The Keshal-Vidari

The Keshal-Vidari are an ancient order of Guardians of The Elder's Hand Isles. Their traditions stretch back longer than recorded history, blending magic and martial prowess using the Arcanum, the mystical arcane force living in everything. The Keshal are often referred to as monks though they are closer to a middle ground between a monk, a wizard and a druid. They wield specialized wands that are carved from a branch of a ancient Nor'Mida or WandWyrm wood and focused with a powerful Elkore Crystal, these weapons are called Val'Sura, the elven translation meaning "Weapon of Light" because they can be used as either a wand or by channeli' ng the user's magical energy through the wand creating a blade of pure arcanum, each one's color and elemental type determined by the user, making every Keshal a different warrior from the last. The act of creating and shaping the Val'Sura is a critical moment in the Path of the Keshal, and considered to create an intimate bond between warrior and weapon that will last a lifetime. 
Thousands of generations of elven knowledge and fighting techniques were handed down through the ranks of the Keshal, and they protect these secrets well, being cautious to share their insights with any outside their order, even amongst the elves of their homeland of the Elder's Hand. The Keshal despise mankind for their abuse of magic, the rift of the arcanum as well as their rampant destruction of nature and share many of those same feelings for the dwarves and orcs of the world as well. They have assisted in keeping the number of humans and other outsiders on the Isles to an all time low.
These warriors are exceptional Spellswords, and knowledgeable scholars. Their order contains specialist in all fields of knowledge, be it religious, historical tactics against specific enemies or monsters the order has faced amongst many other studies; The most prolific study shared amongst all Keshal is that of The cosmology of the Planes of Orund. Their doctorate claims the Arcanum, the force that powers magic through the world, covers it like a "Veil of Energy, a living force flowing through all things in some quantity" this Arcanum also protects the planes like a film that separates them.  
Throughout their history the Keshal have seeked to maintain the integrity of the Veil, leading some to believe they serve Mystara, the goddess of magic. They have a strong distaste for Necromancy, people who use the practice in unsavory or evil ways are often met with the burning blades of the Val'Sura at their necks in The Elder's Hand Isles and beyond. It is said strong magics, especially those of a sinister nature are harmful to the veil and create tears that can start innocuously enough but eventually become full blown tears to other planes, inviting dangerous creatures and beings into our world. These tears are called "Rifts" The Keshal often dispatch knights and spellblades to deal with such creatures if they begin to invade as well as performing rituals to seal the Rifts and maintain the veil and the safety of the Prime Realm

Type

Religious, Monastic Order

Location

The Elder's Hand Isles