on a brief whim as we were changing our faction structure I wrote the following. it's not long enough to fit as a standalone anything and doesn't actually mention elite. but it's lore and set within the elite universe. Just through I'd throw it out here in case there was a hope it gave something which you might like to include in your future publications as a short story or similar.
The tale of the Bobsmen is one as old as time. It's expected to originate on the world of Ceirios, though the system the world is in has been lost to time and fading memory. The tale of the Bobsmen is a story told by parents to calm frightened children in the dark, as they send them back to sleep. A wide ranging mythos has come from the tale, similar to old earth legends such as Beowulf of that of Arthur. Our favourite version of the story is the abridged tale, taken from the much worn “Tales Of Light”, written by the Bowler Brothers.
A long time ago, when the nights were not so dark and when the galaxy was full of wonder, seven men were chosen as guardians of a now forgotten land. The Norseman, the Nobleman, The Dane, The Gravedigger, The Shadow, the Nihilist, and the Wolf. Pledged to one another as the Bobsmen, old tongue for Brothers, to defend the old world of Ceirios.
Each was sent to their own corner of the world. The Dane protected the forest lands of Wald. The Wolf watched over the mountains and caverns of Grota. The nobleman kept office in the busy city of Heitelan. The Norseman reigned over the icy plains of iis, where the wind blows cold in all seasons. The wolf ran with the pack in the plains of Nekari, and the Gravedigger watched over the dead in the necropolis of Maru. The Nihilist was sent to the desolate expanse of Inanis, to watch the world turn alone.
While times were good, the company of the Bobsmen stood simply as pillars of the community. Mortal men in their own right, each divided their time and lands among themselves. Some held their own businesses, some were thieves in the night. All watched the skies to protect the world of Ceiros from the evil that was to come.
After many years, as the Bobsmen grew older and the land darker, the stars grew brighter in the ebony sky. The once emerald lands of Ceirios turned to mire and as crops failed and fruit soured the brothers came together once more within the silver city of Obstgarten, largest of all cities on what was once the jewel of a now forgotten system.
The men, no longer the warriors they were, stood together once more. After many years apart much had changed. Hair, once jet black, was now silver. Armour which once shone proudly was now battered and dull. Their bones creaked, and their arms shook, but as they watched and heard the stars fall to earth they knew their purpose was at last to be fulfilled.
Standing ready on the barren fields outside Obstgarten, sword in hand and with will of iron, the Bobsmen stood ready. The enemy closed in the distance. Unusual and writhing forms, twisted by a nature quite different to the lands of Ceirios, moved across the lands with the silence brought by distance. Each one unique there seemed no pattern to their structure, no two to be counted together, outside the form of the alien advance.
First came the Dane, from his forest homeland he had brought an acorn, from which mighty things may grow. Second, the Shadow. From his hollow he had brought the cover of darkness, to speed their way through the battle to come. Third came the Gravedigger bringing earth from his churchyard, to scatter on the bones of the fallen. Fourth came the Wolf. From his fur lined hut he brought a traditional wolf’s paw, to bring luck for this brothers. Fifth came the nobleman. Bringing from his urban homeland a candle, to light the way. Sixth came the Norseman. From his icy abode he brought a carved axe, instilled with the wisdom of ages to bring the knowledge of his forefathers.
Seventh, stood the Nihilist. With him, from his isolated dwelling he had brought only despair. Living in solitude for so long had turned the once proud man into a dark and brooding being. Twisted with anger, the nihilist broke from his brothers and walked into the distance to meet the oncoming hordes.
As the winds blew stronger and the enemy grew closer, the six men shouted to their brother, though still he strode to meet his destiny, at the hands of the alien foe. Battered by the twisted pawns, he turned. Leaping onto the back of one of the perverse creatures and rallying against the remaining Bobsmen, those with whom he placed the blame for his years of desolation in the wilderness of Inanis.
One by one the six brothers drew their swords, and as one the old men charged. With a speed not becoming their form they moved through the plains to meet the approaching forces until, after an eternity they clashed.
Fighting each with the strength of ten men, the Bobsmen forgot their aching bodies, and as they did the might of their youth returned. Each surrounded by the deathly horde, they fought for the future of Ceirios and intertwined they tore through the contorted limbs and bodies of The Enemy until it seemed the light of providence shone on them at last..
The Nobleman was the first to fall, with a hammer blow from behind at the hands of his old brother, The Nihilist. As his eyes closed the remaining Bobsmen pushed forward, with gritted teeth and tired limbs they rallied, sinking deeper into the enemy lines, but each man knew the battle had been lost.
As the remaining brothers fell, spilling their trinkets to the dirt the storm built to a crescendo. The Old Gods of Ceirios, angered at the arrogance of the alien foe brought forward their power. Up rose the acorn, once small but now growing to its mighty form. Next followed the darkness, a fleeting glimpse of spirits in the air. The wolf’s paw, white among the ashes left a trail to lead fate to the remains of the lost heroes. The candle lit, among the tempest, bringing light where there once was none. Up rose the axe, broken to pieces but bound by history it shattered into six ethereal blades. Down rained the earth, on the bones of the fallen, to raise the dead from their slumber.
As the Enemy turned their sights on Obstgarten, light shone on the horizon. As The Nihilist rode with the beasts of war towards the jeweled city he could hear once more the cries of his brothers following the storm. Overtaken with hubris he rode faster, leading the charge towards the city’s gates as the wind blew in his ears, and his mount twisted and churned within its own skin.
Suddenly, six figures appeared in the distance. The Brothers of the Bobsmen stood once more in their path. Bestowed with the power of the old gods they rose, with sword in hand to face their foes. Larger than they were in life, the Nobleman, the Norseman, the Dane, the Gravedigger , the Shadow and the Wolf passed through the creatures as ghosts. Each of them once more with gleaming armour, each of them reborn in their youth they fought once more, for the fate of Ceirios.
As one by one the enemy fell, the brothers once again came closer until eventually, all who remained were the six spirits and their old brother, Nihilist, the betrayer. As brothers should, they each offered their hand to their old kin and each in turn were refused. Bitter and twisted with rage, the Nihilist drew his sword once more, and attacked.
It is said now, that there are seven spirits among the stars. The six spirits of the Bobsmen, bestowing courage and might to those who seek to fight for good, and the Great Betrayer, who seeks for the hearts of those between worlds. Each story told of them is true, and the brothers await to this day. It is said they will return when they are needed, when worlds are once again threatened by the Great Enemy, coming for humanity in their falling stars.
They wait now, a shadows width away. Watching over the innocent the Bobsmen stand ready. They stand as the shield, reborn from the ashes.
