Tag: group
World Watchers
Posted on February 17, 2021 in Steel-Realms
The Law of the High King exist and generally governs all interactions with institutions and people; This is often adjudicated by members of the World Watchers. Those who follows the ways of the World Watchers can often achieve better rates than the standard Travel in the Steel Realms because of their well traveled and know primary and secondary roads. Even bandits, if they know the traveler is a World Watcher, will let a group pass; Incriminating one is a crime punishable by jail and servitude. Their job is to bring information back to High King. One of their original members was the wizard named Gaoliath of the Long-Step.
Heraldsmein: This Titles is often a qualifier – “Good day Sira Heraldsmein Jones”. Bards, World Watchers, Heralds, and generally those who seek and carry information from one place to another in service to a liege or not.
Alliances
The Baronial Rangers of Cunee work with World Watchers and the druids of order of Greenwood Knot for long range Patrols into the mountains to the east of the Barony of Cunee – searching for undead incursions form the Lich Lord’s minions.
World Watchers patrolling the areas around The Valley of Sighs are often found with a Foothound from the Honeystone Kennels of Ten Stacks.
Missions & Service
These folk try and keep an eye on the Prisons and Gaols to ensure some level of civility and order. The World Watchers also tend to the maintenance and use the World Watcher Edifices when necessary.
- Generally, they follow the precepts of The Winding Wind in organizing and accessing the knowledge they accumulate.
- The core of the World watchers are made up of those on the Ranger/Seeker Pathway, though is open to all.
- The Sisterhood of Dohar Jaideen coordinates the training for the High King of the Steel Realms.
- All information gathered by the World Watchers is recorded in the Great Libraries.
- The World Watchers are always on the lookout for more blighted places to engage the Reclamation of the Wyld, especially after The Sundering.
The modern age is heavily defined by the clash of faiths in the “Affray of Darkness and Light” in which it seeks influence to restore a more natural order and counter the destructive forces of evil. World Watchers take the Oath of the Day Watch and seek to create safe pathways in which knowledge and travel flow. Those taking the Sworn Oath of High King’s Service also facilitate the resolution of conflict and advancement of progress.
General (Fame/Reputation, etc.): Group institutions (organization/cultural/national, faith and occult) may/will have individual Prestige ratings and/or impact individual adjustments with the right Prestige Signifiers. Certain situations/conditions, such as membership, can have an impact on reputation.
Conflict Resolution: Any member of the World Watchers can officiate to legitimize both grievance and outcome/penalty. The character must demonstrate knowledge of Law of the High King and local laws through their lore and/or vouchsafed by local connections. Before entering into any resolution, all parties must agree to abide by the decision; Appeal to a local Peerage noble is the only one available. The outcome must have its reason declared (and preferably documented and lodged with a scribe or office) with an explanation after the pronouncement. If the laws and precedents cannot be invoked in such a way, the decision is declared void. The aggrieved parties are allowed a single challenge to any point if they can provide an alternate – in which case, new points and arguments can be made.
- Where any dueling is officially called out and legal, they may officiate.
Presence
There are permanent quarters for the World Watchers in Pacification Garrisons, and full barracks for them at Northgate Garrison and Southgate Garrison, and the Great Libraries.
Famous Items Wielded by the World Watchers
This is a list of items famously used by members of the World Watchers at some point in the history of the Steel Realms.
Adosian Brotherhood (Occult Order of Necromancers)
Posted on November 3, 2020 in Steel-Realms
Adosian Brotherhood is a standard Occult Order of the Steel Realms with standard benefits geared to the magus.
– Command of Occult arcane powers and entities. The institution generally follows the Occult Culture of the Realms; It maintains the Standard Occult Reliquary of the Steel Realms for members and the Mystical Discernment service of the Ryadian Oblis in most of its chapter houses and affiliate locations.
Sorcerers Prohibited: This order, as with all formal and accepted Occult Orders and Institutions & Factions of the Steel Realms Heartlands, does not accept Practitioners of Sorcery into their ranks since the Purge of the Hidden in CY 5009 – CY 5311, and is duty bound to report them to the Guild of Solars when they are encountered.
Hall of the Hanging Dead
The infamous home of the order in the city of Ados. The free city of Ados is home to the feared and barely tolerated loose confederacy of wizards practicing their necromantic arts. They have but a single Order House, in the city itself. It is here that all apprentices are trained and where common research is done. It is referred to as “The Hall of the Hanging Dead”. They are known to records all business transaction in the “Adosian Flourish” of Mercat – lending a sinister air to its script.
Cannot summon/bind or control elementals.
Spears of the Mother (Elancil)
Posted on November 3, 2017 in Steel-Realms
A knightly order of the Steel Realms. An offshoot of a more ancient order, it was reserved for nobility of the three ancient ‘Clan’ houses of the Laerthian Council. Some of its best Rauket players have come from the ranks of this fellowship – they are trained from before they can walk in it as a way of starting their martial understanding. Though this order is known to exist, none speak of it or acknowledge it.
Benefits
The members of its order were said to be taught mystical arts.
- Race: Human only
- Class: Eldritch Knight; pledged to Elancil and nothing can break the bond.
- Essence: At first level, they lose 1 Essence in pledging to the goddess Elancil. At second level, they sacrifice another Essence to their goddess and, whenever they use Action Surge with a spear they gain Tears of the Spear – They may give of their water (3 HP damage) and use the Parry combat maneuver (using D6 for superiority dice) in the same round against one attack and doubling their DEX bonus against another (min. 1).
- Instead of an Extra Attack at 5th level, they gain the Feat: Spear Mastery. If they already possess this (most do – its encouraged early on) they instead gain the Breath of the Mother: Water Breathing for a number of hours (min. 15 minutes per use) per Short Rest equal to their CON bonus (min. 1), they gain an additional superiority dice for Tears of the Spear and add their CON bonus, and if standing on water or doused in water, their 1/Long Rest they may cast Thunder Wave at their Character Level; if they are not near water, it does 6 HP of damage +3 per extra dice of damage).
- At 7th level they may breath the Breath of the Mother into a number of other characters equal to their CON bonus (min. 1).
- At 10 level they may cast a spear, forgoing all other attacks, and have it turn into a Cloud of Daggers (small spears) anywhere within range of what they could throw. They can do this 1/Long Rest.
History
[contentblock id=knowref1]Common Knowledge
Formation: It consisted of second and third sons of high noble houses, pledged since birth to Elancil. Formed in response to the ever-encroaching threat of the Bronzemen against the Sea-Kings, the order is a sect of knights, nominally a special branch of the Order of the Trident is how it started out.
The Oath: The absolute loyalty oath taken to their goddess binds the oath-taker forever. Neither may sever the pact except by death.
Uncommon Knowledge
“The Splitting” (CY 9139): By order of the new Emperor, the order was “dissolved”. History records the willing retirement of its members, but in reality they did not go willingly. To take power from the councils, the Emperor had one of its biggest militant defenders eradicated. They were sent en mass to the north, where they fought for years – thinning their numbers. When the last band was returning to Gwinn, having served their allotted time, they were ambushed and taken captive. They were beheaded and their boat was shattered and sank – the destruction blamed on Umbak.
Rare Knowledge
Secret Knowledge
Destruction of the Order – The Real Story
The order of The Spears of the Mother was gathered before the general of all the Gwinnish operations in the north – General Sir Misah Gibraeth (now a Duke of Imperial Gwinn). They were asked to all sacrifice themselves for Gwinn, for the greater glory of the families represented. All of them agreed, to the last man. At this time there were more than 120 of them. They were all sworn to the emperor and to The Confessor – the highest and most dangerous priest of Elancil in the Gwinnish service. A mission that would affect the fate of the burgeoning empire and the world was about to be undertaken.
The order escorts The Confessor to a remote place in the north, and there seems to be a lot of resistance from the minions of the Lich Lords to their safe arrival at the place of meeting. At least half are killed in getting to the agreed upon frigid locale. There, the high priest meets Ladril Kolman, the Bard of Bluesong and a Black Gorgon in service to the High King. The members of the order are witness to a clandestine meeting between the two where the fate of the Steel Realms is set forward. In the meeting, the two sides agree on a plot to put the north in a pincer. Gwinn will put pressure on the north while agents of the High King hinders any aid. Eventually the “free north” must turn to Gladnor for assistance. In return, the High King will miraculously win a pitched battle. In the settlement, he will recognize the seizure of Tarmysia (under the pretense that it was originally a Sea King settlement and culture) and the northern isles in exchange for peace. The Emperor will pay a nominal tribute to assist in the war against the Winter Host.
The order marches The Confessor back, and the minions of the Lich Lords whittle their number down to 18 before they reach the western coastal area. They must sense something about the meeting, their agents are everywhere. Even some priests of various gods and fanatics confront them – though none seem to know the specifics of why their own god may have sent them to stop The Confessor.
The eighteen remaining members of the order are returned to Gwinn. There they enjoy a week of celebration and decadence, as only a king may know. High on drink, drugs, and pleasure, they are easily corralled. Taken on the emperors own ship, they continue their partying out to see. All on board are imbibing. The guards have been told the order has betrayed the Gwinnish cause and they must die. The members of the order believe they are being sacrificed in a holy ceremony. The following boat ropes up and at dawn the members of the order seem to comply in their drugged condition and are beheaded. This ends the only witness to the evil deal that the High King of Gladnor and the rising Empire of Gwinn have made.
Legion of the Trident (Gwinn)
Posted on November 3, 2017 in Steel-Realms
The Legion of the Trident isa knightly order of the Steel Realms. Its named reflecting its symbol, the trident… but such a weapon is not used by the knights of the order. The trident represents the three tines of Faithfulness (to goddess; Elancil), Lawfulness (to emperor), and Dedication (to the order) – in short, loyalty above all else. The order is one that supports the acquisition and use of the mystical arts, combined with the process of the martial. This group was once confused with the Order of the Trident, before they were renamed Order of the Tri-Light and its power usurped by the Lightbringers from within.
Their symbol is an upright exaggerated blue trident on a black background with a white stripe at its base. The white symbolizes sea foam, the blue the sea, three for the pillars of the legion and black for the depths of the ocean.
House Narcosa (Necromancer Order of Salt Shore)
Posted on November 8, 2016 in Steel-Realms
House Narcosa is a standard Occult Order of the Steel Realms with standard benefits geared to the magus.
– Command of Occult arcane powers and entities. The institution generally follows the Occult Culture of the Realms; It maintains the Standard Occult Reliquary of the Steel Realms for members and the Mystical Discernment service of the Ryadian Oblis in most of its chapter houses and affiliate locations.
Sorcerers Prohibited: This order, as with all formal and accepted Occult Orders and Institutions & Factions of the Steel Realms Heartlands, does not accept Practitioners of Sorcery into their ranks since the Purge of the Hidden in CY 5009 – CY 5311, and is duty bound to report them to the Guild of Solars when they are encountered.
“Order of Narcosa, The House of Necromancy”: House Narcosa (sometimes referred to as a ‘guild’) is one of the only 2 major notable institutions to focus on Necromancy in the realms. Understandably so, as their livelihood deals with the undead mostly, and there is a lot of fear and misunderstanding of their order. The order also has a special relationship with the fallen death god Djerduth. The order promotes the old gods ways, carrying on the religious traditions of death as a natural part of life, and seeking its mysteries to better understand the living. Far from the “death-worshiping anemic” its enemies portray it as, its members are the most physically fit and robust of wizardly orders – they practice medicine and are adherents of physical exercise and know the body and its workings like few others. The order serves as healers even in some places, such as North Gate Garrison They are THE premier operators against the undead there and other places in the north, though they number few and ways are kept secret. The Narcosan Watchers is a sect in the order that learns to repair the worst bone and tissue breaks, and can even repair animations.
Deepstone Archive of Rhylan in the Forest of Rhyl is overseen by the Duke of Rhyl’s house mages and priests, in addition to Rhylander Green Conjurists and House Narcosa – helping to keep copies of a lot of it in the Libraries of Port Towne.The small order has been around for thousands of years. It is a fortified tower atop a granite 120’ x 70’ shelf that pushes 20’ above soil level.
Resolute: The lands and city of Reedbed was sacked, it stood. The town of Salt Shore burned, it stood. The shipyards of Salt Shore burned and the city sacked… it stood. Pirates took control of Salt Flats for years… it stood. The Purge of Hermenna ousted every malign master and apprentice along the shores of Lake Caolite in 9120 – it was left untouched. Each time the order survived and came out to treat the wounded and bury the dead. Every time some would-be ruler of the town surrounding it threatened the order, the threats quickly stopped. It is unknown what leverage the order has, but no one has tested it. The order is famous in the north, all around the massive Lake Caolite. Disease outbreaks, seasonal debilitation’s, crop death, clashes of armies, plague… always will they be there. The clergy of Aerna, even the White Sisters, admit to their prowess (albeit grudgingly). When possible, they maintain a fast sloop in Salt Shore, and can go anywhere on the shores of the lake to aid after any disaster – no questions asked, no port dues, no tithes.
- Occult Theme/Motif: Red & White Feathers/Streamers
- Presence Levels: Preeminent in northern heartlands; Order houses all over the north…
- Major: Township of Saltmarch, Lake Caolite (shores)
- Minor: North Gate Garrison, Lim, Arminsted
- Trivial: Twin Springs, Karolak, Soriano, Thurlow
- Alliances: None
- Occult Focus: Schools of Magical Study…
- Major: Necromancy
- Minor:
- Trivial:
- Familiar Specialty: Lesser Homonculous
Fetus like flesh creation @6th (in addition to any other familiar!); AC 12, HD: 1/HP = 4 [Cost = 180 silvers] Dexterity/Wisdom 15, Strength (half creators current; 5), Charisma 3, All Others 10
Never sleeps, never tires, cannot be charmed or slept; sees through illusions. Speaks with creators voice.
Stealth +4, Perception +3, Athletics +3 & Gets creators proficiency bonus. - Potion Specialty: Detect Life [Major Cost Portion/unlimited (2 at a time) for Major Presence]; INT x 10′ range, per Detect Magic
- Scroll Specialty: False Life- “Stolen Life”; Ritual (DC 13) practiced in the Heartlands using special oils and written on prepared skin of a fallen foe (150 silvers) gains an extra +1 HP and immune to Chill Touch until the spell ends or HP used.
- Lore Specialty: +1 Lores when trained for Cleric 1: Undead, Animations/Constructs, Diseases, Poisons.
Standard Rank Links
- Apprentice: A character just graduating is given 4 apprentice chain links. This symbolizes the awareness of the living, the eyes that behold north, south, east and west and allow the apprentice to determine their direction; They are painted to look like an eye.
> 5th Apprentice link; “Inner Eye”: If the apprentice can survive a test of physical endurance (DC 10 Constitution) while reciting the proper ritual seeking knowledge (DC 10 Arcana) they are given a 5th link -a black eye – to add to their Chain of Authority, and allow them to seek Eye of the Child.
Honors and Medals Links
- Eye of the Child:
- Square Link: Essentially 2 eyes. It allows the wearer to remove 2 of the apprentice links and use them in a Lesser Homunculus – where they transform into real eyes and allow the Necromancer double the bonded range.
- Rounded Link: The Necromancer may have the guild tattoo an eye upon the palm of their hand. It requires a 1 HP sacrifice permanently. The eye can see as the dead see up to 60′ – even in total and magical darkness. When the Necromancer casts False Life, it grants them 1 extra HP.
- Caress of the Dead: At 3rd level/2nd level Cleric, the character may Offer to Djerduth 1 hp permanently to transform one of their hands into a Crawling Claw that operates as a normal black hand but can detach. If it dies, it will reform after a Long Rest.
| Threshold | Offering |
|---|---|
| 1st | |
| 4th | |
| 7th | |
| 11th |
Death God’s Servants
The guild members can gain Piety from the death god; they must have Religion as a skill