers) to take refuge. This is also where Talon apprentices are trained and learn the craft of the Talon before undergoing their trials. At least 1 Talon is posted in every town, to serve as a guard against roaming beasts and monsters, and provide support to local enforcement when requested. The larger cities may host larger teams of Talons, with the average team varying in size and scope but usually including at least 1 Talon from each Order, and the most experienced among them serving as a leader.- Under the leadership of Sol, some Talons have also been sent farther afeild, to explore the rest of the world and form new connections across the continent and beyond.
Talon Orders
There are 4 orders of the Talons, each with a different emphasis than the others but functioning together as a whole. New recruits serve under their local Talon leadership, but when they come of age they travel to a ritual site where they are tested in several scenarios, and based on how they respond and solve these problems they are claimed by 1 of the Talon Orders.- Order of the Lion- Led by a one legged Talon named Arler, The Lions are record keepers and Magic casters, many of the lions are former members of the Mages of Cintras who decided to follow the Draco Regime. They are in charge of keeping the records of the order, and oversee a great library at the Lionsden in Gladria .
- Order of the Sea Wolves- Led by a woman named Talia, the Sea Wolves have adapted to their circumstance since being exiled from their original home in Wolfstead just before the Demonic Invasions. They have taken up residence in an old island fortress under the care of a bronze dragon, and have worked diligently to become a force to be reckoned with on the water. Working closely with the Arnet navy, they have become the premiere naval power in the region.
- Order of the Bear- Led by one of the more experienced of the order, a 1 armed veteran by the name of Hake. Based out of the Grizzled Peaks in Madgar , the Bears of the North best some of the strongest warriors of the Northern Kingdom.
- Order of the Dragon- Led by a dragonborn by the name of Small Fire and based out of Interior- Rassengaurd . The Dragon Talons are the only Order that is chosen outside of the trials; you become a Dragon Talon if a dragon egg hatches for you. These are the dragon riders, many of them are dragonborn who followed Sol.
- First you must apprentice to a local Talon
- Attend the trials at Rassenguard, an induced trance where your mind creates obstacles for yourself to overcome. Based on how you respond to these trials and how you overcome these challenges, one of the 4 orders will lay claim.
- you are given a mentor figure to help you adjust, as you become a full fledged member. Likely assigned to a city, forward outpost, or appointed to a strike team.
- Strike teams are some of the most experienced and accomplished Talons, sent in to deal with extremely dangerous threats, and often led by one of the Order Heads.
- Drogar, the Orcish Dragon Rider, and his dragon mount, Ember, are known for their unmatched aerial combat skills and their ability to rain fire and destruction from the skies. Of Dragon Order, Talon Dragon Rider
- Grundin, the Dwarven Battlemage, is a fierce warrior who wields a mighty hammer imbued with magical powers. He is also an expert in the art of spellcasting and can summon devastating magical storms on the battlefield. Of Lion Order, Talon Mage
- Lirien a human women and skilled healer, is the heart of the group. Her knowledge of medicinal plants and magical healing abilities make her a vital asset to the team. She is also skilled in archery and other forms of magic and can hold her own in battle. Of Wolf Order, Talon- Skill Master , bard focus
- Finally, there is Bael, the Half-Ice Giant Barbarian. He is a towering behemoth who wields a massive battle axe and is known for his ferocity in battle. His thick skin and resistance to cold make him the perfect candidate to take on the toughest enemies in the group's path. Of Bear Order, Talon- Martial focused Stats
- Lyra, the Human female Dragon Rider, and her mount, Ashwing, are masters of aerial archery. Lyra's precise aim coupled with Ashwing's agility and speed make them a deadly duo in the sky. Of the Dragon Order, Talon Dragon Rider
- Gromm, the Dwarven Artificer, has crafted his own battle suit powered by steam and gears. This suit amplifies his strength and agility while also featuring a variety of built-in gadgets such as grappling hooks and flamethrowers. Of the Wolf Order, Talon- Skill Master , forge master focus
- Kael, the Elven Skilled Swordsman, is a master of finesse and speed. His longsword, crafted from the rarest Elven silver, is known for its razor-sharp edge and ability to pierce even the toughest armor. Of the Bear Order, Talon- Martial focused Stats
- Aria, the Human Battle Mage, has studied for years in the arcane arts. She can unleash devastating spells on her enemies, including blasts of lightning and powerful fireballs. Of the Lion Order, Talon Mage
- Orik, the Half-Orc Barbarian. He is a hulking mass of muscle and rage, wielding a massive greataxe. His brute strength makes him a formidable opponent in close combat, and his intimidating presence often strikes fear into the hearts of his enemies. Of the Bear Order, Talon- Martial focused Stats
Type
Military Order
Friendly
These two factions get along very well. The Madgarians believe that the Talons are conducise to their way of life and thinking. They appreciate the brutal honesty its members portray, and though they do not follow the same teachings or beliefs, the Talons show the upmost respect for their ways and laws.
More than that, the Talons are useful and talented monster hunters, which can be a large problem on the frontier. Therefore Madgar is happy to host and supply the Bears of the North, and Talons traveling through can expect to find unusually warm welcomes from the citizens of these cities.
Friendly
The Talons like the Gladrians, finding their people decent and hard working despite their superstitious nature. The Gladrian nobility and leaders find the Talons useful, especially in dealing with monsters that leak in from the south, but resent the Talons reluctance to help in the boarder disputes. Gladrian townsfolk are less enthusiastic about entertaining Talons, and most are fearful of the dark monster hunters. That said, when there is need of a monster hunter a Talon can expect to find coin or at least a warm bed when in Gladrian towns, they just have to be mindful not to overstay their welcome.
Friendly
The dragonborn have found a sympathetic friend in the Talons, who have had more experience and welcome inside their territory than any other factions. The dragonborn appreciate the simplicity and dedication of the Talon lifestyle, and the Talons appreciate in turn the dragonborn hospitality and respect untarnished by the mages. The two factions also find common ground on that account, again drawing them closer together indirectly. Even so there is a limit, and despite the friendliness, no outsiders are easily welcomed past the gates of Rasengard.
Tolerated
Ormur's value of intelligence, magic, and diplomacy puts them at odds with the Talons. With the high number of mages it hosts, it shares similar values with the Mages of Cintaria. They believe the Talons to be dangerous renegades who are no longer needed in the world. They also dislike the sometimes dark practices of the order, and fully believe in many of the rumors surrounding the Talons.
A point of contention between the two is Wolfsteade, the home of the Eastern Wolves which is located on the eastern boarder of the country. It has been attacked several times by mobs attempting to drive out the Talons, but they have stubbornly remained, insisting there will come a time that they are needed here.
Aggressive Rivals
The Talons do not trust the mages. They tend to be selfish and self serving, pretending at neutrality while always manipulating behind the scenes to get what they want. The "say what you mean" Talons despise the double speak and twisted words of mages.
The mages of Cintras see the Talons as a dangerous renegade faction of dangerous brutes who have neither respected nor heeded the words of the mages. At best they are an order of warriors from a more savage time that no longer have a place in the world.
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