A construction in mixed Old Damerian and Old Lencori meaning “those who wear cloaks”, the Linnati were those closest to Lorenan the Great, who wore his emblems, took part in his personal council and rode side by side with him in times of war, sometimes acting as royal envoys or military commanders.
Part royal guard, part elite adventurers of the realm and Lorenan’s first response to adversity, their signature cloaks identified them: Lilac, embroidered with golden motives and with a great red rose in the centre. They held positions of honour at the Comietium, disposed in a circle around their High King, and were the object of many songs in the centuries following the Peace of Lorenan.
Historical Members[]
Lorenan’s eleven Linnati at the Battle of Red Reach (529)[]
- Percevan Lorentis, cousin of the High King and captain of the Linnati, who died defending Lorenan.
- Comies Fracan of Harascilde, lord of Rewanfork.
- Prince Garomaruos of Sormannon, brother-in-law of the High King.
- Mauric of the Cingeti, his old rival now turned devoted follower, who died defending Lorenan’s back as he duelled Alenn Gawe.
- Garde the Half-Eagle: a renowned rider, son of a Rycanreacher soldier and a Rubenti woman who, despite his paternal heritage, joined the service of Lorenan early on and gained his trust.
- Gawan the Enchanted, a native of the Redwood who was said to be blessed by fey spirits from his homeland to die old and toothless, and thus fought in battle with an unmatched fury, knowing himself immortal.
- Jarnolt the Tall, a Creek Gnome from Roynoms who was exceedingly tall for his kind and was able to ride a horse in battle, doing so with grace. An ingenious fellow, Lorenan is said to have placed great value on his advice. He was the last of the original Linnati, guarding Lorenan’s tomb during the War of the Three Roses.
- Geraint, Adean’s Paladin. An Entebic adventurer who took Adean’s spear from Horsegarden as a teenager when the sanctuary was sacked by Stovan Steedslayer. An old man by the Red Reach.
- Brennes Firehand, a Tretunic mage who joined Lorenan’s retinue when the Tretunic host joined the Lorentish army prior to Rosefield and became his main counsellor in magical affairs.
- Silvardes, the Last Damerian. Grandnephew of the famed general Arelaus, Silvardes used Old Damerian heraldry from his ancient Damerian lineage and was loved by the peasantry as a hero.
- Florien the True, the officer of peasant origins who led the Iochander cavalry that joined Lorenan’s host right before the Battle of Rosefield.
Percevan and Mauric fell at Red Reach, being replaced by:
- Gamfast Hardfoot, renowned halfling adventurer who famously rode with the Lencori cavalry on a pony of his own.
- Morgan Aldegarde, captain of the Lorentish cavalry and cousin of the comies of Castfort.
The Linnati at the time of Lorenan’s death (590)[]
- Jarnolt the Tall, last of the original Linnati, captain.
- King Caylen I of Enteben, third son of Lorenan, acclaimed as the best warrior of Lencenor for decades and now 64 years old.
- Ancard, the great champion from Carneter, who left the Linnati when High King Ruben I declared war upon his kingdom. Fallen at the bridge that would become Ancard’s Crossing.
- Gronmar Redstone, famed nephew of the King of Rubyhold.
- Comies Fracan II of Harascilde, grandson of Fracan I.
- Gawan Brannis, an Entebenic noble.
- Edmond Aqueltis, grandson of Garde the Half Eagle, close friend and companion to Caylen
- Luan ‘Longstrike’, Crovanni warrior, renowned for his talent as much as he was infamous for his arrogance
- Samin ‘Oldthorn’, a warrior from Roilsard
- Fosco Churner, a Halfling from Butterburn
- Arnhalt ‘Wiseman’, Entebenic mage
“But when the great fall, it is the small who take their posts” Artur Ollontis, court historian of Ruben V of Carneter, on the decay of the Linnati. From the Chronicle of the Three Roses.
Songs of the Linnati[]
The Linnati inspired many songs in the centuries following the demise of the High Kingdom, with a multitude of bards after the War of the Sorcerer-King elevating them to the status of knights, becoming ancestors of the famed Rose Knights of Lorent. These are some of them, collected by our brave chroniclers:
- The Hunt of the Northern Wolves (Werewolf hunt by Lorenan and all the Linnati together)
- The Song of the Red Reach
- Gawan, Garde and the Hydra
- Jarnolt the Tall and the Satyrs
- Florien and Silvardes against the ruffians of Lorenmark