Order of the Singing Blade

The Order of the Singing Blades, or more commonly known as the Song Wardens, are an elite warriors and knights, usually abandoned orphans raised to defend the church. Usually they are tasked with protecting temples and religious places, or serve in units to patrol roads or protect travelers. They are based from Dawn's Joy in the Aether Islands, but have a large chapter building in the Fortress of Light. The Song Wardens are revered for their compassion, legendary skills with swords, and singing with perfect harmony in battle.

Structure

The Singing Blades are based on a hierarchy. From their base at Dawn's Joy, the Grandmaster commands the entire order with great authority. The Council of the Aged, aka the High Council, offers advice and wisdom, formed from the oldest and most experienced members known as Lord Commanders. Below them are the commanders, who generally oversee various chapters in any regional area. However, the power of commanders are limited. The true majority leadership of the order are captains, who are recognized as skilled and seasoned warriors. Captains each have responsibility over various groups and territories, and generally have free will to act and coordinate based on local restrictions and problems.
Regular Blade Knights, or Warden Knights, form the majority of the order. They serve various purposes, but most often attach themselves or are sent to protect and watch over individual churches. These specific Blade Knights are known as Guardian Wardens, and often serve as local law-enforcement. In fact, many Guardian Wardens serve as Justice-Bringers.
Other, more elite and skilled warriors become Wandering Wardens who travel roads and pathways, acting as noble heroes who protect travelers or defeat local menaces. They fight bandits, warlords, monsters, wild beasts, and any manner of threat to the safety and security of the people and the church.

Training & Induction

Many Singing Blades are orphans, often laid out in blankets and cribs and left on the doors of temples. Some of the children are sent to serve as priests in the church, but there are always enough sent to the fortress of Dawn's Joy, where they will be raised and educated until the age of thirteen.
These young acolytes will then be sent to accompany a Blade Knight, serving as an apprentice. For years they will study and learn under their master, and when they are deemed ready (often between 19-23), they will receive their master's blessing and travel to Dawn's Joy. Following several trials and long periods of seclusion & meditation, the apprentice will be anointed as a new member of the order.
He or she will kneel before the eldest members who shall lay their hands upon him and sing ancient chants. When this is over, the apprentice will swear to honor the oaths and virtues of the Singing Blades and be officially inducted as a fully-fledged member. 
Following this, the new Blade Knight will chose or be chosen to protect a temple. Often, they take the place of their master and carry on his position.

Combat & Battle Styles

Each Singing Blade member is skilled in the own right. They prefer negotiations, but will use their sword and shield to parry, wound, and if necessary, kill their opponents.
They are skilled in sword-shield combat, as well as using spears and staffs. Some knights specialize in bow and arrows, maces, axes, and other weapons, but short weapons are typically the Singing Blades' weapon of choice.
Each blade itself is expertly crafted and forged, passed down from mentor to student, and beautifully engraved and designed. The smiths of the order know many secrets and are famed for the blades they create, which are eagerly prized and sought after by non-members.
Their armor is light, often a combination of robes and chainmail. However, during times of heavy warfare or combat, grandiose suits are used, built to defend against heavy blows. 
The Singing Blades usually operate in pairs, between master and apprentice. However, occasionally groups can form to a handle a more difficult task, or captains may call together bands of warriors to serve some holy cause. But sometimes large-scale wars or invasions force the Grandmaster to assemble the entire order. The battles fought by armies of Singing Blades are legendary.
During these conflicts they act as vanguards who hold the line. Once they get into formation, nothing can pass. The wardens act coordinated and deadly, singing specific battle songs and chants. These serve to calm the warriors, and also function as battle directions. Changes in tone, pitch, or wording leads the knights to react and obey. The battle choirs behind them chant hymns or courage and have led to the legendary reputation of the Singing Blades.

Culture

The Singing Blades follow a core of religious beliefs centered on loyalty, service, protection, and faith. This is best centered around the famous Kadain Creed, named after and created by one of the greatest of its members.

I will sing with brotherly harmony
I will serve with all my being
I will protect all who need aid
I will follow the path of peace before war
I will never lose faith
I will not defile my body
I will shine in the darkness
I will be the blade that saves, the blade that enlightens, the blade that sings 

They follow a code of honor, always defending and protecting, and fighting only when absolutely necessary. They are to refrain from marriage, except in rare occasions with other members of their order. They are to also live simple but happy lives, teaching and learning as much as fighting.

History

The Order of the Singing Blade was formed by the Holy Illuminated Church after the Third Fel Uprising, to serve as their main combat and military force. Originally a small group of nine paladins, it quickly grew, and has expanded into the largest of the church's holy orders. In the modern age it is more independent but still a powerful asset and ally to the church, and continues to serve as its protector and aid.

Sing and Shine

Dawn's Joy

Dawn's Joy is a massive fortress carved into the mountains of the Venga Island, one of the large islands of the floating Aether Islands. It has four levels and is protected by large ranges. Access can only be gained first by ascending the ocean and sky, and then then through very closely guarded entrances.
Dawn's Joy has evolved from a simple monastery to a sort of fortress-city. Many defenses hide a large city-like complex, where members train, live, and serve. Here the smiths forge armor and weapons, and food for the order is grown. Beautiful cathedrals host its members, and it is here that the order is ruled.
Below, in the large fields of the Lower Venga that sits above the ocean, reside prosperous villages and towns. They thrive off the trade from the order's smiths, as well as travellers who come to train or seek guidence from the Singing Blades.

Founding Date

1417 AD

Type

Religious, Holy Order

Alternative Names

Song Wardens, Singing Knights, Swords of the Song

Training Level

Elite

Veterancy Level

Veteran