The Order of the Sapphire Eye
The man who calls himself the Stargazer. Their Inner Circle. They claim that they are no longer bound to this world, to our traditions. To our laws. I know not the unholy rites that they have conducted to be able to do what they do, the ability to see the future... but the price must have been steep. I have seen what it can do to a man.
Alexander, owner of the Red Fox Inn.
The Holy Order of the Sapphire Eye was one of many organizations founded during the Age of Ruination. They would continue to survive through the ages, becoming a bulwark against the chaos that followed in the wake of the era. While many cultures and religions in that era had their own versions of paladins, many of these were well studied in similar subjects, including the study of the stars. Those who were aware of the patterns that the stars followed in their eternal dance across the blackened skies beheld with their own eyes, what was happening across the world; the horrors of the stars falling, and the constellations that helped people understand themselves forced out of their natural homes. For what seemed like an eternity, the skies themselves seemed to rip asunder, pulling at itself in order to welcome the macabre star. A wild howl broke the silence, the very heavens seeming to cry aloud shaking these warriors to the core. Many interpreted these signs as a call for peace, and through many negotiations the Order was founded. Though the macabre star is no longer visible, the heavenly cries still echo through out the Order.
There are beings far beyond our mortal comprehension, similar to a figure only seen in the corner of the eye or the smallest doubt forming in the heart of a warrior. These lurk within the darkest, most vile thoughts we harbor, walking between real and what is otherworldly. The Paladins of this order have seen those things that should never truly exist, what can never be permitted to directly touch the realms of mortals, lest all be destroyed in fire and unspeakable madness. Though a paladin of the order is generally well prepared to face the horrors found beyond the skies, the minds of the suspicious, the weak willed, and the pliable pose a great danger. Many of these are used without truly knowing how their actions will further the dark works. Some are foolish enough to try to harness these powers for themselves, unable to see their own demise in trying to serve, or trick, such a being.
Countless rumors have been spread, claiming that the Sapphire Eye sees all. Their enemies compare them to a snake, coiling around the peoples and crushing their personal freedoms. There is little truth behind these rumors. While the Inner Circle holds a far greater knowledge than their peers, those newly pledged to the cause, and many of the veterans, they have only been able to obtain small glimpses into the future through astrology, and will stop at nothing in order to change the visions. All of these paladins have witnessed firsthand, or heard the tales of devastation caused by cultists that cling to these beings. The suffering of the common folk is heard by all, their cries foreshadowing a cruel future. The most unsuspecting tool of their mortal foe can cause much evil, even without them realizing it. While the majority of these Holy Warriors are not fully aware of the powers that they wage war against, they fight wholeheartedly with pure intentions.
An Organization dedicated to watching the skies, the Sapphire Eye specializes in areas of astrology, astronomy, rooting out cults, and acting as hired mercenaries, though their benefactors are never told their true motives, allowing their true objective to remain unknown and undisturbed. While these Paladins strive to do righteous actions, they often fall into criminal activities. While this allows them to further their own goals, it is at the expense of their own morality. Stolen heretical artifacts, spells of bad reputation amongst the wizard communities, and sinister secrets are all tools that they willingly employ, so long as the ends justify their means. While most embrace the disturbing truth that they must do evil in order to spread righteousness the excessive use of these underhanded and unholy tactics have stricken many. Penitent warriors, who's prayers for forgiveness for past and future sins can be heard daily, their grief often pushing them away from others, leaving them as a broken blade, fighting a losing battle against the monsters within and without.
They are able to perform all of their acts through faith in higher powers, strength of arms, their close allies, and the countless scum paid off. Those who's gods are their own greed who would sell any information for mere coins. Those that refuse the blood money are often threatened into compliance, though the Holy Order often employs barbarians to rough them up. The members of the Sapphire Eye are renowned for their thoroughness, their courage in the face of adversaries, and their serene loyalty to their brothers in arms. Their strength of arm, prowess on the fields of battle, and dedication to protecting those they deem under their care inspires people to lend support, even if they don't truly agree with the ruthlessness between their actions.
Although there are few other organizations founded during that time that they have not absorbed into their ranks, or fought against they are generally respected by their former allies, and are often granted boons. Even those that have broken away from the Sapphire Eye can rely on the kindness of others in order to make their ends meet. To those that would serve their greatest enemies, whether charismatic leaders, or merely brutes following higher commands, they show no mercy, and offer no respite. This has caused them to become the enemies of many cults, such as the Brotherhood of the Blackened Sun, and the enemies of many petty nobles, who use their influence for evil.
While the Sapphire Eye is well established in many trade cities, most of their forces remain mobile. Remote villages often give these Holy Warriors rooms, for exchange of small favors. Many nights are filled with small celebrations, where fortune telling is common, and tales of far lands are told. There are a few small fortress temples, which are built by the wealthiest when they wish to retire which dot the landscape. While there are many similarities between the temples, most are run according to the founders wishes, and outlook on life. Some have their doors open to all, with monstrous creatures ministering to the weary that enter their doors. Others are far more secluded, carefully guarding secrets that could effect the ongoing efforts.
Structure
| Name | Total % | Description | Typical Members |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Stargazer | 1. | The Final Authority. The de-facto leader of the organization, and the person who is able to command any of the knights, outside of the laws of the lands. Those in this position are rarely seen once they have been appointed, choosing to put themselves into a self imposed exile in order to keep constant vigilance. | A Watcher Paladin, Lawful Good, Dragonborn. |
| Knight of the Inner Circle | 15% | The Elite Warriors, proven to hold a Will of Iron needed to be able to know the true purpose of the order, and who their real enemy is. They can be recognized by the twin plumes on their helmet the frozen flame, and the symbol of the eye engraved into their shields. With their new knowledge comes the curse of the Seer. | Paladins |
| Knight of the Blue | 40% | Standard, though formidable warriors. These are explorers, mercenaries, and the bulk of the Order. While dedicated to the Order, many of them still follow many other creeds which causes conflicts of interest occasionally.. They are recognized by the blue scarfs used to identify themselves. | Paladins, Fighters |
| Squires | 20% | Former recruits, often called a pledge, are those who have been deemed worthy of training in the specialized arts of combat. Often used as shield bearers, two serve a Knight of the Blue at a time, caring for the mounts, and equipment of their sworn lord. These squires are encouraged to compete, in order to help the other grow. | Fighters, Paladins |
| Recruits | 25% | Commoners seeking the life of an adventurer, a survivor seeking vengeance, and those conscripted by the Inner Circle. Any who seek wealth, glory, or to move up in the ranks can join. | Commoners, Rogues |
| Penitent Knights | ??? | Wracked with guilt, shame, and the haunting sights that never leave their mind. A Penitent Knight from the Knights of the Blue are far more common than a former Knight of the Inner Circle, though they are far more dangerous. These knights have removed themselves from their brothers in arms. Yet the Order rarely removes itself from these wayward sons. | Anti-paladins, Barbarians |
Culture
The Eye is one of the most closely tied organizations in the present day, despite being filled with different opinions and ideologies. Every true member of the organization, from the Squires to the Inner Circle hold oaths of secrecy, and even those that have left the fold rarely, if ever, speak of what was seen or done within the Order. Those that remain view all aspects of the organization as their brothers and sisters often referring to their counterparts as their "sword", "spear", or "shield", often based on the others personality.
Public Agenda
Righteousness guides all the actions of the Holy Order, who's goals are to decipher the signs presented by the End of Days, and to stop its continual growth in the mortal realms. They also wish to root out those that are influenced by greed and power, severing these snakes before they can do any real damage.They seek enough power, through strength of arms, alliances, and magical items to hold order in times of growing uncertainty.
Assets
- Twelve monasteries
- Several Wealthy Benefactors, who's identities are seldom revealed.
- A great deal of caravans, allowing the Eye to gaze upon distant lands with relative ease.
- Thirty castles, though not all are functional, and some have been taken by the enemy.
- The sole ownership of a small trade town.
History
Before the Age of Ruination, there were many wars fought between the allied City-States, and the Host of the Divine. In the year 860 the sky broke asunder, eldritch energy crackling as lightning in the clouds. Khazak Hovanista, and Su'ud met one another on what today is called the White Road, each seeking peace with the other.
These two men, though the leaders of opposing armies, and harboring vastly different beliefs were both renowned for their honor both in battle and without, their idealistic views, and their similar notions of chivalry. A Non-Aggression pact was sealed with a sacrifice, in order to buy time until the stars could be fully deciphered. When it became apparent that something far greater than themselves was moving, both armies fully retreated to prepare their own defenses in order to combat the issue.
Khazak would not, however, sit idly by and allow his people to become a victim of the fate written in the stars. Envoys were sent, and those who were filled with conviction were ushered into the ranks of the Sapphire Eye.
"We have seen the Future. We left it behind"
Non-Agression Pact
While they are on good terms, they maintain a good degree of separation allowing both to focus on their own goals.
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