Orts

On Ispar, the Orts were a group of native Aluvian rebels who had been living underground - figuratively and often literally - for some years, who wished to free Aluvia of all Viamontian influence. They culled their name from the Old Roulean "oraete," which referred to the leftovers of a traditional legionary victory feast ,commonly distributed to the poor.

The valorous Orts were the children and grandchildren of the original defending army of Aluvia, which had assembled on the Plain of Ayrifal that fateful 4th of Solclaim and was shattered by massed ranks of storm wands. Descended from nearly all of the factious Aluvian clans, the Orts were united by little but a fierce hatred of their Viamontian conquerors. They enjoyed the sympathies of the peasantry, many of the merchants, and some mages. The Orts had been a thorn in the side of the Viamontian aristocracy since Aluvia fell, holding firmly to the legend that High King Pwyll II, who was slain at Ayrifal, would return to save them.

They were most active during the rule of Queen Alfrega.

Alfrega was unceasing in her attempts to hunt down the last of the Ort loyalists, using the most brutal of tactics. Families were tortured to draw out their rebellious loved ones, homes were burnt, land was salted, and dozens were executed in hideous fashion. As the measures taken by Alfrega grew more and more barbaric, the Orts adopted a new tactic. The angry found each other, and made resolutions to themselves and with each other.

Amongst those most noted for their support of the Orts were Harlune and Hendac Tharesun

It was in the royal city of Celdon that open defiance began. In 860, the execution of a farmer, Dunol by name, and his three children had been scheduled. An assaillant tried to murder Alfrega. The farmer was executed, but the children were saved by Harlune. Hendac Tharesun was the firstborn of Pwyll II's seneschal. He had been the effective leader of the Orts for some years. As the brutality of Alfrega increased, he had traveled from one group to another, urging them to flee to the distant Luparvium Mountains. Tharesun and Harlune sought out the hidden camps of Orts throughout the year of 861. The construction of the Castle of Holdfast began, which was not the mightiest of fortresses, nor by any means the most elegant, and which never held off any attackers - for Alfrega's loyalists never found it. Holdfast came to be a safe haven for the Orts and their sympathizers in the coming years. From the walls of the Holdfast, many a party rode down to the plains to waylay Alfrega's patrols, or to rescue her victims.

To help with escorting groups of refugees to safety, magic was deemed necessary. With the aid of the mage Urbex the Venerable,the ring taken from the corpse of Dunol was imbued with spells deemed of use for the Aluvian resistance members. The bearer of the ring could heal himself and his companions. He could run all night with urgent messages. He could see on a moonless night, and could wrap himself in a cloak of shadows. Should all these measures fail, the mages endowed the ring with the ability to negate the pain of fire, which Alfrega preferred to use in her interrogations. Harlune named this ring the Rose of Celdon.

Many of the safehouses of the Orts were betrayed by Colrim, a young Orts recruit who fell in love with Alfrega.

Notable Members

 * Colrim
 * Dunol
 * Hendac Tharesun
 * Harlune
 * Urbex the Venerable