Enjoj.
THE AZURE HOST
At times of war the armies of the High Elves are many but when peace comes most of them are disbanded. One of the few that remains under arms at all times is the fabled Azure Host of Ulthuan. Founded in happier times, during the peaceful reign of Bel-Korhadris by the Phoenix King himself, the host was envisioned as bodyguards to the members of the Loremaster council of the Tower of Hoeth during their journeys beyond the shores of Ulthuan. The quests to uncover lost artefacts, restore sites of magical importance or to destroy creatures threatening elven interests gave raise to many heroes and brought much renown to those that fought under the banner of the Azure Host. Yet war returned to Ulthuan, following the disastrous punitive expedition sent to Naggaroth by Phoenix King Morvael and the Azure Host was transformed into a full army under the command of the High Loremaster of Hoeth. In the last three hundred years the High Elves started to play a more active role in the world beyond Ulthuan and the Loremaster council had been at the forefront of these endeavours. Though still financed and equipped by the Phoenix King the Azure Host has become the mailed fist of the High Loremaster employed against the multitude of enemies that would see Ulthuan ravaged and High Elves enslaved or exterminated. To serve in its ranks is a great honour for commoner and highborn alike and noble families vigorously compete to place one of their own to command the host. Yet it is a perilous task for few in the armed forces of Ulthuan are called as often to face the foes of the Asur as the members of the Azure Host.
What follows is a roster of the host as it exists in the 359th year of our lord Phoenix King Finubar of Lothern.
PRINCE GILADIS
Admiral of the Azure Host, Steward of Elthin Arvan, Prince of Athel Ballarn, The Merlord
Giladis, the latest in the line of renowned admirals commanding the Azure Host had ascended to this prestigious rank relatively recently, a mere half a century ago. Even though being a skilled warrior that had already made a name for himself fighting in the colonies and at sea, he was not the first choice of the war council or the Phoenix King to become the next admiral of the Azure Host after Prince Elitor, the previous admiral, fell out of court’s favour. Though his haughty demeanour, pompous appearance and effete lifestyle were obstacles, they were not beyond his political clout to overcome. Hailing from Avelorn he belongs to one of the most illustrious bloodlines on Ulthuan. Descended from Aenarion through Yvrainne he is the cousin of the Everqueen and a distant relative of the High Loremaster of Hoeth. Had that not have proven enough to secure opinions in his favour a letter of recommendation from the ruling Prince of Caledor was ready, where Giladis spent much of his formative years and became a member of the Prince’s drinking and hunting companions.
Having nothing but disdain and loathing for the lesser races of the world Giladis set to his task with ruthless efficiency. Since he has been appointed Admiral of the Azure Host he has seen every continent and no race was spared his attention. He has defeated armies, sunk fleets, razed settlements and sundered realms all for the protection of Ulthuan. Even if he is not the most likable among the lords of Ulthuan Giladis stands proud and noble in the defence of his people, resolute in the intent of restoring the natural order of the world, with the Asur as its designated rulers.
Though he is barely two centuries old it is clear for all to see Giladis is destined for greatness like all scions of Aenarion and without a doubt a bright future is ahead of him if he can manage not to alienate the Phoenix court with his arrogant behaviour. At the court in Lothern malicious tongues already spread rumours that Giladis is eyeing the Phoenix throne and while he prudently remains silent, those that know him intimately are certain such ambition would not be beyond him.
BEL-SELITH
Loremaster of Hoeth
Once considered the greatest wielder of the wind of Ghyran alive apart from the Everqueen Bel-Selith is now a pale shadow of his former self. The Great Chaos Invasion left a deep mark and loss of his wife devastated him. For the past centuries he had mostly hid away in the libraries of the Tower of Hoeth shunning the company of others. So it came as a great surprise to the Loremaster council when Teclis, the High Loremaster, suggested Bel-Selith be the council’s delegate to the Azure Host. Though he accepted the task it was only reluctantly after Teclis assured him the auguries were in favour of that course of action.
In the ten seasons that he has now been with the host the sombre mage has acquired a reputation of a naysmith. Always he councils Giladis to chose the least dangerous course of action and more than once dared to catechise him for what his saw as rash and impetuous behaviour earning the ire of the admiral. For his part Bel-Selith just wants to save from harm as many fellow elves as he can before his duty ends and he can return to the embrace of solitude within the Tower of Hoeth.
PRINCE IMRALDAR
Bearer of the Azure Standard, Warden of Tor Tarara
Approaching two millennia of service in the armies of Ulthuan he is a hero of countless battles and though advanced in years his mind is still sharp and his sword arm strong. Famed for his steadfast nature and the ability to read the battlefield like few others he was often honoured with leadership of the Phoenix King’s hosts. Being a noble from Caledor he once rode to war atop a Dragon and no foe could stay his wrath but those days are in the past for his mighty steed was slain by vile Druchii sorcery more than half a millennia ago. On the passing of the wyrm he swore he would from that day forward out of respect to his fallen friend fight only on foot and it has been so.
His appointment to the standard bearer of the Azure Host was a natural one, for the Phoenix King believed the young, brash and headstrong, admiral would need a balancing force. Bolder hearts would say Imraldar’s mission is to steer Giladis to concentrate on what is best for the army as a whole rather than acquisition of his personal glory. Though he is slowly moulding the Merlord into a warrior the Asur people need in the dark days ahead, often still the burden of leadership falls onto his shoulders as the admiral is known to get drawn where the fighting is thickest ignoring the battle at large.
RALTHIRION
Commander of Nagarythe
Descended from Yeasir, the last loyal commander of Nagarythe, Ralthirion is a scion of a proud legacy. As all his forefathers since the days when Durinithill swore his allegiance to Alith Anar, the Shadow King, he fights in the Eternal War followed by band of Shadow Warriors. Though skilled with blade and bow his greatest asset is the ability to manipulate the winds of magic. Drawn by his fiery temperament the wind of Aqshy swirls around him and while his spellcasting is instinctive rather than learned it is no less potent.
He has joined the host during its last campaign in the Shadowlands planing to win the ear of the High Loremaster so that the Azure Host might be permanently deployed to the north against the renewed Druchii pressure. Though that has not happened yet his conversations with Giladis had given birth to daring dream. He has not confessed it to anyone but the admiral as the descendant of Aenarion plans to claim the rule of Nagarythe sometime in the future. How that will be received by the Shadow King can only be guessed.
CARATHRIL’S SPEARS
The 6th regiment of Lothern Sea Guard
Named after the legendary herald of the Phoenix King during the time of Sundering the regiment has a proud history of facing the Druchii on both sea and land. Yet fate has not been kind to the Spears and their fame often saw them in the centre of focus of aspiring Dark Elf commanders. This resulted that since its creation the regiment has been annihilated four times, most recently only three seasons ago. So the new recruits are highly motivated to live up to their regiment’s renown and avenge the deaths of their predecessors.
THE OAKENGUARD
Sentinels of Athel Ballarn
These are the personal troops of prince Giladis drawn from the spear companies of Athel Ballarn. Though this sparsely populated woodland realm cannot raise great numbers of warriors they take great pains to ensure their liege is at all times accompanied by an entourage befitting his status.
THE SILVER ELM SPEARS
The Pride of Avelorn
When it became known that one of their own was appointed leadership of the Azure Host the noble families of Avelorn were quick to send soldiers of their own households to join the host in bids for prestige and influence as well as sharing in the glory that was to be had. Out those warriors the main spear companies of the host are formed heavily reinforced with elves from elsewhere on Ulthuan.
THE BIRCHSTALKERS
Wardens of the Annulii
While the noble families provided spearmen the kinbands dwelling in the foothills of the Annulii answered the call of the Everqueen, to aid her cousin, by sending archers. Hundreds of elves came to the muster and many had to be turned back, for the host could not support them all, leaving an ample amount of volunteers ready to replenish the ranks when the time comes.
ORDER OF THE BLADEWIND
Chosen of the Tower
The Swordmasters that are delegated to the Azure Host are handpicked warriors selected by the greatest swordsman that graces the halls of the Tower of Hoeth, Loremaster Belannaer. To be one of the chosen is both a privilege and a burden, entrusted to carry the honour of the Azure Host for it was from the warriors of the order that the host has evolved.
THE KING’S OWN
Heralds of the Phoenix King
For a regiment of White Lions to accompany the Azure Host is a rare thing. Ever since the days of Morvael the Impetuous, the host though under the patronage of the Phoenix King was seen as a responsibility of the High Loremaster and later Phoenix Kings refrained from interfering. But the current Phoenix King Finubar had to make an exception and attach a selection of his finest bodyguards to the host because the Everqueen herself, concerned for the safety of her younger cousin, asked him if he could be kind enough and provide Giladis with a retinue as a favour to her. Though feinting a slight displeasure for dispatching some of his warriors to the Azure Host Finubar relished the opportunity that a cadre of his most loyal subjects would keep an eye on the troublesome prince. The Phoenix King is not deaf to the rumours in the court and though for now the White Lions are sworn to give their lives protecting Giladis in a blink of an eye they could become his captors should he become a danger to the throne.
GATEKEEPERS OF MIRAI
Carathril’s Spears Repeater Bolt Thrower Battery
Each regiment of the Lothern Sea Guard is equipped with the deadly Repaeater Bolt Throwers and the ones attached to Carathril’s Spears are some of the oldest employed in the armies of Ulthuan. The pair of them nickednamed the Scythe and the Sickle have fired their first bolts in the brutal battles fought against the Dwarfs in Elthin Arvan and are as much warmachines as they are artefact from the glorious past.
THE GREY WOLVES
Sons of Nagarythe
In the wilderness around the Azure Host operate the warriors that follow Ralthirion. Though currently aligned with the forces of Admiral Giladis they have but one purpose, to slay every Druchii that exists and restore Nagarythe to its former glory and nothing will stand in their way, especially not dreams of grandeur of some effete prince.
COMPANIONS OF THE HOST
Ireeth, Melendor, Luraal, Itkhaa, Nandos
As with every army of Ulthuan so is the Azure Host accompanied by various companions. The most significant of these is a dragoness Ireeth that befriended Giladis during his time in Caledor and joins him from time to time on the missions of the host. What exactly did the dragoness see in him is a questions that bewilders many across Ulthuan but none in the host can deny they are pleased when she appears. The lesser companions of the host are Giladises gryphon Melendor and a triplet of great eagles that follow the Birchstalkers; Luraal, Itkhaa and Nandos.
