Archangel's Heroes
While the Righteous Order was created as a military power to defend Legere from evil beyond, the political neutrality of such a force could come into question at any time. Many kingdoms would likely be uncomfortable with or outright deny the passage of paladin forces through their lands, and so a more surgical team of elites had to be created. A group of individuals from all over Legere, politically neutral, culturally diverse, small and yet mighty.
The Archangel's Heroes were mortal champions chosen by Archangel Michael to leave behind their old lives and vanquish evil across Legere. They became well-known across Legere as saviors. Their many acts against tyrannical rulers and other dangerous, powerful individuals cemented them as legends in service of all who live on Legere.
They often refused pay, divinely bound to hunt Evil wherever it lurked.
While the Righteous Order was already prepared to fight the forces of evil, there was something far more discrete and precise about a a small band of heroes.
First Generation #
Formation #
Ladodon and Archoth Called Forth #
The Archangel's Heroes' formation began with the Archangel Michael appearing in 274 DHT before Sir Ladodon the Second and Sir Archoth the Second, two exceptional Holy Knights. The Archangel instructed them to scour Legere and find others who would fight alongside them against inevitable evils that would rise up. The Paladins, being under direct command of the Angels, obliged without question, setting off across the planet to find the others.
Kazakk Convinced #
The Archangel told the two that they would recognize other viable champions by a divine glow around their heads. Only Archoth and Ladodon would be able to see these halos, but each new member to their cause would soon also gain this vision. With the Righteous Order's fortress situated within the borders of Phovezila, it was only fitting that the first member the two knights found was Elementum Kazakk Glaspur. Kazakk was an elemental warrior, an arcane knight in service of the Elementum Order that defended Phovezila. Kazakk and his fellow elemental warriors were on patrol, and happened upon the two paladins by pure chance. They were about to bid each other good day when Archoth noticed the halo around Kazakk's head that was missing around the others. Ladodon dismissed this at first, thinking that it was a Sunslingers' trick, but eventually changed his mind when it was revealed none of the other elemental warriors could see it. After a long discussion, the duo managed to convince Kazakk to join them, mostly because of the reputation Holy Knights had of not being able to lie.
A Bout with Marack #
Marack was the second character found and the fourth overall member of the Archangel's Heroes. A red-skinned dun with a career of fighting in the pits, Marack was visiting the Nameless Town as a sort of business trip. The trio of Holy Knights and elemental warrior arrived to stay the night at the Dancing Dragon, but easily picked out the dun's halo in the bustling crowd inside the tavern. Marack thought the group were troublemakers jesting him, trying to pick a fight. Feeling provoked, Marack decided to do what he did best--punch people. Ladodon and Marack went outside of the tavern and engaged in a long, grueling, but overall friendly boxing match. Both parties beaten and blooded, Marack finally called the duel over and announced that the group had won his respect. He had deep pockets of coin and had frankly become tired of the fighting pits--perhaps a journey across the land was what he needed to bring new excitement to his life.
Etain Becomes More Than a Ghosthunter #
The fifth member of the Archangel's Heroes was Etain Lyle, a young woman who was an extremely prolific Ghosthunter. Tracking a pack of five possessed moss lycans, the Ghosthunter found the group of four under attack by her prey. They struggled to defeat the creatures while Etain's Ghoststone weaponry made short work of the monsters. As she began to leave, the group stopped her because they saw the halo around her head, insisting that she had to leave her job and join them for the greater good. Etain was hesitant at first, due to a long-standing personal oath to hunt ectoplasms until the end of her days in order to avenge her late family. Etain's curiosity for adventure and attraction to Ladodon eventually got the better of her, and she joined them as they travelled South into the Eastern Provinces.
Through the Stomach and into Bohoab's Heart #
The final member of the Archangel's Heroes was Bohoab Bjitkehl Copressa, a ferocious Serberker who had travelled South in search of his meaning of life: food. After travelling through Songkram territory and not finding a new member while deal with a less-than-welcome reception by local authorities, Marack suggested they travel back West to Destral. He also unenthusiastically suggested they stop by Korlock since it was also nearby the Great City. However, there they found Bohoab travelling down the streets, who was on a quest to find authentic dun cuisine. Seeing his halo, the team knew Bohoab was also a member, but he refused to join them unless they could cook him a good meal. Marack then attempted to direct his allies into cooking what few dun dishes he could remember, which went terribly to say the least. Something about the effort the team put into cooking moved Bohoab, and he agreed to join them, on the condition that they stop for a good feast before leaving.
It is at this point that the Archangel reappeared, congratulating them for finding each other and sticking together for so long. He told them that Bohoab was their final member, and they were now prepared to fight evil. The Archangel did not tell them where to go, so the group started by hunting down dun bandits plaguing the Modwuk River.
Rise to Fame #
The Archangel's Heroes' targets grew in power and formidability until they learned of the existence of the Dark Lord Pitch, a self-taught but incredibly strong necromancer bent on creating a body for a long-slain Demon from the Demon Wars. By allying with the Heroes of Nokkville, the Archangel's Heroes were able to defeat Pitch not once, but twice, cementing their name and fame throughout all of Legere.
The Archangel's Heroes would go on to face many other threats, but none as great as the danger that Pitch had posed.
Fallen Heroes #
In around 309 DHT, the Archangel's Heroes collapsed due to the Ultimate Evil fooling every member into dark contracts that preyed upon their deepest, darkest desires and weaknesses. Their souls were imprisoned in specialized contraptions across Legere, halting the aging of their bodies and locking their souls so that they could not die. However, their minds would be corrupted and they would become evildoers known as the Fallen Heroes.
Each Fallen Hero would go on to amass minions and soldiers from various mercenaries they came across, using their soul contraption to summon forth endless amounts of money and resources to ensure their warriors would remain loyal. These followers would also work to construct bastions around their masters' soul contraptions, cementing their rule and threat across Legere. Construction of these forts began around 327 DHT but their presence became widely known by 328. In 329 the bastions were completed and served almost as tumours, leeching goods and product from nearby locations. Finally, these dark castles would be conquered by the Second Generation of Archangel's Heroes in 330 DHT, freeing the Fallen Heroes' souls and returning them to normal.
After all but Etain's souls had been freed, the first generation of heroes joined forces with the second to confront the corrupted Etain and banish the evil lurking within her bastion. The heroes would prevail after Etain summoned forth a monstrous undead Nephilim known as Ramuthra, but Etain would perish due to her life-force being tied to the twisted creature she had summoned. After this bittersweet victory, the first generation would officially retire and the second generation would take over.