Stridernas

Stridernas are a historic order of scouts and reconnaissance experts in the northern maritime regions of the realm of Eldoria. The name Stridernas derives from the local verb strida, meaning to stride or move purposefully, reflecting their emphasis on rapid movement and quiet approach. In neighboring lands they are commonly referred to as the Striders.

Origins and purpose: Legend holds that the Stridernas formed during the Great Crossing, when coastal settlements faced sudden raiding fleets. A navigator and strategist named Kael Ulfsson united coastal clans, teaching them to read tides, wind, and coastlines. Over time the group developed into a formal organization with codes, ranks, and training methods, reinforced by a network of watchposts along major sea routes.

Organization and operation: Stridernas typically operate in small, fast units known as lines, each numbering 8 to 30 scouts and led by a captain. The order is governed by the Way Council, a body of senior scouts that assigns missions and settles disputes. Their operations span maritime and coastal terrain, combining reconnaissance, rapid response, and covert escort for vessels and caravans.

Equipment and skills: Mobility is prioritized over heavy armor; members wear light leather, cloaks, and gear suited to blending with shorelines and forests. Weapons commonly include short bows, spears, and daggers. Training emphasizes silent movement, tracking, weather lore, and mapmaking, with sophisticated use of hand signals and coded sounds for covert communication.

Legacy and portrayal: In folklore, Stridernas are portrayed as elusive guardians of coastal towns and masters of swift action. Relics and records attributed to them are kept in coastal monasteries and cairns, and they appear in regional sagas and fantasy literature as archetypes of reconnaissance and rapid response.