On The Talon
Late in the midnight hour, a man scribbles fervently onto a wafer-thin, yellow paper scroll; it reads “Treatise on the Talon Forces”.
The Talon started out as elite members of regular Varanite army units that had been individually selected from all over the land, grouped into a new force – Talon – and were assigned to act as guard units to the Emperor’s life. During the conflict with Dasaria, in particular with the thorn in the side that had been the pathetic village of Daris, the Talon were dispatched – by Emperor Eioni I – and entered active service between 570 until 581.
The distinctive black and gold uniforms of the Talon quickly filled the hearts of those who oppose the might of Varana with terror, as they proved to be extremely fearsome and effective combatants. This was to some extent due to their superior training, weaponry and leadership but also because they were, and still are, drafted from the finest fighting stock our Glorious Empire has to offer.
A young man from a minor noble family quickly rose thorough the Talon ranks and was soon charged with leading the Talon forces at the forefront in the war with Dasaria. His name was Artes Fennall. Captain Artes Fennall, as he was at this time known, oversaw construction of the fearsome stronghold bearing the unit’s name – The Talon Stronghold, north of Daris. It is worth mentioning he was still in his early 20s when the hold was completed and his only minor loss throughout the 11 year period was the brief surrender of RavenWatch to the Dasarian barbarians.
It was during the latter part of this 11 year period that the secretive Black Watch arm of the Talon division had been formed; again, only the most proficient members of the Talon forces had been drafted to serve the Black Watch – a tradition that still dictates recruitment to this day. Because of their covert activities, not much is known however, except that Black Watch members undergo the same training as Claw troops and are among the strongest warriors within the Imperial Army.
In 581, when our glorious and divine Emperor, Marcus IV, pulled back from the savage lands of Dasaria, Artes Fennall along with his Talon forces followed the Emperor and played a major role during the 587 Tespan Plains battle, which cleared the way for our magnificent Emperor to bring about a new golden age. In 594, Artes Fennall and his Talon yet again appear in accounts – both written and unwritten – and are believed to have played a major role in Marcus IV’s successful accession to the throne.
Now in his 50s, Captain Artes Fennall was richly rewarded for years of loyal service by the great Emperor himself, besides vast amounts of treasures, slaves and lands; Fennall was named Supreme Commander of all Talon Forces. Truly, a life filled with glorious victory after glorious victory. But as usual, the gods both bless and curse extraordinary individuals and a great tragedy beset Artes Fennall in 608 when his 25 year old son, Commander Blyen Fennall, was slain during the Kingseeker rebellion. It is said he fought on despite losing his right arm and was only killed when seven men attacked at once.
Upon his death, Blyen Fennall left behind a three month old son, Artus Fennall. He is now rumoured to be a Captain in the Black Watch and one of the most gifted men the Talon forces have ever seen.
