Emperor Ormbast IV was not necessarily beloved by all, but he was widely recognized as a fair, just, and wise ruler. His son, Ormbast V, inherited none of his father’s good qualities. V is greedy and cruel; he instituted harsh new taxes and terrible laws to punish those who didn’t pay. He is also petty, not hesitating to order death against any who he perceived as having slighted him.

Arik Andler, was a captain in the royal army, leading a unit of the most elite soldiers the empire had in its service. As such, he and his men were dutybound to follow the emperor’s decrees. However, time and time again Arik found himself sickened by what he was ordered to do and the direction the empire was heading.

After a great deal of pain and soul-searching, he offered his men a choice: stay and fulfill their oaths to the emperor, or sacrifice their honor in order to fight for the greater good. To a man, they chose to follow Arik.

The renegades dubbed themselves The Oathbreakers. The Oathbreakers are known by their scarlet cowls, which some say they wear to hide their shame, and their insignia: a kite shield cleft in twain.

The Oathbreakers primarily focus on protecting commoners from the Emperor’s tyranny. They raid tax assessors and instruct any able and willing in the art of guerilla warfare, in order to protect themselves and their families.

Encounters with The Oathbreakers

The Emperor puts out a bounty or hires the PCs to fight the Oathbreakers, calling them traitors and cowards.

The PCs are confronted by one of Arik’s men when they are mistaken to be the Emperor’s newest lackeys.