Name: Vampire Nation
Type: Vampires
Location: Near Stratholme, Azeroth
Loyalty: Cain
Allies: Were-Nation
Leader: Cain
Item Received:
Members: The hierarchy of command is as follows:
Clan Lords:
Raven, Talons of the Raven clan (in Dragonslair, Yeggli)
Ian Trask, Nightmare clan (in Lordaeron, Azeroth)
Ansel Mavin, Shadowkeepers clan (near Sandcaster, Xeen)
Donovan Trueblood, Bloodstalkers clan (in Crystalwood, Yeggli)
Raitha Treeskin, Night Haunts clan (in Mirkwood Forest, Kavlin)
Aranya Ladyhawk, Nighthawks clan (in Northwood Forest, Yeggli)
Draven Silverbane, Silverbane clan (in Ningrom, Nin)
Warlords:
Red, Cedric Nottingham, Bonedragg Skullcrusher
Other Notable Members:
Jiema, Ashia Planewalker, Kendric, Valana, Vidanya
Typical Members:
2,000 Vampire Warriors, 500 Veteran Vampire Warriors, 500 Vampire Assassins, 100 Veteran Vampire Assassins, 12,000 Vampires
Notes/Description: The Vampire Nation is composed of nearly 16,000 individuals of all known races. Although Cain's castle in the mountains near Stratholme serves as the main base of operations, there are branches in nearly every major city throughout the world. The goal of the guild is a simple one, conquer and convert all other races and nations. Based on numbers alone, the Vampire Nation is not a large army, however, they use great cunning and skill in their attempts at conquest. Unbeknownst to most beings, not all members of the Vampire Nation are vampires. About 1,500 non-vampiric members are kept for operations where a vampire would be detected or unable to operate.
Name: The Slayers
Type: Knights of Stromgarde
Location: Stromgarde, Azeroth
Loyalty: Lief and ultimately, Lord Lothar
Leader: Lief the Slayer
General Alignment: Good
Item Received: Medallion of Courage
Members: 20
Notable Members: 20 Knights
Strategies/Tactics: The Slayers pride themselves on being swift and effective. Although some would say they do not devote enough time to compose a battle plan, they excel at devising strategies in the heat of the moment to best combat their foes. When used as a strike force for the Stromgarde military, the Slayers rarely use trickery and fancy tactics. Instead, they prefer to send part of their forces charging headlong into the enemy with their lances to get their attention and then send the remainder of the team in a flanking manuever to finish them off.
Notes/Description: Elite knights that lead the armed forces into battle and also serve as Lothar's personal bodyguards. The Slayers are known for their extreme bravery, even in the face of insurmountable odds.
Name: Masters of the Dark Tower
Type: Master Mages of Stromgarde
Location: Stromgarde, Azeroth
Loyalty: Khadhar and ultimately, Lord Lothar
Leader: Khadhar, Supreme Sorceror of Azeroth
General Alignment: Neutral-Good
Item Received: Obsidian Amulet
Members: 13
Notable Members: 12 Mages
Strategies/Tactics: Every Master is a seasoned veteran of many wars and conflicts. Although they generally keep a few invisible and highly protected members in the background for support, most members charge forward hurling deadly spells. Unless specifically instructed otherwise, the Masters worry little about enemy casualties and are mainly concerned with causing the greatest amount of damage in the least amount of time.
Notes/Description: Outsiders see the Masters as having a severe superiority complex. Those who know them best understand it's more truth than fiction. The Stromgarde Library is filled with stories of Masters routing entire armored battalions singlehandedly. As a group, they are nearly unstoppable and undeniably impressive in their methods. They don't interact well with the common soldier but Khadhar's impressive leadership skills make them a vital part of the Stromgarde military.
Name:Dragon's Claws
Type: Elite soldiers
Location: Stromgarde, Azeroth
Loyalty: Mace Trueheart and ultimately, Lord Lothar
Leader: Mace Trueheart (9th lvl Human Knight)
General Alignment: Neutral-Good
Item Received: Dragon Claw Pendant
Members: 50
Notable Members:
Strategies/Tactics: The Claws always collect as much information as possible before attempting direct contact. In civilized disputes, they know the complete history of all participants. When dealing with monster attacks, they research the creatures' weaknesses and motivations, if time permits. However, if the Claws can't avoid battle, they are ferocious and deadly. They coordinate all of their attacks to artistic perfection, employing oft-rehearsed tactics, uncanny timing and seamless coordination. Every member has mastered both close and distant attack weapons and use them to the greatest effect.
Notes/Description: When a dangerous situation exists outside the city limits (marauding dragon, vampire bands, major disputes between barons, etc.), Lothar often sends a small brigade of elite troops to check it out. Rather than dispatch standard troops into an unknown and potentially deadly scenario, he calls on the Dragons Claws. Members are fully trained in the arts of diplomacy, surveillance and warfare. If the delegation cannot defuse the situation peaceably, they are more than prepared to use whatever force necessary to protect the city and its interests.
Name:Stormcasters
Type: Griffin riding mages.
Location: Stromgarde, Azeroth
Loyalty: Although they report directly to Wickas Firespawn, they are ultimately loyal to Khadhar.
Leader: Wickas Firespawn (8th lvl Aasimar War Mage)
General Alignment: Good
Item Received: Stormspear
Members: 35
Notable Members: Athos Coppersmith (6th lvl Were-Jaguar Denga Human Mage)
Strategies/Tactics: The Stormcasters' amazing speed is their greatest asset. Their primary use is to make quick, devestating magic strikes deep into the heart of an enemy army and then quickly retreat before the enemy can prepare a defense. They are also deployed to assist ground units who get separated from the main battle force and to combat other aerial forces. Although each war mage is not as magically powerful as their Dark Tower brethren, the combination of speed, magic and Stormspears makes them deadly against aerial foes and devestating against ground troops.
Notes/Description: Like many of Stromgarde's elite troops, the Stormcasters think they are superior to every other military unit, with the possible exception of the Masters of the Dark Tower whom they begrudgingly offer some respect if confronted. As a rule, only war mages who show a willingness to take great risks are accepted. Riders are daring and wild, taking on extreme challenges for the pure excitement of it. As a result, Stormcasters often seem reckless and out of control and other elite troops look down on them. The Stormcasters couldn't care in the slightest and think that the others are just jealous that they were not selected.
Name:Starguard
Type: Paladins
Location: Stratholme, Azeroth
Loyalty:
Leaders: Gage Steelarm and Galvin Stormshifter.
General Alignment: Pure
Item Received:
Members: 22
Notable Members:
Strategies/Tactics: The Starguard consists of mounted, armored knights who employ incredible protective magics. They prefer to use standard sword and lance tactics but have a fair degree of offensive spells as well. Although their primary function is protecting citizens on a day to day basis, they have been deployed as frontline shock troopers when a major force attacks the city. They are particularly effective versus vampires.
Notes/Description: The Starguard stands unfaltering to protect civilians from the vampire menace and any injustice that they may encounter. Only soldiers of utmost virtue, courage and honor are chosen to enter the elite training school and only the top 10% graduate to become a Starguard. Even though their abilities far surpass those of most of the other armed forces, humility is a key attribute to the Starguard. Even so, they are still jeered by the common soldier because of their pristine aura and code of ethics. A true Starguardsmen takes the abuse in stride and enjoys the silence when they rescue the former heckler from the fangs of a hungry vampire.
Name:Quicksilver Brigade
Type: Elite Archers
Location: Stratholme, Azeroth
Loyalty:
Leader: Graydon Pride
General Alignment: Good
Item Received: Quicksilver Quiver
Members: 36
Members:
Strategies/Tactics: When an overwhelming enemy force approaches the city, Tallin Griffinmane sends the Quicksilver Brigade to thin the enemy's numbers. Specializing in hit and run tactics, most enemy brigades don't even realize they have lost members until the Quicksilvers are well away from the area. Although their deadly Quicksilver Arrows are their favored attack, members use magics to prepare ambushes and destroy heavily armored opponents. If necessary, they can fight hand to hand but only do so when they are cornered or as a distraction to draw the enemy in the open for their brothers in arms to pick off.
Notes/Description: Although not as impressive in display as the Starguard, the Quicksilver Brigade is equally effective against the vampire threat and more respected by the common soldier.