Archives: Wiki Pages

Back to Order Home page

Book of Brother Joseph

Ninth Deed

Before him stood the churning masses, hordes of the abominations unto his faith, and Joseph knew he would soon be no more. 1

Yet though his end was surely near, never did his faith falter. 2

And he looked unto them, his shield aloft, and he declared, 3

“Behold! This is His scale, upon which His foes will be weighed!” 4

The horde did not stop or slow. 5

Joseph bore his breast to them, clad in crimson and white, and again he spoke. 6

“Behold! This is His light, against which you will break like the tide!” 7

Again, the horde pressed on. 8

Joseph raised his great maul, and once again called out to the horde. 9

“Behold! This is His justice, with which the unworthy shall be smitten!” 10

The horde was upon him, threatening to engulf him like a great wave, come to drag him out to sea. 11

Joseph raised his voice a final time as he entered the great fray, crying to any who would hear him, 12

“And Behold! I am his hammer, for I know no fear!” 13

And with those words, the horde stopped its advance. 14

One abomination spoke, “How can this be?” 15

“No man can be without fear. You speak falsely.” 16

Joseph replied, “then cover, and see my words are true.” 17

The abomination, it’s chain and blade rusted, charged at brother Joseph. 18

Joseph halted the charge with his shield, and with the strength of Arnath himself, raised the abomination over his head. 19

Joseph’s voice carried over the din of the horde. 20

“Upon His scale, you have been weighed.” 21

Hateful fire burned in the abomination’s eyes as it charged again, bony claws protruding where fingers once stood. 22

As the claws pierced Joseph’s crimson tabard, the shattered upon the gleaming breastplate he wore beneath it. 23

And Joseph called out, 24

“Against His light, you have broken like the tide!” 25

As the abomination fell to its knees before Joseph, the hatred in its eyes smoldered to embers of fear. 26

Again, Joseph raised his great maul to the sky, and again he spoke, 27

“By His justice, you have been smitten.” 28

His maul held aloft, Joseph began to recite a prayer to Arnath. 29

As he ended his prayer, the abomination and of him, 30

“All men know fear. What, then, are you?” 31

As Joseph brought his maul to beat on the abomination’s skull, he declared to the horde once more, 32

“I am his hammer, for I know no fear.” 33

Back to Order Home page

Back to Order Home page

Book of Brother Dorian

Eighth and Final Deed

And as his opponent’s blade struck true, Brother Dorian knew the wound would be beyond recovery. 1

And his life seeped from the wound, forming a crimson pool at his feet. 2

Brother Dorian fell to his knees and prayed, preparing to meet his end with honor. 3

“Speak louder,” his foe taunted, “that all may hear of your defeat!” 4

Brother Dorian raised his voice. 5

“My words were not for your ears, not any other in this life. 6

They were for my Brothers who preceded me in death, that they might welcome my soul this night. 7

Your aim was true, as are your words. 8

My wound is mortal, and I shall not see the dawn break again. 9

But I have not yet been defeated, for I will not make this journey alone. 10

Ere the sun rises, you will lay beside me until death takes us both. 11

And Arnath shall know of my victory. 12

For I am His Lion, and He will hear me roar!” 13

And with a great shout, Brother Dorian rose to fight again. 14

A righteous fire burned in his eyes, and his foe knew that Brother Dorian had spoken truly. 15

Brother Dorian’s movements were extraordinary, as though his sundered armor weighed no more than silk. 16

His aim was uncanny, as though his hammer was instead his own fist. 17

Blow after blow was visited upon them both, but while his foe reeled with each echoing strike, Brother Dorian took no notice of his new wounds. 18

At last when his foe could withstand no more, they each collapsed to the ground, his foe too far removed from this life to be within reach of his abominable gods. 19

And Brother Dorian lay beside his fallen foe, and he smiled, and drifted off to rest for the final time. 20

Back to Order Home page

Back to Order Home page

Book of Brother Algar

Second Deed

As the Lions swept through the village, descending upon the Penitent and undead within with a righteous fury, Brother Algar waited. 1

Though he knew his duty, something did not feel right. 2

A rustle nearby, barely perceptible through his helm, was enough to prove his caution justified. 3

Shield presented and mace raised, Brother Algar advanced toward the source of the sound, a large shrub beside a small hut. 4

Alone, as the other Lions had pushed forward, Brother Algar approached cautiously, prepared to strike. 5

His mind raced at the possibilities: a penitent archer, some recently animated corpse, or worse. 6

Yet as he drew near, his mace did not fall. 7

Again, something did not feel right. 8

The rustling stopped, though the presence remained. 9

Brother Algar lowered his mace to the ground, and slowly removed his shield. 10

Unbuckling his helmet, he exposed his face to the shrub, then he smiled and he waited. 11

Again the shrub rustled, and his heart began to race, for he knew that his choice could be his end, though he did not ready himself for combat, nor allow the soft smile to leave his face. 12

Slowly, a small child emerged from the shrub in which she had hidden from the commotion around her. 13

In that moment, Brother Algar forgot the battle around him. He forgot his armor, his shield, and his mace. 14

All he knew was himself and this child, and he was glad. 15

He extended his hand to her, and though she shied away at first, she soon ran to him as he embraced her. 16

He carried her with him away from the fighting until they had reached the safety of the Lions’ camp. 17

When stopped at the perimeter, an Eagle demanded to know who this child was, where she had been found, if she could be trusted. 18

Brother Algar roared back to him, gathering the attention of the entire camp, 19

“This child is an innocent in this war. 20

“It was Arnath’s mercy that spared her life, and it is for her that we must fight.” 21

Back to Order Home page

Back to Order Home page

Tale of Brother Ventaris, the Gatebreaker, Hero of Daven’s Reach – Unknown Author

Here follows the Tale of Brother Ventaris, Lion of the Order of Arnath’s Light, the Gatebreaker and Hero of Daven’s Reach. Let his example inspire us all.

In the month of April of the Year 266, the combined forces of the City-State of NewHope set to liberating the settlement of Daven’s Reach. After securing the innocent, the forces moved to attack the cutthroats and murderers that had terrorized the people. These could not be persuaded or reasoned with. They were blood mad hounds that needed to be put down for the safety of all.

Brother Ventaris led from the front in the initial attack. The wretches were no match for the forces, steeled by his presence. Such was Ventaris’ Divine Aura that even those whose families had been killed by the curs did not give in to bloodlust. The Lion was a bedrock to the warriors.

The mongrels, seeing their friends pushed back, closed the gates. These villains cut off their own comrades rather than face righteousness. While some may have been satisfied to let them rot, Brother Ventaris would not let them escape justice. He gathered the force around the battering ram and spoke.

“We cannot let them stay there. If we do, they will fester like an open wound. Like any wound, it must be cleansed and treated. We will be heading into a storm of arrows but with courage and faith we will survive. Who is with me?”

So great was his resolve that his divine power shone as a halo. So great was his power that those who had never fought nor had the inclination stepped to his service. All hearts were righteous at that moment. From the ramparts, weeping could be heard as those who had wickedness in their hearts realized their errors. The unrepented fiends around them cut them down as a warning. Nodding at the sight, Ventaris hefted the ram with the others, and strode into the hail of arrows that greeted them.

The heaviest clouds in the world did not rain as much water as the archers rained arrows upon the group. Ventaris’ own faith protected many of the warriors, allowing them to shrug off blows that would have felled the strongest Ulven. Reaching the gate, they began to strike it with force enough to cause the walls to tremble. Brother Ventaris was the anchor, calling out the rhythm.

The warriors around Ventaris began to fall, heroes all, as the arrows storm did not abate. Fresh warriors rushed to fill the gap, inspired by the great Lion. Often Ventaris would forsake the cover of his own shield to protect another. The wicked enemy, seeing such selfishness, tried to bring him down. Over two dozen arrows struck the Lion, but could not fell him. The enemy had a greater weapon, however.

From the ramparts tumbled a great boulder as large as a cart. Seeing it, Ventaris pushed aside a warrior and took it himself. A great cry went amongst the forces; the liberators in dismay, and the fiends in delight. However, from the rubble came the mighty man himself. Whereas any lesser man would have sat out the rest of the fight, Ventaris took only a minute’s respite before charging back to the ram. The cries now switched as the villains knew they had no chance.

The gates began to splinter. The arrows increased, a fool’s hope against the waiting forces. They took their toll, whittling the forces down. Finally, with a great heave, Ventaris led the warriors in shattering the gate. With its supports broken, the mighty Lion ripped the gate from its hinges and discarded its rubble nearby. The cutthroats, quaking in fear, lost their chance to rush the liberators. Ventaris held no hesitation. Letting out a roar that would put his namesake to shame, the Lion charged.

The struggle for the gate a charnel house. The desperate villains brought all their great weapons to bear on the line. Ventaris turned their mighty two handed blows away with his righteous hammer, not even faltering a step. One fiend managed to land a hard blow on Ventaris as he protected his fellows. It crumpled his helmet, and for the first time the warrior stepped back. The cutthroat may have rejoiced for a moment but only one. Stripping his ruined helmet, Ventaris’ face came into view for the first time.

The Gatebreaker’s face was chiseled stone. The strong jaw and wide brow were set in grim determination. No sweat nor blood marred the powerful visage. But his eyes held a storm the likes none had seen. The cold fury of the Lion. With a great blow he sent the fiend who struck him back, the man’s breastplate caved in.

The fight seemed to go out of the wretches. They broke from the gate to make another stand in the courtyard. Ventaris was not to let them go so easily. Calling his brothers to him, Ventaris led the charge into the courtyard. He quickly moved to the side alleys between the buildings, directing the other forces to sweep the open areas. He knew the dark, cramped places were the most dangerous. He would lead the way into it.

Armor rent, shield scored, Ventaris breached every doorway, every corner, every dark area. Arrows and knives flitted out of the darkness; his great shield forced them back, keeping his comrades safe. The pitched fights in total blackness were horrid affairs, only lit by the sparks of metal on metal. The Order, following their Lion, did not hesitate. They brought the Holy Light of Arnath to the darkness.

All gave way before the Lion and his brothers. It also attracted the most wicked, for they could not stand for something so pure. The Lion and his brothers were surrounded by innumerable villains most foul. Fighting back to back, they made their way into a small house. There the foul wretches crashed upon Ventaris’ shield like waves on cliffs. Like a mighty cliff, the Lion did not break. The curs, seeing their friends felled, slunk off into the darkness.

It was Ventaris and the Order who took the building the cutthroats were using as a command center. It was Ventaris and the Order, supported by the Broken Blades, who swept the courtyard. It was they who pushed the last of the foes to the ramparts. On those ramparts the foes barricaded themselves, breaking the stairs and denying access.

Here they tried to finally bring Brother Ventaris down. The last remaining archers of the enemy let loose a great volley directed solely at Ventaris. Countless arrows drove themselves into his great shield, but a few of their number managed to slip past. His armor gone from the hours of constant fighting, the arrow points bit deep.

If the fiends had been hoping to fell the Lion they were mistaken. He stood, his steely gaze staring down those who would hide, and declared he would bring them to justice. The last holdouts, finally seeing the greatness of Brother Ventaris, threw down their weapons and surrendered. Victory was secured.

Thus ended the Battle of Daven’s Reach, and thus did Brother Ventaris gain the names of The Gatebreaker, Hero of Daven’s Reach.

Back to Order Home page

Back to Order Home page

Membership

The Order of Arnath’s Light is a military style faction.  That means we are well ordered, well trained, and disciplined. In addition, we are nearly unequivocally the good guys. Think traditional Paladin/lawful good D&D characters. We look at the bigger picture of right and wrong before necessarily looking towards profit or self-aggrandisement.

The Order of Arnath is also strongly communal. We grow stronger as the faction grows stronger. As such it is strongly encouraged for faction members to donate silver and resources to help the faction. Silver usually goes to procuring faction buildings and supplies while resources like reagents can go towards increasing our effectiveness in battle. In addition, faction members are encouraged after picking up the necessary basic skills for their character to invest in a trade, profession, and resource. Trades can be useful for the resources they can acquire or prepare, and profession gives the player some extra money when they check in. These both help the faction at event and not.

Resources help the faction grow achieve its objectives behind the scenes. They can influence people towards our way of thinking, they can support recruitment drives, or they can help complete faction projects. ALL PLAYER resources are generally handled by one person who posts faction actions. As resources generally help the faction ,this is easiest to coordinate. HOWEVER, this is always posted for review so the players may dictate what they want their resources to be used for.

The Order on the battlefield operates in a structured, discipline manner. After becoming an Order member, we train you for the role you have selected. Each rank of the Order operates in certain ways with other ranks. This training allows us to be much more effective than other fighting units on the field. If you find you do not like your ranks role, we will work with you to adapt to a role you will like. Being disciplined also means following orders of whomever may be in charge at that moment

Finally, our players should strive to be good players to the game. That means following the rules, showing good sportsmanship, striving to engage in collaborative roleplay, and helping out when necessary. It is no accident most of our members are/have held herald, staff, and volunteer positions.

If you wish to join an upcoming factional powerhouse in Last Hope, feel free to reach out to any of our members.

Current Members

Ordained Clerics
Brother Oliver Coswell – David Li
Sister SuNalla Ree – Rebecca Maas
Brother Orrin Ree – Brian Mass
Brother Ventaris, the Gatebreaker – Ryan Maas-Jopp
Brother Harkov – Cole Potter
Brother Dom – Bailey Hellerud
Brother Aradael – Andrew Leppard
Sister Simone – Leticia Gonzalez
Brother Darren – Truman Shortridge
Sister Serena – Manda Bernarde
Brother Ezra – Brandon Potter
Brother Martin – Gabriel Hellerud

Lay Order
Basil Gavras – Andrez Beltran (Organization Leader)
Aaron Windspeak – Jaime Arreguin

Back to Order Home page

Back to Order Home page

Chapter Variance – Order of Arnath’s Light
The Chapter of the Arnath’s Light has variances to the standard Order of Arnath Hierarchy (found here). These variances have been approved by the Hand of Arnath himself, though a reliable Lion has been dispatched to oversee and report on the findings. If it were not for the Order’s dire straits on Mardrun after the Ulven Civil War, they most likely would not have been approved.

Arnath’s Light has added a new rank for the Ecclesiarch Order: Neophyte.

Neophytes are those members of the Order just starting on their journey. In the past, the Ecclesiarch Order was made up of those given before the age of 10; rare was it to have an Order member join afterwards. It did happen, and it was with this argument that the Griffin of the Chapter of Arnath’s Light hung his argument.

Neophytes are aspirants looking to join the Ecclesiarch Order later in life. They must first devote themselves to the Lay Order, specifically the Militia, for a year before they are eligible to become Neophytes. Here it is some learn to fight.

In addition, the Neophyte is not exempted from becoming Clerics; rather it means they must learn to channel divine power. They are assigned to a mentor who they act as their page while undergoing this process. If within a year they can learn to channel the divine power they will be accepted into the Ecclesiarch Order. If not they will either return to the Lay Order or go on their own way.

The second variance happens after a new Neophyte joins the Order. Unlike tradition, they do not immediately move into the Lions. Instead, they are able to choose between becoming a Lion or an Eagle. This is done because those later in life are more tempered by its trials, and have more refined skills. Life does the job traditionally accomplished by the Lion rank.

Back to Order Home page

A New Chapter

After years of decay and financial distress, the once great settlement of Starkhaven had descended into near ruin. Many settlers fled to other colonies. Although the military might of the Order of Arnath has never recovered from the initial conflict with the Ulven and the recent Ulven Civil War, a handful of the Fist chapter members maintain control of Starkhaven and can be seen periodically. They have become more reclusive now, choosing to stay inside their crumbling keep and keep to their ideals and themselves instead of getting involved in the world at large. This had concerned members of the Order and also some of the people of Starkhaven, and a Griffin stepped forward to push for a reform.

A new direction was presented and the Hand of Arnath listened; although the Order of Arnath’s Fist would remain the primary chapter of the Order on Mardrun, a new settlement and some of the existing military units were re-purposed with aiding the efforts of this new chapter. The Hand of Arnath is leaving the future of the Order of Arnath up to faith and chance; whichever Chapter proves to be more influential will be allocated more resources and grown and expanded. The Order of Arnath’s Light is a brand new chapter of the Order of Arnath. Led by the new Chapter Master, this group within Starkhaven is pushing for more diplomacy and  progressive ideals on the world.

This was originally met with resistance as the surviving chapter of the Order of Arnath was the Fist, the most militant chapter of all of the Order of Arnath. The new Light chapter resides in Starkhaven and still answers to the Hand of Arnath, the ruler of the remaining religious order.

Year 265 (2016)

The Chapter of the Light quickly makes its mark on Mardrun. Uncovering information on Undead experimentation in the settlement of Serai, the Order marshalls a combined contingent of Fist and Light to make sure the menace does not spread. The Chapter of the Light arrives first, and after failure of negotiations, engages in combat with the forces of Bos Meszar. The Order is victorious, and both Bos Mezsar and the settlement surrender. The Chapter of Light does its best to limit casualties on both sides, and treat them with tolerance. Unfortunately, a large Mordok force comes for the settlement, and the Order forces engage them. They are beaten back. The settlement of Serai submits to Order rule, and pledges fealty as recompense.

For most of the year the Chapter of the Light works on restoring the farmland around the settlement. They fear a famine in the winter months and the crushing effect it would have. Some Order members are seen on the road, trying to find out about the new corruption. In addition, these members were caught in a riot at NewHope as the plagued citizens could no longer deal with the circumstances they were placed in.

At the close of the year, the Chapter of Light decides it cannot let the Colony of NewHope take the burden of the refugees alone, and opens its doors to them. This angers the citizens of the settlement of NewHope as they fear it catching.

Year 266 (2017)

The members of the Chapter of Light continue to reclaim lost farmland. By early spring the have brought all the previous cultured land back into production. Still wishing to ensure their people are provided, they set about clearing new land for production. This continues through much of the year.

Some Chapter members are seen at the annual NewHope political dinner. In relation to the newly proposed works, the Chapter members support the Marquess D’Argent’s proposed push into the swamp and against the Mordok. They feel that the Mordok represent a great evil on this world. Their support, however, is not enough to sway it, and the construction of infrastructure is selected. As to the news that NewHope has purchased their lands and they now owe fealty to them, they make no comment.

Some Chapter members are seen to be helping with the new infrastructure projects. Their diverse skills help with some of the projects. Curiously, they are seen to be working closely with an Ulven merchant. The old Order is not known to be welcoming to non-humans, so their brings interesting looks from some of the more knowing workers.

The members of the Chapter of the Light lend assistance to Baroness Katherine in reclaiming the bandit held settlement of Daven’s Reach. Though they initially try to peacefully reintegrate, it comes to blows. The Acolyte to the Chapter Master, Oliver Coswell, is chosen by the Baroness to lead the combined NewHope forces. The Order is instrumental at the siege, pushing back the bandits and leading the way into the settlement. In fact, one Order member gathers great renowned for leading each attack on the gate personally. This man, a Lion, earns the epithet the Gatebreaker from the forces.

Near the end of the year, the Order of Arnath makes a great announcement. They have unlocked the cure for the Creeping Corruption! Though the cure still has to be manufactured, they give the Mana Construct to New Hope and Nightriver, along with their notes, to have them each start curing their own people.

 

Back to Order Home page

The Order is a highly hierarchical organization, organized somewhat along military lines in keeping with the martial traditions of Arnath. There are almost two distinct sections to the Order: the Ecclesiastical and the Lay Order. The Ecclesiastical Order is made up entirely of clerics and is the higher, more martial portion of the Order, while the Lay Order is all the people officially under the protection of the Order and associated with its towns and fortresses. It takes a lot of people to supply and feed a fortress, and the Order is glad to offer some protection for this service, as their creed charges them to protect the weak.

The Hand of Arnath is the official head of the Order, acting as the head of the religion. Always an acclaimed warrior and cleric, the Hand is chosen from among the senior Griffins whenever the last Hand dies. They are responsible for coordinating the movements of the Order and make most of the major decisions. If the Hand is ever required to enter combat, it can be sure that the threat is great.

The next in the Order Hierarchy are the Chapter Masters. The Order of Arnath, though all following his path in one form or another, is split between different Order Chapters across Mardrun. These Chapter vary not only by location but also by specialty.

Finally, there are the Militia Generals of the Lay Orders attached to each Chapter.  This member is usually the most senior of the group and often double as the head of the Town Watch.

CHAPTERS

Inside the various Chapter Houses are three ranks in the Ecclesiarchy: Lion, Eagle, and Griffon.

The Lions are the first rank of the Order – their martial skills are renowned, and they are often referred to    as Crusaders due to their many fights against the undead. Slightly more numerous, these clerics are still hardened veterans. A Lion will normally only be dispatched if reports of something especially unusual are confirmed, for their combat prowess is more often needed patrolling the land for signs of evil. The typical Lion is a heavily-armored and highly skilled combatant, for their training is harsh, with a prospective Lion forced to train for days in their armor beneath the grueling sun. Lions are ostensibly the lowest-ranked members of the Order – all recruits start out as Lions until their superiors believe them capable of handling the guile of the Eagles or the knowledge of the Griffins. Do not let that fool you, however – Lions are well-trained, and frequently receive weapon and armor of far-higher quality than most have seen.

The second rank, Eagles, are the lightest-armed of the Ecclesiastical Order. Veterans one and all, they spend much of their lives training for their position. They can be seen as scouts and spies for the Order – they are the ones who are sent out to investigate strange happenings, operating in dangerous lands without the protection of the great armor of the Lions or the formidable knowledge of the Griffins. When the Order needs information, they send out an Eagle.

In addition, the Eagles provide much needed support to the Order. Unlike their Lion brethren, Eagles are taught to fight at range with spear, bow, and javelin. They are more flexible, able to skirmish through the forests as well as stand in the shield wall. Finally, they bring other skills the Order needs: medical service, armor and shield repair, and even arts of subterfuge.

The highest rank is called a Griffin; these are the elite priests of Arnath, seen as his mind on this world. They oftentimes fill duties in the libraries and fortresses of the Order, for in this division of the Order, they are more concerned with knowledge and lore. Nevertheless, they are skilled in Divine magic and armed combat. They are also the least numerous of the Order – it takes many years to train a Griffin in all the lore and knowledge necessary for their duties. Should the Order need to mass their ranks in diplomacy or politics, it is the Griffins who are sent. Chapter Masters are drawn from the ranks of Griffins

A Cleric can be promoted only when they have demonstrated the appropriate skills in command and fighting prowess, as well as a desire to advance up the ranks – many an experienced cleric has opted to stay with their sub-order due to finding their calling. When a cleric is up for promotion, they journey to the Order’s High Fortress where they are tested to determine if they are ready. The actual tests are kept a secret to those who have not taken them, but a number of promising young clerics have died in the course of them.

Back to Order Home page

Back to Order Home page

The Order on Mardrun

Before the Fall but later on in the war, several Griffins made the decision to load the Order’s battle barges full of supplies and clerics to send them to the newly discovered world. They knew that a seat of power would need to be established so the Order could regroup. After several years, the barges arrived on Mardrun and began to help the colonists.

When colonists first arrived on Mardrun, they led a number of skirmishes against the Ulven before the truce was established. The Order then spent immense resources building a full settlement and began production on a keep. This attracted a number of settlers to join them and help their efforts; the benefit of having the disciplined leadership and military might of the Order in charge of the settlement was amicable to some that were lost and in need of a new home. The Order Keep is largest fortress on Mardrun, although it is far from finished at this stage. Starkhaven is one of the most most defensive settlements on the continent and resides where the Yurnai River meets the Great Wolf’s Hackles.

The Order was known to keep a large library on Faedrun. At the Griffins insight, copies of these tomes made their way across the sea before the Fall. As such, a more complete library is available to the Order as they were not in a desperate rush to save it. Many were still lost or damaged.

The Order, which was home to several thousand battle clerics and supporters on Faedrun, have been reduced to a fraction of their size. Mardrun is now home to roughly thirty to forty of each Griffins, Lions, and Eagles and about two hundred supporters.

Starkhaven is home to several hundred colonists and members of the Order of Arnath. There is a small group called the Starkhaven Militia that help protect the settlement and also provide soldiers to assist the Order if they send out any of their members. Led by a Mayor who takes care of the day to day leadership responsibilities of the people, Starkhaven is a very sustainable settlement. Families and farmers enjoy relative peace as they grow crops and tend to their businesses and families. The Order does require a tithe from Starkhaven to the coffers of the Order and to help fund their endeavors on Mardrun.

Yearly Update – 260 (2011)

The leadership tended to the needs of the people and to expanding supplies for the Order. A few Lions had been sent to investigate what was happening in the rest of the colonies.

Yearly Update – 261 (2012)

Word reached the Griffins that a Lion in attendance to the political meeting in late winter was present during Khulgar Graytide’s delivery of the resolution to control the colonists. Reports reached them that the actions of this Lion were viewed as terribly disrespectful, which was rumored to have begun the animosity with the anti-colonist ulven. Throughout the year, members of the Order kept tabs on the dealings of the rest of Mardrun and continued expanding construction of the Order’s keep. When word finally reached the Order that the undead, a lich, was spotted on Mardrun, they immediately acted… this foe was one that the Order would not idly sit by and allow to exist. Lions were dispatched to track down and kill it. Several groups of Lions and squads of Starkhaven militia were killed trying to defeat this foe, until finally the Coalition helped track it down the northern coast and into Grimward territory. With the help and guidance of the Lions, the lich was cornered and destroyed.

Yearly Update – 262 (2013)

As the Ulven Civil War gains momentum, the Order of Arnath’s Fist is caught in the thick of it. Lions are sent out on patrol, Starkhaven militia protect the roads near their settlement and Daven’s Reach, and the battle barges of the Order sail and patrol the Yurnai river that separates the Grimward and Nightriver lands. Conflict after conflict takes its toll on the Order as the highly skilled and equipped warriors fall one by one, difficult and costly to replace. Months of attrition force the Lions to retreat from the main bulk of the conflict to reinforce and a sneak attack on the Yurnai river by Clan Grimward warriors led to the destruction of the Order’s battle barges and the death of their crews. As winter sets in at the end of the year, the Order is in dire need of supplies and support; their ambitious goals to help the civil war resulting in a terrible cost for both the Order and the settlement of Starkhaven.

Yearly Update – 263 (2014)

Following the political fallout between the Order of Arnath’s Fist and Baron Richards of Newhope, Starkhaven’s construction ground to a halt and its walls slowly began to fall into disrepair. The already famously xenophobic clerics retreated deeper into their cloistered stronghold, pulling their troops out of the war save for a handful of Lions who were sent to hold the Pass through the Great Wolf’s Hackles.

More and more over the year, Starkhaven patrols stop going out on the roads and the Lions remain stationed at home.

Frustration began to build as signs of corruption and foul play were discovered inside Starkhaven itself while the Lions in the Pass, expecting and awaiting reinforcements, seemed to have been forgotten by their allies. The year culminates in a decision made on behalf of Starkhaven, to be revealed early in the following year.

Yearly Update – 264 (2015)

Beginning on a sour note, the Order of Arnath’s Fist started the year by informing the Coalition of their decision to pull their troops out of the pass through the Great Wolf’s Hackles in order to return home and help tend their fields. Feeling betrayed and ignored by those who called them allies, Starkhaven had been hoping for some form of aid or support in the pass, but received none. For months the Lions struggled with the conflict: was it their duty to return to the battle, or did they owe it to their people to defend what little they had to ensure their own survival? While the condition of their keep has somewhat stabilized, the Lions have been almost entirely incapable of marching to war once again, though efforts have been made and troops have been sent to reinforce their solidarity with the Coalition. Although weakened, a handful of Lions and Starkhaven militia flew their banners and marched alongside Coalition and Clan Nightriver allies… although none of them survived to return home. It is unknown if the Order will continue to remain reclusive after the Civil War had taken such a heavy toll on them.

Yearly Update – 265 (2016)

After years of decay and financial distress, the once great settlement of Starkhaven had descended into near ruin. Many settlers fled to other colonies. Although the military might of the Order of Arnath has never recovered from the initial conflict with the Ulven and the recent Ulven civil war, a handful of the Fist chapter members maintain control of Starkhaven and can be seen periodically. They have become more reclusive now, choosing to stay inside their crumbling keep and keep to their ideals and themselves instead of getting involved in the world at large. This had concerned members of the Order and also some of the people of Starkhaven, and a Griffin stepped forward to push for a reform. A new direction was presented and the Hand of Arnath listened; although the Order of Arnath’s Fist would remain the primary chapter of the Order on Mardrun, a new settlement and some of the existing military units were re-purposed with aiding the efforts of this new chapter.

The Order of Arnath’s Light is a brand new chapter of the Order of Arnath. Led by the new Chapter Master, this group within Starkhaven is pushing for more diplomacy and progressive ideals on the world. This was originally met with resistance as the surviving chapter of the Order of Arnath was the Fist, the most militant chapter of all of the Order of Arnath. The new chapter resides in a part of  Starkhaven. This has caused tension between the two Chapters, and in the settlement itself.

The first action was the Inquisition of Fire. Bos Meszar, the militant wing of the settlement of Serai, was found to be experimenting with Undead. Recalling the fate of Faedrun, both Chapters mobilized, but the Light was in the lead. The Chapter of the Light and Bos Mezsar came to blows, but their militia was no match for the highly trained Order militia. Unlike the Fist, however, the Chapter of the Light dealt a soft hand to the settlement. Most were captured and given aid. However, a rampaging Mordok horde pressed both Chapters hard. With Serai no longer having a military force, the town swore fealty to the Order. The Fist currently patrols and safeguards the settlement.

At the end of the year, the Chapter of the Light overstepped their bounds and welcomed corrupted Ulven into the settlement. The people of Starkhaven complained, but dealt with it. Crisis was closely averted by the help of the Prince of Aldoria, and the Phoenix.

Back to Order Home page

Back to Order Home page

The Order is a highly hierarchical organization, organized somewhat along military lines in keeping with the martial traditions of Arnath. There are almost two distinct sections to the Order: the Ecclesiastical and the Lay Order. The Ecclesiastical Order is made up entirely of clerics and is the higher, more martial portion of the Order, while the Lay Order is all the people officially under the protection of the Order and associated with its towns and fortresses. It takes a lot of people to supply and feed a fortress, and the Order is glad to offer some protection for this service, as their creed charges them to protect the weak.

The Hand of Arnath is the official head of the Order, acting as the head of the religion. Always an acclaimed warrior and cleric, the Hand is chosen from among the senior Griffins whenever the last Hand dies. They are responsible for coordinating the movements of the Order and make most of the major decisions. If the Hand is ever required to enter combat, it can be sure that the threat is great.

The next in the Order Hierarchy are the Chapter Masters. The Order of Arnath, though all following his path in one form or another, is split between different Order Chapters across Mardrun. These Chapter vary not only by location but also by specialty.

Finally, there are the Militia Generals of the Lay Orders attached to each Chapter.  This member is usually the most senior of the group and often double as the head of the Town Watch.

CHAPTERS

Inside the various Chapter Houses are three ranks in the Ecclesiarchy: Lion, Eagle, and Griffon.

The Lions are the first rank of the Order – their martial skills are renowned, and they are often referred to    as Crusaders due to their many fights against the undead. Slightly more numerous, these clerics are still hardened veterans. A Lion will normally only be dispatched if reports of something especially unusual are confirmed, for their combat prowess is more often needed patrolling the land for signs of evil. The typical Lion is a heavily-armored and highly skilled combatant, for their training is harsh, with a prospective Lion forced to train for days in their armor beneath the grueling sun. Lions are ostensibly the lowest-ranked members of the Order – all recruits start out as Lions until their superiors believe them capable of handling the guile of the Eagles or the knowledge of the Griffins. Do not let that fool you, however – Lions are well-trained, and frequently receive weapon and armor of far-higher quality than most have seen.

The second rank, Eagles, are the lightest-armed of the Ecclesiastical Order. Veterans one and all, they spend much of their lives training for their position. They can be seen as scouts and spies for the Order – they are the ones who are sent out to investigate strange happenings, operating in dangerous lands without the protection of the great armor of the Lions or the formidable knowledge of the Griffins. When the Order needs information, they send out an Eagle.

In addition, the Eagles provide much needed support to the Order. Unlike their Lion brethren, Eagles are taught to fight at range with spear, bow, and javelin. They are more flexible, able to skirmish through the forests as well as stand in the shield wall. Finally, they bring other skills the Order needs: medical service, armor and shield repair, and even arts of subterfuge.

 The highest rank is called a Griffin; these are the elite priests of Arnath, seen as his mind on this world. They oftentimes fill duties in the libraries and fortresses of the Order, for in this division of the Order, they are more concerned with knowledge and lore. Nevertheless, they are skilled in Divine magic and armed combat. They are also the least numerous of the Order – it takes many years to train a Griffin in all the lore and knowledge necessary for their duties. Should the Order need to mass their ranks in diplomacy or politics, it is the Griffins who are sent. Chapter Masters are drawn from the ranks of Griffins

A Cleric can be promoted only when they have demonstrated the appropriate skills in command and fighting prowess, as well as a desire to advance up the ranks – many an experienced cleric has opted to stay with their sub-order due to finding their calling. When a cleric is up for promotion, they journey to the Order’s High Fortress where they are tested to determine if they are ready. The actual tests are kept a secret to those who have not taken them, but a number of promising young clerics have died in the course of them.

Back to Order Home page