Talon and Fang Warriors

by Eron12 with Hero Forge

Swynfaredia loves to use dragon imagery in official state functions.  In place of knights, they have Talon Warriors and Fang Warriors, more commonly they are just called Talons and Fangs.
Talons and Fangs handle the routine muscle aspects of maintaining law and order in Swynfaredia.  Both men and women can serve as Talons and Fangs.  Men make up about 80% of Talons and 60% of Fangs.
Fangs and Talons do the same general job serving the social role as knights.  Fangs are essentially Talon Warriors that are also Sorcerers.  Because sorcerery is everything in Swynfaredian high society, Fangs are usually given more status and prestige than Fangs sometimes leading to a Fang being appointed to a position she doesn't really merit having just because she can cast a few spells.  For non-human sorcerers seeking advancement in Swynfaredia, Fang Warrior is often the highest title the sorcerer can hope for.

A Fang Warrior's status is linked to that of his lord or lady. Once a young sorcerer or sorceress becomes a Fang Warrior, they still have room to advance. If they serve well, it is common for Swynfaredian lords and ladies to "gift" promising Fang Warriors to their liege. This means, the higher up the feudal heirarchy you go, the more powerful the Fang Warriors becomes. Most Talon Warriors serve one lord or lady for their whole lives. They can still advance themselves in a way as Talon Warriors often take on more administrative and managerial tasks on behalf of their lord as lady as they get older and age out of their physical prime.

by Eron12 with Hero Forge

"It is not always easy to tell a Fang or Talon Warrior by looking. They have badges and signet rings displaying their status, but these bits of heraldry are pretty small, so you have to get dangerously close to check. Also, every house has their own system of uniforms for their fangs and talons, so it can be a headache to sort it all out.
Dragonblood Lords and ladies wear very ornate armor or clothes that makes them obvious from a mile away. The quickest way is to assume that any Swynfaredian warrior wearing expensive armor and carrying a shield is a Talon. Assume any Swynfaredian warrior wearing fancy armor (but not too fancy) and carrying a two-handed weapon is a Fang. Unless their lord or lady is an Abjurer, in which case his Talons and Fangs will both be carrying two-handed weapons and using their lord's magic as their shield."
-Bendek Deorac

Talons and Fangs do not have a universal military culture in Swynfaredia.  Each house is free to set their own rules in how these warriors are recruited, trained, and equipped.
Sometimes, Talons and Fangs are groomed to be elite warrior else and little else.  Other times, Talons and Fangs serve the role as military officers and also act as peace time administers and advisors.

Type

Military

Related Locations

• land of Swynfaredia