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The Church of Draedanos excels in defensive and versatile gameplay, allowing players to hold strong positions while adapting to various situations on the battlefield. Their units range from the fast and affordable Squires to the powerful and heavily-armored Knights, making them effective at both sustaining long engagements and delivering key strikes when necessary. The faction emphasizes strong sustain through healing provided by Priests and solid frontline defense from Templars and Crusaders. The Church's ability to maintain battlefield presence is bolstered by divine support, with units like Inquisitors able to punish enemies while standing their ground. Their hero unit, Annabeth Dawnmor, is a key force, harnessing powerful divine magic to heal and support, while also dealing devastating holy damage. However, the Church’s playstyle leans heavily on mana and sustain, making their units dependent on keeping the enemy at bay while they prepare for a stronger push. The faction excels in structured, methodical warfare, but may struggle against more aggressive, faster factions that can bypass their defenses.
Horses bred by House Daycrest are renowned across Eldinar for their unmatched speed, power, and endurance. Carefully raised in the Dayfort’s lush fields, these regal steeds are a symbol of prestige, coveted by nobles, knights, and military leaders alike. The breeding process is a closely guarded secret, with rituals said to ensure strength and obedience, passed down through generations. Each horse is raised with meticulous care, trained to navigate rugged terrains with ease, and conditioned for battle. Though traditionally used for tournaments and prestige, the looming power of the Church has forced House Daycrest to supply their prized steeds to the Crusaders of Draedanos. Now, these noble mounts charge into holy war, carrying zealots under the banner of a fanatical faith.
Caldeon is a land ravaged by religious fanaticism, where the once noble houses now bend to the will of the Church of Draedanos. The Dawnmor family, elevated to monarchs by the manipulative Pope Elorith, occupy the coastal city of Kingstone. Once prosperous with farms in Kingsreach and Honors Pass, the region now teeters on the edge of ruin as zealous Crusaders burn heretics and fan the flames of religious conflict. From the fortified halls of Ashstone, the brutal Blackwall family protects the eastern border from marauding orcs and dragons, while the wealthy Rosewoods rule over the gold mines in the Crimson Peaks. Fear of the Church and the ever-present war against Aranor casts a grim shadow over every soul.
Kingstone, the capital of Caldeon, is dominated by the Church of Draedanos. The Red Sept and Kingstone Castle tower over a city now fanatically devoted to the faith. Once a vibrant trade hub, the docks now see fewer ships, as merchants fear the zealous Crusaders. Those who remain are forced to build warships for the Church's holy campaigns. After the Night of Blood, no dissent remains. Daily life revolves around mandatory prayer and worship, with public executions for heretics ensuring absolute control. Religious iconography fills every street, and fear of the Church's wrath keeps the people in line. Kingstone’s walls and Crusaders make it a fortress of fanaticism, poised to spread the faith by sword and fire.
Annabeth Dawnmor, Queen of Caldeon, is a young ruler with a deep devotion to her people and her faith in Draedanos. Raised in the shadow of the Church, she has been schooled to believe her divine purpose is to protect her nation and guide it through perilous times. With her golden eyes seen as a sign of divine favor, Annabeth carries the heavy burden of expectation. Though her actions often align with the Church's will, she acts out of a sincere desire to do what she thinks is right for her people. Yet, beneath her strong sense of duty, there is a growing unease. Her heart is torn between her loyalty to the faith and the increasingly violent war crimes of the Church. Annabeth follows a path laid out by the Pope Elorith that if not careful, may lead to irreversible consequences on Eldinar. She is caught in a dangerous dance, where her desire to serve the people clashes with a darker reality she has yet to fully grasp.
- The Church of Draedanos excels in defense, with high-sustain units capable of holding positions for extended periods.
- Draedanos' versatile units allow adaptation to various combat situations, providing flexibility in both offense and defense.
- The Church of Draedanos benefits from strong healing capabilities, with Priests able to support and sustain their armies in battle.
- Draedanos' powerful hero unit, Annabeth Dawnmor, offers high damage and healing, capable of turning the tide in crucial moments.
- The Church of Draedanos is heavily reliant on mana, making resource management vital to sustaining their divine abilities.
- Draedanos struggles with speed, as many of their powerful units are slower, making them vulnerable to faster, more mobile factions.
- The Church of Draedanos requires strategic positioning, and being outmaneuvered or flanked can easily compromise their strong defensive lines.
- Draedanos' reliance on healing and sustain means if their support units are targeted, their army’s durability significantly decreases.
The Church of Draedanos has risen from obscurity to power in Caldeon over the last century. Founded in the dark southern lands of Mordun, the faith remained a fringe belief until the aftermath of the War for the West. The displaced Mordunite refugees settled in Caldeon, facing decades of discrimination from the Kingdom of Aranor. In their desperation, they turned to the Church of Draedanos for salvation during the outbreak of the Sable Plague, a vicious disease that caused victims’ skin to blacken and rot. With Pope Elorith leading them, the church’s followers wielded healing magic to stave off the disease, allowing Draedanos to become the dominant faith in Caldeon. After years of unrest, the Night of Blood one year ago marked the final breaking point, where Caldeon’s leaders, guided by Elorith, overthrew Aranor’s control. Now, the Draedanos Crusaders, led by the young Lady Annabeth Dawnmor, wage a Holy War for independence.
