The Guard of Istiniar

The goal of this European clan is to have fun playing Warband in general and in organized battles. The clan has a fictional historical background, which can be used for roleplaying or in events such as the Battle for Calradia in which the clan could appear as a mercenary company and/or faction with specific goals and enemies that are based on that background.

The clan has a hierarchy and a leader, but its’ members have the option (but are not obligated) to discuss and vote for several things like the clans allies and enemies, opponents for clan-matches, squad-leaders, banners and probably other thinks I currently can’t think of. They can suggest whatever they think would add to the clan (like additional ranks or rules), which then will be discussed and put to the vote. The ranks in the clan show that the person wearing it has certain abilities, that he/she should be listened to or asked for advice in regards to the field he’s a specialist at. The ranks are awarded by the members in a vote.

Clan-internal tournaments shall help the members to find their favored classes and furthermore shall they server as a way to assemble squads like the cavalry or infantry. These squads will be led by a member who gets’ a special rank so that he can be recognized as leader of his class. Further ranks will include tacticians or strategists. Members with a rank have to organize their squad and therefore they possess some additional rights (like moderating their squads sub-forum or giving orders to their squad in battle). However every member (this includes the leader) must ask the clan before announcing, speaking or otherwise acting in the clans’ name. If the clan gave a member a direct and long-term permission for acting in regards to certain matters without further discussion or if the situation warrants an immediate response, the member can act without previous discussion.

With pride I now announce:

The Guard of Istiniar decides to prepare for war once more: to retake their beloved country from the hands of the unjust ruler and his henchmen. We shall restore a government, in which every human may participate. We will assemble armies of mighty bowmen, sturdy infantry and fast cavalry and hope to end the regime in Istiniar once and for all. The Guardsmen hope to find a great number of willing supporters and recruits who will aid them in their struggle. May the heroes and the wise of old be with us in spirit, if not in body, and aid us in our struggle!

There was once a land called Istiniar, reaching from the town of Yalen in the south to town of Praven in the north. Like many other realms of its time, Istiniar was ruled by one sovereign, the King of Istiniar. But this land wasn’t like the other Kingdoms. In this land the people – men and women alike – had the right to participate in the government. They met and they suggested what they thought should be done or not be done and then they discussed and then had a vote. The people of Istiniar were not equal in rights, but compared to their neighbours, the differences between the highest and the lowest Istiniarian was far less pronounced. The Istiniarians knew to value leadership, but they also knew the value of their own rights and participation.

But as it is with many kingdoms of our time, the good times came to an end, when a man, greedy for power, promoted the unsatisfied minds of some and a civil war broke out. And with the help of outside powers, who were loath to see a Kingdom ruled with the people and for the people and who wanted to see it perish from the earth, the insurgent overthrew the King of Istiniar and claimed the land for himself, ruling for coming years as despot over it. The capital of Istiniar, symbol of the Istiniarian identity was sacked and burned, the royal castle razed.

The Guard of Istiniar, an order of old, with noble ideas and sound minded members, stayed true to their king and to their belief of what was a good country. When the king was seized and murdered together with his family, the Guardsmen were in battle with the insurgent and his allies, suffering heavy losses. Decimated in numbers and with low spirits they were warned by friendly souls of what had befallen their king and his family. Forced to flee by the circumstances, they made an oath to reclaim the lands of Istiniar and to restore a government that would represent their values. The Guard then went into exile to muster forces and to recruit brave men to fight for their rights, their kingdom and their freedom.

1247 This year went Lord Golian of Epeshe and besieged Culmarr Castle, betraying his oath and king. The King Eothel came with his guard and all the people that followed him to Culmarr and there beat Golian and banished him from Istiniar.

1250 This year the King Eothel went to Chalbeck Castle to hold court there and it was in this year that Golian returned with allies from neighbouring realms. War broke out and the King Eothel led his armies into victory at Maras and Azgad.

1251 This year the King Eothel ordered his guard and all the brave men of Istiniar to fight a great battle against the invaders near Haringoth, where they were slain in great numbers. Preparing to ride into battle and help his ferocious fighters the king and all his family was slain by traitors in his own homestead. Opening the gates to the enemy, the same traitors then caused the sacking, burning and razing of town and castle of Istiniar. Only a few loyal guardsmen could escape the slaughter of Haringoth and they flew upon learning of their beloved kings and countries fate.

Kingdom banner

(Courtesy of Timothy the Knight)