Editing Castalia Mercenary Company (section)

== History ==

=== Origins and the Civil War ===
The Castalia Mercenary Company was heavily shaped by the aftermath of the Ardenian Civil War twelve years prior to the current events. Zachary Valente, a scion of the purged noble House Valente, chose loyalty to the Kingdom's future over his family's corrupt legacy. He gathered war orphans, veterans, and displaced fighters including Stark, Karl, and Bob to form a company dedicated to restoring and maintaining stability in the war-torn region of Ardenia, especially in [[Loriana]]. 

=== The Eclipse Cult Crisis ===
When the fanatic "[[Eclipse Cult|Children of the Eclipse]]" cult, led by Hierarch [[Solus]] and his Overseers, seized control of the mining city of Roake and the trade town of [[Anthill]], Castalia spearheaded the resistance. Realizing their forces were stretched thin, Zachary and [[Princess Adreana]] initiated the "Coalition of the Unwilling." By promising amnesty, food, and freedom, Castalia successfully united disparate and often hostile factions—including local bandit gangs, the Renjiran beastkin, and foreign mercenaries—into a unified front. 

Castalia forces successfully breached Roake, neutralized the mutant "Thralls," and dismantled the cult's leadership, cementing the company's reputation as saviors of the region.

=== The Albion Invasion ===
Following the liberation of [[Roake]] and the failed peace talks in [[Merlesia]], the [[Albion Empire]] led by Knight King Gawain declared outright war on Ardenia. The Castalia Mercenary Company was immediately deployed to the frontlines to hold the Ardan Bridge and the Western Crossroads alongside the [[Ardenian Royal Army|Royal Army]] and the [[Silver Wolf|Silver Wolf Mercenaries]]. During this conflict, Castalia was forced to undergo rapid technological advancements to counter Albion's overwhelming numbers and their elite Wyvern Knights.