Order of the Lady of Paladins
The Order of the Lady of Paladins is renowned for its loyalty, martial prowess, and chivalry. Its Knights and Men-at-Arms defend temples, pilgrims, and clergy throughout Eastern Hârn. The Order holds manors in Kaldor, Chybisa, and Melderyn and is a powerful political and military force.
Chapters
The Order has three types of Chapters.
Shield Chapters
Shield Chapters are dedicated to guarding the Clergy and Laranian or Peonian temples.
Sword Chapters
Sword Chapters are based out of heavily fortified Manors and Keeps. Sword Chapters act as guard posts on the frontiers and trade routes.
Manor Chapters
Manors are commanded by experienced knights, supported by soldiers, who raise food and produce goods to support the Order. Many of the Order's retirees live out their days and assist in the Manor's defense.
Current Situation
Kingdom of Melderyn
The Order has four Shield Chapters in Melderyn to protect its bishops, archbishop, and the Hârnic primate. However, independent of the Church, it also has two Sword Chapters and numerous Manor Chapters and subordinate Manors.
The Order is currently involved in the controversial subjugation of the Solora region, also called the Solora Crusade. This campaign has become increasingly brutal, and many knights have questioned the glory gained by slaughtering primitive tribesmen, even if these barbarians are the masters of ambush and poison.
Kingdom of Kaldor
The Order is the largest military organization in Kaldor. When needed, knights and soldiers support the King's armies each summer to campaign against the Kath and Pagaelin Barbarians.
The Order has Shield Chapters defending Kaldor’s bishops and archbishop, while the five Sword Chapters are charged with defending the five major routes into the Kingdom. These are supported by 20 Manor Chapters and their subordinate holdings. The Order’s lands in Kaldor are all held through the Order of the Spear of Shattered Sorrow, not directly from the King. Therefore the Order of the Spear has significant control over their actions.
King Miginath is elderly and has no legitimate heir. If the Kingdom were to fall into civil war, it is unclear which side the Order would fight on.
Kingdom of Chybisa
The keep of Ulmstane is the Order's only chapterhouse in Chybisa. This Sword Chapter's knights and soldiers work with the Royal Guards, The Stalwart Boars, to patrol the Genin Trail and protect the Kingdom’s borders and supply guards for the temple and clergy in Burzyn. The Chapter is funded by King Verlid VII.
Structure
Ranks
Chabla (Grandmaster)
The Chabla is the political and military leader of the Order based in the current Chabla is Sir Enyel Trenoul, a stubborn, fanatical, and pious Knight. He is dedicated to the Solora Crusade.
Reblena (Knight Commander)
Reblenas serve as deputies to the Grandmaster and as administrative officers. The Kaldorian chapter is led by Sir Houla Artona who is effectively independent of the Grandmaster and sets his own policies.
Melana (Knight)
The Melana are the core of the Order’s fighting force, most are noble offspring or bastards, young men and women with little hope of inheriting any family wealth. Under exceptional circumstances, a commoner may be knighted.
Meken (Common Soldier)
The Meken are the foot soldiers and form the bulk of the fighting force. They fill many roles, usually patrolling the kingdom’s borders and key roads, defending chapterhouses and their lands, and guarding temples and important clerics.
History
~350TR - Agrikian Missionaries arrive from the Azeryani Empire and western Hârn. Fardir of Tenil, a pious priest and knight, was at the forefront of the defense wielding the Holy Silver Spear Protector. Protector was shattered in Fardir greatest final battle. Fardir disappeared with Protector's Spearhead.
465 to 471TR - The threat from evil religions of the expanding Corani Empire become more evident. A new Clerical Order was formed and adopted Fardir’s spear as its symbol calling itself the Order of the Spear of Shattered Sorrow.
558TR - In the west, the martyrdom of the Morgathian prophet Balsha led to the fall of the Corani Empire and the birth of the Theocracy of Tekhos.
575TR - The King of Melderyn funded the creation of a Laranian fighting order, the Order of the Lady of Paladins. They aided the resistance against the Morgathians and were instrumental in the founding of the Kingdom of Kanday.
654TR - The Royal Keeps of Cundras and Fosumo defending the settlements in the Nuem Valley were granted to the Order by King Etobron. This was against the advice of the mysterious Council of Eleven.
672TR - King Torastra was impressed with the Order's fighting prowess during the Salt War between Kingdom of Kaldor and the Thardic League.
675TR - During the Treasure War between Kaldor and Chybisa, the Order fought on both sides; however the knights never personally clashed.
714TR Onwards - Larani and Peoni missionaries from Melderyn administering to the primitive Solori Barbarians in the Nuem Valley were tortured and murdered in what is believed to be an unprovoked attack. After many skirmishes in 717TR, a squadron of knights were ambushed, sparking the infamous Solora Crusade. Grandmaster Sir Enyel Trenoul reprisals against the Tribesmen have become increasingly brutal, drawing much criticism from both within and outside the Order. However, the crusade continues.
With Righteous Blade.
Order of Spear of Shattered Sorrow
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