A symbol of Myrmidia, Goddess of Strategy.
There are a surprising number of especially fervent worshippers of Myrmidia within one section of Imperial society. The Myrmidons are now a group of twelve drawn from noble families who once lived in the former province of Solland. The sun symbol of Solland resembles Myrmidian iconography, and the twelve Myrmidons are charged with the secret safekeeping of the crown of Solland. They look to Myrmidia for inspiration.[2a]
It is common amongst these families and other nobles linked with Solland to encourage their sons to join the ranks of the Knights of the Blazing Sun. The group are also rumoured to have ties of obligation to the Leitdorf family of Averland, though the degree to whether the Lietdorfs owe their fortunes to the Myrmidons, or vice versa, is unclear.[2a]
History[]
In a forgotten past, approximately during -1050 IC, W'soran on his bloody journey in search of new knowledge was thwarted by the Order of the Myrmidons in Araby and Tilea. His raids ended in -1017 IC, during his umpteenth attack, W’soran tried to loot the Temple of Myrmidia of Magritta to plunder the greatest library in the known world. But yet again he found the extreme defence of the Myrmidons. After slaying many of them, he was impaled by the spear of Abhorash, one of the members of the order in disguise.[3a]
The Crown of Solland[]
Some say the crown of Solland was taken by Gorbad Ironclaw's Waaagh! during 1707-1712 IC and twisted to fit his barbaric brow. Others say that that crown was merely the Electoral circlet and that the true crown was hidden away. It was said to be shaped like a sun, and that it was divided into twelve parts and those parts were given to twelve retainers... the Myrmidons.[1a]
Every generation of those individuals had provided a son to the Order of Myrmidia. It had apparently been a tradition among the Old Families. Twelve Sons of Sudenland, every twelve years. Myrmidia’s Due. Even now, though Solland is long gone and the Families with it, the sons still went, and the Due was still owed and the Myrmidons are still needed nowdays.[1b]
Wargears[]
In the past when their order wasn't a secret they wore archaic bronze armour and robes, their weapons of choice were spears and shields, which they utilised with disciplined phalanx formations, and a sword was carried in case enemies had managed to break inside their ranks.[3a]
Notable Members[]
- Abhorash - His exact relation with the order is unclear, but it was he who impaled W'soran's heart during the siege of Magritta to defend the Archecclesiastum of Myrmidia, surrounded by other vampires loyal to him in the garb of the Myrmidons.[3a]
- Hector Goetz - The only Myrmidon actually in the Order of the Blazing Sun.[1a]
Trivia[]
In Greek mythology, the Myrmidons were an ancient Thessalian tribe, most notable for being the loyal warriors of Achiles during the Trojan War.