Grandfather's Fist
There's few things more intimidating than staring down the charge of armored knights on horseback. But, imagine if instead of knights it was berserk northmen and instead of horses it was armored polar bears. That would be one of those more intimidating things.
Frostmere is surrounded by more foes than any other nation on the continent. The raiders from the Stormlands assail their coasts by sea while the merciless Duergarians march forth from Cinderstone with legions of both demons and slaves. Peppered all across the frozen north are pockets of hungry Undead as well as Vampiric lords to lead them. Yet, despite all of this arrayed against them Frostmere still stands and perhaps one of the most shining examples of their refusal to yield is Grandfather's Fist. They represent the most elite of all of the Frostmerite warbands and each member has reaped his share of battlefield glory and blood.
This legendary formation is not part of any traditional sector of Frostmere's military. Instead; they answer only to the High Kings and Queens to whom they have pledged loyalty in this life and in the next. While alive they carry out commands of their lord with unfettering devotion and are only called upon in the most dire of circumstances. The savagery they are capable of unleashing has no known parallel and to unleash them means that an enemy has been judged unworthy of mercy. In death, it is believed that the warrior's soul reincarnated into the body of a Polar Bear and only when the King/Queen he served in life has passed on can this they finally rest.
Composition
Manpower
Grandfather's Fist is said to be 100 warriors strong and each with their great bear and a cadre of attendants, squires, handlers, and bannermen. On average each of the formation members has five attendants and ten battle ready soldiers whom have sworn loyalty to their bear rider.
Equipment
Each bear is provided heavy half plate armor with a saddle for their rider. The armor is highly personalized by the rider to represent himself, the region they hail from, and the warrior soul they believe is within the bear
Weaponry
Varies from warrior to warrior. Generally axes, mauls, warhammers, and flail type weapons are favored. There are a number of bear riders who specialize in ranged combat and prefer spears (which their bear can carry in abundance) or longbows.
Vehicles
Grandfather's Fist has six longships completely dedicated to their use. These are specially designed to carry their bears as well as their retinue of followers. Should the entire formation need to be mobilized the High King/Queen would happily dedicate more ships to their cause.
Structure
Members of Grandfather's Fist are rarely deployed in traditional military formations. Instead, a handful of members is usually assigned by the King/Queen to larger military forces to act on their behalf or to carry out special tasks. They generally look to the oldest of their number for leadership or whomever has the most experience battle. The oldest member of the formation is Sighvat Ballisson. He is one of the High King's advisors and speaks for Grandfather's Fist in all matters.
Tactics
Members of this formation are generally used to anchor other units and bolster moral. They are seen as both a representation of the High King/Queen's authority and the strength of the Totems Spirits of Balance. When deployed as a unit they will act as heavy cavalry and line breakers. Charges from the bear riders will often cause enemy units to scatter and opposing cavalry to spook.
Training
Little. When a warrior is chosen for this unit they are already battle hardened beyond all comparison. When inducted into the Fist they are introduced to a bear believed to be bonded with a past member's soul. Secretive rituals and rites of binding are conducted by older members along with the new inductee after which the rider and bear are bonded.
Type
Cavalry
Overall training Level
Elite
Assumed Veterancy
Decorated/Honored
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