Warband

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A warband on a tour of duty.
“

I am charr. My warband is to me what humans would consider a family. We were raised together as cubs in the creche, in the fahrar. We were trained to fight together as a unit. We may not share blood, for we honor our elders and forebears, but the bonds of battle hold stronger than any family tie.

— Ember Doomforge in Ghosts of Ascalon

The warband is one of the most important aspects of charr culture and the backbone of the High Legions. It is a unit typically led by a legionnaire and usually has five to fifteen members.[1] Warbands are mostly known for performing military duties, but many warbands can also be found performing non-combat service on the home front such as farming, mining, logging and ranching. Warbands serve as the primary social group—and the only family—that young charr of Central Tyria will ever know.[2]

Organization[edit]

Most warbands are led by legionnaires, though sometimes centurions can be seen leading their own warband. Centurions are also in charge of multiple warbands that form a company; in areas where multiple centurions are coordinating, a primus centurion—the "first among equals" of the centurions—might be appointed and lead an active assault force of three to five large companies. In even rarer cases, tribunes can lead smaller warbands as well, such as Tribune Kyranith Steelgrip of the Iron Legion. The primus warbands are always led by the imperators of the High Legions themselves, and the leaders of these respected warbands have traditionally been direct descendants of the Khan-Ur.[2]

Warbands typically have five to fifteen members, but can grow up to twenty or even beyond that such as how Rytlock Brimstone's renowned Stone Warband had up to two dozen members at one time.[1][3] When a warband becomes large enough, the legionnaire usually splits the warband into two separate warbands.

If a warband suffers severe losses in battle or in an accident, it is expected that the warband replenishes its numbers with new recruits, typically gladia, who are deemed suitable for the warband via questionnaires or tests of their combat abilities in e.g. the popular Ooze Pit Trials or in various missions where their performance is rated. Surviving warband members are generally expected to consult with one another before recruiting new members although it is possible for a surviving legionnaire, or the next officer in line, to recruit members without consulting if the other surviving warband members are presumed dead at the time.[4]

A charr's loyalty varies from individual to individual. Typically an individual's loyalty will lay with their warband first and the legion second, though it is expected of them by culture to hold utmost loyalty to the legion instead; it is usually only those who strictly follow regulations who hold legion loyalty over their warband. Because of this, if a legionnaire defects, the rest of the warband may follow out of loyalty to the warband.

Typically, charr do not leave their warband for another; however, it is still not uncommon. This can occur due to losing a warband, becoming a gladium, and joining a new warband. A soldier can also be transferred due to the legionnaire's decisions on the soldier being better off elsewhere. When charr change warbands, it is important for the new charr to be accepted and work with the new warband well in order to survive.

It is acceptable for charr to leave the warband of their youth for an extended period of time either due to a promotion or to perform a specific duty ordered by their superiors. In unusual circumstances, charr have even been known to join guilds or orders with other races in lieu of warbands. These charr may be outcasts or they may simply have been forced through necessity to take unusual allies. However, despite their odd allegiances, it is said that no charr ever forgets their loyalty to their respective legion.[1][2]

Naming[edit]

During their education and training in their legion's fahrar, every young charr is forced to become a member of a warband, usually adopting a surname indicating their membership. For example, they could choose the name Fierceclaw in a warband where members identify themselves with the word Fierce.[2] The warband's name can also be shown as the suffix of the surname; for instance, a member of the Strike warband can be named Swordstrike.

A warband's name is chosen when its members are ready to leave the fahrar. It is also possible to find two warbands with the same name at a time, which often results in a friendly rivalry between both. In some cases the warband may adopt a historical warband's name for themselves to e.g. honor the previous warband's fallen soldiers.[5] If the warband's legionnaire dies or is overthrown and cast out, it is possible for the remaining members to rename the warband.[6]

The four High Legions were originally named after their respective primus warbands (Ash, Blood, Flame and Iron).[2] However, none of the current imperators display any of the primus warband names in their surnames.

List of known warbands[edit]

Player's Warband[edit]

Charr players will have and expand a warband of their own during the early stages of the charr personal story. Who joins the warband is based on the legion the player has chosen during character creation as well as during specific choices made in the personal story. For Blood Legion characters the original legionnaire of the warband is Legionnaire Urvan Steelbane, and for Ash Legion characters it is Howl the Brazen. For Iron Legion the original legionnaire is never named. Similarly, the warband's original name is only mentioned for Blood Legion players (Steel Warband).

Original members
Ash Warband Recruits
Blood Warband Recruits
Iron Warband Recruits

Ash Legion[edit]

Warband Description Known members
Blast Warband Warband stationed at the Liberation Dell.
Claw Warband Leading the assault on the Flame Legion stronghold of Vidius Castrum.
Draft Warband Led by Snarl Backdraft.
Dusk Warband Led by Legionnaire Duskhunter. Keeping an eye on the Separatists holding out in Craze's Folly.
Fang Warband Warband stationed at Fangfury Watch.
Fate Warband Two known Ash Legion tribunes are part of this warband and they are currently leading the war operations against the Flame Legion in the Fireheart Rise.
Gnash Warband (historical) Former warband of the founder of the Black Lion Trading Company, Evon Gnashblade.
Haunt Warband #1 Warband tasked with destroying the powerful Ascalonian statues found at the Decimus Stones.
Haunt Warband #2 Warband stationed at the Moorwatch Tower.
Lava Warband Currently at war with the Flame Legion holding up in Provatum Castrum.
Mane Warband Led by Emer Whipmane currently dealing with one of its members who went AWOL.
Murk Warband Warband found in the Iron Marches.
Ogre Warband Their main task is to stop the ogres from pushing too far into the Cadem Forest.
Reave Warband Small warband running the Redreave Mill.
Rend Warband In charge of repelling the Mordrem invasion in the Iron Marches.
Scorch Warband Also known as Kalla's Killers. Out on a mission aiming to kill the powerful Flame Legion shaman Drakin Cinderspire.
Shade Warband Warband stationed in the northern portions of the Iron Marches.
Sharp Warband Warband in charge of Sharptail Encampment.
Silent Warband Small warband tasked with keeping control of the Stonecrag Kraal after its capture.
Steam Warband (historical) Was one of the two warbands assigned to the Havoc.
Stone Warband Their task is to keep an eye on the events ongoing at the Steeleye Span and to ensure the survival of Tribune Kyranith Steelgrip.
Thorn Warband Warband mentioned in the biography book Miracle Cures.
  • Grimmal Bloodthorn (Legionnaire)
  • Nammal Ashthorn
Whip Warband Small warband located at the Duskrend Overlook.

Blood Legion[edit]

Warband Description Known members
Blade Warband #1 Warband stationed at the Bulliyak Arsenal.
Blade Warband #2 Warband known to participate in local charr and norn organized fights.
Boom Warband Small warband patrolling the Village of Smokestead.
Breaker Warband Small warband located at the Tuyere Command Post.
Crimson Warband (historical) Former warband. The only remaining alive member is a retired soldier named Razah Crimsonfist, who can be found at the Praetor's Canton.
Gut Warband Leading an assault on the Flame Legion stronghold of Invictus Castrum.
Grim Warband (historical) Was found aboard the Brutality.
Ash Legion Confirmed
Fierce Warband (historical) Rebelled against the shaman caste.
Lash Warband (historical) Was running the North Nolan Hatchery before the Molten Alliance invasion. Only one of its members, Sithio Quicklash, still remains alive, and is now in charge of the hatchery.
Paw Warband Warband in charge of the Temperus Point. Its leader, Centurion Volante Tornpaw, is currently on the Flame Legion hit list due to her multiples victories and operations against them.
Razor Warband (historical) Warband of Kalla Scorchrazor, the charr who led the rebellion that overthrew the shaman caste in 1116 AE. They can be summoned by renegade revenants for assistance in battle.
Rouse Warband Patrolling the Village of Smokestead.
Ruin Warband Led by the Blood Imperator Bangar Ruinbringer which is located in the Blood Legion Homelands.
Saw Warband Currently tasked with offering protection to the workers of the Bloodsaw Mill.
Sharp Warband Warband stationed at the Brokentooth Maw.
Shatter Warband Large warband found on the two opposite sides of the Blazeridge Steppes. The ones at the Splintercrest Fort are preventing the ogres from pouring into the Fields of Ruin. The ones at the Brokentooth Maw were cut off the supply route by the Brand and some of the soldiers there started to go mad. At the Splintercrest Fort: At the Brokentooth Maw:
Soul Warband (historical) Led by Almorra Soulkeeper. All of its members except for her were turned into branded during the rising of Kralkatorrik, forcing Almorra to kill them.
Steel Warband #1 Warband led by Legionnaire Urvan Steelbane. Potentially includes the future Pact Commander and their sparring partners if Blood Legion was chosen during charr character creation.
Steel Warband #2 Warband stationed at Temperus Point.
Steel Warband #3 Warband led by Centurion Ryland Steelcatcher, cub of Rytlock Brimstone and Crecia Stoneglow.
Stone Warband Powerful warband led by Rytlock Brimstone.
Zeal Warband (historical) Was one of the two warbands assigned to the Brutality.

Flame Legion[edit]

Warband Description Known members
Burnt Warband (historical) Discovered the titans 250 years ago.
The Fireshadows (historical) Was one of the greatest warbands of its time. They served as an elite espionage and assassination team for the Flame imperator.

Iron Legion[edit]

Warband Description Known members
632nd Armored Death Warband Also known as the Iron's Tailpipe, is a small warband making and repairing tanks for the Sentinels in the Iron Marches.
Bone Warband Warband stationed at the Delegation of the Legions.
Boom Warband They are tasked with creating and launching special fireworks for Meatoberfest.
Note: There is also a Blood Legion warband named Boom Warband.
Bane Warband Their main task is to contain the Ascalonian ghosts pouring out from the Ashford Abbey.
Black Warband Running the Tela Range. Their ammunition is often stolen by the nearby skritts.
Blast Warband Tasked with destroying powerful ascalonian statues located in the Human's Lament.
Blight Warband Running a large forge located just outside the Black Citadel.
Burn Warband Running the Irondock Shipyard. Its leader was the one who designed the first submarine prototype called the Iron Barracuda.
Clash Warband #1 Tasked with protecting the Lake Feritas from the Flame Legion located inside Facula Castrum.
Clash Warband #2 Warband battling the dredge at the Burrows of Moledavia.
Dark Warband Running and defending the Ebonshore Plant.
Eye Warband Warband located inside the Black Citadel. They just received their new orders which are to meet up with Centurion Rabidblood near the Ascalon Basin.
Fang Warband Warband stationed at the United Legions Forward Camp in northern Drizzlewood Coast. Hack Strawfang is known for being the inventor of the Medizooka.
Far Warband Tasked with destroying a roost of harpies located just outside the Village of Smokestead.
Fiend Warband Warband led by Braai Doomfiend stationed at the Ashford Forum.
Gear Warband #1 Warband which has lost one of their tanks during an operation in the Shiverpeak Mountains.
Gear Warband #2 Warband stationed at Fangfury Watch.
Gore Warband Warband of Bhuer Goreblade, which he named after his ancestor Drub Goreblade.
Grind Warband Helping the player testing out their new weapon prototype during Ghostbore Musket.
Gut Warband Warband which makes regular supply runs between Scourgejaw's Vault and the Town of Cowlfang's Star.
Iron Warband Warband stationed at the Irondock Shipyard.
Keen Warband Tasked to maintain the Steeleye Span.
Lasher Warband Warband that works at the Stonefall Estate.
Night Warband Tasked with rooting out the Flame Legion holding out at the Incendio Templum.
Rock Warband In charge of security at the Warhound Village.
Rust Warband Running The Wrecking Yard, located just outside the Black Citadel.
Shock Warband Warband of engineers trying to find out new ways to protect soldiers from the harsh climate of the Fireheart Rise.
Shot Warband Offering protection to the Durmand Priory team excavating the Old Piken Ruins.
Shroud Warband (historical) Warband led by Centurion Harrow Shroudweather, who was the commanding officer of the Havoc.
Sleekfur Warband Small warband protecting the road leading to the Town of Cowlfang's Star.
Note: Even though the warband's name is "Sleekfur", the shared name is "Sleek".
Specter Warband In charge of safekeeping the ghost containment unit located inside Exterminatus HQ.
Spine Warband Small warband in charge of security at the Town of Cowlfang's Star.
Steel Warband #1 Warband which built and now mans Swordcross Outpost.
Steel Warband #2 Warband of Tribune Kyranith Steelgrip. Tasked with fighting any branded creatures who wander too close to the Steeleye Span.
Stone Warband Warband stationed in the Charr's Triumph.
Strike Warband Warband currently located at the Black Citadel. They took the name of a former warband that got decimated by the Flame Legion.
Torch Warband Small warband tasked with investigating a mountain in Kralkatorrik's Emergence Zone. Branded during Kralkatorrik's awakening.
True Warband Small warband affiliated with the Ebon Vanguard tasked with regaining control of the Wreckage of Doomspy's Watch.
Truth Warband Small warband tasked with rooting out the Flame Legion hiding out in the Echoslab Arches.

Orders of Tyria[edit]

Warband Description Known members
Gem Warband (Durmand Priory) Currently excavating the tomb of Grazden the Protector, located in the middle of Lake Adorea.
Hammer Warband (Order of Whispers/Vigil) Warband stationed at the Stentor Cannonade.
Kindle Warband (Order of Whispers) Training new Pact recruits at the Razorslide Bivouac.
Razer Warband (Durmand Priory) Small warband leading the group excavating the Old Piken Ruins.
Relic Warband (Durmand Priory) Priory warband currently on an assigment in the Plains of Ashford.
Skull Warband (Vigil) Small warband located at the Burnt Hollow.
Sky Warband (Vigil) Warband of Pact ships and helicopters pilots.
Smoke Warband (Vigil) Small warband protecting Pact vehicles in the Triumph Plaza.
Soot Warband (Vigil) Small warband located at the Guardian Stone.
Sword Warband (Order of Whispers) Small warband in charge of the attack on the Flame Legion stronghold of Atrox Castrum.
Thunder Warband (Vigil) Vigil warband part of the attacking forces in the Dragon's Stand.

Other[edit]

Warband Description Known members
Blood Warband (Lionguard) Warband in the snowy areas of Gendarran Fields.
Kill Warband (Pirates) Warband whose members are leading the Cutthroat Pirates, a gang of pirates established in the Brigantine Isles.
Metal Legion (Gladia) Warband of sorts that forms the Metal Legion, a charr metal band hosting concerts in Grothmar Valley for the All-Legion Rally.
Shot Warband (Lionguard) Warband stationed at the Stormbluff Beacon in the Bloodtide Coast.
Split Warband (Frost Legion) Frost Legion warband led by some of the highest-ranking members below Ryland Steelcatcher.
Venom Warband (Balthazar's Mercenaries) Small warband working as mercenaries hired by Balthazar to help him with his plans on Draconis Mons.

Sentinels[edit]

Warband Description Known members
Cheat Warband Small warband in charge of Fort Brandview.
Cruel Warband Investigating a strange crystal formation found at the bottom of the Tenaebron Lake
Dark Warband Warband in charge of Kinar Fort.
Faith Warband Warband occupying Kinar Fort. They also currently have trouble with the nearby skritts, who often steal their munitions.
Glass Warband Small warband trying to take down a dangerous branded griffon roaming the Brandstorm above the Sentinel's Perch.
Grind Warband Warband in charge of operations at the Helliot Mine.
Gristle Warband Small warband in charge of the Sentinel's Perch.

Unknown[edit]

Warband Description Known members
Anvil Warband (historical) Former warband whose most members perished in the Brand. The survivors made their way to the Crystal Desert and eventually joined up with the Followers of Ascension.
Axe Warband Warband of older charr found in the Town of Nolan.
Crush Warband Small warband of cubs. They often go running about at the Old Duke's Estate to rile up the Ascalonian ghosts.
Dawn Warband Warband of ranchers running the Dawnright Estate.
Death Warband Warband of ranchers running the Stonefall Estate.
Doom Warband Small warband in charge of security at the Deathblade's Watch.
Grave Warband (historical) Retired warband whose known member is the primus of the fahrar located at the Deathblade's Watch.
Heart Warband #1 Warband whose only known member is found training in The Bane.
Heart Warband #2 Warband of young cubs. They are helping Drottot Lashtail with his devourer ranch.
Hook Warband (historical) Warband that was tasked to protect Lake Feritas from threats. All members except for one is left alive and the Clash Warband has come to replace it.
Mend Warband Warband of blacksmiths working at various compounds throughout the Fields of Ruin.
Might Warband Young warband mentioned in the book The Might Warband Report, covering a record of them about to choose their names.
  • Kesh
  • Turel
Near Warband Small warband in charge of the mining operations at the Bloodcliff Quarry.
Net Warband Warband of fishers occupying the Dewclaw Village.
Paw Warband Warband found in the Town of Nageling and its surroundings.
Pick Warband (historical) The former warband of Rox. All of its members except for her died during a cave in.
Quick Warband Warband attending Meatoberfest in the Village of Butcher's Block.
Rapid Warband Warband of ranchers running the Bovarin Estate.
Rend Warband Warband of service providors found in Caer Evermore.
Saw Warband Warband found in the Village of Smokestead.
Scale Warband Warband raising and training devourers for the Sentinels in the Iron Marches.
Sharp Warband Warband of weaponsmiths selling their wares in the Memorial Quadrant at the Black Citadel.
Spark Warband Warband of mechanics working on war wagons in the Black Citadel.
Spit Warband Young warband still in training at the Fahrar of Young Heroes.
Stalk Warband Warband of young cubs currently touring the Black Citadel with their primus Tira Quickfury.
Stripe Warband Warband of service providors found at The Last Whiskey Bar.
Tide Warband Old warband whose members are living out their days at the Ferrusatos Village.
Timber Warband #1 Warband of loggers running the Raintimber Mill.
Timber Warband #2 Warband of loggers working in Warhound Village.
Torn Warband Old warband whose members are living out their days at the Ferrusatos Village.
War Warband Warband of retired soldiers and loggers located at the Warhound Village.
Welder Warband Warband of charr workers employed at the Lion's Arch Aerodrome.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c The Legions of the Charr
  2. ^ a b c d e The Ecology of the Charr
  3. ^ "Chapter 10: Magma Monsters", Edge of Destiny by J. Robert King:
    "Mercenary scout for a supply caravan in the Blazeridges?" Rytlock said. "That's about as far from your brother as you can get."
    Logan looked at his hands. "Guess so." They sat awhile in silence before he asked, "You got any brothers?"
    "About a dozen," Rytlock said with a rueful laugh, "and a dozen sisters."
    "Big family."
    Rytlock shook his head. "Charr don't have families. We have warbands. The bonds are even stronger."
  4. ^ Chain of Command
    Cerosi Breaksteel: Cerosi Breaksteel. Steelbane recruited me along with the others to rebuild the warband.
    <Character name>: Wait, what? He's recruiting without asking us?
    Cerosi Breaksteel: Yeah, because you're dead, remember? And probably better off that way. Report to Steelbane in the barracks, quick, or you'll be in for a beating.
  5. ^ Castella Swordstrike
  6. ^ Time for a Promotion
    Reeva: Hey, I just realized: with Steelbane gone, we can rename our warband!
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