COLLENS (col-lens)

Written by Jdebro

Overview

The Collens are a semi-secretive organization dedicated to fighting corruption wherever it is found, aiding the helpless/innocent, and keeping watch against wicked forces. The Collens have several different branches found in various locations in Lavantia, with each branch having a high degree of autonomy among the wider order. Their reputation varies greatly among the peoples of Lavantia. Many see the Collens as a good organization, but are mostly unsure what to make of them at times. Some see them as bothersome zealots whose actions tend to cause more problems than solve. Others regard them as almost insufferable meddlers who interfere in the affairs of the powerful.

Basics

Motto / slogan / axiom	Alternative names	Status
"We Preserve, We Protect, and We Watch."	Defenders, good folks, annoying zealots,	Active
Founding Date	Dissolution Date	Leader Title
The Old Conflicts	N/A (still active)	Master
Geographic Location / Base Settlement / HQ	Related Species	Related Ethnicities
Varies as each branch has their own headquarters	Humans, Adakin, Lerith, Gallian, Cairteail, Fiorhin, Pantara, Saurid, Ursidian	Gershonites, Kerrosanos, Fidem, Aphrans,

Structure

The Collens as an organization are actually not formally organized in the conventional sense, as their origins started off as a gathering of individuals who banded together in the shared goals of preserving civilizations and the protecting the downtrodden/innocent. The lack of a formal structure aided the Collens in their continuance as a semi-secret group. Some members took on roles of spymasters who head an intelligence network, but held little hierarchy or ranking over their fellows. There are no formal rosters as the group is not so clearly defined, and a public face of the groups has been seen as somewhat inconsistent from one location to another. Despite this, there are ranks that are recognized with the group that denote one’s faithful service to the Collens Oath. These ranks are:

• Master: Master Collens are the leaders who lead either an entire branch, or each a house with a branch (such as the case with the Fiden houses). They usually dictate the overall agenda while honoring the Oath they swore.
• Captain: Captain are the field operatives who lead teams to carry out missions for the branches.

Outside of this, there is no set formal structure to the Collens giving increased flexibility to adapt to whatever the Collens may face. Some may choose to create positions that met the needs of the branch, while others may refrain from doing so.
The western branch of the Collens mainly operates in Kerrosano, with some members based in Gershon. Their influence in Gershon is quite sizable, although they do so with accordance with their covenant with the Zethamites and the powerful Sages. They ultimately chose not to do anything that would upset the ever-vigilant Zethamites and Gershonite Sages, as their numbers are nowhere large enough to contest with them.

Kerrosano branch

The Kerrosano Branch maintain a slightly more formal structure compared to some of their fellows in other places. They have more influence in the island duchy of Kerrosano, even holding a base there openly. They mostly prefer to work through adventuring groups and other factions, although they do maintain a sizable force in the lands. They are notable for most of their members being partial to the faith of Adonailym, making a point of including its practices into their routine. While the Collens order as a whole doesn’t necessarily promote any belief system, the Kerrosano branch became more notable for its wider adoption.

"We Preserve, We Protect, and We Watch."

Type

Guild, Professional

Training Level

Professional

Subsidiary Organizations

• COLLENS OF KERROSANO

Location

LAVANTIA

Related Ranks & Titles

• MASTER COLLENS