The Lost Legion

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Contents

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STORY

Legend has it that there is a creature that the Lost fear that walks the borderlands and wild places between the mortal realm and the lands of the Fae. It is known by many names across many lands, but the fear it casts upon those who hear of its passing is the same. The Twilight King, the Once & Future Soveriegn of Falling Stars, The Warden of the Ways Between, the Ruler of all That Is and Yet Is Not; much rumor and supposition is said of it's comings ang goings, some truths and a multitude of lies all make the telling that much more fearsome. However what is considered the most accurate is the fact that The Twilight King has a hunger for those that would be Lost, those mortals that have the spark that would make them good servants and barter for the Kingdoms of Faerie. It is said that The Twilight King is building an army of stolen souls to fuel his conquering of Hell, and there has been enough truth discovered to give some creedence to this claim.


In the summer of 1969, the United States was stuck in a conflict across the world and had sent many of it's young men to die in jungles fighting in a land that most of them would consider a Hell on Earth. Vietnam, a country of struggle, upheavel, war, and death; many of the best and bravest born on American soil went to this jungle to give up their last breath for concepts and issues that were far beyond them. Among their number were the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battialion, Foxtrot Company. Commanded by the stern and inspiring captain Marcus Willard Poole, Poole's Company (or "Fool's Company) was filled with a diverse and determined crew of soldiers from all walks of life determined to try to make it through some how, to live through the hell of this war and return home to their jobs, families, and peace of mind. It is unfortunate for them that they would be so wrong.


While tromping through the jungle of Cambodia, to far across the border to safely get another EVAC out Foxtrot Company sighted enemy shoulders and gave a dogged chase. Through hills, jungle, and countless firefights their quarry led them always a step ahead down into a mountain pass in the shadow of stony natural archway across the the valley's ceiling. This natural portal would lead them from a land they thought of as Hell, to a place that would truly show them the way of it. As they continued down strange thorny paths, their equipment brokedown, the nights became alive with odd sounds and the very smells and feel of the jungle began to change and become more menacing. The darkness and forest hungered and the men grew more afraid, and if not for the strong leadership of their commanding officers they're spirits would have broken, and yet when the attack came it was almost welcome. They would come to find out how terrible that coming would be; monsters beyond definition, broken creatures, half-men, and more erupted from the dark jungle capturing, killing, feasting on the men of the Company, a full third of their number was dead or wounded in the first few minutes of the conflict and it was a hell of screams, agony and blood that passed before the silence once more reigned. And it was then that The Twilight King stepped fully out of the shadows to bath the survivors in its hellish mien.


Those that survived the time to follow will speak of it little if at all, and only bow their head in grief and sorrow, in anguish and agony at the horrors the 101st fast in that far away place. What has been offered is that there was a horrible price called for, and thier Commanding Officer Captain Poole was made to pay a terrible sacrifice in the name of his men. The few that have escaped from captivity and now reside in various communities of the Lost, state that over the course of the last thirty years the occasionally straggler has returned from whatever prison they have found themselves in, of the more than 60 men that were lost in that original jungle less than 20 have returned to the world. One thing is for sure however, each of these men remember the price that was paid and have taken up a solemn vow of service, brotherhood and responsibility. A Vow that they have kept and continue to keep until each one finally finds the peace of the grave, and it is said that they will wait beyond death's door to foster and care for each of their fallen brothers, and each of those that have yet to fall. For the men of Fool's Company... they will never again leave a man behind.


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INSPIRATIONS


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THE MEN OF POOLE'S COMPANY (EDITED)

United States Army
101st Airborne Division, "Screaming Eagles"

    • 3rd Brigade, 187th Infantry Regiment (Airmobile)
    • 3rd Battalion, "Iron Rakkasans"
    • Foxtrot Company, "Fool's Company"
      • Commanding Officer: Captain W. Poole
    • First Platoon "Nomads"





Date Taken: 03:17:42 a.m. Cambodia Time Zone, July 21, 1969



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THE PLEDGE

"Poole's Promise" - Approval: #USA-NW-LC-0712-83605

FORMAL - "We are bound together by war, blood, death, and brotherhood; we have lived through hell and come back reforged and hardened. (Corporal Plege: Nemesis Pledge - "Fellow members of the Unit") We swear to answer the call of those who are bound to us in blood, pain, and survival... brothers born of fate and oath. (Alliance Task) We swear upon our lives and our legacies to heed the call of a brother being taken or falling from grace; that if we are able to come to his aid; should it be possible we will save them... should it be necessary we will end them. (Endeavor Task) We swear to watch our brothers backs in this world or any world. (Dreaming Task) We ask that the strength of our word and bond make us strong. (Adroitness Boon) We ask that the strength of our word and bond make us hard. (Blessing, Greater Boon) We beg our brothers to punish us if we fail and hunt us to the ends of the earth. (Violence/Vulnerability Sanction) We hold this oath now and until our brothers see us to the earth's embrace. (Lifelong Duration)"

INFORMAL - "All of us against hell, I'll be at your grave one way or another, our word is our bond and our bond is our strength. Till the last, never a man behind. So say we all."


The mechanics are thus:

Type: Corporal (Nemesis Pledge)

Tasks:

  • Alliance, Greater (-3; applies to all the members who both hold to the pledge & have membership in the original platoon);
  • Endeavor, Lesser (-1; should any oathmate fall to madness or take on service to the True Fae all available members of the Oath will make the attempt to free (or kill) the fallen compatroit.);
  • Dreaming (-2);

Boons:

  • Adroitness (+3; +1 Brawl, + 1 Firearms, + 1 Melee);
  • Blessing, Greater (+3; Iron Stamina 3);

Sanction: Vulnerability (-3)

Duration: Lifelong (+3)

Invocation: 1 Willpower

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