Paladin Orders of the Fane
There are a significant number of paladin orders around Troimoira's Fane - the
uncertain nature of the place seems to encourage the kind of devotion that these
orders rely upon. These are only some of the more well known orders.
The Order of the Burning Heart
Situated in the north west of Angleston, the tall stone enclosure of The Burning
Heart makes no attempt to hide that fact that it is a serious stronghold. Emblazoned
over the gates is the symbol of the order - a heart swathed in flames. A smaller
version of this symbol is spaced around the keep - alternating with the symbol
of Godric - a sword, point downwards.
The Order of the Burning Heart is a faction of paladins devoted to Godric, the orc god of war, courage and honour. Most of the order's members are humans, but there are also some orcs, half-orcs and a few dwarves. At any one time there will be about 25 full members here, with another 10 squires and about 20 other staff, including two clerics dedicated to Godric.
The Order of the Burning Heart is dedicated to selfless service to the good of the many and the attempt to reach personnel purity of spirit.
The Order is in possession of a major relic - the heart of the half-orc shield-maiden Radella. The heart is kept beneath the chapel in the stronghold, suspended in a crystal jar, and still burning with the passion of the divine warrior's faith and devotion. The preservation of this relic is a central concern of the Order, and the leader of the faction is named the Lord Guardian in recognition of this.
The Knights of the Hallowed Blade
A large compound on the eastern edge of the city of Exebridge houses The Knights
of the Hallowed Blade, a small order of Paladins dedicated to maintaining the
ideals of order and good on the rough frontier. Exebridge is the last foot-hold
of civilisation on the edge of the wilderness. Moreover, given its position
as a centre of the faith of Kord, and a major mercenary base, it forever teeters
on the edge of riot and disorder.
The order's compound is a complex of long, sturdy buildings circling a courtyard. The order's symbol (a gold sword held upright, it's blade dripping blood) is carved and painted above the main gate.
The Hammer of Moradin
The Hammer of Moradin is the largest of the dwarven paladin orders. The main
chapter house in the Fane is in Denhalla, though there is also a smaller house
in Kingsgate.
Individual Knights of the Hammer strive to represent the dwarven ideal of a warrior and clan-member - demonstrating the qualities of courage, justice, loyalty and unrelenting determination. Once a Knight of the Hammer has chosen a path for himself he will not swerve from it, save only if he is convinced that it will lead to harm among innocents. His own safety is of lesser concern.
The Order of the Fallen Angel
Based in Angleston, this order of Elanii paladins claims to be seeking a way
to correct the injustices perpetrated by their people in the past. They are
treated with mistrust by virtually everyone. Other Elanii regard their professions
of regret and humbleness with sneering disdain, while members of the other races
inevitably greet them with suspicion. It is generally assumed by everyone that
they have some kind of hidden agenda.
If there is an agenda, it is deeply buried. Those who bother to get to know a paladin of The Fallen Angel usually find a guilt-ridden, tormented soul who is determined to use his life for good, and start to regress the balance of all the evil his kind has done.
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