The origin of the Zealots, the Shadow Guilds

Unlike common impressions among the Androsian base, not all guilds of the ancient times followed or supported the forces of Lord Andros.

Some merely stood back in neutrality, and waited for the conflict to carry over.

A few guilds, who lived in ways of religions and primordial commerce, held fast onto their loyalties to the ancient Kings and their authorities.

Most of these guilds were predominantly mercenaries, assassins, and religious fanatics hired by the Kings to subdue and terrorize their people.

Paid well for their unspeakable services, they often hid within the confines of castles, and only occasionally ventured to join one another in mutual support, for these Shadow Guild members are often more fearful of each other than others.

When Andros began to gather his forces in the Marsh Refuge, many Shadow Guild members were sent as assassins.

While Andros converted as many as he could to his cause of Pax Ethos, many Shadow Guild members chose death rather than switching allegiance.

When Andros dispatched the rule of all Kings, the Shadow Guilds continued to assassinate supporters of the new order. Lord Andros was forced to place great security forces of the legion at much expense, to protect the ruling council and the Guild Elders.

Legend holds, that when Andros retired to the Marsh Refuge near the end of his life, the Shadow Guilds vowed to seek him out to kill him and desecrate his body.

Perhaps Andros knew this, he disappeared into the Marsh alone, never to be found. Deprived of their prize of vengence, the Shadow Guilds waned in influence of their threats, as the Androsian people began to prosper in their Golden Age of Reason.

Waned, the Shadow Guilds did not entirely disappear. Their fanaticism continued on Andros, spreading on along the roads of commerce into the flourishing frontier regions.

Their descendants, simply calling themselves the Zealots, found new power no longer through mercenary work, but through organized crime in the frontier regions.