Graveguard

Paladins of The Virtues make it the goal of their existence to embody all seven of the Virtues. They stand as the defenders of the order and of common people unable to purchase the services of the Mercenary Guild. In this way, they stand ready to face any number of threats. One order within the wider ranks of the paladins, however, dedicates themselves to one specific form of defense: hunting down and destroying undead and those who would wield them against the people of the City-States Region.  

A Threat of Horror

Common people, whether traveling merchants, farmers, miners, or even just those on the road between cities, face all sorts of threats. Bandits, roving monsters, predators; these can all pose a danger to people. That said, these mundane threats at least make sense to most folk. They are dangerous but they're not generally the stuff of nightmares, and somebody with even a bit of skill with a weapon can at least hope to fend off such dangers.   The same cannot be said of a threat that has no reason, will not feel pain, and has magical endurance or toughness. A threat which can suffer the loss of a limb and keep coming for its victim. A threat which could see the graves of one's family becoming active with the bodies of the fallen digging their way out. The nightmare of the undead is one that passes through whispers at night, in quiet voices after drinks. The spectre of which can rise out of the wild magics across Lasair or which can be called by the evil or insane.   The order of the Graveguard is made up of Paladins dedicated to standing against that threat.  

The Blade in the Darkness

While all paladins strive to stand as a bright light in the dark, none are quite so literal about it as the Graveguard. The order commonly draws upon those who may have lost loved ones to undead, to crazed necromancers, to bitter wurmborn. But it also calls to those with a talent for facing magical threats, or those with a taste for particularly grisly combat. Members of the Graveguard, in addition to standard combat training and focus in calling forth the magic of The Virtues, are taught techniques that are ideal for facing undead and those that call them. This can include training in weapons specific to demolishing skeletons, a focus on anti-magic maneuvers, or tracking and investigation skills.   Graveguard are often the most likely among paladins to seek out assistance from those outside of the Order of the Virtues (in comparison to other paladins who are often sought out by those needing a "heavy hitter" for a just quest). Their drive to seek out a specific kind of threat often leads to them working closely with rangers or Mages from the schools of the Dark Arts or Diviniation.
by midjourney


Cover image: by midjourney

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