Knights of the Iron Nation
The Knights of the Iron Nation is a powerful group of former adventurers who worship Hextor, God of Tyranny. Originally from The Great Kingdom, the Knights fled the North Province city of Eastfair during the Iron Schism after slaying several of their superiors and looting them of powerful magical items.
The Knights have carved out their own small fief in the Wild Coast, and continue to recruit highly competent followers to expand their power.
The Knights of course hate and oppose those who follow Heironeous, however they have another arch-enemy equally hated: The Blackrazor Guild of Obsidian Bay.
Overview
- City: Tyrant's Heart
- Country: The Wild Coast
- Leader: Alexander Swiftblade
- Roster: ?
History of the Knights of the Iron Nation
Info learned from James Swiftblade
The Swiftblade family was a minor though wealthy family in the North Province of Aerdy, owing allegance to the House Torquann. The Swiftblades were a fair lot, though hard masters. They were not given to the excesses of most noble families in Aerdy. They had a long history and proud tradition, deriving their name from their eagerness to raise their blades in defense of their liege, land and honor. 200 years ago, 2 twin Scimitars of Speed were crafted for the Swiftblades in reward for their service, and have become the house sigil.
Alexander Swiftblade was the youngest Swiftblade and grew up in the shadow of his older brothers. From early on he determined that he would be the greatest of his family and it would be he who would carry his family name into glory.
The Swiftblades were not unhappy when their youngest son opted for the priesthood of Hextor. But none knew the hubris and obsession that had claimed Alex. And certainly none predicted that Alex would challenge and slay his older brother Patrick in a duel and steal the families’ heirloom scimitars. Alex’s eldest brother, James, was not present when the murderous duel took place and has spent years tracking down Alex. The brothers met and fought in CY 587 and James was able to wrest one of the Swiftblade Scimitars away from this treacherous brother though the battle ended in a draw and Alex escaped.
James thinks that Alex was encouraged in his treachery by his lover, Selina the Cruel. Selina was a wizards apprentice, studying with the arcane master of the Church of the Iron Nation, Bavult. Alex started secretly training her as a priest of Hextor as well. Surprisingly, Hextor accepted the bloodthirsty half elf, though of course no one in the church hierarchy knew of Selina.
Alex and Selina had also recruited a young weaponsmaster named Mikhael, The Master, who was dissatisfied with his position in the church. Mikhael was very important to the planned treachery, both for his weapons prowess and because of his access to Kukahrm, the Legion Commander. A few other talented lieutenants secretly joined the newly formed Knights.
On one of the Hextor's high holy nights, the Knights struck. They treacherously slew Bavult, the Senior Arcane Adjunct, along with most of his apprentices, and then they slew Kukahrm. Both men were of course robbed of their most powerful items. From the Legion Commander, Hextor’s Glory, a powerful 2-handed sword and the Crossbow of Glorious Warfare were taken. From Bavult, a fair sized cache of spellbooks, the Cloak of the ShadowLords and a few minor items were taken.
On the same night, Alex returned to his ancestral home and, using Hextor’s Glory, he defeated and slew his older brother, Patrick and stole the Swiftblade Scimitars. James has been hounding them ever since.
Learned from the Church of the Iron Nation in Eastfair
The only apprentice of Bavult to survive was Akerman. Instead of killing him outright, Selina paralyzed him. Then she cast Melf's Acid Arrows on him and laughed while the acid ate into him. Akerman is now a fairly powerful wizard and he HATES Selina.
House Garaseth sent many agents against the Knights, since Bavult was a member of that House. But none survived long enough to even report back. Even assassins failed. The Knights had apparently recruited a treacherous assassin of their own to help protect them from such measures.
The Church of the Iron Nation would dearly like to see the Knights destroyed. If someone were to bring proof of the demise of Alex, Selina or Mikhael, there would be a great reward. Of course, Hextor’s Glory and the Crossbow of Glorious Warfare would also fetch a great reward. And if someone defeats the Knights and doesn’t turn in the weapons, well then, the Iron Nation knows who to turn its attention to next, doesn’t it?
