Sentinels of Rontra
Sentinels are protectors of the earth, guarding the world from those who would abuse her gifts, but primarily from those powers that would pollute or pervert the natural order. While sowers protect and guide the mortal races, sentinels seek out and end incursions of unnatural forces such as the undead and fiends such as demons and devils. While they take orders from grand prelates or great elders, sentinels tend to be inveterate wanderers on a lifelong mission against evil.
Sentinels defend the earth from the depredations of the unnatural. They consider all life sacred, and strive to protect and nurture Rontra’s children. They must always remember the reason for their struggle against the unnatural is to protect innocent life. Any warden who kills without just cause, or defiles the earth and its treasures, immediately loses her standing and is considered fallen.
Sentinels must never imagine the ends justify the means— they do not for Rontra, so they do not for her servants. In determining what is “unnatural,” the simple rule to follow is this: If it’s good or was born on the Material Plane, it is not “unnatural.” While sentinels do not like orcish brutality, they do not wish to eradicate orcs, as they are part of the natural order. Undead aren’t alive and fiends come from other planes, and thus face the full force of the sentinels’ wrath. Sentinels do not oppose celestials, because these holy beings do not actively pollute and destroy the natural order.
Sentinels enjoy the company of any who oppose evil through just means. They are closely tied with Morwynites and other lawful churches, and might ally themselves with other divinely-powered, virtuous individuals from other faiths. They shun the company of those who resort to torture or brutality in the name of what they perceive to be good, or anyone who knowingly commits evil acts.
They actively oppose anyone who creates undead, or summons evil beings from other planes.
Joining the Sentinels
Rontra sometimes calls people to serve her. When she does, they feel her voice in their bones, and become sentinels. Intuition tells sentinels their duty to oppose the unnatural forces that inhabit the world, whatever the cost, so many leave behind established trades and lives to heed Rontra’s call. Any sentinel can name an initiate sentinel who’s heard the divine summons; this act makes the initiate a paladin.. The induction process and ceremony vary based on the inducting sentinel and the prospective member’s personality. Many initiates are taken into secluded areas by their sponsors and told tales of Rontra’s splendor for many days, with little to sustain them but conversation’s distractions. Other sentinels lead an entire foundation in prayers for the initiate’s mission, for days on end. There are even sentinels who were inducted into the order by being buried in dirt up to their necks, for three days and nights. Regardless of the ceremony, the newly created sentinel becomes master of her own destiny, and may wander the lands freely on her order’s universal quest to destroy the unnatural. Once initiated, a sentinel has no other office of rank, is addressed as “sir” or “dame,” and is introduced by full title. Sentinels require no training to be considered such, though most are wise enough to seek out martial training. When it is time for wardens to swear their Sacred Oath, they normally swear the Oath of the Ancients. Most sentinels are lawful good.
Type
Religious, Holy Order
Parent Organization
Related Myths
