Vandenreich Introduction

Vandenreich Introduction

After the vast majority of the Quincy were wiped out by the Gotei 13 during the First Quincy War, a group of Quincy formed up underneath the banner of Sebestian Gundir. Rallying the Quincy, he decided to rebuild them and form them into a fighting force that could rival and overcome the Shinigami that had seen to their execution. This took nearly a thousand years. The Vandenreich grew in power from the shadows, watching, and honing their technique to bring down the Shinigami.

The Stern Ritter is led by an Emperor. The First Emperor was Sebastian Gundir, but he was slain by Captain-Commander Matsumoto Kajin during a pivotal battle in the Second Quincy War. After his death, the Vandenreich forces withdrew from their assault on Soul Society, to regroup and choose a new leader. That leader was Arnold Gundir, Sebestian's son.

The Vandenreich has a hierarchy, with the Soldat being the largest group, essentially the troopers of the army. The elite shock troopers, which are typically Captain-Level strength are known as the Stern Ritter. They served as the Vanguard of the Sereitei invasion and were able to tear through the Shinigami ranks with little problem, and were only bogged down when engaging Captains.

The Jagdarmee are another group, that serve as hunters and scouts for the Vandenreich. They were tasked with invading Heuco Mundo and enslaving Arrancar to serve in the Soldat, to bolster their ranks. They are ruthless and cruel, and serve as a sort of Secret Police as well.

History

Before the First Quincy War, the Vandenreich did not exist. Instead, the Quincy lived in small tribes and groups, scattered across the globe. They hunted Hollows to protect themselves and other humans, and they had no idea that their powers destroyed the Hollows souls. As they grew in population and got more aggressive in their hunts, the Gotei 13 tried to stop them, but to no avail. Instead, a war broke out between the two factions, one of serious consequence.

The Quincy, being divided, both by distance and by leadership, were isolated and picked off one group at a time by the Shinigami, who had an organized army. However Sebestian Gundir, the leader of one of the largest Quincy groups in Germany, knew that if they didn't rally their forces, that the Quincy would be completely wiped out. But, his efforts were too late. While some of his forces managed to escape, the Shinigami finished the job, and the Quincy were broken.

Sebastian Gundir knew there were other survivors. So, he began to travel the world, seeking them out, and recruiting them into his new army. It took him hundreds of years to do so, but once he had gathered the remaining Quincy, they began to train and expand their powers, in secret. They were able to use effective counter-intelligence, and refrained from fighting Hollows, as to not bring attention to the Shinigami. He called this army the Vandenreich (lit Invisible Empire.)

The Arrancar Invasion into the World of the Living was witnessed by the Vandenreich, who were surprised to see intelligent Hollows posing a challenge to the Gotei 13. It was then they realized the Gotei 13's power was waning, and due to the vast losses they suffered at the hands of the Espada, Sebestian decided it was time to go to war.

He started by sending out his Jagdarmee to Heuco Mundo, where they began to abduct Arrancar and force them into the Soldat as fodder. Before the remaining Espada could retaliate, they withdrew and launched their invasion, using the Stern Ritter as their Vanguard. The Shinigami were caught completely unaware, as the seeming impenetrable Seireitei was filled with enemy soldiers. Hundreds of Shinigami died before the Gotei 13 could muster a counter offensive, led by the Captain-Commander Matsumoto Kajin. His target was the Emperor.

The battle between Sebatsian Gundir and Captain-Commander Matsumoto rang across the Seireitei. Both warriors were formidable and nearly equally matched. However Matsumoto's tenacity and brutal nature eventually won him the fight, and he cut down Sebastian.

This moment resounded within the ranks of the Quincy, who had looked at him for guidance and saw him as a savior, for hundreds of years. With their heroic Emperor slain by the cruel Shinigami, the few remaining Stern Ritter, led by his distraught son and soon to be Emperor, withdrew their forces.

Now they are rebuilding their forces and waiting for the moment that they can strike again. However, now they are rallied by the loss of their former Emperor and fueled by his son's need for vengeance. It will be only a matter of time before the blood of the Shinigami is spilled again.