Brethren of the Lake
The Brethren of the Lake are a militant order dedicated to chivalric principles and the worship of the Lady of the Lake.
The Brethren are a militant order of knights and paladins that revere Celaeno, the Lady of the Lake. They are one of the only independent groups to hold title to land from the throne of Auredain.
Military
The Brethren are a militant organization and, as such, they form their own military forces. However, as time has passed and their numbers have dwindled as well as their dedication, the need for their services as defenders of the borders has fallen off. As the holders of Ladyshrine, the income and needs of this fief provide for a small force of soldiery to defend the settlement and the roads.
The Brethren
The sworn members of the Brethren are trained and girded as knight cavalry with a range of personal equipment and armament. Thus, the entire membership takes the field ranging from medium horse to heavy horse. The primary weapon is the lance as part of the mounted charge and then the sword; the favored weapon of the Lady of the Lake.
There are a little more than twenty (20) sworn knights in the Brethren of the Lake.
The Auxiliaries
Ethics
The Brethren are sworn to lives of chivalric service and contemplation of the grace of the Lady. This entails an oath of chivalric conduct, faithfulness to the goddes Celaeno and service to those in need.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Brethren were originally a powerful force within the Ladymantle Province and the Kingdom of Auredain. The founder of the order was of noble blood, one of the first to swear service to the King of Auredain, and a puissant warrior. It was his conquests on the western shores that led to the colonization and annexation of those lands into Auredain prior to his religious awakening to the service of the Lady. It was these very efforts that persuaded the King to allow the lands to remain titled to the Brethren. In terms of vassalage, the Brethren serve only the Lady but have long answered and are expected to answer the call of the King.
In recent years, as the membership has dwindled in quantity and quality, the Brethren has lost much of its influence. This waning power has been accompanied by a rise in the military powers of the secular lords around them. While in the early years, the Brethren were the most disciplined and dedicated military force on the western shores--that is no longer the case. As such, their pull within the neighboring courts and that of the royal family has been weakened for some years.
In recent years, as the membership has dwindled in quantity and quality, the Brethren has lost much of its influence. This waning power has been accompanied by a rise in the military powers of the secular lords around them. While in the early years, the Brethren were the most disciplined and dedicated military force on the western shores--that is no longer the case. As such, their pull within the neighboring courts and that of the royal family has been weakened for some years.
Founding Date
33 YS
Type
Military, Knightly Order
Alternative Names
The Brethren, the Lady's Shield
Training Level
Professional
Demonym
Brethren
Leader
Leader Title
Deities
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Comments