Ragnar Volarus, Stained of the Valkyrie Spires
Stained are an elite class of Obsidians from the south pole of Mars. They are considered some of the rarest and best warriors of their caste among The Society,[1] and are highly sought after by Golds as elite soldiers and bodyguards. Their name presumably comes from the blood of their foes that stains their hands after battle.[2]
Description[]
Obsidian warriors who wish to become Stained must first ascend The Way of Stains, a set of unsupported stone stairs that connects the mountains of the Martian anarctic to the Board of Quality Control's flying Asgard Station. The stairs are frigid and gusty, switchbacking into the clouds.[3]
Upon reaching the temple at the top of the stairs, an Obsidian must request the Trial of the Stained, a series of tests to determine their fitness to serve the gods. Those that pass the trials are given a skull tattoo that covers their face to mark them as a servant of Allmother Death.[3][4]
From there, they are taken to an Agoge, where they are trained in the use of some modern weapons such as ionBlades. Once they leave the ice, they are never permitted to return, with only a rare few being given the privilege to return for the express purpose of siring more children if their Gold masters wish to reproduce their genes.[5]
Known Stained[]
- Alfrun
- Jopho
- Varga
- Ragnar Volarus
- Goroth
- Vagnar Hefga
- Fenrir