The Argent Order
This is a combined Clerical and Military order created by the Laranian Church, dedicated to rooting out hidden worshipers of the Dark Gods Naveh, Morgath, necromancers, and demon worshiping cults. It was founded in The Kingdom of Trierzon by St. Lucidin of Armain in 563 TR and answers directly to the Pontiff.
Although small in number, rarely exceeding two hundred members, they have significant influence. They can call upon aid from any Laranian sources as needed. They are often mistaken as an arm of the Ethelanca (The Holy Office), but they are independent and can draw on these influential organizations' resources.
Structure
The Argent Order has a loose structure since most members spend much of their time traveling, acting as individuals, or in small groups.
The Grandfather/Grandmother
The supreme head of the Order is Drugan, the Paladin, a pious knight and fanatic enemy of the Undead. He is located in a well-fortified Cathedral at Areshomes in Trierzon and reports directly to the Pontiff. He directs operations and has considerable religious and political clout.
Father/Mother
Each region has a chapter head responsible for dealing with local authorities, assigning missions, and training. All are experienced priests or paladins who have often battled evil forces in their careers. The leader of the Hârnic Chapter is Father Chavoshka.
Brother/Sister
Make up the majority of the Order. These warrior-priests act independently or in small groups. Members are gifted Silver Bastard Swords consecrated by the Pontiff's hands as primary weapons and a holy symbol.
Child
Novices. Usually recruited from the most devoted novice members of the Churches Clerical and Fighting Orders. Occasional competent and devoted adult priests or knights are also recruited. All are trained in specialized combat techniques, spells, and rituals for fighting the dark churches and the Undead, as well as Tala Ma, a unique martial art developed by this Order.
Uncle/Aunt
Clergy or layman associates of the Order, providing support and assistance as needed. Most are devoted Laranians; however, some members of the Church of Sav K’Nor and Peoni, especially members of the Shield of Belsirasin, offer discreet support. Other associates include the Dwarven artisans who forge the Order’s legendary silver swords, martial artists, Save K’Nor Archivists, the occasional wizard, and surprisingly, some members of the thieves’ guild.
Order Strength
The Order has around thirty members in Hârn and five novices under training. Six Brothers and sisters travel the eastern kingdoms while the remainder are based in the Kingdom of Kanday and the Thardic Republic, seeking out and destroying evil where they can. As the worship of Morgath is legal in the Republic, the Order must tread carefully with local authorities.
Notable Members of the Hârnic Chapter
High Priest - Father Chavoshka
Sister Ines
A former Order of the Checkered Shield who lost her left arm in combat with a detachment of Company of the Copper Hook raiders. Ines is the priory drillmaster and manages its day-to-day operations.
Sister Dionisia
A member of the Order from the Kingdom of Trierzon. Trains novices in language and ritual.
Uncle Thydox
A master in the Tala Ma (Silver Fist) martial art style. Originally from the Kingdom of Elmerene, he trains novices, members of the Order, and allies. He bears evidence of burn scars over much of his body, resulting from an epic battle with an Agrikian Fire Cult in his youth.
Public Agenda
Seek out and destroy Undead and followers and members of the church of Morgath.
Seek out and destroy followers and members of the church of Naveh.
Battle forces of evil, especially those that dwell in the shadow.
Protect the weak and innocent from such evil.
Assets
Reasonable-sized ancient archives.
Considerable influence over all elements of the Church of Larani.
It is funded by the Pontiff directly.
Contracts with weapon-crafting Clans in the Kingdom of Azadmere.
Silver Swords
All Brothers and Sisters are presented with a Silver Coated Bastard Sword consecrated by the Pontiff himself. Swords are high-quality Dwarven forged and have enchantments, making them more robust than most steel weapons. They are prized items, and the Order's members will go to great lengths to regain lost weapons.
Talisman of St. Lucidin
Members of the Order are given a small, silver sword amulet, the Talisman of St. Lucidin. Boost the wearer's resolve and willpower, aiding in resisting the corrupting forces hiding in the shadows.
History
A secretive order founded in the Kingdom of Trierzon by St. Lucidin of Armain in 563 TR. It has remained in the background and small.
Foreign Relations
The Argent Order has considerable support and goodwill within the Kingdom of Kanday Kingdom of Kaldor, Kingdom of Chybisa, and Kingdom of Melderyn.
The order is illegal and actively prosecuted in the Kingdom of Rethem and parts of the Kingdom of Orbaal. In the Thardic Republic the order is involved with a secret war with the dark churches of Agrik, Morgath, and Naveh. Most of the Orders resources are directed here complicated by the fact the worship of Morgath and Agrik is legal.
Bring Evil into the Light
Silver Swords
The Argent Order has an alliance with Clan Hazadul, a Dwarven weapon crafting family in the Kingdom of Azadmere. Kirinza Hazadul has forged weapons for the Order since the Hârnic chapter was founded in 623TR after St Andrada saved his clan from some Darkness never to be spoken of not long after arriving on the Hârnic Isle. He uses using secret techniques that merge layers of Silver and Steel into a tough and sharp blade. One side of the Blades has his stamp, and the other has the swords name inscribed in Tezri.
The Swords are transported, via the Casket of Transference, to an identical Casket located in the Chapterhouse of the Order in Areshomes in the Kingdom of Trierzon, where the Larani Pontiff consecrates them.
Other Articles
The Argent Order - D&D 5E Notes.
Hârnic Martial Arts - D&D 5E Notes.
Larani's Masses and Vigils - D&D 5E Notes.
Great work! Thank you for sharing. NOTE: There is a typo in the Public Agenda "week" should be "weak"
Thank you. I corrected the mistake and found a few others in the process. This organization was a lot of fun to create and played a big role in a prior campaign.
Your article inspired me to up the interaction from the Argent Order in my own campaign as well.
Good luck. I hope it works out.