The First Charge of the Hellriders

This tome, bound in red leather, is an academic dissertation concerning the origins and history of the militant order located in Elturel, known as the Hellriders. The book is divided into 4 chapters.

The foundations of a militant order

This chapter delves into the topic of how the predecessor of the Hellriders was formed.

"...

In hindsight it was inevitable that a militant order of some sort would emerge as the dominant power at the southern tip of the Trade Way. The caravans heading to and from Waterdeep were under constant threat from monsters lurking in the Reaching Woods on the west, and emerging from the Fields of the Dead to the east.

In the end, it were the gnoll tribes of the woods that catalyzed the founding of the Order of the Radiant Sun, now known as the Hellriders. The legend says that the son of a noblewoman called Lady Shiarra was captured by a gnoll tribe while traveling with a caravan from Waterdeep. Upon receiving the news of the raid, Shiarra rode out with her men-at-arms, drove the gnolls away and defeated their chieftain in single combat.

Vowing that no such fate should befall the inhabitants of this region again, Shiarra founded the Order of the Radiant Sun, to protect the people living in the region. In honor of her memory, the Main Market Square in Elturel bears her name to this day.

..."

Zariel's origins

The second chapter of the books gives an introduction to Zariel, a Celestial Angel who will have a key role in the founding of the order of the Hellriders.

"...

To understand Zariel, one must first understand the Blood War; the ancient struggle of the legions of evil: the tumultuous chaos represented by the Demons of the Abyss, against the law and order of the Devils of Hell.

Many know that the Blood War was sparked by the devil Asmodeus, ruler of Hell. Fewer know however, that at the time he was known by the name Ashmedai, and was an angel of Celestia. While on a campaign against the demonic hordes, he decided to betray Celestia, seize Avernus to himself and add it to the domains of Hell as its Ninth Layer. He then proceeded to unite the forces of Hell and lead them against the Demons, turning the lush fields of Avernus into an eternal battlefield.

During his trial, Asmedai claimed that what he did was a strategic necessity: that the forces of the Abyss and Hell would have eventually joined forces as a united front against Celestia, and to prevent that he instigated a war between them to forever keep them separated.

This argument might have swayed Zariel, because although she stayed loyal to Mount Celestia during Asmedai's betrayal (in fact she was one of the angels most vehemently advocating for condemning Asmedai), she later proceeded to take an active part in the fight against the forces of evil.

..."

Yeenoghu and Zariel arrive to Faerun

The next chapter of the book refocuses on Faerun and the events that finally culminated in the crusade into Avernus.

"...

Although the Order of the Radiant Sun has faced many foes during its existence, their arch enemies were most certainly the gnolls: not only were the beasts of the Demon Lord Yeenoghu resonsible for the foundation of the order, they were ultimately behind their transformation to the Hellriders.

Over the centuries, the gnolls of the Reaching Woods caused many headaches to the civilized peoples of the Sword Coast, organizing huge raids deep into the human domains, often led personally by Yeenoghu.

When Zariel heard about the appearance of the Demon Lord on the Material Plane, she was once and for all convinced that the Celestial forces can not stand by idly. She traveled to Faerun and joined the Order in their fight against the gnoll hordes. Over the years, she rose to be a prominent figure in the region, and became a trusted ally of the current leaders of the Order: Lady Yael, Sir Olanthius and Sir Haruman.

After many years of fighting, a pivotal battle took place near Idillglen, north of the Reaching Woods. Zariel and her forces managed to surprise a gnoll host raiding a small hamlet led by Yeenoghu himself. The knights fell onto the unsuspecting beasts, scattering them in a mighty charge. The foul beasts scattered to the winds, and sensing an opportunity, Lady Yael charged at the unprotected Demon Lord himself.

Legends disagree whether what transpired next was a desperatino move from Yeenoghu, or if this was the Demon Lords plan from the start. Or perhaps machinations of some other entity. In any case, in the last moment, the personal guard of Yeenoghu rushed to protect their liege, and stalled the charge of the onrushing knights. The Gnoll Demon dismounted the commander of the Radiant Sun, opened an extraplanar portal, and retreated along with the surviving gnolls, dragging the unconscious Yael through it.

..."

The last charge of the Radiant Sun, and the first of the Hellriders

The final chapter covers the events of the knights crusade into Hell, and the sacrifice made by Zariel and her commanders.

"...

After the capture of her most trusted general, Zariel ordered a quick war council, where it was unanimously decided that the Order would pursue Yeenoghu through the portal to rescue Yael. The necessary provisions for a campaign had been hastily assembled, and the crusading force moved through to what they thought was the Abyss.

However, they quickly realized that instead of the Abyss, they were transported to Avernus, right in the middle of the Blood War. Not the last surprise that would befall the crusaders during this endeavor.

Nonetheless, the host kept organized, and tracked Yeenoghu through the wastes of the Ninth Layer of Hell. The inevitable battle ensued, and despite the demonic reinforcements, the Order of the Radiant Sun stood triumphant in the end, their beloved general rescued from the clutches of the Demon Lord.

Their victory celebrations were cut short though, for as they headed back to the portal seeking to return to Faerun, they found their path blocked by a devil horde, led by a fearsome young Archdevil. Bloodied and exhausted from the previous battle, the knights lined up for one final charge, led by their rescued general and the angel Zariel.

Their cries of battle and the manes pounding hooves echoed through the Avernian plains, as the warriors of the Radiant Sun plowed through the ranks of the devils, driving toward the portal leading back to Faerun. However, the devil legions seemed endless, their ranks suffocating the desperate knights.

Sensing the inevitable, Lady Yael spurred his mane and drove toward the young Archdevil. Seeing the heroism of Yael, Sir Olanthius and Sir Haruman followed suit, along with the angel Zarial. The rashness of the move disorganized the devil host, buying time for the rest of the riders to reach the portal and return to Faerun safely.

In honor of the sacrifice made by their leaders, and to commemorate the crusade they undertook in Avernus, the Order renamed themselves Hellriders.

..."