The Claret Orders

Hundreds of years ago, a fell power exerted its dark will over Wildemount, corrupting its outlying townships and spreading chaos among its people. Undeath washed over gravesites like a plague, shadowed beasts stalked the midnight woods, and the influence of fiends befouled even Wildemount’s purest souls. 
In the eleventh hour, a priest of The Matron of Ravens named Trence Orman prayed for a way to protect his flock. The Matron’s inspiration came in the form of long-hidden knowledge: the secrets to blood magic. Taking his gifts, Trence trained his most trusted warriors in these techniques, giving a portion of their humanity in exchange for the power to defend their people. This marked the origin of the Claret Orders, and the first Blood Clerics, Blood Mages, and Blood Hunters. 
The Claret Orders work in relative secrecy, as the nature of their abilities is largely misunderstood, which often leads to persecution. Their numbers are small, as the price is great and the Orders only accept those who are strong of heart and have little to lose. Small sects of the Orders have begun work far enough West to wander the lands of Tal’Dorei in recent years, keeping out of the public eye and remaining vigilant to the signs of familiar darkness undermining the region.
Despite the Claret Orders’ best attempts at secrecy, the esoteric art of blood magic has escaped their clutches. Though rare, rogue blood mages and blood hunters have spread across both Wildemount and Tal’Dorei, unbound by the tenets and strictures of the Claret Orders.

Goals

The Creed of the Claret Orders asks that its followers commit their lives to the hunt of entities and creatures that threaten the sanctity of life and joy. While the sacrifice is great, the reward is the continued existence of purity and good in the world. The Orders strive to protect those who cannot protect themselves from the shadows, taking no credit for their services beyond the means to live and travel. Some have strayed, focusing on building a fortune for themselves, but should word of such intent make it back to the heads of the Orders, and their actions begin to threaten the innocents they’ve sworn to protect, they may find themselves among the hunted.

Relationships

The Claret Orders have no alliance with nor allegiance to any standing government or group. Solitary in action and discreet in display, they’ve not drawn the attention of many factions in Tal’Dorei as of yet. However, it is only a matter of time before curious eyes begin to seek answers to questions about these dark guardians and their true nature.

As blood flows through and invigorates the body, so faith flows through and invigorates the soul. Ever remember this: your blood and your faith are one and the same. Spill not your blood nor that of another heedlessly, but do not hesitate to spill either when the cause is just.
– From “The Crimson Canon”, a Holy Text of the Claret Orders