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PLAYER S GUIDE TO FIGHTERS AND BARBARIANS
Regions define military tradition due to a common exposure and culture. A number of martial groups may arise within a region, forming to pursue more specific goals. In the case of Lede and the War Colleges recruits came from all over Ghelspad, and these diverse students were then trained in standardized forms. While Lede is gone, the war colleges and other similar institutions continue — offering both a unifying presence and a place of innovation for the sundry techniques of combat. — Elvid Rath, Historian of War for the Phylacteric Vault
T HE L EDEAN C OLLEGES The war colleges of the present have roots in the imperial mindset of Lede. People of many races and origins were brought under hegemony, a centralized culture. War colleges then arose as distillations of the diverse military traditions being introduced to Lede, with the intention of refining and improving upon them. The War Colleges of Darakeene still maintain this outlook, placing themselves now as communicators of tradition. Mercenaries from all over Ghelspad, from many different nations, have a bond of loyalty that transcends these divisions. Graduates of any of the Ledean War Colleges are titled Disciples of War, and consider themselves, with reason, a cut above all others. Training in the Ledean colleges traditionally takes nine years. PCs who join a war college are typically ready for graduation once they have mastered the feats taught by that school. This does not mean that PCs are
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stuck inside until commencement, however. Most colleges accept, or even encourage, adventuring by promising students; and training in the field is a vital part of most curricula. In this way, it is easy for a PC to be schooled at the college between adventures. Furthermore, new adventures and opportunities may result from the college itself. Missions for the college are often part of the tuition, and schools are paid well for the use of their students. This can work as an ongoing plot-hook for GMs. Those feats marked with an asterix (*) can be found in Appendix One; those marked by a cross (†) may not be selected as one of a fighter's bonus feats.
T HE M AJ OR C OLLEGES The major colleges keep current rolls of graduates. Graduates are considered lifelong members of a school, though the responsibilities vary. For the most part, the bond of loyalty is more of a personal matter. Particularly
