THE STEELSIDE LEGION
Since our "withdrawal" from the city as a protecting force, a new organization of laymen has consolidated to defend the city. Observations have revealed their name, the Steelside Legion, and the intricacies of their leadership. Below is a manuscript of the report given on them, in the event they pique our interest in the future.
The Steelside Legion aims to restore order to the disorganized city of Edelith. They are first responders; handling most demonic threats that linger near the sparse settlements. While officially, they claim no ties to the governance of a new nation or any politics whatsoever, most communities keep them around for policing without too much of a worry. Though, heretics still be heretics.
Their namesake is tied to their blasphemy; the use of metallurgy in their accessories. Be it weapon or armor, the Legion finds steel far more capable in combat than the wood and bone alternatives. All things considered, this practice is taboo and heretical to our fight against the Corrosion. Yet, what more could I care. Goners are called goners for a reason.
To stave off Corrosion from taking hold, they have captured lightning itself. An arcane canister known as "Thunderstroke" allows one to harness their metal as a conduit, surging an electrical current through the steel. Most promisingly, this acts as an unstable environment for Corrosion to take hold, creating a temporary resistance to the plague. But, it also enhances the wielders. Blades now slice with cackling ferocity, bolts fire out like streaks of light through demon hide, and mechanisms overclock to the extremes to deliver efficient fatalities. I will say, I am impressed with their ingenuity this time.
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The Steelside Legion order is broken into a hierarchy. Beginning with Metalloids as the basic grunt force with no metallic enhancements, Alloys follow ranked as only partial members of the Legion, temporary but useful like mercenaries and shopkeeps. Yet, they play vital roles in the hierarchy, solidifying trade and alliances for what they cannot make up in strength. Ascending up the rungs, Ferrouses are next in line, known for intentionally or unwillingly possessing steel replacements of certain organs, limbs, and other body parts ranging in my sizes. These ones are the most reliant on Thunderstroke, as a crutch for what seems a disability. Nobles, as they are simply named, do not exude any higher societal status. Rather, they are almost fully reliant on metal enhancements and Thunderstroke to become heightened as warriors and commanders of the Legion. They earn much respect and are lifeblood of the organization, carrying out the will of "him." Known as the Purity, he is rumored to be almost fully metal and bathed in electrical armor, immune to all Corrosion. He signals the nobles to mobilize at a whims notice but, otherwise, even to me, he remains unknown. Quite enigmatic, this one.
Most members of the Legions garner their names from the prosthetic they carry, shedding their old titles. They are a community, trying to restore Edelith to its former glory through innovative means. Still, every metal can carry imperfections. All threats in Edelith are unable to be quashed and, as demonic forces dig in to the Northeast, it is only inevitable that their greatest asset becomes their greatest folly. I wonder, how desperate must they be, cut off from their supply?
I get ahead of myself sometimes. Is it really the nuances of humanity intriguing me? Or their desperate attempts to delay an apocalypse whose clock already started ticking? I need not fret of that. The anomaly remains unfound. Yet traces have been tracked into Edelith. It is active. It is moving.
