- Joined
- Sep 25, 2020
- Messages
- 784
- Thread Author
- #1
Wardens
Writer: @RedHotGinger
The Wardens, once the greatest underground power of City 24, are now a ragtag group of anti-citizens who lurk the depths of lost territory. Within most circles, they are considered little more than misguided freebooters with no greater purpose than survival. Particularly groups allied or favorable to the Nachtigallen denounce the Wardens as nothing more than ‘Marauders’. Despite this, they are not without allies and their own circles of supporters, many of whom operate on the surface of the city as opposed to it's underbelly. Ancient connections of citizenry that once hoped them to be the salvation from the Combine occupation - still holding onto this dream regardless of changing circumstances.
Origins:
The Wardens were once a typical rebel upstart lying within the North-Eastern reaches of City 24, taking advantage of, what was at the time, a rather significant antlion presence in the area. They would utilize abandoned burrows and tunnels created by the creatures as highly secure and efficient smuggling tunnels and hideouts. Due to this, they swelled in numbers quickly due to their ability to easily maneuver supplies and manpower. Eventually they occupied multiple districts spread across the breadth of City 24, gaining the ability to coordinate massive operations which occurred beneath the realm of the combine.
Always quick to a fight, the group was highly combative, willing to attack Civil Protection openly and often even managing to succeed with few casualties. A fact of the group which attracted many citizens who held more militant idealisms. Inner workings of the group were highly secured and open only to the most trusted members. So much so that much of how they accomplished such cohesion across the breadth of the city with such a small core is not entirely known.
The group often sought out to establish outposts and holdings in the outlands, and ally with those who already possessed them. Such is how they came into contact with the Nachtigallen and many other, at the time, smaller groups. This wide array of supply routes and trade nodes, which stretched and wrapped across the city, ensured the group was a highly mobile force with a tenacity to match. Even when cells and operations were uncovered by occupying forces, their interwoven routes and mechanisms of versatility prevented losses from stacking. Most of its truly valuable materials rested in the trusted hands of those beyond the immediate reach of the Combine.
Militant successes mounted rapidly for the group. Across the surface their name became known to both rebels and loyalists alike. Whereas the former revered them, the latter feared them. Such is the origin of much controversy the group steadily began piling beside it's success. While they personally did not suffer heavy casualties, nearby citizens often would not be able to claim the same. Sudden firefights, bombings and infiltrates claimed the lives of many unsuspecting citizens. Even more were sterilized for coercion further down the line.
The more the common people of City 24 found themselves unwittingly afflicted by their maneuvers, the more support fell. This only worsened for the group when rumors spread that many infiltrated members within Civil Protection and the CCA actively carried out heinous duties in order to maintain their cover. While the support of the already militant rose, any support of the far more commonly found complacent plummeted.
Eventually the controversy reached home, with one of it's own allied bodies, the Nachtigallen, breaking away from the group - taking away most of it's heavy weaponry in the process. This would lead to a conflict that uprooted the Wardens within a matter of days, as the Combine finally tracked a multitude of cells during an ongoing exodus from the city. With nowhere to hide, the group was quickly cut down beneath the sirens of the screaming citadel. An event which would become known as the October Wavier.
The survivors, which included some high ranking members, did what they could to reform and renew, yet the damage was far too extensive. Scattered members fled with banners sinking in the mud below, never to return. Splinter groups formed from the ashes of what remained. While some stayed, it was undeniable that the age of the Wardens had ended before them. The inevitability of freeing City 24, now felt a distant dream.
Since such time, the group has persisted forth as scavengers, or bandits, depending on who is asked. Their numbers remain mostly stagnant, and are typically composed of bitter and vengeful souls. Those who are more than willing to hurt many to salvage a few, and have a burning passion for the Combines' downfall. A flame which often spreads to those around them - destroying all.
Conflict brews from within as well, however. The Nachtigallen are viewed as traitors, the surviving Wardens maintaining it was them who secured the tragedy that killed so many. Due to this, Wardens attack the group's members on sight, robbing and killing any they may find who fail to defend themselves. Even those who merely associate with them are considered complacent, and potential threats to be eliminated - or at least relieved of material goods.
Always quick to a fight, the group was highly combative, willing to attack Civil Protection openly and often even managing to succeed with few casualties. A fact of the group which attracted many citizens who held more militant idealisms. Inner workings of the group were highly secured and open only to the most trusted members. So much so that much of how they accomplished such cohesion across the breadth of the city with such a small core is not entirely known.
The group often sought out to establish outposts and holdings in the outlands, and ally with those who already possessed them. Such is how they came into contact with the Nachtigallen and many other, at the time, smaller groups. This wide array of supply routes and trade nodes, which stretched and wrapped across the city, ensured the group was a highly mobile force with a tenacity to match. Even when cells and operations were uncovered by occupying forces, their interwoven routes and mechanisms of versatility prevented losses from stacking. Most of its truly valuable materials rested in the trusted hands of those beyond the immediate reach of the Combine.
Militant successes mounted rapidly for the group. Across the surface their name became known to both rebels and loyalists alike. Whereas the former revered them, the latter feared them. Such is the origin of much controversy the group steadily began piling beside it's success. While they personally did not suffer heavy casualties, nearby citizens often would not be able to claim the same. Sudden firefights, bombings and infiltrates claimed the lives of many unsuspecting citizens. Even more were sterilized for coercion further down the line.
The more the common people of City 24 found themselves unwittingly afflicted by their maneuvers, the more support fell. This only worsened for the group when rumors spread that many infiltrated members within Civil Protection and the CCA actively carried out heinous duties in order to maintain their cover. While the support of the already militant rose, any support of the far more commonly found complacent plummeted.
Eventually the controversy reached home, with one of it's own allied bodies, the Nachtigallen, breaking away from the group - taking away most of it's heavy weaponry in the process. This would lead to a conflict that uprooted the Wardens within a matter of days, as the Combine finally tracked a multitude of cells during an ongoing exodus from the city. With nowhere to hide, the group was quickly cut down beneath the sirens of the screaming citadel. An event which would become known as the October Wavier.
The survivors, which included some high ranking members, did what they could to reform and renew, yet the damage was far too extensive. Scattered members fled with banners sinking in the mud below, never to return. Splinter groups formed from the ashes of what remained. While some stayed, it was undeniable that the age of the Wardens had ended before them. The inevitability of freeing City 24, now felt a distant dream.
Since such time, the group has persisted forth as scavengers, or bandits, depending on who is asked. Their numbers remain mostly stagnant, and are typically composed of bitter and vengeful souls. Those who are more than willing to hurt many to salvage a few, and have a burning passion for the Combines' downfall. A flame which often spreads to those around them - destroying all.
Conflict brews from within as well, however. The Nachtigallen are viewed as traitors, the surviving Wardens maintaining it was them who secured the tragedy that killed so many. Due to this, Wardens attack the group's members on sight, robbing and killing any they may find who fail to defend themselves. Even those who merely associate with them are considered complacent, and potential threats to be eliminated - or at least relieved of material goods.
Final Notes:
It is worth noting that not all Warden cells can be generalized under such heinous actions. The Wardens operate under a semi-independent web of cells which, by all accounts, are a part of the greater Warden core. They operate separately from any universal code or objective. While the gap is beginning to close as time passes, and the cells are beginning to unify under a more cohesive and well-rounded doctrine, outliers still exist and can either uplift or taint the name depending on their own whims and wishes.
Last edited by a moderator: