INTRODUCTION

The Dreadknights is the collective name given to the group of loyal soldiers sworn to protect the Undead Queen of the Dreadlands. Before the terrifying and incredible event that destroyed the Sollovast nation and killed all life in the land, they were the Queensguard. A Dreadknights sole duty is protecting their ruler. They stand by her side at all times, ensuring her safety from the forces of the necromancers of the Cult of Shadows. The cult still operates in the Dreadlands and even in other parts of the Vathrian Kingdoms and the threat of attack is always present. The Dreadknights regardless remain steadfast and committed to never allowing the power of the necromancers to threaten their Queen again, their allegiance is unquestionable. Their prowess in battle, unmatched and their thirst for vengeance is unrivalled. To stand against a Dreadknight is to stand against death itself.

CHARACTERISTICS

Brotherhood in Death Of the original one thousand five hundred members of the Varapesia City Queensguard only eight of them stood following the transformation of Sollovast. The devastation and death around them was sickening. The eight among the dead looked upon their brothers in arms with anguish and disbelief. Together they slowly, desperately made their way to their Queen and shielded her. Cataclysmic change had happened to all of them and yet their first thought was to their duty. The Cult of Shadows were not done with their attack and as the Queen awoke undead the sounds of battle were around her. Her Queensguard fought valiantly against the also now undead necromancers of the cult. They pressed the attack and still the Queensguard never faltered even when fighting against the magic of the dead itself. They pushed the cult members back, and with a last volley of magic those who still stood took the body of the High Bishop Valim and fled. Rather than pursuit, the eight Queensguard returned to their Queens side. Legends of the Dreadlands told by the living say that as the Queen wept over people and her lands the Dreadknights stood in silence for months, never questioning, never speaking, and never doubting their pledge. They would stand by her side for all time, these eight who would not speak their true names ever again… For though they were few, in them they carried the sworn duty of every soldier of the old Varapesia City Queensguard. They became a legion unto themselves.

HISTORY

Age of Freedom A long time ago in the Age of Freedom, Vathria was recovering from the God wars. Nations disappeared from the maps, people found new lands to settle and the blood of the dead washed away and enriched the lands with new life and growth. However in the South East Vathrian kingdom of Sollovast a terrible event occurred. A magical blast originating from the great and powerful city of Varapesia overwhelmed the nation and in less than a moment all was dead. This magical attack was the evil work of the Cult of Shadows, a group of Necromancers and cultists built up by the Sollovastian Queens own High Bishop Valim. He betrayed Queen Yanella and cast a shadow over the land that could never be banished. Sollovast was no more. It was not however the end of all things, as from the ashes of death and destruction a fraction of the people miraculously got back up, forever changed. They became the undead and Sollovast became known as the Dreadlands. At the time of the event Varapesia was home to 500 brave and true soldiers known as the Queensguard. However despite their oath to protect Queen Yanella of Sollovast, they could not save her mind from corruption. She allowed herself too easily to be swayed by the counsel of others, especially by that of her High Bishop Lord Valim who convinced her that attack on the nation was all but certain. He told her of outside forces, jealous of Sollovast's great bounty and poisoning her thoughts. She was taught to distrust her own Queensguard in fear of rebellion and uprising. The soldiers could do nothing but watch as she gave in to Valim never realizing that she was being manipulated. The commanders tried to talk with her but all were rejected. Despite her distrust of them, they remained loyal to her until the bitter end. Following the great event, of the fifteen hundred members of the guard, only eight survived the transformation into the Undead. They rejected their own identities and cast off the lives they had lived before. They became Dreadknights of the Dreadlands, protectors of the crown and the realm, with unfaltering loyalty to their Queen. She loved them as if they were each both her child and father, the Queen did nothing without her Dreadknights and they did nothing without her. The Current Age Too many years have passed since the event that destroyed Sollovast, but the Undead Queens Dreadknights remain by her side. Their nation has remained in a state of limbo ever since, with little effort to rebuild. There have been further attempts over the years by the Cult of Shadows and the necromancers to assassinate the Queen but still she stands, a proud symbol that while the Dreadlands stands, the memory and promise of Sollovast will never truly be forgotten. Her watchers and knights will continue to stand at her side to ensure that she is right. The Ages yet to come The histories of tomorrow are awaiting an author, one who would tell the stories of the heroes and events not yet known. The Dreadknights have stood beside their queen over the eons never wavering, never changing, and never faltering. They need not pledge for further loyalty to their Queen for it is eternal and always as they prepare for a future that may never come to the Dreadlands. However for now, those stories are unwritten and the outcomes unknown as the looming threat grows larger across Vathria.