{Sparked by a question from Inox: "Another question...is the Branch of Ellan really that villainous? Reading the history of the realm, it seems as if they are a rebel faction in terms of govt., but they don't appear to be outright Path of Black supporters, either. Is there something I am missing about them?"}
From the 5th Edition Rulebook:
Of all the Villain Organizations, the Branch isn't the "most" evil. Much like the debate over whether all darklings are evil, most of the Branch are simply rebels. However, some hold truly sinister plans particularly the desire to find the Twin Towers of Elemental Power.
HISTORY 1 / LEGEND LORE 1
See the rulebook's description of the Branch of Ellan.
HISTORY 3 / LEGEND LORE 3
Paradoxically, the leadership of the Branch of Ellan mirrors that of the Circle. The group is lead by a "Grand Druid" called the Red Druid. The first Red Druid was Reiellan from the wilderness city of Ellan (hence the name) by the name of Ambraham Corsaire. Corsaire was a tall, broad-shouldered man with fiery red hair, close-cropped beard, and scowling countenance. He had been ousted from the Circle for pursuing the study of the Arche of Fire. Forming the Branch of Ellan, a ragtag group of like-minded rebels, Corsaire eventually gained enough of a following to join Reiel's secession and begin the Druid War in 223 CE.
Every Red Druid since Ambraham Corsaire has been skilled in the Arche of Fire. The current Red Druid is said to be an Ebani woman by the name of Chalara Ninebones of the Weepingclan of Deerhome. Since she left her homeland, she has remained hidden in the safety of Ellani hideaways. Ninebones is purported to be a woman of great conviction, of solid practicality, and of a distinct lack of beauty.
HISTORY 5 / LEGEND LORE 5
The wilderness outside the cities of Elna, Ellan, and Ireden (in Reiel), Vargo and Innsil (in Asta), Caven and Westwar (in Josson), Deerhome (in Eban), Tiara and Telas (in Asara) are said to be the homes of many Ellani. In fact, it is suspected that key Ellani-sympathizers are members of the cities' citizenry and government.
During the Druid War, the Branch of Ellan helped Reiellan ships capture ships of the Crown to form "The Sea Wall," a naval blockade. A number of the stolen ships were Treasury vessels carrying collected taxes or royal dispensations to the Provinces. It is believed a number of such ships were sunk when The Sea Wall was broken in 245 CE. In addition, it is believed the Branch of Ellan managed to save much of the wealth, which is now hidden in caches all over the Realm and which is used to further fund the Ellani cause.
The Druid War was brought to a quick close in 248 CE when the Red Druid Ambraham Corsaire was assassinated somewhere in Lacia. It is said that the assassination was sanctioned by Sir Colton, Grand Knight of the Azure Banner, who was made Sar in 242 CE.
HISTORY 7 / LEGEND LORE 7
In 1196 CE, during the War of the Two Realms, the Branch of Ellan managed a coup on the Circle when nearly three dozen High Druids broke ranks from hallows all over the realm and joined the side of the Power of Four. Of the 31 druids that turned away from the Circle, 27 were eventually found and executed as traitors. Of the 27, six were confirmed to be Unnamed.
A census of the number of Branch of Ellan members has never been done (given the obvious difficulty and secrecy of the group). However, through information gathered by the Watchers, testimony of captured sympathizers, and attempts at divination, the Crown believes the number to be less than 300. The Circle, on the other hand, believes the number closer to 500. As far as historians and military tacticians can discern, the Branch has never made a significant move without a high probability of success and a force of less than 1,000. However, the Ellani continue to resort of banditry, guerrilla tactics, and espionage to harrow the Realm.
HISTORY 10 / LEGEND LORE 10 / MAGIC LORE 10
It is believed that the Branch of Ellan is in possession of a powerful artifact called the Stave of Storms. The staff, once called the Grand Druid's Stave (a sister item to the Grand Druid's Crown, and now remembered in Circle tradition by the lesser druid's stave awarded to Master Druids). The Stave of Storms was fashioned sometime during the First Age of Heroes and belonged to Aurasan, who used its powers at the Battle of Litas Noc. The Stave is said to be able to control the weather and rivals the power housed by the Tower of Air and Water, one of the Towers of Elemental Power. The magic of the stave has been felt twice: during the Druid War and during the Time of Division. It is believed to be in possession of the current Red Druid Chalara Ninebones.
From the 5th Edition Rulebook:
Quote:Not every single member of the Branch of Ellan is a follower of the Path of Black. Much like many groups, governments, institutions, organizations who are considered "evil," it is usually the leadership that is the true root of the problem rather than those that are on the front lines (not to wax too political, but we can draw a lot of real world parallels). However, there is a certain segment of the Branch of Ellan that are out for the destruction of the Circle, for the unraveling of the wisdom of Aurasan, and for challenging the Crown. Many are Unnamed, friends of the night. A goodly number of the druids have succumbed to the promise of power and work to further the Path of Night.
In the spirit of Reiellan resistance, the Branch of Ellan is a loose collection of druids, rangers, and retainers who have turned away from the wisdom of Aurasan and the law of the Crown. Began centuries ago, after the death of the Grand Druid Allwyr in 193 CE, the Ellani druids felt the Circle to be too elitist, too passive, and too neutral. The druids of the Branch reveled in the stormy side of nature, the destructive power of fire and storm, and the disruptive changes found in wind, sea, and land. During the Time of Division, the Branch of Ellan sided with Reiel's secession from the Council of the Realm and began the Druidic War in 223 CE. Though the rebellion was defeated in 248 CE, the Branch of Ellan continues to fight the "tyranny" of the Sar and the Circle.
Staying mainly in the deep forests of Reiel, Asta, and Josson, the Ellani druids use whatever means available to strike at the loyal Realm. The Branch has a particular disdain for the Watchers and the "single-minded" justice and history the guardians of the Circle mete out. Furthermore, the Branch hopes to discovered the locations of the Twin Towers of Elemental Power and take control of the great magics to use for their own ends.
Of all the Villain Organizations, the Branch isn't the "most" evil. Much like the debate over whether all darklings are evil, most of the Branch are simply rebels. However, some hold truly sinister plans particularly the desire to find the Twin Towers of Elemental Power.
HISTORY 1 / LEGEND LORE 1
See the rulebook's description of the Branch of Ellan.
HISTORY 3 / LEGEND LORE 3
Paradoxically, the leadership of the Branch of Ellan mirrors that of the Circle. The group is lead by a "Grand Druid" called the Red Druid. The first Red Druid was Reiellan from the wilderness city of Ellan (hence the name) by the name of Ambraham Corsaire. Corsaire was a tall, broad-shouldered man with fiery red hair, close-cropped beard, and scowling countenance. He had been ousted from the Circle for pursuing the study of the Arche of Fire. Forming the Branch of Ellan, a ragtag group of like-minded rebels, Corsaire eventually gained enough of a following to join Reiel's secession and begin the Druid War in 223 CE.
Every Red Druid since Ambraham Corsaire has been skilled in the Arche of Fire. The current Red Druid is said to be an Ebani woman by the name of Chalara Ninebones of the Weepingclan of Deerhome. Since she left her homeland, she has remained hidden in the safety of Ellani hideaways. Ninebones is purported to be a woman of great conviction, of solid practicality, and of a distinct lack of beauty.
HISTORY 5 / LEGEND LORE 5
The wilderness outside the cities of Elna, Ellan, and Ireden (in Reiel), Vargo and Innsil (in Asta), Caven and Westwar (in Josson), Deerhome (in Eban), Tiara and Telas (in Asara) are said to be the homes of many Ellani. In fact, it is suspected that key Ellani-sympathizers are members of the cities' citizenry and government.
During the Druid War, the Branch of Ellan helped Reiellan ships capture ships of the Crown to form "The Sea Wall," a naval blockade. A number of the stolen ships were Treasury vessels carrying collected taxes or royal dispensations to the Provinces. It is believed a number of such ships were sunk when The Sea Wall was broken in 245 CE. In addition, it is believed the Branch of Ellan managed to save much of the wealth, which is now hidden in caches all over the Realm and which is used to further fund the Ellani cause.
The Druid War was brought to a quick close in 248 CE when the Red Druid Ambraham Corsaire was assassinated somewhere in Lacia. It is said that the assassination was sanctioned by Sir Colton, Grand Knight of the Azure Banner, who was made Sar in 242 CE.
HISTORY 7 / LEGEND LORE 7
In 1196 CE, during the War of the Two Realms, the Branch of Ellan managed a coup on the Circle when nearly three dozen High Druids broke ranks from hallows all over the realm and joined the side of the Power of Four. Of the 31 druids that turned away from the Circle, 27 were eventually found and executed as traitors. Of the 27, six were confirmed to be Unnamed.
A census of the number of Branch of Ellan members has never been done (given the obvious difficulty and secrecy of the group). However, through information gathered by the Watchers, testimony of captured sympathizers, and attempts at divination, the Crown believes the number to be less than 300. The Circle, on the other hand, believes the number closer to 500. As far as historians and military tacticians can discern, the Branch has never made a significant move without a high probability of success and a force of less than 1,000. However, the Ellani continue to resort of banditry, guerrilla tactics, and espionage to harrow the Realm.
HISTORY 10 / LEGEND LORE 10 / MAGIC LORE 10
It is believed that the Branch of Ellan is in possession of a powerful artifact called the Stave of Storms. The staff, once called the Grand Druid's Stave (a sister item to the Grand Druid's Crown, and now remembered in Circle tradition by the lesser druid's stave awarded to Master Druids). The Stave of Storms was fashioned sometime during the First Age of Heroes and belonged to Aurasan, who used its powers at the Battle of Litas Noc. The Stave is said to be able to control the weather and rivals the power housed by the Tower of Air and Water, one of the Towers of Elemental Power. The magic of the stave has been felt twice: during the Druid War and during the Time of Division. It is believed to be in possession of the current Red Druid Chalara Ninebones.
