Aedirnian Special Forces was a group created in 1266 by King Demavend III of Aedirn to repel the newly-formed Scoia'tael.[1]
While primarily seeking elite half-elf soldiers, enlisting in their ranks involved six months of training in brutal Aedirnian camps, and salaries payed equivalent to a soldier.[1] Their weapons of choice were black, gold, and red bows, but they carried other weapons as well. Uniformed with leather tunics and hauberks, they wore the familiar coloured black, gold, and red in rosettes sewn into the shoulder.[2] They were divided into several units.[3]
History[]
Pre-war[]
From 1266, the forces led operations throughout the north, slaughtering or capturing the Scoia'tael, to face torture in town squares and an eventual end: crucified along the roadside. While generally supported in their actions, many soldiers faced some backlash for their brutal treatment of the nonhumans.[2]
In June 1267, Rayla and the four soldiers in her unit escorted Tissaia de Vries to Gors Velen for the Grand Mage's Conclave. At The Silver Heron inn, Rayla met with the sorceress and received permission for her and her unit to return home.[2]
Second Northern War[]
In mid-July, after the breaking out of the Second Northern War and the invasion of Aedirn by Nilfgaardian troops, the unit assisted refugees fleeing the sack of Vengerberg, leading them through the Pontar Valley to Temeria. While on horseback, the group was attacked by Scoia'tael and the whole unit slaughtered, save Rayla who survived the ordeal with a permanent scar.[2]