More fuel for the fire? My imagination keeps ticking over for this setting... DrSi, I don't know if you have anything written or planned for the Wardens of the Midnight Sun yet. Below is my first pass at putting some detail to them. Feel free to use none, some or all of it (or add to it...or do whatever really).
The Wardens were originally an Elvish organisation, formed in the now long passed days of Elven supremacy in the region. Their original purpose was to keep travellers safe on the roads and byways away from the more settled areas. Sometimes this took the form of taking on a guide's poisition. Sometimes helping those through inexperience, naievety or sheer bad fortune than they came across in the wilds. As the Orcs and Fey multiplied in the region Elven power waned, though the Wardens survived.
Guided by a conclave of druids and experienced wardens from a location revealed to few - even among the Wardens themselves, though suspected to be the land of the Midnight Sun referred to in their name. Some stories say that this is a mountain so high that one can see the sun as the gods return it to its starting point in the east. Other stories say that the world is round, and the Midnight Sun it is a cavern so deep that sunlight from the other side shines through. Any who may have seen this place that the Wardens hold holy have not spoken of their visit.
The Wardens of the Midnight Sun divide the region of their influence into Marches - though no formal division has ever been made. Each March is "supervised" by a resident Marshall, who has his own selected group to undertake tasks. This group is of no fixed size, disposition or ability. Some of the better known Marches include the River March, encompassing Last Ferry and a good deal of its surrounds and the Ridgeback March that covers the major trade routes across a series ridgeline trails back to the civilized lands.
The ultimate goals of the Wardens are known only to the conclave, though many have guessed at them based on the actions taken. , the Wardens will take care of their own as a first priority. Since most individual Wardens are ruggedly independent creatures, this consumes little resources. Any individuals or groups found to be in need in the wilderness - regardless of their race, creed, religion or philosophy (provided it does not oppose the Wardens themselves) will be given aid to the best of any individual Warden's ability. This commonly results in an individual Warden accepting a guide's position for groups heading out of the jurisdiction of the towns and villages.
Ultimately, many inhabitants of the region are convinced that the Wardens are a stabilising force. They do not impose their own laws and beliefs on the inhabitants. At times will act decisively to control various groups that seek to gain too great a power throughout the region. Commonly these groups are Orcs, who breed powerful individuals in great numbers, and the Fey - who are devious and can grow powerful stealthily. As the Fey and Orcs compete for many of the same resources, outright confrontation between the two groups would result in widespread destruction. The Wardens are known to act to nip potential power imbalances in the bud with deadly force. This has, and will no doubt continue, to involve armed raids against rising Orc and Fey leaders that threaten to unit their respective races against the other inhabitants.
The Wardens were originally an Elvish organisation, formed in the now long passed days of Elven supremacy in the region. Their original purpose was to keep travellers safe on the roads and byways away from the more settled areas. Sometimes this took the form of taking on a guide's poisition. Sometimes helping those through inexperience, naievety or sheer bad fortune than they came across in the wilds. As the Orcs and Fey multiplied in the region Elven power waned, though the Wardens survived.
Guided by a conclave of druids and experienced wardens from a location revealed to few - even among the Wardens themselves, though suspected to be the land of the Midnight Sun referred to in their name. Some stories say that this is a mountain so high that one can see the sun as the gods return it to its starting point in the east. Other stories say that the world is round, and the Midnight Sun it is a cavern so deep that sunlight from the other side shines through. Any who may have seen this place that the Wardens hold holy have not spoken of their visit.
The Wardens of the Midnight Sun divide the region of their influence into Marches - though no formal division has ever been made. Each March is "supervised" by a resident Marshall, who has his own selected group to undertake tasks. This group is of no fixed size, disposition or ability. Some of the better known Marches include the River March, encompassing Last Ferry and a good deal of its surrounds and the Ridgeback March that covers the major trade routes across a series ridgeline trails back to the civilized lands.
The ultimate goals of the Wardens are known only to the conclave, though many have guessed at them based on the actions taken. , the Wardens will take care of their own as a first priority. Since most individual Wardens are ruggedly independent creatures, this consumes little resources. Any individuals or groups found to be in need in the wilderness - regardless of their race, creed, religion or philosophy (provided it does not oppose the Wardens themselves) will be given aid to the best of any individual Warden's ability. This commonly results in an individual Warden accepting a guide's position for groups heading out of the jurisdiction of the towns and villages.
Ultimately, many inhabitants of the region are convinced that the Wardens are a stabilising force. They do not impose their own laws and beliefs on the inhabitants. At times will act decisively to control various groups that seek to gain too great a power throughout the region. Commonly these groups are Orcs, who breed powerful individuals in great numbers, and the Fey - who are devious and can grow powerful stealthily. As the Fey and Orcs compete for many of the same resources, outright confrontation between the two groups would result in widespread destruction. The Wardens are known to act to nip potential power imbalances in the bud with deadly force. This has, and will no doubt continue, to involve armed raids against rising Orc and Fey leaders that threaten to unit their respective races against the other inhabitants.
