The Dominion

History

The Dominion originated as a small troop of Veluralan army veterans led by Huvath Sagrel. They referred to themselves as the "Order of Devout Knights," dedicated to the cause of hunting down and destroying evil. For eleven years, they traveled and fought, primarily slaying demons or drow. They saved the lives of many people, while asking little in return, and word of their accomplishments spread far and wide. With time, many men and women, both young and old, human and non-human, joined the cause, bolstering the Order's numbers into a formidable force recognized throughout Calamia.

On Sunreign 30, 2990 ADW, a young man named Sirin Althenore joined the Order. He rose quickly through the ranks, demonstrating superior leadership under fire as well as a remarkable grasp of strategy both on and off the battlefield. A charismatic speaker, he won over many in the Order, playing off their greed, vanity, and self-interest. His ever-growing entourage seemed suspiciously homogeneous, consisting only of human members, but no one dared call Althenore out and challenge him. Those who opposed him were often crushed by his mastery of language and debate, or if necessary, by more nefarious methods.

As the years passed, Althenore acquired a position among the highest ranking members of the Order, second only to Huvath Sagrel himself. The two men were all pleasant smiles and conversation on the surface, but it was clear that their agendas clashed. The Order's once noble cause faltered as its membership gradually splintered into those who supported Sagrel and those who supported Althenore.

Humans under Althenore's banner began abusing their status and power, expecting deference and even obedience from the populace, particularly from the non-human races. Non-human Order members were no exception. At first, the injustices seemed circumstantial, but eventually, favoritism for humans over non-humans led to open bigotry. Non-humans were passed over for promotions. Human members received recognition for feats accomplished by non-human members. Anger and dissent grew ever stronger, until Althenore finally crossed the line.

On Fairyeve 17, 2996 ADW, Althenore released the "Doctrine of Human Rights," a bold proclaimation of the rights and priveleges befitting humans both inside and outside the Order. In short, although cleverly veiled in flowery words, the Doctrine gave humans unprecedented status and authority over non-humans. Virtually all the non-human members left the Order in disgust, resulting in a sharp loss of power in Sagrel's faction. Despite his best efforts, Sagrel lost control of the Order to Althenore, who began using the Order's resources to impose the Doctrine upon an unsuspecting Calamia. In the name of the Doctrine, the Order committed atrocious acts of racism, including the "cleansing" of several non-human settlements that would not submit to their authority.

Outcries rose throughout the populace, but their protests fell on deaf ears. During his rise to power, Althenore secured substantial political clout, and he used it well, keeping the governing bodies of the Calamian nations at bay while his subordinates did as they pleased. The atrocities continued until finally, its reputation forever stained, the Order of Devout Knights was no more. A new name sprang up among the people, and so the Dominion was born.

In the years that followed, the Dominion continued to spread its racist, cult-like propaganda, slowly gaining strength in all of the major nations except Migoto and more distant lands. Their influence is currently centered on predominantly human areas, although their hold on the major cities is still tenuous at best due to the presence of many opposing organizations as well as the generally higher level of education (and hence, resistance) among the people.

Ironically, the Dominion still claims to hold to the old Order's tenets of hunting down and destroying evil. Only now, the brand of "evil" falls upon anyone that opposes the Dominion. In contrast, Huvath Sagrel and his small group of followers continue to serve the original cause, often attempting to right the wrongs committed by Althenore's Dominion. Sagrel was last seen at the port city of Faldarlin, Thelahar.

Organization

The Dominion as it exists today is a military organization divided into five branches, one each for the central nations of Auraton, Ethardowan, Lagunis, Shanar, and Thelahar. There is no legion in Migoto or any of the more distant lands where the Dominion has yet to gain a foothold. Each branch is controlled by a legion commander. The legion is supported by a robust number of recruiters, propagandists, administrators, craftsmen, magi, suppliers, and others. Together, the five legion commanders collectively control the Dominion as a whole.

Each legion commander has a personal guard and about two thousand troops at his disposal, not including officers, new recruits, and specialists. These numbers vary from legion to legion depending on recruitment versus casualty rates. For example, the legions of Rionia and Ethardowan have suffered greater loses due to increased demon activity in those areas.

The troops consist of many classes, including cavalry (knights), infantry, archers, spies, assassins, and a small number of mages.

The Dominion is easily recognized by their white tabards trimmed in gold, with a crescent moon on the breast; its black points facing down. Their armor is usually silver or black in color, and their clothing is either brown, yellow, cream gray, or black. Those who are of high rank in the Dominion usually wear white clothing. Their symbol is etched along the blade of every Dominion member's sword.

• Sirin Althenore, 1st Commander of the Dominion Legion (Lagunis)
• Vincent Markovin, 2nd Commander of the Dominion Legion (Thelahar)
• Roland Cyen, 3rd Commander of the Dominion Legion (Auraton)
• Corgan Vaile, 4th Commander of the Dominion Legion (Ethardowan)
• Kenneth Mordishant, 5th Commander of the Dominion Legion (Shanar)

• Saren Gelnar, Friend of Mordishant and Guardsman
• The Baron Renaire Tyr Anethlen, Guardsman
• Calamus, Guardsman / Assassin
• Valis, Spy
• Lorin, Captain, 5th Legion
• Gable, General, 5th Legion
• Cord, General, 5th Legion
• Lesser, General, 5th Legion
• Setsil, Mordishant's Page

This elite group of warriors serve Huvath Sagrel. Much like the original Order of Devout Knights, these men and women of many races travel the world and fight evil wherever they find it. Jaded by Althenore's creation of the Dominion, the Order is tougher on new members than in the past. Applicants must demonstrate not only fighting skills, but dedication, commitment, loyalty, and the right quality of character as decided by Sagrel. It should be noted that members of the Order are often confused with Dominion troops, as they still display the same crescent moon symbol on their armor and weapons.

• Huvath Sagrel, Founder
• Urame, Huvath's apprentice

All the Legion Commanders are controlled by James. Huvath Sagrel and his apprentice are controlled by Tirus. Players wishing to create characters in the Dominion or in the Order of Devout Knights should contact Tirus or James for more information. Interested players should read the following threads for information on the Dominion's most recent activity.

• Lament for the Fallen
• Voice of the Devil
• The Windweaver
• Spies in the Snow