Editing Kovorov (section)

== Torosk ==

==== Military Town ====
Long ago, before the founding of Karjakin, there was Torosk. Its people who stood at the edge of the mountains grew strong to ward off invaders. Even now, the ancient noble families uphold the old ways.

Torosk is first and foremost a military base. It is a town with civilians second. The current leader of the Oric Voyen is traditionally who leads the town, unless they divert that responsibility to one of the noble lines. Rules are strict and adherence is non-negotiable. Additionally, they may appear abnormal to those not native to Torosk. Curfew for everyone but active duty is sundown except in the Summer. All must fly the Kovorov flag. Torosk soldiers must help civilians at all times, they are never off duty. The rules abound but eventually, people pick up on them.

The town guards are drilled hard. They are considered the most elite guard in Kovorov. It is said that one town guard from Tosok is worth two from Ramiborg. This is false. A Tosok guard is worth at least three.

At any given time, forty percent of Tosok is made up of soldiers, town guards, or third-born. Each sect generally keeps to themself. The regular soldiers take refuge in the permanent encampment of Malock’s Crossing outside the walls of the city. Town guards call the Mace their home. The massive domed tower is said to be twice as deep as it is tall. Deep underground is where the Magestov throws its prisoners of war, discovered spies, dangerous low-magic users, and other deplorables. They would only trust the Torosk guard to watch them. Finally, the third-born keep to the Embermane Bastion. There they train endlessly, waiting to go on assignment and bring glory to [[Vorov]].

==== Shield Against Zell ====
Torosk is tough because it has no choice. It is the first defense against [[Nation of Zell|Zell]]. The generals within Torosk constantly fear that a [[Nation of Zell|Zell]] army will breach their mountain defenses and the great battle will begin. So far, this has not happened. Only small clashes have occurred in the mountains. The largest of this is when a large patrol of town guard recruits met a detachment of Zell smugglers. Over thirty were killed in the struggle which signaled a heightening of the tensions between [[Nation of Zell|Zell]] and Kovorov.

Watchtowers line the Gravetti mountains. Armed with flares and a squad’s worth of ammunition, each tower is designed to alert Torosk if [[Nation of Zell|Zell]] is moving in mass.

==== The Southern Trails ====
There are dangerous trails that weave through the Gravetti mountains. Dozens die every year trying to use them to enter Kovorov. While some who use the trails are normal travelers, most of those who do use the trails choose them because they have no choice. Smugglers, criminals, and [[Nation of Zell|Zell]] soldiers being among that group. Therefore, the Czar tasks Torosk with stemming the tide. Despite their best efforts, some always slip through the cracks.

==== Third-Born ====
The tradition of the third-born dates back to the ancient nobility. Even now, noble families rejoice at the birth of a third child. It is supposedly the parent’s “luck day.”

Not all third-born are from nobility, but those in station usually are from one. Third-born noble children are trained from birth to be loyal, magnificent, warriors. By the time they are taken on their thirteenth birthday, most can kill a grown man.

Inside the Embermane Bastion the third-born train. It is grueling and some die. Recruits must not only survive tests of their physical prowess: midnight blizzard runs, exposure tests, and beatings, but also tests of their mental prowess. Third-born instructors do everything in their power to make recruits renounce [[Vorov]], the Czar, and Kovorov. Those who do are instantly killed for treason. 

On their eighteenth birthday, recruits are brought to Vorov’s temple in Karjakin and swear their vows. If [[Vorov]] takes them as a paladin, they fully join the third-born. If [[Vorov]] refuses, there are many options. Some join the ranks of the Oric Voyen proper as a captain. Others seek the Oric Zaklanik to prove their worth to [[Vorov]]. A few end the journey of their lives. Third-born veterans say it is inevitable. They have trained their whole lives for the honor of joining the third-born and fail at the last trial. Their honor is sullied forever. 

[[Vorov]] has expressed sadness about this. However, a Divisky scholar noted that Vorov is aware that they must keep the Third-Born pure. They are the righteous blades of Kovorov. In traitorous potential within them is a cancer that could destroy the nation from within. Only the best can be Third-born. That is how it must always be.

==== The Nether Tide ====
Three centuries ago was the darkest day in Torosk’s history. A devil cult grew in the city without the generals knowing. Before the city knew what was happening, a portal to [[hell]] was opened in the center of town. Devils poured through in uncontrollable hordes.

Despite the heroics of the Torosk soldiers, it seemed the day was lost. That was until a battalion of third-born charged into the breach. They pushed back the [[devil]]<nowiki/>s and fought their way into hell. Under their orders, the portal was closed with them on the other side.

Now, all in Torosk know the story of the Nether Tide and the valorous Rose Battalion.