On the face of Qurand, many famous commanders and strategists live on in legend; libraries are filled with stories of them and their heroic deeds and campaigns, during which they conquered overwhelming odds and the adversity of fate. Some of these legends, however, still live today and intervene in events currently unfolding.
Sanathingar Niralakhan – Supreme Marshal of the Gandharan Forces. He is considered the finest living commander, and it is said that even the Maghavans themselves are obedient to his orders, though he does not belong to their Order. Decades ago, he underwent the Trial; he did not achieve the goal, yet he did not die. Instead, he returned disfigured and filled with an unknown genius that allows him to estimate enemy strategy with perfect precision and act with a fabled minimalism.
Urath Mon Zaragaon – Grand Master of the Order of Xalgon Knights and one of the Dark Lords. He is considered a model strategist of offensive combat, usually playing out a dramatic and imaginative war game. His strength lies in his willingness to sacrifice material and the lives of his own soldiers to gain strategic initiative—and his ability to extract the maximum from that initiative. His tactical threats carry such weight that they usually force the opponent to confront them, thereby acting according to Urath’s plan. This commander is also known to love war and destruction for its own sake; even in times of peace, he conducts practice “lightning wars” on the peripheries of the civilized world, in which unknown tribes and settlements usually perish.
Ocelot – Grand Master of the Order of Paladins and Seer. In ancient times, he participated in many battles, but at present, he delegates command duties to his generals (primarily the three Paladin Seers), while retaining supreme command and the rank of Marshal of the Paladin Forces. It is said that he often disguises himself as a lower officer to observe the morale of his men when they believe no one is watching. Although considered an excellent commander, his greatest strength is the absolute trust and devotion of his knights, who regard him as the god Pallas incarnate. Ocelot is known for never wasting human resources, unlike Urath, and he holds the fate of even the lowest soldier to his heart. He is considered the most just judge, even though his judgments and decisions are often very strict. Among the Paladins, it is said that a direct order from Ocelot has the inevitable force of divine magic—but perhaps it is simply that everyone strives never to disappoint him and thus puts all their strength and faith into the execution of the command.
Alqisaintir – The White Shaman, who is the general of the northern Paladin legions (Legions VI-XII). Ocelot entrusted him with command in clashes with Xalgon and its vassal states, knowing that the knights trust him for his wisdom and goodness, which stands out in its clarity compared to the darkness of the Black City. Alqisaintir seeks peaceful solutions and reduces casualties wherever possible; however, as soon as his strategic calculation offers military conflict as the only advantageous option, he becomes an honorable yet ruthless opponent. In the last century, he has become a strategic expert on the Xalgonian Grand Master Urath, whom he has faced with varying results in dozens of battles. Over the years, Alqisaintir has come to be revered not only by his soldiers but also by the enemy, for he is honorable and generous under all circumstances.
Ulinen – The Grey Shamaness, general of the western Paladin legions (XIV-XVII). She is known for her ability to quickly orient herself strategically in unknown environments, the devastating power of her guerrilla warfare in known surroundings, and seemingly fragmented raids that fulfill tactical goals. Throughout her career, she has worked with smaller military units, often achieving greater efficiency with them than others do with giant armies. When forced into a direct confrontation, she can usually utilize the environment to disadvantage the opponent. Her hardened knights, who have served under her for many years, have high morale and trust their lady boundlessly. Ulinen trains her men for nighttime combat and difficult conditions into which she then manipulates the engagements. Her strategy is often “dishonorable,” containing many ruses, plots, and traps, yet in personal dealings and judgments, she maintains the fabled Paladin justice.
Ramartak – The Black Shaman, a terror of the West and South. He is the general of the southern Paladin legions (XVIII-XXII) and is known for his psychological tactics. He often attacks a strategically insignificant but psychologically sensitive target and subsequently brings uncertainty and fear into the enemy’s ranks—both in overall war strategy and in individual battles. His plans are often very cunning and bold, and frequently even his direct subordinates have no idea what he aims to achieve with his actions. Nonetheless, his successes have convinced everyone that his mysterious preparations always contain a punchline that strikes the opponent into the dust.
Saten Pe’Yarlat – Famous commander of the Southern Empire and confidant of the Qagan (Emperor) Lamda Khuza’elin. Before the rise of the current Vizier, Temuin Pa’Yisukha, he held the office of Vizier for two decades. He is known not only for his refined tactics based on excellent terrain reconnaissance and espionage but also for his perfectly polished manners and court etiquette. For two generations, he has been held up as the model of a perfect courtier—sweet and cunning as a serpent, which coincidentally he has in his family crest. Saten is primarily a master of espionage and plots. Stories are told of how his spies reached enemy kings and commanders in the most diverse disguises—as musicians, envoys of other lands, holy men, pieces of furniture, trained monkeys, or sacks of spices. Before a battle, Saten is usually better informed about the state of the enemy army and its morale than the enemy commanders themselves. He is not very merciful to defeated enemies and particularly delights in exemplary mass executions and the cautionary leveling of great cities.
Darakos Similtir – Until recently the Commander-in-Chief of the Garion Army, he entered history in his youth as a famous adventurer and warrior. Over the years, he went through many wars on many sides and eventually entered a military career in the Garion army, where he rose to the highest rank. He demonstrated a great talent for estimating enemy strategy, logistics, and military organization. Garion senators greatly appreciated his ability to reduce costs. His dynamic approach leads him to ever-further innovations, and it is he who constantly tests new weapons and inventions to strengthen the Garion army. Unfortunately, he was recently stripped of supreme command due to intrigues in the Senate.
Livir sun Falcani – Supreme military commander in Sirania, Marshal and Duke of the House of Falcani. His talent merely confirms the strength of the Siranian aristocracy. From earliest childhood, he was purposefully raised by his father, the old Duke Sarigar, in tactics, strategy, and diplomacy. As soon as he outgrew his childhood shoes, he alternated high studies (he is one of the few mages of the White Siranian race) with toil on the battlefield. When the years of peace came and Sirania began to flourish through trade and labor, he asked the Empress for permission and, along with two legions, joined as a reinforcement to the Paladin Order in the struggles against Xalgonian evil. There he demonstrated immense composure and courage and was rewarded with honorary admission into the Paladin Order.
