| abstract
| - The Stormwall is metaphysical barrier between the worlds of the living and the dead in Orpheus.
- Along its length were five greater named towers and at least fourteen minor towers known only by number. Within the walls was a maze of corridors, barracks, guard rooms, holding pens, and cells. The top of the wall was fifty paces across and accessed through circular staircases in the towers which led to marshaling areas. From these points defenders climbed another set of stairs up to the front face of the wall. Watch towers and curtain walls were lit with iron braziers and torchpoles and wall-mounted giant crossbow scorpions were not unknown. Nominally, the Wall was defended by the Stormguard, a fanatical religious military order who worshipped Our Lady the Blessed Saviour. But defensive positions on the Wall were more likely to be manned by draftees from the Lands of Fist, slaves, criminals, debtors, and prisoners of war. At least twenty thousand people were needed to man the Wall at minimal levels although a full complement required twice that number. Volunteers for the wall were of a special breed and were treated with respect, fear, and admiration. Those defenders who were especially skilled and cooperative with their captors were given a suite of rooms that was luxurious by Wall standards. Prisoners were forced to defend the wall in pairs shackled at the ankle, each pair about a stone's throw apart. One of the pair carried a sword or spear while the other held a shield. They wore cobbled together pieces of armour that often showed signs of their last owners' deaths. Though some chose to die rather than fight, most struggled to fend off the Riders. New prisoners who showed exceptional skill on the wall in their first engagements were transferred to areas where the fighting was heavier. The most exceptional were known as Champions. Prisoners who displayed magical talent were hobbled with otataral laced collars or bracelets to prevent them from escaping. Overall command of the Wall was the responsibility of the Lord Protector of the Stormwall, followed by the Wall Marshal, and individual Section Marshals.
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![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)