Overland
Within a shining hallway, a young man ponders over a crystal orb. In his hand in a shepard's cane with frost on it with wind swirling in the crutch. His brown cloak covering his light blue armor, but the shine of his more protected areas shows all the same. The brown hood covers snow white hair while his ice like eyes turn from the orb to his path.
"The Guardians have watched over the balance of our world since it first drove out the darkness and the mad wizard that brought it some three thousand years ago. Our order has the best mages in the world, and we have but one ultimate goal-protect the innocent of the world. We abstain from involving ourselves with the states of the many kingdoms and people. And for those willing, learn the deep mystery of magic."
He makes his way through the massive building with crystals to light the bright hallway's dark parts. His bare feet patter on the stone floor, yet he is unaffected. The laughter of younger mages comes from the central garden as they enjoy the sun's warmth. The man smirks before conjuring a snowball and tossing it out the window. The sounds of surprise and outrage make him smile.
"We have plenty of responsibility as Guardians, so it's my self-appointed job to make sure we don't forget to have fun every now and then."
He stops at a huge door before pushing them open. The other Guardians greet their brother with joy, but the grim face he shows tells them it's serious. The young man shows them the orb and the growing blackness within.
"Pitch Black is returning," he states. "And with him, the darkness will become stronger. We can't hide ourselves from this. I know we'd spend too long debating, but we don't have time. You gather strength and train the mages here, keep everyone safe. I'll get us an army to fight Pitch."
He turns quickly before any attempts to stop him can happen. The doors to the chamber shut with a sense of finality.
*Cut to Black*
People run from many skeletal warriors. Their shambling in the torched homes of this village brings an eerie dread. They brandish rusty weapons against the poor farmers and what guards are there cannot be everywhere at once. One guardsman defends a small family with his blade as the villagers are ushered back. He takes out two skeletons before he is knocked to the ground
Suddenly a blast of cold icy wind shatters the boney attackers. The people turn to see the Guardian brush past them to engage them. His staff catches a larger skeleton and he spins in the opponent to clear the area a bit before nocking the head off. The bombastic skull takes out three more skeletons. He grins at his skill.
*Cut to Black*
The Guardian helps an old woman with her pack as the people continue to stow their goods for movement. This baggage train joins an ever-growing number of displaced people.
"Already Pitch is working his ways. Many villages have been attacked and some I couldn't get to in time. Yet the survivors look to me to guide them. Kinda weird that the Guardians' prankster became a king in way."
Some more armored men and women help others, while cavalry rides up, down, and ahead of the massive column of people. Many nodding in thanks and recognition to the Guardian.
*Cut to Black*
Another village in ruins, but there is human activity. The villagers are corralled into metal carriages as the soldiers sneer at their plight. The commander smacks one man for being too slow, the outcries do not bother him as he smacks the cages. A little girl cringes as the clutches what remains of her doll, tears in her eyes.
"It's not just monsters that Pitch uses that weakens the world. People have always preyed on one another and that makes people afraid. Pitch will feed on that. And I for one never like to see children cry."
A snowflake brushes past her nose. Curious she looks up and hears deep horns. The raiders also hear the noise and prepare for a fight. From the crest of the hill many horsemen charge the still preparing men and destroy any semblance of formation. The Guardian charges with his magic on a snow cloud faster than some of the horses, freezing men in some cases.
Infantry come in next, adding to the chaos. However, some sprint with light green or blue boots and run up the battlements to surprise the raiders. These wind runners then attack those guarding the cages. A woman runner looks at the little girl with an impish grin.
"No worries love, cavalry's here," she says.
Guttural roars reveal many yetis pounding the raiders with their fists or blunt weapons. The Guardian urges his cloud over and high fives one before getting back into the fight.
The commander of the raiders is surrounded with blades and arrows pointing at him. He throws down his sword like a petulant child. The Guardian observes him while balancing on his staff, then he smirks with a glint in his eye.
*Cut to Black*
The commander in locked in a mobile stockade in nothing but his underwear. Children pelt his face with conjured snowballs as people laugh. The Guardian laughs at his work before looking to the horizon.
"There's a lot to do before we're ready for Pitch. I swear I'll find these people a new home and make them something great."
A tap on his shoulder catches his attention. He looks to see some people showing a new banner for them all. A mixture of light blue and green with his staff in the middle. He chuckles and give a thumb's up. Some of the women swoon much to his embarrassment.
"I'm Jack Overland Frost. Guardian of snow, ice, wind, and fun. Pitch better watch out 'cause we'll be waiting."
Overview-Comprised from refugees from many kingdoms and villages, the people who follow Jack Overland Frost seek a new start away from the growing darkness. Calling themselves as Overlanders, named after their savior, they won't hesitate to defend either themselves or others when the time calls. Having the famous Jack Frost as a leader connects them to the legendary Guardians, an order of powerful magic users that have been around for three millennia. The order itself also teaches magic to those who have the talent from around the world. Due to their displacement, Overland starts out as a migrating horde that is more interested in growth and stability than plunder. Thanks to Jack's connection with them, the Guardians can be called on for a limited number of times to aid Overland. While the Overlanders have no home for now, they are eager to find one and settle to become a standard faction, decreasing the cost for low and early tier buildings for permanent settlements. They are immune to winter attrition. They boast superior cavalry, swordsmen, wizards and spells, and magical creatures. Overland has access to twin swordsmen, wind dancers, wind steed cavalry, helper elves, and yetis. They are lacking naval units, spears, and siege equipment.
Faction leader-Jack Overland Frost
Faction hero-Out of all the members of the Guardian order, Jack Frost has always been the more down to earth person. His talent in his youth and charisma had the Guardians choose him to help give new life to their ancient cause. Now however Jack has seen proof of the returning darkness and its wielder, Pitch Black. Jack is convinced that the world isn't ready for his return and sets out, regardless of the Guardians' approval/disapproval, to try to prepare the world for the coming horde that Pitch and many others will unleash. Thanks to his efforts to save people he was elevated to the position of leader of the band of people and takes his new authority very seriously. He has access to both wind and ice magic, and his aura negates all fear or terror effects. Jack can be married into a faction or someone into his. If the faction is more powerful than Overland, then Overland ceases to be and all hordes become armies of the faction Jack married into.
Wind magic-The winds have always held significance in many cultures as it is an immediate connection to the sky and any sky gods. Speed is also synonymous with wind magic in the form of magic light green horses called wind steeds. Wind magic can be used for speed enhancement, cutting, repel, and destructive spells.
Unit Spotlight: Wind Dancers-Speed can lead to victory or defeat for any warrior. The principle of strength versus speed is further enhanced using enchanted items, and wind dancers fall into the latter category. With their enchanted boots, they are the fastest fighters on foot. But one must already be fast on their own before being granted permission to train with the expensive footwear. If given a good distance run, they can run up walls and buildings to outflank their much slower enemies. With swords, light shields and armor they are perfect for attacking soft targets or finding those targets. Don't expect them to be able to break through armor with easy however, as their speed comes at the price of their protection.
Unit Spotlight: Yetis-Brutish but good folk the yetis have been allies of the Guardians since the Guardian North helped divert tragedy in a time of famine. The then sought to repay their debt to him by working as muscle and craftsmen for his alternate persona of Santa Claus. Even when not being warriors, yetis are much stronger than the average man and have a fierce temper if riled up. Many yeti fighters prefer to bash with their fist or armored battle gauntlets for the sake of honoring an opposing warrior's 'true' strength. But those who do carry weapons like their tools large and heavy for smashing. They are also extremely hardy and can take more punishment than most fighters. Their large size and sheer strength can cause fear among enemy ranks. Who wouldn't be afraid of having their arms torn from their sockets.