The Black Guard

The Cult of Morr has little need for knighly orders, but it does have The Black Guard. Also known as the knights of Morr, these dour and serious warriors have the task of guarding the dead within the gardens from grave robbers. They are mostly a defensive order, protecting the great temples and graveyards of Morr and the dignitaries of the cult, only riding to war in exceptional circumstances. Unlike most orders, they are also trained in the use of ranged weapons to better deal with interlopers at a distance. Their foreboding black lamellar armour and strict vow of silence when on duty makes their presence unsettling, causes feelings of dread and fear among friend and foe alike. As such they are generally shunned by others but such is the price of duty.

Order

The Black Guard is raised and maintained by the Cults Raven, who by tradition is expected to do so for the defense of their temples, priests, and the faith as a whole. Almost every temple of Morr, from the smallest of shrines to the high temple in Viadeza, has at least one or two Black Guards stationed in it.

Black Guard Knights rarely leave the town or city where they are stationed, though when Morrian priests are required to travel long distances for funeral services, a Black Guard often accompanies them. Black Guards have also been known to escort priests of other gods, particularly -------- and --------, when they visit a Morrian shrine. The Order sometimes assigns Black Guards as chaperones under the false pretence of escort duty.

Knights

The Black Guard are instantly recognizable, for they wear heavy suits of black lamellar armour that are padded, allowing the knight to move with an eerie silence. Under

A Black Guard of Morr.

this they wear a dark blue gambeson, and finally dark under clothes with rose or raven imagery stitched into the fabric.
Members of the Black Guard take vows of silence when initiated into the order, and are not permitted to speak or to utter a sound when on duty. This further adds to the air of menace that surrounds them. The Black Guard are permitted to speak at specific times, such as to call out warnings or orders in battle, though the order has its own, very old, form of hand signals and battle cant that is generally favoured instead.
The Black Guard fight from the backs of mighty black warhorses, clad in a similar padded black lamellar barding. When mounted, they fight with large polished greatswords that glint in the light. This is not their usual form of combat however, and while on foot, be it guarding a temple or pursuing a foe into a crypt, they are armed with heavy crossbows, curved swords, or halberds.

The Black Guard’s principal purpose is to serve as guardians of the temples and Gardens of Morr. They vigilantly protect these sacred sites and the ancient treasures buried within its tombs from defilement by graverobbers and their ilk, patrolling the grounds with weapons at the ready. Many of these knights attach themselves to Morrian dignitaries, providing protection and adding to the priests’ sinister atmosphere.

Ranks

Initiate

If an initiate into the Cult of Morr shows interest and promise, he may be accepted into the military wing of the cult as a squire once he has gone through all the necessary basic training while still preforming his duties as a initiate, and been formally accepted by a knight benefactor. Such a squire is sometimes older than the usual 15 year, as not all initiates are taken in a children.

Page

Pages are either given to the military wing of the cult at a young age by their parents or adopted out of orphanages. They are placed in an early training regime of hunting with the sergeants as well as other menial labour, and academic studies with the cults priests and chaplains. When they reach ten they are taken in by an older knight as an assistant, carrying his armour, taking care of horses, and packing baggage. As they get older they are instructed in riding and swordplay.

Squire

When a page or initiate reaches 15 years old he becomes a squire. He is given his own sword by the temples Chaplain or High Priest and new duties and lessons by his knight benefactor. On top of learning swordplay and riding, they now have swimming, archery, wrestling and dancing lessons, as well as being instructed on how to use a lance and tactics in warfare.

Knight

When the Squire turns 21 he becomes eligible to be knighted. If his benefactor deems him worthy, he is brought before the Chaplain or High Priest on a cult holy day and elevated to the rank of knight. From now on, every year, they must enter a tournament with the other knights of his order to prove he is still fit and hail. Now a Knight, they are given the duty of escorting priests, and guarding the temples and graveyards.
If a knight is loyal and favoured by a head priest, he may be accepted into the inner circle of the Knights of the Black Rose.

Sergeant

A Sergeant fulfills a slight junior role to that of knight and is exempt from the vows. In smaller temples and shrines where there are only one or two Black Guard, sergeants may make up the majority of the armed defense and take up many of the knights duties. Otherwise they are usually the heads of a chapter houses staff, blacksmiths, builders, administrators, and trainers of squires and pages. Sergeants are more lightly armed and armoured than knights and have only one horse.

Lieutenant

A Lieutenant is second to the Captain of a chapter house, or, in smaller houses, the highest authority. While Lieutenants have to live a military life same as the knights, they are highly privileged: they live in private quarters and are guarded by a Black Guard knight whenever they are outside the Chapter house. They are the Black Guards ambassadors and are held in high regard.

Captain

Captains are responsible for all knights and sergeants within their chapter house, and answerable only to the Castellan, their regional Crow, or The Raven. The Captain decides who among the Squires is worthy of becoming a knight and who is to be a Sergeant, as well as choosing his own Lieutenants, Banner bearer, and Herald.

Castellan

The Castellan is the supreme authority of The Black Guard in its entirety and holds a seat at councils alongside the Crows, answerable only to the Raven. The rank of Castellan is an elective one, decided on by the Crows, and once elected to the position, the Castellan serves for life.

Strictures

As well as all the regular strictures of Morr, Black Guards also observe the following:

• Vow of Stoicism: Service in the Guard should be taken seriously. Black Guards may not laugh or make jokes, whether on duty or not. This has led to a rather unique form or dry, deadpan humour within the order that none the less does not breach their vows. It is difficult for outsiders to understand, which just makes it even more humourous to the knights.
• Vow of Silence: Black Guards may not participate in conversations while on duty. If asked questions by superiors of the Order, Black Guards may answer, but only in the most laconic way possible. The vow of silence does not apply to combat situations, when Black Guards communicate in Battle Cant and hand signals.
• Vow of Protection: Black Guards must protect their charges with their lives, be it temple, Garden of Morr, or Priest.

The Black Guard

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Order

Templar Order

Warcry

None, all swear a vow of silence

Founding

Castellan

Chapter House

Viadeza, United Nerall Empire

Allegiance

Cult of Morr

Heraldry

Black and Blue