The Brass Horde

I've seen the Horde in their glory. Blood drips from their blades. Magic crackles across fields strewn with severed limbs and heads. Horns call the vast armies to battle. Castles fall into dust. The Minotaur stands above it all, laughing at the panic of his enemies. I've seen the Horde in their home, an enormous palace built upon the ruins of fallen civilizations. It drips with treasure, slaves and pleasures unimaginable. I've seen the Horde offering an open hand. I've seen them pull the lost elves, First Folk and dregs up. They rise to the occasion. They see revenge and redemption before them. They will not stop. They can not stop.

- Barbarian Traveler from the North

Structure

The Horde is ruled by Ixion the Mad Minotaur. He has several lieutenants who are nearly as infamous as their master, and work to keep the Horde a functioning body. A court of ministers and minions is always ready to serve Ixion.

Public Agenda

The reconquest of all the lands that once were held by the First Folk and the elven civilizations. They will trample any civilizations that are based on ideals and dogma of the Third Age. They speak of restoration of the past, but also the enslavement and destruction of all who oppose them.
Lately the Mad Minotaur has begun seeking out powerful pre-catclysm artifacts and magic that may help his cause. It is well known that he had a party of adventurers seeking out the Shield of Thedren Silverlight, but was unsuccessful. it does seem that he has obtained some kind of fire magic that came with the prophet of the Brass Flame. This has increased his desire for more ancient lore and magic.

Assets

The wealth of the destroyed northern cities has fallen into the hands of the Horde. In addition they have the Brass Elves who have joined en masse. The Brass Elves act in nearly any capacity for the Horde. Swelling the ranks are many of the First Folk who have felt marginalized over the years. The Horde is moving south and west. They take as much as they can with as little fighting as possible, but they are a formidable force. When they bring the hammer down, they do not hold back.

Military

The might of the Horde has increased over the last few years. Rumors abound about them obtaining the help of a new race of hyena creatures that have swelled their ranks. It is also said that they seek out the great Wyrms and may already have one aligned with them.
Their army is a mixture of barely trained mobs of foot soldiers, well trained cavalry and elite groups of Brass Elves. The Minotaur will often lead in large battles, but he has skilled liuetents at his command.

Religion

Rumors swirl that the Brass Horde is controlled by the forces of Chaos . But the Brass Elves are the first to point out that they still worship the Great Goddess Yeno. Many of the First Folk worship Kor. The truth is the Horde doesn't have any set religion. If anything they frown on followers of Ashtyr, because her ideals lead to the Third Age (the antithesis of their goals).
It is said that a prophet of flame has appeared among the Horde. A cult worshiping the Brass Flame has sprung up and brought with it a new kind of fanaticism. Barbarian tribes and dwarven strongholds negated with the Horde report more and more dangerous fire magic being employed during raids. Magic of this magnitude has not been seen since before the cataclysm.

Foreign Relations

The Horde is a threat to the dwarven kingdoms in the west. They are also viewed with fear by the Five Shires, the Grand Duchy of Kadmos and the Theosian Empire.
The Horde has established trade with Rifthold, and will send adventures to plunder the Rift from time to time. Little is known about their relationship with Everwood (since little is known about that area itself). It is said that merchants from the Southern isles have made contact with the Horde and established some kind of trade route, but that can not be confirmed.

With blood and might, we will conquer all oppressors.

Type

Geopolitical, Band

Alternative Names

The Minotaur's Horde, The Brass Plague, The Brass Doom

Training Level

Semi-trained

Veterancy Level

Experienced

Government System

Dictatorship

Power Structure

Federation

Economic System

Traditional

Currency

Golden Bulls, Silver Stars, Copper Helms.

Deities

• Kor
• Yeno

Related Ethnicities

• Brass Elves