Ever since the Humans and Hellbends discovered each other’s existence, there have been factions of the human population that harbor ill-intent towards the Hellbends. The Wightlers is one of the current factions that embodies the extremist view that all non-humans should be annihilated. These self-anointed guardians of Siliren are primarily known as being a clan of bandits that lead raids on travelling caravans for their supplies and raids on isolated Hellbend communities. While many officials in the Lysium government and military only consider the Wightlers to be a mildly annoying group of bandits the Champion Sect considers them to be a substantial threat.

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History

In the year 309 A.C. there was a change in the balance of power among the various bandit groups that had settled around Avakaron. Multiple bandit clans had disbanded only to be replaced by a single group that called themselves the Wightlers. The Five Cuts, Hairless Bears, Iron-tooths, and several others were either destroyed or absorbed by the Wightlers. The first couple of years they spent consolidating territory in the Eastern Steppes from other bandit factions. In secret, they were crafting their base of operations for protection from other, stronger bandit factions. They eventually had control over the whole expanse between the White Wood Forest and the Triangle Lakes. In 313 A.C. their reputation grew as they led raids on Hellbend settlements that lay far beyond any protection that Avakaron could give them. After the destruction of the second village, the Champion Sect began to discourage any new settlements being established too far south of the city.

In the years that followed the Wightlers claimed responsibility for the ambushing of several supply and trade caravans to Avakaron’s neighboring communities. To Lysium’s disbelief, the bandits had also claimed responsibility for raiding a few outposts in the Great Plains.

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Location

The main camp of the Wightlers is believed to be somewhere in between the White Wood Forest and the Triangle Lakes. In truth, it lies inside the White Wood Forest about an hour’s walk away from the eastern edge. To those within the organization, it is referred to as Fort Diaman. It is a wooden fortress with stockade walls surrounding the large camp. Here is where the bulk of their forces reside, an approximate one thousand strong. Scattered across the Eastern Steppes, and even a handful in the Great Plains, are raiding parties that range from five to thirty members.

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Hierarchy

Rank	Requirements	Wages Per Day
Seigneur	Talk to a Moderator	1 Gold 5 Silver
Padrone	Professional Mercenary	1 Gold 2 Copper
Banneret	Artisan Mercenary	6 Silver 6 Copper
Kuge	Dedicated Infiltrator	2 Silver 7 Copper
Reaver	Dedicated Bandit	2 Silver 7 Copper
Wightler	Initiate Bandit	8 Copper

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Initiation

Joining the Wightlers can be done one of two ways. The first, most direct way, is to be taken prisoner during a skirmish and brought back to Fort Diaman. There, you will be given the choice to either join them or die. A test of loyalty will be given, usually in a way that causes the new member to no longer be able to join regular society. Sometimes a person that chooses death has caught the Horn-Breaker’s attention and he will want to have a personal conversation with them. If he does not convince a person to join willingly, then he accepts that they must die and will dispatch them personally.

The second, less direct method, is to be approached by one of their spies in a city or village. The spy approaches people who have shown anti-anorian tendencies, or appear vulnerable enough to be convinced to join. The spy approaches the mark and offers them an opportunity to improve human society. The spy passes the mark off with a group that came to get supplies for Fort Diaman. When the mark arrives, a Padrone or the Horn-Breaker will have a private conversation to measure the potential recruit.

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Tactics and Motivations

When confronting an inferior force, the Wightlers primarily rely on brute force and intimidation. But they carefully critique the terrain to avoid falling into an ambush. Againt a rival, or superior opposition, the Wightlers employ guerrilla warfare tactics. Ransacking or sabotaging supplies and vehicles for demoralization, as well as hit-and-run skirmishes to dwindle the oppositions numbers. In a full confrontation, the Wightlers approach from one or more sides while having reinforcements among the flank or escape route. Experienced tacticians can recognize some maneuvers that are very similar to Lysium’s military strategies.

Not every member of the Wightlers holds the zealous belief that Hellbends and Anorians are to be eradicated from Siliren. Some are convinced that humanity will not thrive until all Hellbend influence has been removed. Others join for the sake of satisfying their bloodlust and enjoy hunting a race that is, on average, larger and stronger.

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Relations

Wightlers have declared all Hellbends as enemies of the human race and show now mercy for any Hellbend of any age. Because of their pro-genocidal mentality, The Champion Sect has a bounty for all members of the Wightlers and will reward one Ruby Skerrick per confirmed kill.

There are many secret sympathizers within the city of Lysium, but the Lysium government publicly condemns the methods and goals of the Wightlers. Whenever the Wightlers take action against a caravan or an outpost in the Great Plains, they do so with the intention of sparing all human life if possible. Their operations within the Eastern Steppes are not as merciful when it comes to sparing human life. Humans that hold close relationships, or marriage, with Hellbends are considered collaborators.

Among the bandit factions, the Wightlers are intimidating. Smaller clans seize opportunities to interfere in order to gain prestige among other smaller clans. Some clans whose size rivals the Wightlers have agreed to territorial boundries, while others seek to claim what the Wightlers possess.