WARRIORS OF HUMANITY
The Humans of Nosgoth
Humans have been around since ancient times, though much of their earlier history is unknown. However, will the fall of the Ancients and the Vampires retreating into seclusion, the Human race became the inheritors of the land of Nosgoth – and the Pillars of Nosgoth, to whom nine guardians were bound, one for each Pillar. These became known as the Guardians of Hope to the Humans, who now flourished and spread across the lands, founding the great cities of Willendorf, Meridian and Avernus.
During the time when Kain was merely a fledgling Vampire himself, the power of the King of Willendorf held sway over all. During this time, Vampire Hunters under the command of Moebius continued the work of their Sarafan ancestors, whilst the King of Willendorf ruled over the shaky alliance of the city states. The Circle of Nine had long since fallen into corruption, some creating the foul land of Dark Eden whilst others took power over Avernus and held it with a small army of Demons. These were bleak times for Humanity, who prayed for a miracle. This came unknowingly in the form of Kain, who slew the Circle and broke the power they held over the land. However, in order to restore Nosgoth he himself had to die as well. Kain, in his arrogance and desire for self-preservation, chose not to martyr himself, but instead use his new abilities as a Vampire to achieve what he had always dreamed of: dominion over Nosgoth.
Resurrecting the Vampires through as yet unknown means, Kain led them south, conquering as he went. However, it was at Meridian where his army was ambushed by the Seraphan – a new order upholding the beliefs of the Sarafan, formed to destroy the Vampires – and destroyed almost to a man. Even Kain was struck down. Following this, the Seraphan used the Vampire menace as an excuse to seize control of Nosgoth, ruling from Meridian; their rule was not kind to either Human or Vampire. This tyranny lasted for two centuries until Kain returned from the dead and struck down the Seraphan Lord, breaking their power. Since then, though less in number, the Seraphan have cleansed themselves and now stand for good – though convincing the leaders of the Human city states and others has proven difficult.
Now Humanity stands at the edge of an abyss; this is possibly the twilight of the Human race, as Kain’s Empire spreads forth like a plague to engulf the lands. The Humans must stand firm and as one defeat this new menace, or else fade into the history books, a forgotten race who once held so much glory, remembered only in the ruins of their cities and scattered manuscripts of a bygone era.
The Human Military Strength
Leadership
The greatest weakness the Humans have in this war is not the lack of courage or
strength their fighting men (and women, in some cases) possess, but that there
is no unified leadership. Unlike the Vampire Clans, who have a single hand
directing their actions and attentions depending on the needs of their campaign
for domination, the Humans have at least three of these leaders: the Seraphan
Lord, Captain-General Raikus of the Vampire Hunters and soon to be crowned Queen
Valerie of Willendorf – though the other city states of Nosgoth have yet to show
their willingness to bend their knee before a woman, no matter her royal
birthright. Because of the lack of a unified leader, the Humans have been waging
a disorganized war led by three individuals with as yet no cohesion – though the
Queen has shown the Seraphan Lord her trust in him by assigning several
companies of her state troops under his command. However, Raikus mistrusts the
Seraphan for their attempted coup many centuries ago (it would appear the
Vampire Hunters are exceptional at keeping grudges long forgotten by others) and
will more likely refuse to take orders from him – also, he may refuse to obey
the Queen due to her gender. Until this problem of leadership is resolved, it is
likely that the Vampires will be able to destroy the Humans piecemeal, taking
advantage of the lack of a unified front against them.
Organization and
Strength
The exact number of soldiers in service to all the armies of Humanity is
unknown. The armies of the city states are divided into divisions of roughly
thirty to fifty thousand, depending on which state
one looks at. The Seraphan Order, on the other hand, are organized into warbands
numbering anywhere from five to fifty warriors, sorcerers, etc. The Vampire
Hunters have no known organizational structure and are considered insubordinate
mavericks by many fellow humans they occasionally fight alongside . The pressing
need for soldiers has led many to discard the
traditional ways towards women and soldiery, with the Vampire Hunters, Seraphan
and now Avernus and Freeport allowing women to enlist in their armies. Due to
their smaller stature and more nimble bodies, these women are often assigned to
an archer position – such as the women in the Seraphan, who are mostly armed
with a rapier and a crossbow.
The Seraphan Order
Kain’s refusal to sacrifice himself at the Pillars not only caused a rift allowing more demons to enter Nosgoth, but another mysterious being arrived at the same time the Vampires returned in large numbers. Calling himself the Seraphan Lord, he created a new order of elite soldiers to combat the Vampire menace – inspired by the beliefs, combat style and the way of life of the ancient Sarafan, the new organization became known as the Seraphan Order, and did the impossible – killed Kain (or they thought they did). However, Kain survived and two centuries later arose to break the grip of power the Seraphan held on the lands of Nosgoth, killing the Seraphan Lord.
Since then the Seraphan have removed the corrupt elements of their order and established a Ruling Council from which a new Lord would be chosen, though they are now few in number and wander the lands mostly in small hunting parties. The Seraphan Order are a Knightly Order formed on the principles of the ancient Sarafan Brotherhood, from which they also derived their name. There are several types of Seraphan - the standard foot knight, armed with a simple sword but still a match for any Vampire; the sorcerers and sorceresses who employ the use of magic, hurling balls of fire at their foes; the Captains in their larger and bulkier armour, bearing large blades akin to a very large axe and shield grafted onto the armour of their shield arm, the gauntlets of which have been fashioned by some Captains to bear claws; and the Glyph Knights, the elite of the elite, from whom are chosen the Ruling Council and are armed with Glyph weapons (glyph is a type of magic that is poisonous and extremely potent against Vampires - normal poisons do not work on them) but aside from this differ little from their Captains. The Ruling Council themselves forge their armour to their own personal preferences, as well as weaponry, and often fashion them after their Sarafan ancestors. It is rumored that the current Seraphan Lord, when fully prepared for battle, is a match for even Kain himself, though this has yet to be fully tested...
The Vampire Hunters
When the Sarafan brotherhood finally fell, they left a vacuum which was never filled for decades, for with the Vampires suitably subdued there was no need for such an organization to exist. Then, however, a tragedy happened: an unknown Vampire attacked and killed the young King William the Just. Sent into a frenzy, the people called out for revenge. The Time Streamer Moebius, one of the Circle of Nine, answered this call and gathered under him an army of mercenaries, brigands and ne’er do wells, training them to become the Vampire Hunters.
Upholding the noble ideas of the Sarafan, the Hunters were unified and organized, and under Moebius (and later the Captain-General, their leader after Moebius’ death at Kain's hands) persecuted the Vampire race, determined to wipe them off the face of Nosgoth. Armed depending on their preferred combat method and trained well on the best ways to kill a Vampire, the Hunters – though not as formidable as the Seraphan – are quite a dangerous foe. The Vampire Hunters are the first military organization on Nosgoth to begin employing the use of the experimental - and thus highly unstable - blackpowder weapons, which have proven more effective against Vampires than conventional ballistic weapons. However, these weapons are still rare and used sparingly, given to those who have had adequate training in how to operate them. A Vampire Hunter is easily marked out by the colours of his armour and clothing - red, black and a light, almost white grey. Unlike their comrades in both other military structures, the Vampire Hunters had long ago accepted the application and enlistment of women into their ranks, recognizing that the need for Human, not just male, warriors was great, leading to a higher number of women in this organization than any other. As yet the Hunters employ no magic users.
The Army of Hope
Long ago, the Army of Hope was the name given to the great army of Willendorf, greatest of the city states of Nosgoth. This army was the largest, best-equipped and well trained military since the times of the Sarafan. It was due to this army that Willendorf had never fallen or come under threat by any of its neighbors. Over time, however, this army’s glory deteriorated until it essentially ceased to exist, merely being referred to as the army of Willendorf. Like the Sarafan before them, the Army of Hope became lost to myth and legend.
With the rise of King Frederick, his first decree was the reformation of the Army of Hope, in his words, ‘An Army with which to bring hope back to the people and spread fear amongst the Vampires’. At his command, thousands answered this call, and their intense training began. However, when the King fell at Stahlberg, his daughter Valerie was the only possible heir remaining. Many had doubts that a woman could continue the King’s works, but Valerie not only proved them wrong, she surpassed her old man. Under her leadership, the industrial sectors of Willendorf worked constantly to supply this army with the best Mankind had to offer. Under Frederick and Valerie, the Army of Hope became a new kind of army; one comprised of nothing but horsemen. All are clad in white plate armour with fully enclosed helm, and bear swords, shields and either lances, throwing spears or tri-point crossbows, depending on their role in the army. They are trained to attack in waves, the first bearing lances, the second throwing spears, and the third forming up at the flanks of the enemy armed with tri-point crossbows to give supporting fire. Though they have yet to see battle, expectations are high for the Army, for if they fail, all hope may indeed be lost…
The Alliance of the City States
The lands comprising the Human Territories – the collective name for the lands of Nosgoth still under Human government – are divided up amongst the four great city states of Nosgoth. From these cities, the larger more akin now to citadels, the leaders of Humanity govern the surrounding lands who have pledged allegiance to them. Traditionally, the King of Willendorf was the leader of these nations, ruling over a loose federation who paid tithes and sent aid to one another when necessary, though each governed by their own laws. Now, however, none of the current rulers of the city states seek to bend their knees before the new ruler of Willendorf merely because of her gender. If this issue is not resolved, it may prove catastrophic before the end.
Greatest of all cities of Nosgoth, and ruler over the majority of the lands to the east, is Willendorf; a proud people whose history spans back beyond that of the other city states. Willendorf became famous to all Humans in the past because of the Army of Hope, an army long ago that none could withstand – an army currently being resurrected in the hopes of driving the Vampires back once and for all. Under the leadership of Queen Valerie, Willendorf’s standing army is the largest of all the Humans. These state soldiers are armed with swords and heater shields or longbows, and are clad in a mail hauberk with a breastplate over the chest. A helmet comprised of a nose guard and armour plating to protect the sides of the face riveted to it completes the attire of a standard warrior of Willendorf. Though the large plateau around Willendorf is home to many herds of horses, there are hardly any cavalry forces in the state army - those that are mostly scouts. The reason for this is that the horses are needed for the Army of Hope.
To the south, Meridian is a grand and beautiful city, its large western gates a sight to behold. Second only to Willendorf in size and power, Meridian has in recent years earned an infamous reputation, for it was outside the walls of this city that Kain’s first campaign was halted and the hated Vampire struck down – however, it is also from this city that the first Seraphan Lord ruled Nosgoth with a tyrannical iron fist. Because of this, and despite the passing of nearly four centuries, the nobility of Meridian are as mistrustful of the Seraphan as Captain-General Raikus of the Vampire Hunters – who is related to Princeps Serris, ruler of Meridian. The traditional weapon of Meridian is the spear, of which the blade is nearly half the size of the entire weapon. The men of Meridian wear strips of metal armour across the chest, back and shoulders over a red tunic and bear a large rectangular shield almost the size of the man into battle. Due to its proximity to the sea, Meridian boasts the only navy in Nosgoth, each warship armed with two catapults at both ends and four ballistae along each side.
Once a mighty city like Willendorf, Avernus is now a shadow of its former glory. Long ago, Avernus was taken by a foul sorceress who used Demons to enforce her will. These Demons destroyed much of the city and its population. Only now has the city been rebuilt completely, though it may never again be the mighty beacon of light north of Willendorf it once was - though it still holds sway over the valleys and mountains to the northeast. Due to their preference for more defensive tactics, the pike and crossbow (recently granted to them by the Seraphan as a gesture of goodwill) are the main weapons of the Avernus military, with scimitars coming in close behind. Due to the nature of these weapons, the men carry no shields, instead wearing heavy plate armour over a mail shirt and leather skirt to protect themselves. Added to this is a pointed helm with a mail collar attached to protect the back of the neck. Governed by Regent Halik, Avernus owes much to the Seraphan and their Seraphan Lord, and have no qualms – unlike other city state armies – about taking orders and following the Seraphan into battle.
Weakest of the city states, having suffered much at the hands of Kain’s Empire and lost the most amount of territory, the now small state of Freeport lays to the southwest of Nosgoth, its territories traditionally bordering that of Meridian, which lies to the east. However, the advances of the Zephonim, Razielim and Melchahim, not to mention the drive south the forces under Turel’s command have made, have all but cut off these people from the rest of the Human Territories. Ever a stubborn people, they refuse to give in to fear and doubt and are still determined to fight to the very end. Among the Humans, they are considered to be some of the bravest and most courageous. The warriors of Freeport are outfitted with scale mail armour over either a leather or mail shirt. Their shields are rounded, and their helmets feature nose, cheek and ear guards. The preferred weapons of the Freeport armies are the axe, throwing spear or short bow.
