Order of Raan
Structure
The Order of Raan, or Followers of Raan, are a very old military/religious organization, and as such have a somewhat convoluted internal hierarchy. The order is headed by the "Master General", the eldest of a powerful family of half-dragon sorcerers. The rest of the order consists of Monks, Paladins, and Clerics dedicated to Raan's teachings. They are arranged in a series of ranks akin to a military, often take positions as commanding officers of civilian infantry units.
As highly hierarchical organization, there is a clear internal chain-of-command; to insiders, at least. Every follower knows who their commanding officer is, and that officer doubles as a spiritual leader and teacher. New recruits are brought into the garrison-temple and raised in spartan conditions, mixing military efficiency with monastic asceticism. The garrison-temple was traditionally located at the mouth of the Raan River, but since The Raan Dynasty's incorporation into the Empire of Keoland, a new garrison-temple has been constructed within the mountainous keoish heartland.
As highly hierarchical organization, there is a clear internal chain-of-command; to insiders, at least. Every follower knows who their commanding officer is, and that officer doubles as a spiritual leader and teacher. New recruits are brought into the garrison-temple and raised in spartan conditions, mixing military efficiency with monastic asceticism. The garrison-temple was traditionally located at the mouth of the Raan River, but since The Raan Dynasty's incorporation into the Empire of Keoland, a new garrison-temple has been constructed within the mountainous keoish heartland.
History
Founded nearly a millennia ago by mortal men and women who wished to learn strategy, honor, and discipline from the powerful bronze dragon Raan, the Followers of Raan have served as the dragon's personal army, a religious sect, the elite guard of the Rannite monarchy, and now a powerful tool of the Empire of Keoland.
When Emperor Kimberlos Skotti ascended to the throne, he folded The Raan Dynasty into his new empire, subsuming the Followers of Raan into the Keoish military.
When Emperor Kimberlos Skotti ascended to the throne, he folded The Raan Dynasty into his new empire, subsuming the Followers of Raan into the Keoish military.
Divine Origins
Approximately eight centuries before the imperial age, the bronze dragon Raan took up residence in the Raan River Valley. During this time, he helped defend the local people from a neighboring raiding power. After the conflict, some of the regretful people sought Raan out for spiritual and military wisdom. Out of this following and the per-established military partnership, Raan began taking soldiers, tacticians, and monks under his wings to study the art of war. Furthermore, these new recruits helped guide Raan's horde, and in turn he helped safeguard the now-prosperous kingdom against foreign threats and Ringshadow. Eventually, Raan was coronated and ruled the kingdom for nearly three centuries.
After Raan's passing to an unknown illness, the Followers of Raan took power, installing their foremost leader - a half-dragon progeny of Raan - as the new King of The Raan Dynasty. This draconic bloodline gave rise to a line of sorcerer kings, which have ruled the area (independently or underneath the Keoish Empire) ever since.
Over time, the Followers of Raan became less of an honor-gaurd and scholarly endevour, and integrated much more into the dynasty's military strucutre. Furthermore, the studying of Raan's teachings and philosophy - and more importantly, the enacting of these tenants - became a central part of Raanite scholarly & military life, largely replacing or syncretizing with the original Mazite religious beliefs.
After Raan's passing to an unknown illness, the Followers of Raan took power, installing their foremost leader - a half-dragon progeny of Raan - as the new King of The Raan Dynasty. This draconic bloodline gave rise to a line of sorcerer kings, which have ruled the area (independently or underneath the Keoish Empire) ever since.
Over time, the Followers of Raan became less of an honor-gaurd and scholarly endevour, and integrated much more into the dynasty's military strucutre. Furthermore, the studying of Raan's teachings and philosophy - and more importantly, the enacting of these tenants - became a central part of Raanite scholarly & military life, largely replacing or syncretizing with the original Mazite religious beliefs.
Tenets of Faith
The Followers of Raan hold five core tenants, which are as follows:
The fifth and final tenant is of great nuance; to fight with honor requires treating prisoners of war well, not assaulting civilians, offering fair negotiation terms, etc. However, tactical priorities often necessitate espionage, covert intervention, deception, and a variety of other underhand techniques. To the Order, so long as these lies do not interfere with the just treatment of the enemy, one's honor is not in question. In fact, one might argue that to fight honorably one must use underhand tactics; for it is an essential part of warfare. After all, knowing is half the battle.
Furthermore, while the order was founded after Raan opposed a tyrannical colonizing force, the Followers of Raan - after two hundred years of imperial involvement - have proven very adaptable to working within and for the Empire of Keoland. After all, if they are to enforce order and act in the greater good, throwing in with a great power and expanding their influence via the empire will surely allow them to act in the larger interest of defending the meek and ensuring order is maintained throughout the region.
- Act always in the Greater Good
- Oppose threats to Order
- Defend the Meek
- Morality is Action, not Contemplation
- Fight Honorably and Tactically
The fifth and final tenant is of great nuance; to fight with honor requires treating prisoners of war well, not assaulting civilians, offering fair negotiation terms, etc. However, tactical priorities often necessitate espionage, covert intervention, deception, and a variety of other underhand techniques. To the Order, so long as these lies do not interfere with the just treatment of the enemy, one's honor is not in question. In fact, one might argue that to fight honorably one must use underhand tactics; for it is an essential part of warfare. After all, knowing is half the battle.
Furthermore, while the order was founded after Raan opposed a tyrannical colonizing force, the Followers of Raan - after two hundred years of imperial involvement - have proven very adaptable to working within and for the Empire of Keoland. After all, if they are to enforce order and act in the greater good, throwing in with a great power and expanding their influence via the empire will surely allow them to act in the larger interest of defending the meek and ensuring order is maintained throughout the region.
Priesthood
Talons and Scales operate in parallel structures. Most knights are either Talons or Scales, and serve a Senior Talon or Senior Scale who manages a larger region. Some Senior Talons and Senior Scales answer to fellow Senior Talons/Scales, with the foremost five Senior Talons and Senior Scales being elevated to Razor Talons and Elder Scales. The Razor and Elder councils serve as advisors and governors to the Master-General.
Among non-dragonborn Raanites, tattoos are used to show status such as rank and honors (it's kinda hard to tattoo scales. Instead, dragonborn use paint for ceremonial occassions and war). For example, Talon Seranno has a talon tattoo on her nose and some kind of tattoo marking her accomplishments in the Dreadwood and at sea on her cheeks and chin. Senior Talon Delmirev, meanwhile, would paint a talon on his snout, symbols of rank as a Senior on his forehead/crest, and other battle honors on his cheeks/chin/idk how dragonborn faces work.
Among non-dragonborn Raanites, tattoos are used to show status such as rank and honors (it's kinda hard to tattoo scales. Instead, dragonborn use paint for ceremonial occassions and war). For example, Talon Seranno has a talon tattoo on her nose and some kind of tattoo marking her accomplishments in the Dreadwood and at sea on her cheeks and chin. Senior Talon Delmirev, meanwhile, would paint a talon on his snout, symbols of rank as a Senior on his forehead/crest, and other battle honors on his cheeks/chin/idk how dragonborn faces work.
Granted Divine Powers
The Followers of Raan can gain a great vareity of mystical powers from their dedication to the Bronze Dragon's message. Besides the typical mastery of Ki that monks can unlock, and the divine magical might a follower's Paladin Oath brings forth, the Order employs many clerics as well. These priests, while not working for a God, are serving a philosophy that many mortal give great spiritual and moral signifigance. As such, Raan's power enables them great clerical magics - even when the dragon has been dead for seven centuries. Were the Followers of Raan less focused on action and more on contemplation, they may find (as many outside scholars have) that this invites many metaphysical questions. Furthermore, the Followers of Raan can gain magical boons due to their Piety, which again are not gifted by a higher power but rather manifest due to their strong belief espoused through action.
In Defense of Justice & Order
Founding Date
c. 780 PIA
Alternative Names
Followers of Raan, Knights of Raan
Training Level
Elite
Leader Title
Parent Organization
Permeated Organizations
Deities
Location
Notable Members
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
PC Followers of Raan
Player Characters may be members of the Order themselves. If this is the case, consider playing a War Cleric, Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk, or Oath of Protection (or Conquest) Paladin. Of course, other classes and subclasses can fit very easily into the Followers of Raan. Perhaps your character is a Draconic Sorcerer from a minor noble house, or a standard soldier learning tactics as a Battlemaster Fighter. Most members of the Followers of Raan will be Raanite, so human or dragonborn are the most likely lineages for your character, but other races can work too (for example, a dwarf from the Empire of Keoland). If your character isn't Raanite, ask "why did they join the Followers of Raan?" As always, work with your Dungeon Master to determine the answers to these questions.As an example, Mystan Co'oquilan is a member of the Followers of Raan, and an adventurer in the Southern Coast Colonies.
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