Sect of the Golden Branch of The Saelish

The Golden Branch is a sect of the Ethereal Saelisnean Order, where many get their start. They have no limit, unlike their titled parent order. They also share a home at Womac Tower in The Saelish with them; They have their own extended compound outside of the walls of the city proper (“Caelisti House”), though a barracks for their order in the knightly order was were they began. Additionally, this brotherhood (having an almost equal number of men and women despite its name) espouses the same principles as their parent order, and over the last few hundred years has increased in its own membership and focus. They are a quasi-police group of protectors and investigators of the Landsmen Council of The Saelish. They hunt Orrish, Nurth, and bandits. They work to discover and close entrances to the underearth where The Deeping would exert its influence, and put down those that came to The Saelish seeking to stir up trouble by looking for ancient and forbidden knowledge of the long dead Bronzemen. They also guard the cultural library of Brayfhayl.

Symbol: A golden colored branch that has a spear point on its tip cuts diagonally to the right and up. Bar sinister is an open eye. Bar dexter is a burning sun.

Membership: Their character states that they shall number no more than 240 standing forces. The Golden Branch does not turn away anyone, although homelanders of The Saelish are always given preference. Members are known as “Brothers” and “Sisters”. Those wishing to avoid genderization are referred to as “Kraslai” (reference Gender Roles in the Realms). It generally follows the membership in martial orders of the steel Realms.

• Pledged Brother/Sister: Trainees, minor functionaries, warrior ranks.
• Shield Brother/Sister: Senior members of the order.
• Sergeant Brother/Sister: Senior members, with much experience.
• Commander Brother/Sister: “The Stems” – Each one will have 1-3 civil assistants that do not stay in the compound.
  1. Master of Training: Training the new and current ranks.
     Current > “Tereza”
  2. Master of Administration: Paperwork, records, contracts, face to the larger populace.
     Current > “Jan”
  3. Master of Logistics: Quartermaster and field logistics management.
     Current > “Cyril”
  4. Master of Facilities: In charge of buildings and maintenance, security.
     Current > “Adela”
  5. Second Spear: The greatest warrior of the normal ranks.
     Current > “Bruno”
• Eagle Brother/Sister: “The Root” – First Spear, Head of Order – all required to have studied the old ways of Rempheros.
  Current > “Natálie”

The Golden Branch produce skilled fighters and holy warriors pledged by oath to the Caelestia (defined in the ancient faith of Rempheros). Each warrior is pledged to one of the Caelestia (one of the Celestine of Helca). They also train watchmen, sheriffs and militia.

• Holy Warriors: These take binding oaths to the ideals, swearing upon the elder faith of their parent order. Each warrior will be bound to one of the Caelestia.
  TITLE = “Knight of the Golden Branch” – they are unlanded (‘hedge knights’) and while they can claim the title of “Sir”, they are not peer vassals and cannot command any peers of the realms or command the monetary or honorifics benefits of their parent order. As such, they often go untitled in introductions. They generally do not possess squires or pages as fully chartered orders do.

The parent Ethereal order handles any administration of lethal punishment, hunting those who betray the brotherhood, and those seeking Atonement for their actions.

Caelelsti House – Home of The Golden Branch

The scattered extended city of Womac Tower sprawls outside its gate. There is a cleared area 75m beyond the walls for defense. Just on the east main road into the city, at the edge of ‘the Sprawl’ (the area outside its walls) on the north side is a building that stands almost out of place. This is a brightly painted yellow and white 2 story building with a stone foundation and walls of the first story. A low 1m wall encases it and surrounds a 2 acre plot, with multiple small building in it. There is little adornment or pageantry, though everything is clean and organized. A ragged banner is draped over the entrance showing the symbol of the Golden Branch of The Saelish. A single of the pledged brethren spearman guards the open gatehouse.

A second story was added later, it includes two fortified overlooks for bowman. A low walled training yard, and three training barracks sit on the opposite end of the yard from the Bright House – their headquarters and armory. Their records are kept in the reliquary in Womac Tower, though they keep copies of their last hundred years in the local headquarters. Any member of shield rank or higher is announced by a distinctive horn blast upon entry to the compound.

Sun Gazers of The Saelish

These are the elite spear-men of the the Golden Branch. They have their own barracks at Womac Tower. It was rebuilt after the last Umbakian siege by funds from the Landsmen Council. They specialize in spears and javelins. They have their own traditions and they are dedicated to their region and its peoples – “Once you have gazed at the sun over The Saelish, your home is forever illuminated.”

Upon gaining entry into the group, the inductee is presented with three spear tips, coated in a special bronze alloy, one weaker than the fabled bronze of their ancestors. These have the legendary light weight and durability though not the edge, and can only be repaired or replaced by Saelisnean smiths. The have their own style of long spear and buckler that they use, trained on their technique with a specific balance of their equipment and movement. Light and highly mobile, these fearsome warriors wear gold and white colors with bronze accents and a crested helm.

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