Doubters

**The 3rd Interstitial Expeditionary Force**, also known as **Vorda's Wolves** and known colloquially to the world as **The Doubters** are a Seiraban special expeditionary force, currently in rebellion against the greater Temple of Seiraba. Named so, for their refusal to swear allegiance to a woman claiming to be Taimez Vetaa while clearly not being such, the Doubters are an elite force of seasoned warriors, used to operating in the harsh and unpredictable conditions of the border territories of the Gravelands. They have made their headquarters in the ancient Ksa'at fortress deep in the Gravelands, that was named "Zhinamir" by them.

## Overview

The Doubters operate in a similar way to a regular elven special expeditionary force, with a basic unit made up of ten people, facilitating higher tactical mobility. A large portion of the Doubters are equipped with arcane armour, allowing them to use heavier handheld weaponry with ease. They have a straightforward command structure, with their Greater Invoker - Varik Vorda having supreme command of the organization. The doctrine which they utilize is one of shock tactics, while also possessing a capacity for acting as a scouting unit for a larger force. The unit also has a Superior Priestess of Dadashisa and Servant-Creator of Zivdaal attached to provide technological support. The Doubters are also in possession of various advanced Ksa'at technologies, modified to be usable by elves, usually by linking their strange control systems to information crystals, calibrated to allow an elf to interface with them. After their detachment from the Temple, they adopted black as their colour in an inversion of the traditional whites of their parent organization.

## Alignment

The Doubters' entire reason for existence in their current form is rebellion. Upon the disappearance of Taimez Vetaa in the autumn of 1226, the entire Temple was thrown into chaos, as the Shroud Priest - the in-essence commander-in-chief of the Earth-Domain armed forces was no longer there. However, quickly as if by a miracle - Taimez reappeared - discovered by her mother in the Eastern Interstice. Taimez required all branches and units of the Temple to reappear in turn at Ulthar and swear allegiance to her again. Already seen as passing odd by Varik and his councillors - Kalivigo and Venir, a representative was sent to swear in place of Varik - preoccupied by a punitive action against a rogue group of Ge-Ge-Laa-Oom at the border. Upon coming back, however this representative claimed for Taimez to have been different altogether. Upon this, Varik himself entered an information crystal conversation with the Shroud Priestess, where he discovered that the woman's hair - a clear distinction of Temple belonging was black - the wrong colour, and atop that, her countenance and behaviour was off, being too demanding of loyalty and too unconcerned with the war.

Upon seeing this, Varik Vorda claimed his detachment from the Temple - seeing the person currently claiming to be Taimez as an usurper to the title of Shroud Priestess, and her power over him as illegitimate. Thusly the Doubters detached from their post and made their way into the Gravelands, to a specific location, which was an abandoned Ksa'at outpost - which they made their headquarters and named Zhinamir. Later they were contacted by Seimora Kei - Taimez Vetaa's adjutant, which made the situation with Taimez' disappearance clear to them. This prompted Varik to enter negotiations, with what seemed to be the real Shroud Priestess, who was currently hiding out in Erwent. After it was explained to the Great Invoker that the corruption in the elven government lay with the Shroud Priestess of Kadarys and Taimez' mother - Saego Vetaa, he agreed to assist his true superior in her plans. After Taimez' death however, the Doubters remained the only elven group opposing Saego Vetaa's plans and are currently attempting to draw in other groups into their resistance.

## Equipment

The Doubters are currently one of the best-armed groups in the known world, having in their arsenal both advanced elven weaponry and Ksa'at vehicles, some of them flying, which can be used to transport both materiel and personnel to any known point in the world at great speeds.

### Vehicles

The Doubters have a diverse, if somewhat small vehicle fleet, composed of both flying and land vehicles - all of which armed and armoured with weaponry whose principle of operation for the most part is unknown even to the Doubters themselves. A comprehensive list is offered:

#### **Ksa'at Pepelats**

A flying transport vehicle intended for the transport of Ksa'at soldiers quickly across the Gravelands' unwelcoming terrain and armed heavily with both a matter transmuter as well as guided explosives which can be launched up to a range of several kilometres. Pepelatses are rounded and smooth for the most part, with two engines mounted on either side of the vehicle and a wide tail in the back. They can carry upwards of eighteen human-sized passengers, plus the pilot.

#### **Ksa'at Exploration Vehicle**

This vehicle seems to have been used by the Ksa'at for non-military purposes and transport, but is also capable of mounting manportable weaponry. It is capable of carrying around six human-sized creatures or so. Comprised of a smooth, oval cabin suspended upon four gigantic wheels, it can traverse adverse terrain faster than a horse can run.

#### **Mobile Channeling Rod**

A recent acquisition in the Earth-Domain's arsenals, this is a vehicle entirely powered by stored magical power, armoured with specially modified crystal plates and mounting an upscale channeling rod, which can be used to invoke both single-target beams of atomizing energy as well as large explosions, made to happen at a fixed distance. The channeling rod requires at least some connection to the Reflection to properly utilize.

### Armour and Weapons

The group is also equipped extensively with advanced elven weaponry, being an interstitial expeditionary force, and thus being comprised of elite warriors, using the best armour and weapons the Earth-Domain could produce. Weapons such as enchanted bows and crossbows, as well as greatswords ,arming swords and various polearms are frequently used by them.

#### **Elven Arcane Armour**

Armour made of magically infused crystal plates, carrying a magical repository in the back, that covers the entire body. It amplifies both the user's brute strength as well as their endurance, and also their spellcasting capability, allowing them to retain multiple empowering spells within themselves at a time. It also comes with a filtration helmet, similar in shape to a dog's head.

#### **Arcane Retainer**

An add-on for the repeating crossbows used by the Temple, that was developed recently. Using a powerful retaining crystal, this add-on makes crossbows into a powerful one-shot weapon, that can launch a powerful atomizing beam. The retaining crystal however cannot amass the energy for more than one shot in twenty-four hours.

## Notable Members

The Doubters are an elven organization, mainly comprised of Seiraban clergy, but some of their members originate from other temples. The notable ones include:

* **Varik Vorda -** the leader of the entire expeditionary force and a powerful warrior. A somewhat poor strategist, he was given command of the force, due to his unbending will, survival skills and powerful presence. Known to have survived a point-blank canon shot. Stepped down from his command position for Seimora.
* **Kalivigo Astragar** - an ancient and powerful Superior Priestess of Dadashisa, known for her research into information crystals and recently - their integration into foreign advanced technology to enable its use by elven forces. Slain by mysterious assailants.
* **Shuwashi Zevd** - an Apprentice Priestess of Dadashisa, assigned to assist Kalivigo. Shy and withdrawn. Slain by the same mysterious assailants that killed her superior.
* **Seimora Kei** - also known as the Memories of Taimez, he is the former adjutant of Taimez Vetaa and one of her Elite Retainers. Aligned with the Doubters alongside his sovereign, he now assists them as a special consultant. Given the command position by Vorda due to his strategic planning ability.
* **Toumego Sei** - a defector from the Temple of Dadashisa, she was given the position of Herald and entrusted with any future diplomatic assistance the Doubters may require. Originally a Moonshard researcher. Perished during a confrontation with the disciple of Caenur Yuuval, due to being overwhelmed with Moonshard psychic contamination.
* **Venir Yamma** - a Servant-Creator of Zivdaal and head of equipment maintenance and readiness for the expeditionary force.