Brotherhood of Dawn

Structure

1 Grand Master - Astorius Löwenherz 3 High Masters - High Master of Sword, Shield and Books 9 Masters - Honorary rank, given in acknowledgement of mastery of a specific discipline of the Brotherhood. One can be elevated to this rank by the Grand Master, one of the High Masters or by a unanimous vote of the knighthood. The fact that there are only 9 masters is grounded in the fact that the knighthood and the Grand Master have not granted anyone this title in generations. The Grand Master and the knighthood can (in theory) elevate an unlimited number of people to this rank, while the High Masters can elevate three people each. 4 Seneschals - Commanders of one of the four great fortresses. Marshals - Subcommanders of specific parts of the Brotherhood within the four great fortresses. There are Marshals of artillery, heavy and light infantry and of archery. There is exactly one marshal of cavalry, situated in the Fortress of Dawn in Vandrath; he holds the honorary title of "First Marshal". Standard Bearers - Honorary title. Knights that are tasked to uphold the honor of an entire contingent. This title is sometimes awarded as a punishment. Knight - Experienced members of the Brotherhood, often blooded. A knights can grant knighthood to any member of the Brotherhood. Acolyte - Members of the Brotherhood that have received the first sacraments and have sworn the vows, but have not excelled enough to be granted knighthood. This rank is also given to outsiders as an honorary rank. Squire - Green, unproven and often very young members of the Brotherhood. Lay members often remain at this rank. There are also many children of lesser nobility that are given this rank when they enter the Brotherhood for basic training in the military arts; they later leave the Brotherhood again. Special ranks: Almost every rank has special subranks that are not explicitly mentioned here. There is, for example, a First Knight, a First Acolyte, etc. - but these ranks are mostly of a ceremonial nature except in times of war and when settling disuptes. During training, squires receive a plaque-plate held on the back of the right gauntlet. This is used to symbolically show the achievements - and failures - during the squireship in a permanent way. The qualities of the squire are shown from copper, iron, silver and gold - a higher ranked metal means greater achievement, while copper denotes failure. On the chestplate of acolyte armors and higher ranks is furthermore the medallion of the Brotherhood (also carried as an actual amulet when not wearing armor), which is also made of different metals denoting subranks within the greater order and different shapes to denote the greater rank it applies for. Again, the better the metal, the greater the achievement and the greater the unofficial authority of the individual within their given rank. All titles, achievements and transgressions are also recorded by the High Master of Books in the Brotherhood's Codex. Ranks within the Brotherhood of Dawn

Public Agenda

We are the link between the mundane and divine world. Through us, a mortal may experience enlightenment during their lifetime. We are the sword and the shield, the bulwark between the light of civilization and the darkness of the wilds.

Assets

Headquarters in Vandrath Great Fortresses in Baren, Sudhaven and Nordhaven. A well-filled treasury Around a dozen shrines and chapels in the greater kingdom area Enough brothers (and sisters) of the brotherhood to man all of it Around 100 experienced members (with CR / level)* More than 200 "civil" members *: Fortresses and armies fielded by Marshals of the Brotherhood include mostly non-members of the order.

History

The Brotherhood of Dawn was founded in answer to the rural and arcane chaos of the earlier years of the rapture. It was legitimized by defending the then-new kingdom of Vandurion against outside forces. The Brotherhood has grown quite a bit since its inception and has gained a lot of influence - so much, in fact, it has a seat on the Council of Twelve - a position always (always) given to the Grand Master of the order. Sadly, in centuries past the Brotherhood was often the strong arm of the state, not just the shield of the populace, which somewhat damaged its reputation - they are still quite well liked by peasantry, gentry and nobility alike, just not quite as revered as one would expect from the premier paladin order of the kingdom.