Pathfinders
The Pathfinders are a military organization responsible for the safekeeping of the city of Kilvas that is composed of three different branches: Wardens, Abyss Striders, and Hell Walkers. They are governed by a collection of individuals known as The Conclave, who are responsible for the coordination and movements of each branch.
History of the Pathfinders
The Pathfinders were founded during The Collapse as a coalition between the 3 Great Clans of Kilvas, in order to protect the city from the forces that threatened it, both within and without. It was created as a means to better organize the Clans of Kilvas, allowing them to combine each of their strengths into cohesive units due to the fact that each of the 3 Great Clans had been operating independently of one another. The Pathfinders resulted in a military force that would prove far more effective. Initially, the Pathfinders were composed only of individuals from the 3 Great Clans, however, as their forces continued to dwindle over the course of The Collapse, they would eventually begin to acquire members from a burgeoning new clan within Kilvas, the Vagrants.Becoming a Pathfinder
Barring extraneous circumstances, nearly every citizen of Kilvas receives both formal and practical education from the age of 6 - 13. Volunteer Pathfinders teach classes, and each class is separated by age group. These classes are meant to teach every citizen how to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic, as well as reasonably comprehensive lessons in self-defense and survival skills. However, the most important function of these classes is to determine each student’s affinity for the 3 Great Clans of Kilvas. Throughout their education, students receive regular examinations and assessments to find which clan - if any - they have the capacity to join. At the end of their education, each student is allowed to choose whether they wish to become a Pathfinder. Should they agree, they are informed of which of the 3 Great Clans they have the ability to follow and must make a choice on what they wish to pursue, where they are then assigned to a teacher in order to begin their formal training. It is at this moment that the education and training of each Pathfinder diverges, as each clan and order within has extremely different training, education, and cultural practices. Students who wish to become a Pathfinder but lack compatibility with any of the 3 Great Clans are typically offered logistical positions. Should they show a desire to continue to pursue combat, however, they are allowed to pursue additional training under the Vagrants. If a student does not wish to become a Pathfinder, they are allowed to find a mentor for the career in which they wish to pursue. Should they find a master who agrees, they will begin their apprenticeship in that field. If they cannot find a master willing to accept them, the Conclave will determine the path of the child. It is only once a prospective Pathfinder successfully returns from their Pilgramage that an individual can become a true Pathfinder. Upon their return, the The Conclave will evaluate the individual's journey. After sufficient deliberation, they will be assigned a proper role amongst the Pathfinders, should they wish to remain in Kilvas. It should be noted, that those who choose not to remain in Kilvas after completing their pilgrimage are forbidden from passing on the details or techniques of their respective clan to outsiders. Any who are found in violation of this practice will be subject to judgment from The Conclave.
Type
Military Order
Subsidiary Organizations
Related Traditions
Notable Members
Comments