The Deathmen were a group of mercenaries from different races. Unlike other armies they were using the best from every army to cover up for their respective weaknesses, e.g. using orcish Brutes and Ravagers as sturdy melee fighters and elven Wanderers for long-range support. The Deathmen were founded by the Dark Elf Katras.
Story[]
When the Corporal arrived at Aonir's Blade the very first time Iron Falcons and Deathmen were fighting the undead roaming around the tomb of the Fial Darg that had been awoken by the Song of Wight. It turned out that the undead forced the Iron Falcons out of their fortress. Now they had to recapture it in order to safeguard the seal for the dark princes again.
| “ | They were hired by some rich artefact-collector from Everlight who wants them to find Niethalf's Helmet. [...] Now they want to "help" us free the fortress in return for the helmet. | ” |
— Keeper Teranor about the Deathmen's motivation
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Whereas the Iron Falcons wanted to take back the fortress to be able to safeguard the imprisoned Fial Darg once more, the Deathmen had a more practical reason to fight. They were after a specific artefact called Niethalf's Helmet that supposedly was stored in the fortress and offered their services to High-Keeper Arenor in exchange for getting that relic in the aftermath.
Fight along the Purity[]
It isn't sure if the fight in Aonir's Blade was already on the Purities' behalf but after the magical outbreak in The Eye Deathmen troops had been seen aligning themselves with Purity troops frequently. It was made clear pretty fast they were foughting along with Rondar Lacaine, much likely not because of religious devotedness but more because of the rewards that were promised.
| “ | Lacaine and his fanatics took down my camp and gave me a choice: "Repent" and "accept the Light" or have some stern-faced priest ram a bloody pike up my arse. | ” |
Assault on Mulandir[]
The Deathmen and their catapults besieging Mulandir during the Purity Wars.
Additionally they were threatened to get killed if they would refuse the offer. And as such they were present at the siege of Mulandir a couple weeks after the archfire outbreak at the Eye. Katras personally led them along with other fighters belonging to the Purity of Light but the attack force as repelled by Corporal Tahar and his companions.
Demise at Greykeep[]
Katras was wounded and forced to retreat. He was not seen again until the final battle for Greyfell, where Katras was defeated and the surviving Deathmen scattered and were not seen again in the previous form.
Katras[]
Deathmen leader Katras
The dark elf Katras was the founder and the leader of the Deathmen. He was a talented fighter most proficient in quick and strong melee attacks. He used no magic but took in strong magical potions to enhance his battle power massively for a short time. His past remained a mystery as he remains very vague towards the Corporal in dialogues.
It was only stated that the Deathmen are a bunch of exiles from their own tribes and that he offered them a new perspective in life. He himself was an exile from the dark elves as well although it wasn't stated why exactly he had been exiled.
| “ | You folk would kill for your formalities and traditions - even if it means sacrificing your own troops to a group of undead. | ” |
— Katras ridiculing the Iron Falcons
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