Order of the Lantern
The Order's sole purpose is to work secretly to disrupt Void worshipers and to keep an eye on rising tensions with the nations of Serrus. Their members include merchants, soldiers, barmaids, nobles, and even beggars. Some call them simply spies and dismiss them as an archaic and unneeded order, but in actuality they are highly feared and respected by a majority of the population. They are an extremely secretive order and no one truly knows how many of them there are or who exactly belongs to their order.
They wield more power throughout Serrus than some of the ruling bodies some say. In actuality, they do have a huge amount of power and can circumvent the law when the need arises. Each Lantern Bearer is given the authority to requisition goods when necessary as well as act as judge, jury, and executioner for anyone committing Void worship or other blasphemies. While this level of authority may seem absurd, each and every Lantern Bearer is supposedly completely dedicated to their cause and more often than not chooses to assist authorities rather than take control and step on anyone’s toes. Their signature item that all Lantern Bearers have are their namesake, the The Lantern. These allow them to scry and uncover Voidshapers among the populace.
The Order of the Lantern are as much diplomats as they are information gatherers and judges. Rare occasions do occur when a Lantern Bearer defies their post and goes rogue. These rogue Lantern Bearers are almost immediately hunted down by their peers and dispatched. Only one rogue Lantern Bearer was ever able to escape death at the hands of his peers. As this happened recently, no one knows who this is or if this person is still alive. This subject is extremely delicate to High Lantern Bearer Vanderbern.
Structure
The Order of the Lantern has a strict organization that they follow to maintain their secrecy and authority. A High Lantern Bearer is elected for life by a body of ten Lord Observers. These Lord Observers in turn rule over dozens of Lieutenant Lantern Bearers. These Lieutenants are handpicked by the Lord Observers to take one’s place on the body when a Lord Observer becomes old enough to retire from his or her post. Lastly the Lantern Bearer is the lowest rank in the order taking direct orders from any of the above parties. There is no central base of operations for the High Lantern Bearer or the Lord Observers and most are constantly on the move. Individual Lantern Bearers are informed of their duties through a predetermined meeting in secret and each Lantern Bearer is accustomed and trained to work alone for long periods of time without guidance.
The current High Lantern Bearer is Eyl Vanderbern, a rich and savvy Marger Frisian merchant. On the outside, he runs a successful winery. On the inside, he oversees his Order of the Lantern with discerning eyes and caution. He is a dedicated man and can be pleasant to be around if you are not suspect for anything. He is just and fair and tries to instill some of his sense of justice into the duties of his upcoming Lantern Bearers.
There are a few important members of their order operating all over Serrus. Danica Bulgakov, the Peschneg courtesan, is famous for extracting information from even the tightest lipped noblemen as well
as being an expert in the art of seduction. Not many people know, even those within the order, that she is a Sanctioned Adept. The dashing Jutan pirate Ols Janson is also secretly a Lantern Bearer. Lastly, Heleen Schoonhoven, the young daughter of the head of the Frisian Merchant League, is a member, unbeknownst by even her father.
Public Agenda
To eradicate any and all trace of the Void and its corruption throughout Serrus by any means possible.
Assets
Vast resources. Exact amount and type is largely unknown.
History
In an effort to make sure none of the ruling bodies of any of the governments on Serrus would fall prey to the Void again, in 542, representatives from many of the nations met in Lachen, Argau in what was called the Council of Flames, named so from the hundreds of sacred candles burnt during the meeting. At this council the Order of the Lantern was created. It was built as an organization outside the control of the rulers. It consisted of a network of spies and advisors only answerable to the Church of the Creator. They were to keep a keen eye on each government and, when necessary, root out the Void in it. The Order of the Lantern survives today, albeit with many changes to its doctrine and focus over the years.
I understand that you have been corresponding with an associate from Hohenburg. A man by the name of Rolf Burgstrod... How close would you say are you to this man? Not very you say? I’m not sure I believe that. Come..let’s talk further in my office...
Type
Religious, Holy Order
Parent Organization
Related Items
Notable Members
