Order of the Silver Talents

Steel Realms

The Silver Talents are an a knightly order of the Steel Realms dedicated to serving the god Balthazaar and the nation of Umbak. They were founded by a man named Sir Edwin Talent – and have kept his name and polished look. Their primary charge is to keep the roads of Umbak free of all things which would hurt and impair the progress of pilgrims and worshipers of their god. Within Umbak, they report to the King and their church alone. Outside of Umbak, they keep to the main roads, carrying their mission along these roads and places on them. The Silver Talents are the primary transport guards of the Bank of the Silver Stacks – a nice parallel between the names being entirely coincidental. The bank leverages their station to move their wares and personnel unimpeded. For this connection, the primary bankers on these journeys are 2nd and third born nobles – a charge that elevates the position and aligns with the charter of the Silver Talents. They are resented by many (they are an sanctioned order of knight by the High King – they cannot legally be impeded on the roads unless time of war). You will never find them, nor is it allowed by their covenant to press their cause, farther than 2 miles from any road, path, or holy site. Any territory considered to belong to Umbak itself, as perceived to be a divine road to righteousness and faith – as such all of Umbak is subject to their meting of justice. Only the Justicars of Balthazaar are feared more than the knights of the Silver Talents for their zeal. Nearly all of the order is made up of native Umbakians, and the majority of them are all second, third, or fourth sons of nobles. It is said the Silver Talents are proving ground for the crusaders. They are THE most well equipped order of knights in all the realms – fitting since the monetary unit of Silver Talent shares their name. Their armor glints like polished silver. They are the only order which may field opponents for those to face in the trial of the Heart of Light.

Within Umbak, the senior members of the Order of the Silver Talents are instructed into using the devices of Florent’s Array to send and receive messages.

Official Charter:

Ranks of Power

The Silver Talents have six ranks within their organization.
There is a single Master officer for each nation the order operates in and but a single Grand Master over them all.

Silver Talent Rank/Progress Requirements
Rank Follower
Requirement
Other Requirements Benefits
Squire
Brother
Lay 1 year service; Skills: primary weapon 3, Ride 2; Traits: Code of Conduct, Tithe
Sergeant
Brother
Lay 2 years service; Skills: primary weapon 4, Ride 3, Law 1; Traits: Code of Conduct, Tithe
Knight 2 years service; Physical Apt. 7; Skills: primary weapon 6, Ride 5, Law 2; Traits: Code of Conduct, Tithe

“Captains” are Knight (errant) which have been appointed to road stations within Umbak after 5 years of service as a ‘master of horses’; they maintain stables and blacksmith accomodations, and small shrines here and there for the forces of the order.
Vigil: Bless
Commander 10 years service; Physical Apt. 7; CHA 4; WPR 4; Skills: primary weapon 7, Ride 6, Law 2, Literacy; Traits: Code of Conduct, Tithe Vigilance: Bless, Vigil
Master 15 years service; Physical Apt. 7; CHA 4; WPR 5; Skills: primary weapon 8, Ride 7, Law 3, Literacy; Traits: Code of Conduct, Tithe Vigilance: Bless, Vigil, Guidance
Grand
Master
20 years service; Physical Apt. 7; CHA 4; WPR 6; Skills: primary weapon 9, Ride 8, Law 3, Literacy; Traits: Code of Conduct, Tithe Vigilance: Bless, Vigil, Guidance, Grace

Outlook and Tactics

The Silver Talents are very aggressive. Like most of the Umbakian military, military dsicipline is part of their daily lives.

Uncommon Knowledge

Institution

Mundane Elements

  • Tithe Allowed: Severe
  • Provision Allowed: Major (must have corresponding level of Tithe)

Code of Conduct

  1. Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches, and shalt observe all its directions.
  2. Thou shalt defend the Church.
  3. Thou shalt love the country in the which thou wast born.
  4. Thou shalt perform scrupulously all duties beholden to the king, if they be not contrary to the laws of Balthazaar.
  5. Thou shalt defend the paths of pilgrims as if they were the Holy Temple itself.
  6. Thou shalt never lie to or cheat a fellow brother.
  7. Thou shalt avoid torture.
  8. Thou shalt give honor to any fallen foe deserving of it.

Faith Powers of The Silver Talents

The order, being an order of knights has but limited powers of faith.

Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic