Wardens of Caldera

The Wardens of Caldera is a title given to a group of individuals who are charged with protecting the continent of Caldera from large threats and war. They are one of the few uniting the various independent city states under one directive.

Each of the four Wardens comes from a separate region of the continent and either inherit, are elected, nominated, or selected by trial for the role, depending on their origins. Vanden du Argentfort is the Warden of the Eastern Shores.

## **The Warden Alliance**

After Asonos Galean tore through the continent between 753 and 768 sacking several cities, a response was required in order to protect the land from any similar threat rising again. In 770 the 'Wardens Of Caldera' were formed: four positions of power that acted in alliance and unity against any similar opposition.

The four seats of power chosen were Blackwharf in the North, Farrelstadt in the East, the Steps of the Azurite in the South and Erran in the West. Representatives were chosen, recommended or nominated from each seat, a veritable champion selected who held the duty of raising a force in defence of Caldera should the need arrive. If such a situation arose, any enmity or conflict is expected to be overlooked, as the Wardens are expected to gather their forces to combat an opponent that threatens them all and requires all of them working in synchronicity.

Over the centuries, the Wardens have been called together a handful of times, summoning forces and leading them together to battle renegade warlords, indomitable creatures and otherworldly beings that threaten the common people of Caldera. Their alliance remains strong, although for some time they have not been summoned to draw arms together.

## **Choosing a Champion**

Each seat of power chooses their Warden by their own unique means.

#### **Warden of the Northern Salt Flats**

In Blackwharf of the Northern Salt Flats, the house of Marlborough pass down this title by direct lineage. The current Warden of the Northern Salt Flats is Sir Percival Marlborough, Earl of Blackwharf, an ambitious, proud and honourable human man.

#### **Warden of the Southern Steps**

In the Steps of the Azurite, the Warden of the Southern Steps is chosen by trial, a member of the Chosen of the Azurite and their de facto leader. The Warden of the Southern Steps currently is the newly appointed Zahel, Commander of the Sun-Touched.

#### **Warden of the Western Marches**

To the West, the Warden of the Western Marches is elected from a number of military officials, nominated for their experience at sea, in defence and in leadership. The current Warden of the Western Marches is Philoxena Servatus, a strong, quiet leader who excels in military strategy and has a wealth of experience fighting the pirates in Briny Run.

#### **Warden of the Eastern Shores**

After a few generations of the Warden title being passed down by lineage in Farrelstadt, the cities of the Eastern Shores elected to pass the title onto another family in another city. Each Warden is chosen by the heads of select noble families in the East. The current Warden of the Eastern Shores is Regent Prince Vanden Du Argentfort, third son of the Mirrortail Royal Family. This title lies murky and in question, as the Warden has currently vanished after accusations were levied against him of patricide, regicide and fratricide.

As it stands, the four current Wardens have not been called together to protect Caldera, in its current time of peace.