Unconquered

Gideon of the Cenotaph, alone in the woods.

History of the Unconquered

Early in the settlement of Highguard, the an outpost established in the territory that would become Reikos fell to raiders from the great forest. Survivors fled to the capital and the Navigator and patricians rallied a force of cataphracts to retake what was lost. Yet when the reinforcements arrived, they found that the settlement had been almost completely purged. The cataphracts made short work of such barbarians as remained.

In the aftermath, as they searched, from out of the edges of the Great Forest emerged a group of Highborn scouts who had been believed lost in the initial attack. The scouts revealed that they had retreated to the Great Forest, seeking to save as many lives as possible, before returning - in the darkness - to counterattack using brutal guerilla tactics, including raiding, sabotage and terror. The attacks had been so swift and unforgiving as to cripple, starve and demoralise the barbarians.

Upon hearing the report, the Patricians saw the merit of this uncompromising form of warfare in this new land. These defeated, yet unconquered, rangers formed the seeds of a new military force designed to fight battles by any means, in any conditions. The unconquered traditionally favour medium armours and short bows, but do not balk from any weapon they can use that will attain the desired end.

The unconquered are used to operating with a high level of autonomy, often behind enemy lines or in unknown territory. Despite this independence, the best of them know that they operate as one part of a larger plan, that their duty is to ensure that the forces they accompany achieve victory. Unconquered who arrogantly assume they can win the day all by themselves generally meet unpleasant ends.

Playing an unconquered

Like the cataphracts, the unconquered are elite Highborn warriors. Where the cataphracts act to attack the enemy directly looking to their heavy armour to protect them, the unconquered seek to use guerilla tactics to destroy their enemies. In battles alongside the other Highborn warriors they usually look to harry the enemies flanks or otherwise use the terrain against their enemies.