Codex - Compendium of Forgotten Heroes

Section 2

1. Aldoban Rangers

There wasn't a great deal for a young person to do in the town of Aldoban, whose greatest excitement was to catch a glimpse of the passing convoys on their way to somewhere more interesting. But what better distraction for the delinquents than to take pt-shots at moving targets in the hope of improving their aim?

Rangers of Aldoban were among the first called upon by Empress Tangana when the Stone War began. She and Gloam were said to have been impressed by the Rangers' disregard for rules and regulations, not to mention their fine tracking and survival skills. Once the recruits were sworn-in, they were presented with silver-brimmed helms, an act which many speculated was political. It was not often that the ruler bestowed a gift upon those less priveleged.

Section 3

2. Bandits of Birikoi

Birikoi was widely regarded as the most impoverished locale in all Foundation. A grimy, crap-stained conurbation, in which very few of the inhabitants were able to read. By the time of the occupation, the place was overrun with godhands, dragging batches of locals off to the mines. But so often standing in their way, as they hung from the rafters, or poked their noses from trapdoors, was a plague of bandits. These armed thieves frequently mustered along the road to Driss in ambush. Not content just to mug the godhands, they freed any slaves as well. It is that selfless gesture that earns them a place in my compendium.

Section 4

3. Owl Guard - Empress' Bodyguards

The Owl Guard had but one duty; to act as bodyguards for the Empress wherever she went. Given she seldom went anywhere, much of the Owls' time was spent idling at court, waiting for something to happen. But things did sometimes happen. For example, the day nine Owls gave their lives to prevent a wayward Dragon-Dog from blowing up the entire court. Though fifty died that day, it could have been much worse.

In the final battle, they loyally followed their Empress to the frontline against Sabor. The Owl Guard were hallowed, and they were dependable.

Section 5

4. Essedari Gymnothrusters

Much as it pains me to include a cohort of Saborians in this compendium, the Essedari belong as much to our lost world as anything else, and I wrote this book because I miss that place.

The Saborian Essedari were extraordinarily skilled athletes, who made best use of their mobility to speed between ships. They used "Gymnothrusters", a backpack device I don't pretend to understand, to flly in and among their adversaries. During the Stone War they were everywhere, giving their side a great tactical advantage.

Blinded by the promise of Aetherium, the Essedari were also fearless in hand-to-hand combat.

Section 6

5. Larks of Lower Karem

The Ishgiruan preoccupation with birds found itself another channel in the cult of Larks. The Larks were a well-prepared and experienced group who, much like the bird, rose early in the morning to prepare for battle with choral song. Once battle began they were rather different, preferring to wade heavily in aboard large and well-armoured frigates. They blazed and blasted their way through the enemy. They were still hanging on at the last battle of the Stone War, according to my Karemese friends in Capulca.

Section 7

6. Flying Aces of Barhu Jiu

Many people have forgotten that the Mellifluans had any kind of military force. But the flying corps of Bargu Jiu were undoubtedly the best producers of pilots in Foundation, even as their homeland was falling apart. The environment that bred these daredevils was unique; internecine rivalry fuelled by drink and marital jealousy. Bargu Jiu aces often took to the skies sozzled, and used to remark that their best moves could only be performed when under the influence. In the final days of Foundation, the aces could be found among the ranks of both sides., though they were such mavericks, I am skeptical about how useful they might have been.

Section 8

7. Fasio Fuzileers

The importance of a land army shouldn't be understated, particularly when Atlas is at stake. A disorganised rabble, the Fasio Fuzileers were proud, with the unique ability to come together when it mattered, even if outnumbered. They were hardy soldiers who were able to deal with the chill winds of north Chabuti, and to protect their nation right to the very last. The Fuziliers answered to the fourth Ephor of Chabuti - the one designated Martial General - and played an important defensive role in the contest for the Korchis Mountains versus the Mellifluans.

Section 10

9. Wolf Scouts

In the far north, where the ice flows extended endlessly towards the midnight sun, the Tarrery lived nomadic and isloated, for tens of thousands of years. One day they saw the first skyships hovering overhead, and to them it must have seemed mere moments later that these foreigners were taking bites out of their land. Imhorta, wolf mother was angered. Fortunately Imhorta had chosen some Tarrery for a gift at birth; a tiny droplet of mucous from her nose. Those with the gift were able to smell far ahead, to discover parts of the tundra that were still untouched by the invaders, on which their families could still live.

Section 21

20. House of the Iris

Of all those who tried to scope the entirety of Foundation, and to prove that it was not kite-shaped or flat (as was popularly held before the Hole opened up), the House of the Iris had the greatest success. They were explorers who craved danger and the unknown. In a golden age in which all had what they wanted, this was a sensation. Skimming out to the far extremities of the map, they recorded everything in detail, as is the Verduban way. The House of the Iris discovered many islands, new peoples and curiosities. They were always easily recognised, since each member of the house wore a human iris on their person.

Section 24

23. The Sons of Kip

In the valleys of Ishgiru near Gondola, lay a mighty fortress. Kip's Keep was one of the many homes of the legendary 'true Empress' of Ishgiru. It was also home to the Sons of Kip, worshippers of the small moon. They vowed to defend the true Empress with their cranequins. Millennia later, and the order of the Sons of Kip remained, but their patron was no more. Without an income, Kip's Keep had ruined. The Sons of Kip were proud, and would not disband, so they agreed to pledge allegiance to others for a fee. That way they could preserve Kip's Keep proud traditions - only males could join the Sons of Kip, and had to remain celibate. Needless to say, any mercenaries proficient with ranged weapons are useful in skyship combat, and moreover the Sons of Kip deserved their reputation for unflappable excellence.

Section 29

28. Marimbian Sabremasters

I have long since tried to convince the little ones of the existence of mountains. The odd island we pass supports my claim, but nothing has the scale of the Pintins, that shimmering galaxy of peaks in my homeland.

I remember that just short of the highest peak of Tito Bipo, lived the Marimbian Sabremasters. They were ascetics who had renounced worldly pleasures and taken to a simple life of meditation and sabre practice. To see them swish to and fro, was like watching the dragonfly above the pond, gliding weightlessly. Though they were masters with the sword, the monks refused to take sides during the Stone War, believing the Kioki to be greedy, and the Saborians to be misguided zealots. Even as the earth peeled away from itself, the Sabremasters were said to have remained - their respect for the mountains keeping them there.

Section 32

31. The Wahsili Brigands

Tourists drifting too far from the crowd near the Lighter of the Lamps might find themselves caught in a web, literally. The Wahsili brigands fashioned webbed nets below the dunes, and covered them over with a loose layer of sand. When unsuspecting victims triggered the trap they'd be unable to move. The brigands would empty their pockets before dumping them somewhere, penniless and confused. Contrary to popular belief, the brigands lived not inland, but along the coast, in towns like Rugik. These small seaports, with their unwelcoming locals and high temperatures were rarely celebrated. But they were as much a part of Foundation, as anything else. Now our home is gone, we understand that even the most trivial lives mattered.

Section 35

34. Househusbands of Panyana

It wasn't until late evening that their wives returned from a hard day's work at the university, and they'd have to get dinner on the table. Once the baby or children had gone to bed, then they finally had a bit of 'me' time. But how to stay awake? How to make the most of it?

One of the Gallish Househusbands had the idea that they'd start an evening class, which would teach the old Gallish discipline of quarterstaff.

The men would meet in their robes down on the black beaches of Panyana. They'd start off talking about how long it took to teach themselves to milk, or how much teething hurt their babies. Soon enough though they were up to their knees in sand, battering each other with the long wooden poles.

By the end, when the University itself has subsided, the Househusbands baded together aboard a ship they had built together in their free time, known as "The Fathership".

Section 36

35. The Gallish Retinue.

The Gallish Liaison Trustees were always certain of the Rebus, an encryption that protected Panyana University's  researches. Nevertheless, the magnificently dressed national guard, known as the Retinue, were trained to be the best. With the knowledge of the University to draw upon, these men (and occasionally women) were intelligent, well-equipped fighters. In battle, they would form "armadillos" with their shields to defend against enemy weaponry. Since there was no miltary tradition in Gall to speak of, the Trustees negotiated an exchange with Sabor, which placed the Retinue under severe and rapid training programmes there. The Retinue were just as nimble and light as their Saborian counterparts, and members of the Retinue often did well at the Saborian Aetherial Games. Ultimately, however, the purpose of the Retinue was to defend Gall, and that is exactly what they did.

Section 37

36. The Pact of Jinty

Jinty hadn't been a popular travel destination since the deafening eruption of its volcano in 2829. It was a smoking-hot isle, and the steady babble of blue lava often formed new chains of islands. In other words, it was the perfect place for a secret tryst. In this case, not lovers, but skysailors. In 2991, at the end of the golden age, fifty-three went there to plot against the Pirate King. Because of the fall in the availability of Atlas, the Pirate King had apparently gone through a bit of a lean spell, and hadn't been very good at paying his men. Of course, he'd made piracy outside of his circle almost impossible, and the fifty-three who met at Jinty were either very brave or very stupid. Each remembered their pact by receiving from their ringleader, a forged steel Xiphos engraved with their vows and a symbol - a pair of interlocked arms.

Section 40

39. Warlocks of the Zephyr

Clouds are important, and few could claim to be as wise to their threats, as cognisant of their blessings as the Warlocks of the Zephyr. The Zephyrs carried jars of clouds they had trapped, which they stirred with their untrimmed nails.

It is said that some had success controlling the seasons, and were able to summon snow, wind or rain at will. I would have refuted this in the strongest terms, back when life was "normal", but these days I'm not so sure.

Suffice to say, the Zephyr's instincts were truer than any Gallish mathematical calculation, and this made them useful in battle, although they preffered not to fight at all if they could help it. The account of the battle over Ternanu in 3033 records that the Zephyr's ship Cumulonimble disappeared through a thunderous cloud wall, never to be seen again.