Elite Forces of the Skies

Currently, no standing armies exist in the Skies of Mor-ladon (SoM). There are no official active conflicts, and the islands don't have the resources to keep full armies equipped. Instead, they depend on their city watch or guards to keep order and hire mercenaries if they need an outside issue taken care of. But when the city leaders deal with something important, they turn to small groups of elite forces.

Let's dig into some of the groups that the characters might actually find challenging—or maybe one of these groups is part of their backstories.

Rune Knight

"It doesn't matter how, but you pissed off the wrong people. You think you've gotten away scot-free now that you're days away from the grand city of Empyrean. But then you hear a warning from the crow's nest...

You look up and see the shape of a singular hippogriff and glance over at your crewmate, confused... Then you see it. A small shape leaps off of the hippogriff; seconds later, the hippogriff dives after it. That shape grows quickly. You've realized your mistake by now, but it is too late. A crack like thunder resonates through the ship as the shape crashes into the deck, then chaos...

A seven-foot-tall knight encased in rune-engraved armor stands up from the wreckage. An Empyrean Rune Knight.

It raises a greatsword in one hand and leaps forward into the crew as its similarly armored hippogriff joins the fray. You reach for your cutlass, but your life leaves your eyes before you can even touch it. For when a Rune Knight drops in, they leave nothing but blood and destruction in their wake."

The Rune Knights are the elite fighting force of Empyrean, mostly comprised of the tallest and strongest Anakim and Dwarves. Each of the Tower Magi has a force they send out when they want something dealt with personally or when the situation calls for shock troops.

The rune knights fight in full plate armor covered with glowing runes crafted by their masters. These runes strengthen the armor and give its wearers increased speed, so they fight like one unencumbered by steel.

But they do not fight with arms and armor alone; they are also bonded with a hippogriff, a mount and fighting companion. These hippogriffs are armored as well, and their wings, tipped in steel, are as sharp as swords. The combination of knight and mount creates a hurricane of destruction, and not many can survive the onslaught of one of these knights—let alone a whole squad.

Storm Wardens

"It was supposed to be an easy job. Sneak in, cut down some trees, and leave with the lumber. Just your luck that a Storm Warden was patrolling that area of the island. You and your team tried to escape to the ship, but a storm warden does not miss, and half your men are dead on the ground by the time you you cast off with the remaining crew. You call to arm the cannons, hoping to drive the warden off.

Hope turns to despair as the warden, atop its enormous falcon, dives toward the ship, dodging every blast of cannon fire without hesitation. A small Fungorian leaps off the bird and rolls onto the deck.

Shock and silence follow for a brief instant, broken by the screams of a companion dropped overboard by the falcon. You and your crew spring into motion as the Storm Warden unholsters two pistols and leaps into the air. Tumult and death follow as your crewmates die around you. One ducks behind nearby barrels, but that does not save him—a bullet bends around the barrels, seeking your companion and cutting his life short.

You dash into your quarters and lock the door, heaving furniture against it to form a barrier. You pant and shake, hearing your crew's dying screams, then a horrible silence. A moment passes, and you start thinking that maybe you're safe. A voice thunders in your head: You cannot hide from Justice. A shot rings out, and the glass from a porthole to your left shatters..."

The elite forces of Sylvialis are Storm Wardens. These elves and Fungorians fight from atop the giant hawks and falcons found in the wodes of their island. They train in all weather, and it is said they can fly and fight just as well in the most powerful of storms as on a calm day. The Storm Wardens fight from the air and prefer to attack from afar, peppering their enemies with rifle and pistol fire as they use their birds' speed and agility to keep out of reach of any returning shots.

Storm Wardens use a rare form of Psionics, blending telekinetic and metakinetic abilities with firearms and martial skills. This allows their shots to travel further or even curve around cover. They used to fight with bows and swords, but these days, they mostly rely on rifles and pistols. Some still carry a shortsword or cutlass for melee combat, but many keep to their pistols and trust in their mental abilities to keep them from being overwhelmed.

Ashguard

"You are safe within the dark streets of Hilean, a newly stolen treasure tucked securely into your companion's bag. This score will ensure that Hilean's underworld sits up and takes notice—there's a new crew in town, and you get the job done. Even when that job involves stealing from a temple of the Lady. You laugh with your team over how smoothly the whole thing went.

Ahead of you, an orange light sparks to life. Wavering shadows stretch along the alley toward you. That almost looks like fire, you think, and then dismiss the idea. No one's foolish enough to use fire in a restricted area. The group at the end of the alley comes into focus as your crew begins to mutter and draw their weapons.

Nine of them. Eight armored, undead soldiers surround a ninth, who wears a plain gray robe and smiles at you in a way that strikes more fear into your heart than the flame that envelops her hand. The Ashguard has found you.

A streak of fire leaps past you, searing your skin. One of your companions shrieks, but only briefly, as the flames consume them. Fire picks off your crew members one by one as the soldiers, with spears leveled, tips glowing red like embers, herd you into a dead end. The air is scorching, and sweat drips down your neck as you leap toward the Ashguard in a desperate bid to escape. The soldiers shift into a new formation quicker than you can follow, blocking you with a shield. A red-hot sword slices toward you. The last words you hear are, "No one steals from the Lady."

The elite forces of Hilean are the Ashguard, made up of the strongest and most loyal Mallki in the duchy. They pledge their undying lives to the service of Lady Tristessa and do her bidding without question. They are called the Ashguard because they use the very power most feared by those the Lady blesses: Fire. For the Lady has given them protection from flame, and they wield this power against those who would harm the Lady or her domain.

A squad includes one pyromancer and eight soldiers. The pyromancer calls upon flame to engulf and burn their enemies. The soldiers' first priority is to protect the pyromancer. They fight with spears, swords, and shields made of metal that can withstand extreme temperatures. On the off-chance their pyromancer is unable to overwhelm the enemy on their own (or they don't want to risk a whole town or district burning down), the soldiers leap into the fray with fire-enhanced abilities that cause their weapons to glow red with heat and cut deep into the enemy's armor.

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What do you think? Do you want to fight any of these elite forces, or maybe even have one of them in your backstory? Let me know in the comments below!