Order of the Mortal Flame

The Order of the Mortal Flame are an order of knights unbeholden to any ruler. They were created in 3A. 461 and have functioned as a mobile band that seeks out those being oppressed by draconic rule. While they have been known to occupy lands for extended periods of time, they have not legally owned any land until 3A. 700 when they were gifted a fortress in Elmund's Keep by King Derril Aurelian. This fortress, named Scalebreaker Citadel, became the organizational seat of power for the order. They are commonly known as "grey cloaks" due to the grey cloak that all members wear. Grey is one of the few colors not associated with any type of dragon.
Zartien Rostobra is the current Lord Captain Commander.

Structure

Officers

Lord Captain Commander — The leader of the Order of the Mortal Flame.
Lord Captain — Commands a legion which is nominally 2000 men, though it is often less and sometimes more.
Senior-Lieutenant
Lieutenant — Usually the lowest rank to hold a position of command. Usually act as support officers for their superiors.
Under-Lieutenant

Other Ranks

Hundredman — Commands a hundred men - often more, sometimes less. They rank below officers, but above common soldiers.
Bannerman
Second Bannermen
Squadman
Second Squadman
File leader
Regular trooper

Culture

While not officially tied to rank, there is an honorary system of renown among the order known as "earning your stripes." When a member slays or directly contributes to the slaying of a dragon or drake/wyvern, a band of color is added to the grey cloak that all members wear. It runs horizontally across the cloak starting at the top, typically halfway down the shoulder blades. The type of dragon is denoted by the color of the band and the age is denoted by the width, starting at one thumb's width for a wyrmling or a drake, two for a young or wyvern, and three for an adult or dragon turtle. The highest distinction being the slaying of an ancient dragon, which is instead denoted by a vertical band extending the length of the cloak that is four thumbs wide and laced over any horizontal bands. This band is placed extending down the left shoulder blade, and in the rare case of achieving more than one, the next would continue to the right with two thumbs of space between the bands.

Public Agenda

To stand as a bulwark against dragons and similar creatures who would attempt to lord over and enslave the mortal races. The order actively seeks to hunt and slay any creatures of draconic lineage. This goal has recently (in the past 40~ years) expanded to include those who are tainted by dragons, such as worshippers of draconic figures and deities like clerics, paladins, monks, and rangers; as well as those with blood ties like dragonborn and draconic sorcerers. This shift has led to either a more fanatical support or mistrusting disdain for the order.

Assets

Scalebreaker Citadel - A fortress in Elmund's Keep and center of power and authority for the Order of the Mortal Flame.
The order possesses a collection of magic items with a focus on dragon-slaying enchantments. Every Lord Captain wields a dragon-slaying enchanted version of their preferred weapon, and those who have the honor of having slew a dragon often wear armor comprised of scales taken from the fallen dragon. Assuming one is available, a dragon-slaying weapon is also given to those who have slain a dragon as well.

History

The Order of the Mortal Flame formed initially in a rebellion against Lothtorragoth The All-Consuming Flame, a red dragon that lorded over an area on the border of present day Danor and Malice Lands. Upon the defeat of Lothtorragoth by the hero paladin Saint George, the order went on to amass followers of its "mortal-minded" philosophy. Over the centuries their relative power has waxed and waned; with the public opinion being based largely on the general populace's relationship with dragons. In the year 3A. 700 they slew a brass dragon in Elmund's Keep that had been acting as chief advisor to the king. This was supposedly done to free the king from it's manipulations, and the king did reward them for their actions. There are some who suspect the act was done out of an increasing zealotry for their beliefs and that an innocent was slain. Regardless of speculation, a permanent fortress was gifted to the order in Elmund's Keep, and it has since become their permanent base of operations.

Founding Date

3A. 461

Type

Military, Knightly Order

Alternative Names

Grey Cloaks

Training Level

Professional

Location

Elmund's Keep