It’s the third day of this week’s Lumineth Realm-lords focus and, for the first time, we’re just looking at one new unit – instead of three Heroes and two aelemental disciples. Oh my, and what a unit it is.
As any self-respecting wizard would agree, having to fight for your life in the chaos of close combat is just so… distracting. Who has time to weave wondrous magics when an Ironjaw is dead-set on chopping you into itty-bitty pieces? If only some stalwart swordsmen were on hand to keep the rabble at bay…
Enter the Vanari Bladelords, supreme masters of the sword and dedicated guardians to their Scinari charges. Whether it’s ensuring the safety of the Lumineth’s sages (one of whom you may be familiar with from last year’s wave of Lumineth Realm-lords releases) or effortlessly chopping up even the most evasive foes, these unerring warriors are an essential force in the Realm-lords’ armies.
For much of their tumultuous history, the Lumineth have been perfectionists at heart, and this is perhaps even more true for the Bladelords. One might even be tempted to call them Swordmasters,* and indeed this is the name of one of their key abilities. By employing one of two distinct fighting styles with their Sunmetal Greatblades, the Bladelords can either strike with perfect accuracy or sweep away hordes of lesser foes in an instant.
Despite hailing from the Tyrionic realms of Hysh, and thus being predisposed towards matters more martial than philosophical, the Vanari Bladelords make their home among the sages of the Teclian nations, bearing the icons of the Scinari as honour markings upon their wargear.
The bond between them and the mages they protect is so strong that enchanted Vanashimor banners are carried into battle by each Bladelord, proof against the magical assaults of their sorcerous foes.
Take to the field with the Vanari’s elite when the next Lumineth Realm-lords pre-orders go live this Saturday, and be sure to pick up a copy of Broken Realms: Teclis to find out where they factor into the Mage God’s grand scheme. If you can’t wait to continue the story of the Mortal Realms, check out our Broken Realms hub for more short stories and background information on these realm-changing events.
* We’re sure they have nothing at all to do with a certain group of wizard-defending, greatsword-swinging swordsmen from the world-that-was.