Post by Sentinel on Apr 30, 2016 6:27:09 GMT
The Dawn's Vigil
The dawn's vigil tracks its lineage back to first era, when the keronans and the dwarfs were first enslaved by the ogres. By the legends, the vigil was founded by the first humans to be contacted by Hemrear; who is the the patron deity of the vigil, Archais, and of the keronans. In the first days of their order, the vigil was simply made up of particularly worthy warriors--as judged by Hemrear--that were invested with holy powers, and might.
While the dawn's vigil may have been formed to free the dwarfs and humans from the oppression of the ogres, they eventually grew to take on the duty of protecting all of the keronans, and of being the elite cavalry and shock-infantry of the Kaderithian government.
As the keronan population grew, the humans expanded further and further down southern Uaciban; and the vigil found themselves being called to push the orcs off their land more, and more.
Eventually, the vigil turned one of their fortresses into a permanent stronghold to monitor the orcs. Over time the people of Uaciban began to settle around the vigil's citadel; for the almost guaranteed protection that the order offered, and the easy access to the inner sea. Being sworn to protect the keronans, the paladins of Hemrear soon adapted to the running of the soon-to-be trading hub of Archais, as well as carrying out their other sworn duties.
To this day, the dawn's vigil runs Archais, and the city itself has become the base of operations for the order. All Kaderithian paladins are initiated in the great, holy city. As well as being based in Archais, the vigil is both the police force, and the driving political force there.
Eventually, the vigil turned one of their fortresses into a permanent stronghold to monitor the orcs. Over time the people of Uaciban began to settle around the vigil's citadel; for the almost guaranteed protection that the order offered, and the easy access to the inner sea. Being sworn to protect the keronans, the paladins of Hemrear soon adapted to the running of the soon-to-be trading hub of Archais, as well as carrying out their other sworn duties.
To this day, the dawn's vigil runs Archais, and the city itself has become the base of operations for the order. All Kaderithian paladins are initiated in the great, holy city. As well as being based in Archais, the vigil is both the police force, and the driving political force there.
Symbols and Standards
As their standard, the dawn's vigil bears an orange sun, that is rising over a single, thin, black line. A white hammer overlays every other aspect of the symbol.
Uniform and Equipment
The dawn's vigil equips its vigilants with full steel plate, over which a tabbard bearing their standard is draped. Additionally, all knights of the vigil are trained to ride, and equipped with a stallion--generally a vornian strider, the most hardy of the Uaciban horse breeds.
The vigil is the elite fighting force of the Kaderithian military, and thus they are provided solid gear of average quality. No vigilant is required to furnish their own arms, armor, or mount; even housing is provided to the vigil, in the grand barracks of Archais, or in any military housing in the any of the major Uaciban cities.
Joining the Vigil
The dawn's vigil is made primarily up of knights that have opted to undertake the extra training required; although, certain commoners--generally soldiers--have been known to join the order. To join the vigil, a person must be vouched for by an existing vigilant, or a member of the clergy.
Paladins of the vigil are trained in Archais, at the order's own training grounds, and by the instructors stationed there. In order to be vested as a vigilant, a potential initiate must be at least skilled in two weapons, and have a leadership and speechraft skills as well.
Until a candidate has displayed that they have reached the required skill level, they are locked into life as an unranked squire; a rank higher than your typical soldier, but lower than any order member or knight. As soon as a squire has shown sufficient skill, they are promoted to the rank of junior vigilant; a junior vigilant is from day one granted more authority than most knights.
Initiation
The dawn's vigil's initiation rights aren't quite as extensive as their training, and is split into two portions; the public half, and the private, member's only initiation.
The Public Portion
The oath of the dawn's vigil is taken in public at dawn, from a kneeling position at the altar of the largest church in Archais. This public section of a vigil paladin's initiation, is taken at the precise moment that the light of the rising sun peers through the large windows of the church to shine upon the altar. The oath is worded as follows:
On this dawn I pledge my life.
I am to be the holy sword that skewers the fiends whom amass against the right.
I am to be the golden shield that bats away their assaults.
I will become the light of hope to the oppressed, both the herald, and the embodiment of liberation to the chained.
I will stand watch, even when others grow tired in their duties.
On this dawn, I am to become a paladin of the Dawn's Vigil, and on this dawn I bare my soul to Hemrear, and open my essence to him.
If the words I speak are false, or spoken out of false motives, may the great god strike me down.
If Justice himself finds me lacking in any manner, may his approval be withheld.
But if I am worthy, may he bless me, and make my soul shine like the breaking dawn, for all to bask in my holy warmth.
After a paladin takes their public oath there is generally quite a public uproar, at least among the devout populace. A party is held in the initiate's honor by the order that afternoon.
The Private Commencement
After a newly born paladin takes their oath and has celebrated, there is one more step before he is truly a member of the order. On the night of their initiation, initiates are whisked into the center of the city.
Within the dawn's vigil's fortress, a series of rune-like symbols and glyphs are carved into an initiate's skin, with a ceremonial dagger. The glyphs of a vigilant are healed before they even leave the vigil's fortress, and are faded into light scars the next day. The scars glow a dull light when exposed to the light of the dawn, or when their bearer is utilizing holy magic. After the private portion of their initiation, a paladin--regardless of their previous level of faith--is granted a adept level in Hemrear's branch of devotion magic.
Within the dawn's vigil's fortress, a series of rune-like symbols and glyphs are carved into an initiate's skin, with a ceremonial dagger. The glyphs of a vigilant are healed before they even leave the vigil's fortress, and are faded into light scars the next day. The scars glow a dull light when exposed to the light of the dawn, or when their bearer is utilizing holy magic. After the private portion of their initiation, a paladin--regardless of their previous level of faith--is granted a adept level in Hemrear's branch of devotion magic.
Ranks and Order
The vigil is separated into ranks, with each rank having more authority than the last. A squire is the first rank of the order, and is not a vested knight of the dawn; rather, they're in training and have not gone through initiation quite yet.
Ranks:
Lord Vigilant (Elected, Lord of the Dawn's Vigil, Answers Only To The King)
Master Vigilant (Appointed By L-Vigilant, Assists The Lord Vigilant)
Chief Vigilant (Controls All the Vigilants Of A Region)
Vigilant Knight (Administrative Position, Controls All The Companies Of A City Or Area)
Senior Vigilant (Controls A Company Of Five Squads)
Vigilant (Highly Trained, Leads A Five-Man Squad of J-Vigilants)
Junior Vigilant (Initiated)
Squire (In Training)
Starting the Game as a Vigilant
Players may start the game as a squire. If a player wishes to start as an junior vigilant they may, but they must not play in the present, until they have raised their skills through flashbacks to the following levels:
Weapon, Any: Apprentice
Weapon, Any: Apprentice
Riding, Horse: Apprentice
Speechcraft Or Leadership: Apprentice
Players must contact a moderator to promote from a squire to a j-vigilant.
Playing as a Vigilant
Firstly, all initiated vigilants can harness the power of Hemrear's devotion magic at an adapt level. Secondly, vigilants are the elite fighting force of the keronans, and are thus treated with much respect. That being said, vigilants are expected to act--at least in public--in a pious, and holy manner.
As for the duties of a vigilant, they are expected to patrol Archais, or whatever area they're stationed at. Vigilants automatically outrank any soldier under a captain, and are expected to assume control and take care of any situations that arise in their presence. Vigilants are not only confined to the city of Archais however; the paladins of the vigil are oftentimes sent out to combat threats in the wilds, and to keep the orcs of Laek within their borders. In times of war, the paladins are the first line of defense for the kingdom of Kaderith.
In summary, paladins should use their holy powers often, be charismatic, and take situations into their own hands. Paladins are noble, powerful beings; or at least, that's the reputation they have garnered.
OOC Rules
Paladins must request promotions from a moderator, and may not promote whenever they feel like it.