The Hands

The Hands were a group of mercenaries, businessmen, politicians, and world leaders, founded on January 3rd 2021 under the original name, The Chancellor's Hands. The Hands distinguished themselves as a separate organization to their predecessors, often condemning the actions of the previous Hands and events related to them. They exerted an unparalleled level of influence and power over Rathnir and Eldham, never seen before or since, and many lived in fear under their reign of terror. The Hands expanded their numbers under the leadership of Kelz, absorbing many members of different groups. 
== History ==
=== Early history ===
=== Expansion under Kelz ===
Three Burgamerians and Paradisians joined the Hands in this time; Tammy, Kathy and Ambit. Tammy was the first to be added, with Kathy and Ambit joining the Hands later but were still considered associates of the Hands. Their contact with the Hands started with the annexation of the UBSR by Frosmyre and the subsequent Frosterium. This led to a time of stability within Sparwood and many leaders from the west of the UBSR became loyal to their new leaders. After the dissolution of the Frosterium, they stayed close with their friends and formed the Queendom of Paradise, which still exists today under the Diarchy of Paradise. The most recent addition to the Hands from Burgamere/Paradise is Jasmine Skinhub (ign Drfrog_smiley).
The Circus was a group of mercenaries and knights local to Leveros, who fought for Uldarash especially in several battles, some of their members receiving medals for their service in the Uldarash Civil War. Their leader, Elzaress, was already friendly with some of the Hands but when the groups members came into conflict with the Hands, relations strangely grew more positive. The group, accepting their defeat in the skirmish as inconsequential, respected the Hands for the fight and soon, Elzaress became a Hand. Soon after, O beep and Raven also became Hands.
The Smurfs were a mainly Huitcan group, with many contacts with the Hands due to this already as the Hands made up many important figures in Huitca. Despite not being Hands, the Smurfs fought alongside the Hands in many battles, including the Kiesaria war. Several of their members, such as Jamesspyro, Wonderedbug and Ole_Dirte became official Hands.
=== Kiesaria War ===
The Hands, in aid to the Huitcan vassal of Alda, fought in the battle of Kiesaria. After Kiesaria attempted to push their border past the agreed boundaries, Alda attacked in retaliation. They sallied out from the city of Haleos, just north of the battle, to fight. In the battle, the Hands fought against members of Osseus and some Urakans, pushing both back through the city. The battle was fierce but in the end Alda won, and the Hands didn't lose a single soldier. During the battle, Blanii_ and Sknow killed an enemy carrying a flimsy Hands shield. This shield was taken during the looting and is now kept by Blanii_
=== KOC ===
The Kingdom of Councils and the Huitca Federation had long been enemies, with this war specifically starting due to the Kingdom of Councils briefly occupying and looting the historical city of Bardonia. Many condemned this action and Bardonia declared war on the Kingdom. Huitca followed in support, led by many mercenaries including the Hands, some of which had personal stakes in this war. The war took place over two battles, both centred around the Borktress. The first war was disrupted, however the Hands still led a victory, despite confusion for everyone involved. The second battle however was not as succesful, with the Hands and their allies being repulsed to New Awm by a far larger force than they had expected. Peace talks were initiated to end the long animosity felt between the Kingdom of Councils and Huitc]aand after months of peace between the two, this seems to have worked.
=== Atlechian-Vulperium War ===
The Atlechian-Vulperium war started due to Ahalia seeking refuge under the Vulperium by requesting annexation, escaping war with Atlechia. The Vulperium accepted, as they had been informed that their lands were to be conquered by Atlechia either way, and be divided between its allies. War was declared after the Vulperium shot down the ultimatum Atlechia sent, to cede Ahalia, compensate 1,000,000 and issue a public apology. The battle of Lazodi was the only battle to occur during this war, where Atlechian forces sieged the city. They attempted to scale the walls many times but were pushed back by tenacious defence from the Hands, and the many others who came to the defence of the Vulperium. Many attackers who made it over the walls were chased into a large pit, killing them instantly. This was utilised by the Hands during the war, chasing several attackers to their deaths in this pit. After several waves, the attack was routed and the Vulperium forces descended from the walls, with the Hands at the front of the assault. Several Hands were in leadership positions during the battle, with 4 of the 7 commanders of the army being Hands.
=== Grand Castell Raid ===
During the Kartek invasion of Ecclesia, a coalition formed to counter the rapid expansion that they saw from their northern neighbour. During this, the nation of Grand Castell (part of the coaliton) convinced the mayor of Skargness to integrate into his nation. Skargness however, was part of Frosmyre and not Kartek] This led to Kelz issuing a complaint with the coalition, who immediately saw their error. They withdrew their claim but as they had already acted, the Hands launched a raid on the capital of Grand Castell, Gaular. The battle was short but bloody, with the defenders outnumbered 2 to 1. It was over in minutes, with the Hands coming out victorious and the borders around Frosmyre returning to their original positions.
=== Adwa ===
After the collapse of Alamayn, following Goonguards declaration of war on the state, a group called Drackar was gifted the city of Adwa by the former government of Alamayn. Drackar and the Hands were close and the Hands had been told how the city was important to Drackar, so they sent a squad of soldiers to aid the defence of Adwa against Goonguard. The defence was a success, with Drackar successfully defending the city against the attackers and mounting an impressive win. The Hands aided this force and provided support to the larger Drackar force. 
=== Prisma Rebellion ===
After the city of Prisma declared itself independent of the Imperium (namely Yimmu Audal), the Hands intervened to put down the rebellion. As the area of Anosphey, where the rebels were located, was run by a Hand, the Hands brought as many as they could to the fight. Prisma itself spend millions hiring mercenaries, with some estimates being up to 8 million. The city had an impressive mountain fortress, which strategist LilyPrism determined would be too difficult to attack point blank. Scouts also found many of the defenders traps and worked on countering these. The Hands, as well as Drackar and several other mercenaries approached the city from one direction, with the main army made up of mostly Imperium soldiers attacking the north-west wall as a distraction. Inside the compound, Paradisian Special Operatives had been lying in wait for days before the battle at the behest of LilyPrism. As the guards were distracted, the operatives razed many supplies the defenders had, lowering morale. Prismas army broke and the city was taken, with a few stragglers left.
=== Defence of Paradise ===
After months of tensions spanning from the fall of the Frosterium, the nation of Paradise was declared war upon by the IAU, mainly due to issues between Tovarisha (a member-state of the IAU) and the aforementioned Paradise. Paradise, being led by two Hands, was supported greatly by the group, as the war became a coalition targeting Hands in Paradise. Both sides recruited many mercenaries, with the Hands themselves, BMW, a good chunk of Prophecy (split relatively evenly due to Viodoxan membership of the group) and several assorted mercenaries (InverseAtom, Clokemaster, Higher_Dom and others) fighting for Paradise. The IAU brought Osseus remnants, Paragon, the Hands of Vhagar, a few members of Prophecy (although many of these were also Osseus members), 3 members of Drackar and soldiers from the USSE to the walls of Syrgorod. The defences had been planned several days in advance of the declaration due to Tovarishan leaders accidentally informing Paradisian allies, citizens or even directly advertising that war was to come in public displays. 
The battle itself started at the north wall of the city, between a monastery which had been converted by IAU forces into a siege camp and the northern wall of Syrgorod, which had been lined with palisades. A breach was created under the weaker area of the wall however the defenders held still and any that crossed into the city were removed. After several casualties, largely from the IAU, the defenders pushed out of the cities breach and surrounded the siege camp. After a short while this too was broken and the loot from the camp was seized by the defending army. Auroran skirmishes at Maxstadt through this time led to the defenders taking the battle all the way to Eisenland. The city was promptly occupied and the defenders were forced to fighting in the houses. After the fight, many Eisenlandians exclaimed dismay that they were dragged into the war, being unwilling to participate and even barred from defending their own town during the battle.
Category:Organizations
Category:Traveler's Era