Vigilants of the Green
The Vigilants of the Green are a civilian order or warriors intent on eradicating the Cult of Maedhros. Founded by Davide Westhrall of Crescent City in 531, 3E, the Vigilants base themselves out of the Crescent City and Aleura, seeking to hunt down cultists from the Darkwood and eliminate the threat of Maedhros.
Reputation
The Vigilants have a rather poor reputation throughout the Greenwood. Due the unnecessary casualties the organization has taken by putting themselves in precarious positions with the Cult of Maedhros, many see the order as a "renegade band of morons with a hero complex and a death wish". This reputation stretches far beyond the group's physical reach, increasing their difficulties with recruiting new vigilants. As a result, the Vigilants regularly bring in young people who are often well meaning, but ill-prepared for the tasks that the order attempts to complete. Such poor recruiting has led to a consistent string of failures and casualties, resulting in a further damaged reputation.Political Relationships
The Vigilants have an extremely contentious relationship with governments and militaries throughout the region. The order is unchartered by any governing body, technically denoting them as a renegade militia. However, due to their intentions and inclinations towards failure, the Emerald Shores Alliance and any Circle of Elders they interact with attempt to talk the warriors down from continuing their activities for their own safety, rather than attempting to bring them to justice via force. Military branches, such as the Rangers, see the Vigilants as a group of armed amateurs who create more risk to life than good.Structure
The structure of the Vigilants has been extremely loose since its inception. Westhrall bestowed the title of brother upon all members of the order, insisting equal standing between all members while Westhrall himself retained leadership solely for his place as founder. As the order replaced members following failed operations, more veteran warriors would take more responsibility, lending to a informal veterancy-based hierarchy. Today this hierarchycontinues with the most veteran members at the top and the newest at the bottom, with all members carrying the title of Brother.
Public Agenda
The Vigilants of the Green "exist to fight the darkness of the world with light" according to their self-driven charter. In more common terms, the Vigilants of the Green stand to protect the Greenwood by eliminating the Cult of Maedhros and the threat of the Pater Tyelca returning to rule over Dendralis.
Assets
While the Vigilants do provide white robes to each of their new recruits, very little in the way of assets are owned by the order. As part of their initiation, recruits are expected to create or acquire their own weaponry and defensive equipment. When possible, deceased members of the order are buried with this equipment, while those who cannot be buried are often left behind with their full equipment. Between this practice and the lack of funding, the order is unable to build up any sort of inventory.
History
The Vigilants were formed by Davide Westhrall of Crescent City in 531, 3E, following an attack by a group of cultists from the Cult of Maedhros. Attempting to kidnap a child, the cultists murdered three people in broad daylight within the Marketplace ward. Enraged by the attack, Westhrall - a hobby historian fascinated by the history of the Greenwood - attempted to hunt down the cultists, finding them just inside the edges of the forest. Upon confronting them, Westhrall barely escaped with his life as the cultists attacked him, fleeing only once they thought him dead. Westhrall was discovered by a hunting party who brought the wounded man to the Wayward Arrow where he was revived back to full health over the course of a month. Once fully healed, Westhrall began laying the groundwork for the Vigilants with his newfound focus in life.
By the year 535, Westhrall had built up a unit of 12 recruits, all trained by the unskilled Westhrall himself. With this unit, Westhrall led an excursion into the Darkwood to attempt to hunt down the Cult of Maedhros. The operation was an abject disaster with only Westhrall and three additional members of the order returning from the Darkwood. Recruitment to replace the lost was exceptionally slow, with the Vigilants not returning to the Darkwood for another 25 years. Under Westhrall's leadership, the order had only one successful operation in 564 when they captured a lone cultist within Crescent City. In the years after his reign at the top of the order, the Vigilants continued to see similar success rates, leading them to the state they are in today, being seen as a vigilante group of buffoons who mean well but are misguided at best.
By the year 535, Westhrall had built up a unit of 12 recruits, all trained by the unskilled Westhrall himself. With this unit, Westhrall led an excursion into the Darkwood to attempt to hunt down the Cult of Maedhros. The operation was an abject disaster with only Westhrall and three additional members of the order returning from the Darkwood. Recruitment to replace the lost was exceptionally slow, with the Vigilants not returning to the Darkwood for another 25 years. Under Westhrall's leadership, the order had only one successful operation in 564 when they captured a lone cultist within Crescent City. In the years after his reign at the top of the order, the Vigilants continued to see similar success rates, leading them to the state they are in today, being seen as a vigilante group of buffoons who mean well but are misguided at best.
Ala Mána Lótea
Founding Date
4 Frostglimmer 531, 3E
Type
Civilian, Knightly Order
Alternative Names
Verdant Death Wish
Training Level
Semi-trained
Founders
Location
Notable Members
Fantastic article! Just because they're well-intentioned, it doesn't mean they're succeeding. Pretty funny.
Glad you enjoyed it! It's was fun leaning into the merry band of fools trope with these guys.
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