Wolves of Drodor [Lore]

[Beau<3]

There are some slight magical and fantasy elements to this rp. Magic in general is a difficult thing to harness, and in ancient times Sorcerers and Wizards could work it to do amazing things. But tales of that of them are just that, tales, to most peasants and nobles magic doesn’t exist, and it is a strange concept that is even feared. Magic is often the subject of nightmarish bedtime stories, it’s superstition. However sometimes a person is born who has some magic in them. This magic manifests itself in a single small way, sometimes helpful and sometimes not, a gift or a curse. An example of this would be an ability to communicate with dogs, the ability to communicate with all animals however would be too powerful of an ability for a gift. Gifts are simple and singular things, it's been a long time since anyone has had the ability to move mountains.

People who are born with magic in them are called “The Gifted”. Before Emperor Midas started gathering them as his elite warriors they were often shunned by society and looked at as nefarious. The Gifted were often in danger of having violence directed at them for their strangeness and the superstition involved with magic. Now that they are sought after as warriors however there are laws in place to turn them over to the Empire’s army. In addition to whatever form their gift takes a gifted person often has a longer lifespan than a non-gifted individual. These life-spans can range from double a natural person’s to quadruple.

The prophecy that speaks of the fall of Midas was foretold by Queen Judith, Queen Regent of the very first Kingdom he conquered. Only he and three others, the best of his then trainee Wolves, were present at the time of its telling, and he has sworn each of them to silence on the matter.

“Listen well King Midas, for all that I see comes to pass without fail.
As I saw my Kingdom fall, so too shall yours.
Not today, nor even for many seasons. You will
succeed in building an Empire but it will never be finished.
Four gifted children will rise against you
and it will be your end.”

The Wolves of Drodor are collectively referred to as the wolf pack, a small army of elite warriors trained from a very young age to do one thing: conquer. It is true that they are trained in combat, like a common soldier would be, but it doesn’t end there. Their lessons include tactics, noble courtly etiquette, the art of the hunt, survival in harsh conditions and sharpening of the mind. In addition to a wide range of skills these individuals go through a physical training regimen that some do not survive, though their teachers take great care to ensure that most do. A gifted is rare enough not to be wasted simply because they are a late bloomer or needs more work. Drodor’s enemies and conquered territories commonly refer to them as Drodor’s mutts/dogs/bastards or anything else they come up with to make the wound of their inevitable occupation sting less. A single Wolf of Drodor is said to be capable of taking on a dozen armed men single-handedly, the rumor is not far from the truth for some of them. Their name comes from the sigil they adorn, a wolf. It signifies that each of them are part of a unit no matter their role in battle, under a single noble house all their own. Technically each member is a noble, though they do not own land or estates, they are still given the title, due rank and respect. Their number is currently around 200. Along with a culture of extreme loyalty to their ruler and each other, they have certain restrictions when it comes to relationships and procreating. It is not unusual for them to be ordered to procreate, in order to produce more gifted children, but if they wish to do it outside of that obligation they must ask permission. Especially since a pregnant warrior is not very useful to Midas. Any children produced from that union are to be handed over to their Emperor, if they are gifted they are trained, if not they are culled. The Emperor does not usually care if his elite decide to marry each other, however if he decides that he believes a strong child can be produced between one warrior and a different part outside of their marriage they are to set their feelings aside in order to do their duty. While they may be allowed to have children, they aren't permitted to raise them due to being busy with their duty as warriors.

Most people to the south don’t believe Goblins exist but the north knows better. The Giant’s Thicket is where they make their home, a thick forest of gargantuan trees and often gargantuan creatures. Humans don’t venture there, as it is an extremely dangerous place.

Dwarves a not very common, but more so to the south than the north, and if they are ever to the north it is usually a business matter. Dwarves are master craftsmen and excellent merchants. They are more known as real than Goblins are certainly but there are many territories that can not claim to have ever seen any. In stature Dwarves are much like any other Dwarven race you are familiar with in fantasy medie, short and stalky, big hands and feet, very strong.

[Beau<3]

Once a small northern Kingdom, Drodor now consists of vast lands stretching into the south, stopping where the Skyfall Mountains begin. It is an Empire now, ruled by Midas, who can turn all he touches to gold.

A deep and dark wood in the the midwest of the Drodorian Empire, a few leagues from the battlefront at Skyfall. The trees in this wood make anyone who dares brave it look like a mouse in comparison. But it isn't the trees alone that make this wood dangerous, it's the things that live in it, bears as big as elephants, lizards as big as horses, greedy goblins and much more make this wood their home.

A mountain range that blocks Emperor Midas from invading the Kingdom of Roahn, his options are to chisel away at the heavily barricaded sides or go through the treacherous mountains. Either way he tries will take both a great deal of time and resources. It gets its name from its high and steep peaks, which go far above the clouds.

A southern Kingdom famed for its horses and vast green plains. King Thror rules this land and is popular with his people, as is his daughter and heir, Princess Meera, who leads the soldiers on the battlefront at Skyfall.