Two decades ago, The Lord's Shield was founded as a ceremonial honor guard for the newly rising Lord Mangdar Roth. Following the chaotic civil unrest that allowed Roth to seize total control of Tetbury, the Shield underwent a dramatic transformation. It metastasized into a formidable paramilitary organization, effectively ruling the city through a brutal combination of fear and pervasive surveillance.
Any members loyal to the old ways or the benevolent gods were swiftly purged, leaving only those with ruthless ambition. The remaining members embraced Lord Roth's vision of a unified, iron-fisted Coia, believing they would rule alongside him. Their initial political dominion over Tetbury was merely a stepping stone.
As Lord Roth himself fell under the corrupting influence of the demigod lich Velsharoon and the insidious Seed of Dominion, the Faction's purpose darkened considerably. Their operations grew more sinister, reflecting the growing power of undeath. They began to prepare Tetbury for a new, grim future.
The Lord's Shield seized The Basilica of the Golden Veil, a sacred site, and desecrated its hallowed grounds. Its saintly catacombs were grimly converted into black site torture chambers. This act symbolized their complete break from any lingering benevolent influences.
No longer merely a military force, they became the indoctrinated acolytes of a nascent "New Order." They fervently believe that the chaotic Wild Magic surging from Iron Mountain proves freedom is inherently dangerous. Only absolute control, even the stillness of undeath, can bring true peace to the continent.
Their ultimate goal expanded beyond mere political dominion over Tetbury. The Shield now works tirelessly, preparing the entire city for Velsharoon's dark apotheosis. This signifies their ambition for necromantic totalitarianism across Coia.
The Lord's Shield is currently aggressively active, their forces stretched thin across multiple fronts. They are deployed in squads across the Coian countryside, diligently hunting down three specific targets. This extensive deployment indicates a broad scope of operations.
Simultaneously, they are brutally suppressing a rising panic within Tetbury itself. This panic stems from the alarming failure of the city's magical wards, leading to widespread unrest. The Faction has effectively placed Tetbury under oppressive martial law, ensuring their iron grip remains unbroken. Their intense focus on both external threats and internal suppression has left the Faction dangerously overextended.
