The Shieldbound are a militant organization in the Wounds who fight the demons that seasonally invade the Old Twins with the aim of containing their spread across the sea to other islands. More of a loose affiliation than a structured group, there are many factions within the Shieldbound. Their members hail from various peoples across the Wounds - most live on archipelagoes or at sea far away from the Old Twins yet cross the Na-Gaesa Ocean before every demon-season begins to renew the fight once more.
History
The origins of the Shieldbound begin with the remains of Rashareka's military who survived the initial incursion of the Old Twins in Y9266*. While some remained on the islands in a futile attempt to fight back the demons and close their planar tears, others fled to the Protectors to the south where they assembled into loose organizations protecting the other refugees - with their holy dynasty lost they turned to their immediate surviving commanders for leadership.
As the initial shock subsided expeditions were organized to monitor the Twins. Those who returned reported the demons were continuing to rampage, until one scouting party sent six months after the invasion noted no demon presence whatsoever. Some intrepid explorers began to cross the Old Twins in search of the source of the tears, yet they were themselves attacked again another six months later as the portals re-opened and the demons returned. Understanding that the threat was not gone or even diminished, the soldiers sent out messengers across the Wounds to archipelagoes near and far, requesting any assistance that could be provided to combat the demons. A great many people answered this call, from all peoples of the Wounds, as they would every year over the ensuing centuries.
Today many continue to make the journey across the seas just before the start of each demon-season, leaving their settlements and tribes behind to help slow the ever-expanding region of the seas over which the demons spread every year. While the organization has changed much since its early years, with new factions and leaders rising and declining again and again, their motivations and dedication remains the same.
Members and interests
Goals
While some attempt to find ways to permanently stop the planar tears from reopening every year, most Shieldbound fighters instead focus on slowing the spread of the demons, as they make it farther and farther out from the Old Twins every year. Any attempts to maintain a permanent presence on the archipelago were abandoned centuries ago as they were inevitably and violently overrun every time. Instead the Shieldbound largely guard the seas, patrolling the surrounding Na-Gaesa Ocean and slaying any demons they come across.
Backgrounds
Whether by sailing canoe, kite ship, manta ray mount, Ha-Kolawa, or some other method, every demon-season brings all manner of people to the Shieldbound from across the Wounds. The majority are Fanakara of varying tribes, especially those who descend from Rasharekan refugees, yet they are far from alone, for all have a mutual interest in stopping the demons from encroaching into more inhabited regions. The Keleta-Ru gnomes and Fjarri sail to the Protectors from across the Wounds to join, as do the Zabarshu elves from Phersu and the dwarves from Harv Taruhm and Harv Doruhl. Surface-dwellers are not the only members of the Shieldbound, however, as the individuals from amongst the Itothani, Bakari, and Angareza locathah all regularly appear to fight the demons as well.
While they do not work together, the Shieldbound have an uneasy alliance of sorts with Xitaxokhu sahuagin hunting parties from the Gekhuknaka Trench who travel north to do battle against the demons.
Factions
The Shieldbound are unified in purpose only, not in structure or methods, as there are various factions within the group that seek to counter the demons in different ways. At present the only permanent faction is the Sentries, based in Li-Rabaka. Led by the renowned Fanakara hero Vonora-Kasu, the Sentries are full-time demon fighters, going so far as to establish scouting outposts on the Old Twins in the off season. Other factions arise on a temporary basis, usually as alliances along cultural or goal-oriented lines amongst those who arrived for the year.
In addition to Li-Rabaka, there are significant Shieldbound outposts at Sharkstooth, Roka-Jano-Ri, and Lokaztal.
Equipment
Just as with their levels of experience and methods of organization, there is no standard to the equipment used by the Shieldbound, with one major exception. Nearly all, even mages and those who fight unarmed, carry with them the distinctive carved wooden oblong shields from which the organization takes its name. The intricate carvings they bear, perfected over centuries and now mostly manufactured by the Sentries, are laden with protective magic that provides a number of powerful anti-demon abilities.