Sword of Valia/High Quester of Valia
Every Faeler Kingdom has militant organizations that hunt demons. In fact, most powers in Faelon do. Those that don’t have good reason; in the case of the Grular, it is because they have pacts with demons.
The Haradelan organization that investigates rumors of demons and actively hunts them is a unique Knightly Order known as the Swords of Valia. Valia is the goddess of wisdom, seeing, and detection. These are well suited to hunting demons, many of which disguise themselves and insinuate themselves amongst the public.
The Swords of Valia are a militant organization, hunting down and eradicating demons wherever they find them, but the sword is not their only weapon. Once a Knight has been fully initiated into the order, they are expected to be scholars and fighters. Swords will only get you so far against an enemy as wily as the hordes of Karelon.
Knowing how to fight gibbering demons of Karelon, now that makes a warrior complete. For a Knight in the Swords of Valia, swinging a sword without will kill you. It is only through knowledge and wisdom that demons and their weaknesses can be understood. The Swords of Valia exploit these weaknesses in their never-ending war against the Demons of Karelon.
The Swords of Valia are very active, and some would even say zealous. They take their responsibilities to rid the world of demonic taint with the same fervor that the Krendar and his companions undertook the First Quest to rid Haradel of the Ruin Tribes. In Haradel, the Swords of Valia have quite a reputation as fierce warriors and will let no one and nothing stand in the way of their appointed task.
The Knights of Valia were not among the first Knightly Orders laid down by Krendar at the founding of Haradel. That task would fall to his son’s Successor, Tharak. Tharak faced a huge demonic incursion from the Dunrian in 360. It would later be called the Scourging of the Dunrian. It was one of many challenges facing the new Kingdom. The demons brought Haradel to its knees. It was only the sacrifices of Haradel’s brave Knights and a group of magical scholars from Hercourt that managed to save the Kingdom.
In 361, the Knights of Valia were formed to continuously combat the demon menace throughout Haradel. The first Knight’s Commander was Talia Kelik, one of the scholars that had turned the tide during the Scourging of the Dunrian. They took as their headquarters Tist Krishval - Castle Brightmoon - a headquarters they built themselves just under the western eaves of the Dunrian on a bend in the Fel Sha’Elthi north of the Raman Road.
Talia established the organization of the Swords and set up Chapters of the Organization. She appointed First Swords from veterans of the Scourging, knowing that their experience, though hard won, would help keep Haradel safe from the same horrors visiting them again.
Currently the Knight’s Commander of the Swords of Valia is Avris Ornor.In her mid 50’s, she has spent almost her entire life combatting the demon threat with the Swords of Valia. Originally from Raman, Avris rose through the ranks leading missions into the Dathglar to throw back the demonic presence there. After leading the Raman Chapter of the Swords for many years, she was appointed to the Knight’s Commander position after the death of the last Knight’s Commander.
The Swords of Valia have five basic ranks within their structure: Squire, Sibling, Third Sword, Second Sword, and First Sword. Each rank has its purpose and place within the Swords of Valia.
A squire is a young person who is both servant and student to a member of the Swords of Valia. Many times they are sons or daughters of a serving member. The Swords of Valia have a high instance of generational members. A squire is assigned to a specific Knight to serve them on and off the field. They take care of their weapons and armor, fetch whatever the Knight needs, and fight when they are called upon.
In return, the Knight is responsible for teaching them the ways of Knighthood, the sword, and demon lore. When they are old and trusted enough, a Squire will be inducted into the Swords of Valia as a Sibling.
The Swords of Valia rank of Sibling is equivalent to an Apprentice Knight. They wear the armor and carry the weapon of the Swords of Valia, but they have not proven themselves yet and therefore have not been fully initiated into the Swords of Valia.
The price of initiation is high for the Swords of Valia; a Sibling must slay a Gatekeeper demon to be promoted to the rank of Third Sword. This means that many Siblings will stay that way for a long time, while those that are capable ascend the ranks quickly.
Third Swords have had a full initiation into the Swords of Valia. They are Kir - Knights - and are treated with due respect. The Third Swords make up the bulk of militant forces for the Swords of Valia. When not in the field, they are expected to study their enemy, learn new methods for fighting them, and pass those methods on to other Chapter members.
Second Swords are experienced in both combat and research. They have served with the Swords of Valia for years and closed many witchgates. They have grown in wisdom and their blade skills, and have proven themselves in many battles. Many Second Swords are promoted to lead small bands of demon hunters. They also serve as teachers and guides for the Siblings and Third Swords that serve with them.
First Swords are the pinnacle of leadership within the Swords of Valia. They command an entire Chapter of the Order, responsible for hunting demons in a given area. First Swords are valiant warriors and respected scholars. They are active both on and off the field collecting information on their sworn foes.
Much like their compatriots in Falkaar, The Swords of Valia make use of help from Karelon to identify and destroy demons that have come into Faelon. Each Chapter of the Swords of Valia are accompanied by a Sorgru.
Sorgru are envoy demons, similar in role to the Jhenkar favored as allies by the Shadow Hunters of Falkaar but very different in appearance. Sorgru are, to a human’s eyes, bluish-grey “bears” with tall, pointed ears. Sorgru also do not accompany every Third Sword in the field. Instead, by tradition, there is only one per chapter, advising its First Sword on how best to combat its more malign kin.
Together with their Sorgru, the Swords of Valia hunt demons throughout Haradel. They are unrelenting, tracking down every whisper, every omen, and every trail that may lead to a demon. Before battle they are said to repeat the phrase “Never Again,” a callback to the time in 360 where the nascent and unprepared Kingdom nearly fell to the foul creatures from Karelon.
It is the Swords of Valia that stand between Haradel and Karelon. To fight them, they will use whatever means necessary, tactics that sometimes put them at odds with other Knightly codes, though the Swords would disagree vehemently and point to the fact that a major demon victory has not been won since 360.
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