[MOC] Wyvern's War Part 1: the Ebon Band

[Arcturus24]

Introducing: the Ebon Band!

The Ebon Band is a warband of hardened warriors, loyal to Nocturnus but fighting elsewhere as mercenaries as well. During the Elemental Crisis, the Band was stranded far away from Nocturnus and have missed most of the civil war thus far. They have now returned to join the Resistance, but will first be taking care of their own business: the conquest of Wyvern's Reach.

The Ebon Band is led by Hector Mithrades, a former Kaliphlin soldier dishonourably discharged for savagery on the battlefield. He left the lands of his birth and traveled to Nocturnus, where he found his place in a warband. Over the years he climbed up through the ranks to become its commander. Hector is a fierce warrior and relishes the thrill of battle. He is always in the forefront of the fighting, leading by example.

Hector's second-in-command is Gareth Larconne, a grizzled veteran swordsmaster. He is Hector's main advisor when it comes to strategy. The Larconne family is old and renowned, tracing its ancestry back to Jericho 'Wyrmscourge' Larconne, who slayed the great wyvern Cordath and built the moutaintop city of Wyvern's Reach over its nest. Gareth was born a second son, and had always lived in his older brother's shadow. Because of this he left Wyvern's Reach and joined the Ebon Band, long before Hector would become its leader or would even join.

A few years ago, Gareth's brother died and his son took over as Lord of Wyvern's Reach. When the Obsidian Spire rose in rebellion, this young Aidan Larconne joined them. Gareth, loyal to Nocturnus, pleaded with Hector to take the Band to fight his nephew. The prospects of battle, serving Nocturnus and the addition of the Wyvern Guard, the army of Wyvern's Reach, were enough reason for Hector, and he committed the Band. They recently passed into the Darklands again, and are now marching on the eastern Rakath Mountains, were the mountain stronghold of the Larconne family is located.

A significant part of the Ebon Band's fighting forces consists of orcs, led by the fearsome Razgrim Bearflayer. Well-armed orcs fill out most of the warband, but a number of heavily armoured Clawed Berserkers and Stalkers can also be found.

Other infantry units include the Ebon Blades, the elite heavy infantry of the band. They are led by Cyrus Irving who, it is whispered, has fled Avalonia after killing his entire stepfamily. He was born the only son of a noble house, and was raised to follow in his father's footsteps. In his youth, he lost his mother, and his father remarried. She had her own sons though, and boundless ambition. When Cyrus' father died as well, Cyrus was still too young to take over as Lord, and his stepmother took that place. Cyrus was shoved aside in favor of his stepbrothers and was eventually reduced to stablehand. After years of callous treatment and festering resentment, Cyrus murdered his stepfamily in their sleep and fled the castle. Cyrus himself is silent on the matter, but he has a clear dislike of nobles, which often causes him to clash with Gareth.

The infantry is further filled out by a small regiment of Avalonian crossbowmen that had joined the band after their army was smashed during the Elemental Crisis. They have been somewhat uncomfortable with the method of operations of Hector and the Band, but have still decided to come along to Wyvern's Reach, if only to work against the Obsidian Spire.

The Ebon Band's scouts and outriders are a group of orcs from a plain-roaming tribe. They have joined the Band in the hope of bringing back spoils and glory to their tribe. They fight from horseback with spear and shortbow and are best at harrying actions. Their leader is Graedo Greataxe, who, in contrast to his fellow tribesmen, fights with a massive double-bladed axe.

Rounding out the Band's main fighting forces is a unit of heavy cavalry led by Cassandra Rothmere, an unusually fierce Avalonian Lady who had run away from her life as a noble and had become a mercenary.

In the Band as well are the Kobold brothers Klabward (left) and Hufward (right). Both are exceptionally ill-tempered and are often avoided by the other members of the Band. They are still valuable members, as Klabward is a veritable storm of pointed steel balls on the battlefield and Hufward keeps an eye on the Band's treasury and documents. (which no one else is willing to do, they're warriors, not scribes!)

As avoided as the Kobold brothers is the eerie beastmaster Hir. No one knows what has caused his horrifying visage, and no one cares to know. But he is an exceptional trainer of beasts of war, such as the troll he is depicted with.

Deregrim Kraghide is the Band's engineer, building catapults, rams or siege towers when necessary. He is helped by his two Shraliek (I'd come up with these seperately from Legonardo, but thought I should use the name as the tribes are canon) helpers.

Finally, the Band also includes a mage and an assassin. Lucio Zintoya is about an average mage. He can hurl a fireball when needed, he can heal deadly wounds, but he won't be summoning any creatures or raise the dead. Which is fine, as some members of the Band are distrusting of magic as is and they are managing fine. Saelena Hacim is a mysterious assassin, who keeps her face wrapped in black cloth at all times and only shows two blazing blue eyes and pale white skin. No one knows what exactly she is, but none care. Thus far, she has succeeded on every mission given to her, from opening the gates of a city to silently dispatching a well-guarded noble, no matter how impossible it seemed.

And finally, a shot of the entire Ebon Band so far! I hope to get some more figs together, there are only two heavy cavalry figs...

Anyways, what do you guys think? I'm pretty happy with how everything turned out, and I quite like the cart.

Edited June 3, 2016 by Arcturus24

[TitusV]

The cart is indeed very nice, and I love all the figs!

[dathil]

I love the figs too, really nice. Yet, 'who, it is whispered,' .. finish the sentence, im curious! :D

[MKJoshA]

I love the figs too, really nice. Yet, 'who, it is whispered,' .. finish the sentence, im curious! :D

I want to know the same!

[Arcturus24]

Thanks for the kind replies!

Yeah, I wanted to insert a somewhat dark backstory in there, but couldn't come up with anything good, so I skipped that to do later... and then I forgot and posted already. I'll think about it some more and add it once I'm done

[soccerkid6]

Great assortment of warriors! The orcs and assassin are especially cool

[BrickCurve]

Looks great. I really like the design of the cart roof. I reccomend taking photos outside to have brighter light, the photos here are a bit dark.

[LittleJohn]

As the others have said, great figs! The cart is excellent as well, I really like the curved roof

[Arcturus24]

I added Cyrus' background, it is sort of a dark twist on Cinderella. For those who don't want to search through the first post:

It is whispered that Cyrus Irving has fled Avalonia after killing his entire family. He was born the only son of a noble house, and was raised to follow in his father's footsteps. In his youth, he lost his mother, and his father remarried. She had her own sons though, and boundless ambition. When Cyrus' father died as well, Cyrus was still too young to take over as Lord, and his stepmother took over. Cyrus was shoved aside in favor of his stepbrothers and was reduced to stablehand. After years of callous treatment and festering resentment, Cyrus murdered his stepfamily in their sleep and fled the castle. Cyrus himself is silent on the matter, but he has a clear dislike of nobles, which often causes him to clash with Gareth.

[ixypixy]

Brilliant introduction for your sig figs, I'm looking forward to seeing how their story develops. You've created a great diverse band of gritty characters, I think the nephew should be worried their headed in his direction The brick built wagon is very good as well.

[Blufiji]

Very detailed intro to your mercenary team, I enjoyed the read and the descriptions very much. I'm looking forward to the many battles to coem for them.

[Hexx]

Awesome! This is one colourful bunch! Sadly my Cult is too small and frail to face you in battle, so we'll just hide in the swamp for now