Hounds

The Hounds are the largest and oldest mercenary guild in the world, operating in the suntorn lands of Djaal. They are not mercenaries for gold however, only for the betterment of man.

Their ranks are made up of the lost, the homeless and those with nothing left to give but their lives.

They are Hounds; hunters and protectors all waiting to die a glorious death. Their cause is anchored in righteous purpose; to defend Djaal from all those who wish its people harm.

## History

### The Blue Sun Comes

The Hounds began in the 2nd Age during the Longest Night.

The Hounds are believed to have been born from a group of united Badia and Hadhar in a long-dead region of Djaal, now called the Fiend's Wing. This was later the grounds where Akal Ajarin, their birth city, was built. The Blue Sun were a faction of Efreeti and Djiini working together to enslave the First Born for the Pthumerians.

The Hounds were born from a dual-contingent of Hadhar and Badia on the run from these spirits. So they fought back. With the loss of their homeland but the upheaval of sandcasters across the land, the beginning of Akal Ajarin was forged. The war ended when Nahr Alva, the Goddess of Fire and Blood was involved. Some claim she herself warred alongside the Hounds in a final conflict. Others claim that the Hounds uncovered Stray Sun, a dragon born of Nahr Alva who fought for the freedom of the humans as repentance.

Soon after these Hounds began to operate across all of Djaal.

Because of the Blue Sun ordeal, the Farbeast Book was created and the Hounds were solidified in their purpose.

### The Kissing Game

During the 3rd Age, the Kissing Game started in secrets and hushed whispers. This is a term coined by Jackals of a devious scheme they began. They infiltrated positions of power, including one advisor to the Houndmistress.

### The Massacre of Muraska

The Massacre begins with the final stroke of the Kissing Game. The Houndmistress organises a truce talk between the Sainites and Karnerians at the Sunset Square in Muraska. The Hounds guarding the unarmed individuals were Jackals in disguise, who murdered all those involved, including the Houndmistress. What happened next was the bloodiest night of Muraska's history. 10,000 were murdered by Jackals or by misled Karnerians and Sainites. The Hounds could do nothing but help the wounded before being butchered by those they thought were fellow Hounds.

Now in the 4th Age, the Hounds have learned. There is no leadership to the Hounds, only wandering stray dogs. The Hounds will forever bear this black mark upon their name as the ones who perpetrated the Massacre of Muraska.

## Membership

> "*All life is inherently broken from the start. Take solace in that.*"
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The ranks of the Hounds are constantly refilled by those who have lost nearly everything and are willing to give what's left to make a difference.

Their names are written down in the Farbeast Book, an ancient tome in their fortress of Akal Ajarin. Within are psalms to the needs of an ailing land-- they live selflessly for one another until they die in battle.

Many Hounds are orphans and victims, men and women who are lost. Becoming a Hound gives them purpose, a family and a trade. When not hunting something or defending a settlement, Hounds work for a trade guild. Hounds exist to serve until the moment they are killed and their name is erased. Only their mark on Djaal will remain.

The subgroups of the Hounds required different conditions to enter, the Grave Wardens were typically previously Talanites or clerics, those of the Ominia Sacred were wizards, warlocks and sorcerers to be trained with the Venarium and those of the Feyarch are secretive about their methods, but are usually druids and wanderers.

## Regions

Hounds inhabit every region and township of Djaal, even those where they're not wanted.

## Relationships

The Hounds ranks were made up of either Hadhar or Badia. They hold all people of Djaal above their own lives, and would sacrifice to protect any Djaalic, whether Hadhar or Badia. They were sworn enemies of the Jackals and spent most of their time in recent years pursuing them given the Massacre of Muraska.

Hounds were closely connected with Gevrauchians and Talanites for obvious reasons. They had many dead and wounded to be tended to.

There are several groups born from the Hounds who share a similar purpose;

* The Grave Wardens, mighty yet horrid paladins focused on dealing with the undead,
* The Ominia Sacred, an order of female Hounds focused on dealing with the demonic,
* The Feyarch, druids and rangers specializing in dealing with spirits.

## Ideals

> "*There is no honour in death, no pride in effort and no sacrifice in vain. We are those seeking the blessing of a promised release from this world.*"
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To be truly selfless, for ones virtues to be true, a Hound is willing to have their name removed from the Farbeast Book and their existence erased on the moment of their death. Only their mark on the betterment of Djaal will remain.

Hounds exist to protect the people of Djaal from monsters, men and beasts. They are orphans of Djaal, those who have suffered deeply and aim to prevent that from happening to any Hadhar, Badia or otherwise.