The Wayfarers

The Wayfarers are specialised company of monster hunters and experts in magic, based in Caldarron in the Kingdom of Galdra.

Formation

According to legend, the first Grandmaster of the Wayfarers, the elf emissary Yolvan Alastin, was so impressed by the fledgling kingdom that Galdric the Great had created, that he dropped to his knee and offered to serve Galdric as a knight. Galdric refused. He told Yolvan that he had no shortage of brave followers willing to fight for him, but what he lacked was the knowledge and wisdom of the elves that had spared them Hylach's fate:

"Protect us. Protect us from the shadow than fell upon our ancestors, protect us with knowledge. Illuminate our path so that we may never stray into that darkness again."

Galdric the Great to Yolvan Alastin, 414 NE

Yolvan returned to Galdric with a proposal. Yolvan and others of his kin would create a new order that would serve Galdra and its people. This order would educate the humans about the magic, curses and creatures beyond their normal comprehension. The order would also intervene and protect the people against these threats. Based on Galdric's words, the order's mission would be 'To Protect And To Illuminate'.
Yolvan imagined the order as decentralised, travelling all over the new kingdom and bringing its services to those in the realm's farthest reaches. Though this would change with the introduction of lodges, it was this early model that decided the order's name: The Wayfarers.

Structure

At its height, the Wayfarers consisted of a network of lodges across the kingdom. These varied in size and sophistication, ranging from converted peasant dwellings to purpose-built stone bastions. The smaller lodges were run by Lodgekeepers, the larger by Lodgemasters.
The High Lodge served as the headquarters for the entire network. So named for its isolated position high in the Rust Mountains, it doubled as a repository for the often valuable, and frequently dangerous artefacts that the Wayfarers gathered from their work across the kingdom. The Grandmaster of the High Lodge was the most senior position in the entire faction, whom the Lodgekeepers and Lodgemasters from across the network were oathbound to obey.
When the High Lodge was abandoned in 1114 NE, its contents were transferred to the Caldarron lodge, transforming it into the new primary headquarters for the Wayfarers. Over the next 40 years, the remaining larger lodges in Vyrhall, Mantarren and Waywander were closed down due to a combination of dwindling funds and political turmoil that diminished the Wayfarers' influence.
Under the current simplified structure, the Grandmaster of the lodge in Caldarron has ultimate authority of the Wayfarers. Some power is delegated to the role of Treasurer, though this a practical role rather than a historical title. Qualified Wayfarers able to conduct missions on behalf of the organisation are called agents. Missions involving multiple agents have a captain assigned, though this is decided on a mission by mission basis rather than the awarding of a permanent rank.
The relatively flat hierarchy of the Wayfarers was a deliberate choice by Grandmaster Alcantra Jalandis, who wanted to a create a point of distinction from the various militaristic orders of knights that existed throughout the kingdom. It was intended to appear less threatening, and reflect her values of equality.

To Protect And To Illuminate

Founding Date

414 NE

Alternative Names

The Lodge

Leader

Heyton Aldalayne

Leader Title

Grandmaster

Location

Caldarron