Grailguard Society
The Grailic Orders
Descended from the Five of Swords that succeeded Soren Crosse, the Five Grailic Orders dominate the life and order of their people. Their leadership rosters the Chalicine Circle that advises and elects the Knight-Commander of the entire Grailguard, usually but not always from their own number. The body of an Order is expected to not only fight the Grailguard’s battles but also maintain holdings, farm their territories, and manage their trades.
Within each Grailic Order, there are Scholars, Soldiers, and Smiths. These roles designate specializations, though changing roles is an uncommon happenstance.
Scholar (Magi/Wisdom): These are teachers, historians, Arcanists, mapmakers, tacticians, and philosophers.
Soldier (Knight/Paladin): These are scouts, hunters, warriors, sentinels, and messengers.
Smith (Practical/Architect): These are farmers, laborers, crafters, custodians, cooks, and brewers.
Though these roles are labeled, each individual is expected to be of a diverse proficiency. Scholars are expected to fight, Smiths are expected to study the histories, and Soldiers must perform the labors required of them. Specialization and mastery are the point of these labels -- Soldiers are expected to lead in battle just as the other roles are understood to lead within their fields of expertise.
Each member of the Grailic Order is assigned to their post or position, but those with greater seniority have more flexibility or are given choices as to their place in the Grailguard’s rotations or deployments. Older Grailguard often seek posts at East Praesidium while younger folk tend to be deployed farther out, though this is by no means a hard rule.
Social Strata
Below are the levels of influence and societal power in the Grailguard, from most significant to least significant.
The Grailseeker General: The military and tactical leader of the Grailguard. Formerly called the Grailkeeper General. Galavan the True is the current holder of this position, raised from the Order of the Shielding Palm.
Chalicine Circle (Lords): The Lord-Commanders of the Grailic Orders
Special Note: This is the highest rank that a Player Character may achieve, but only after retiring.
The Sanctified (Bowls; Wisdom/Architect/Paladin): The highest echelons of the Grailic Orders. Few are certain of where the nickname “Bowl” comes from but some of the Sanctified do not appreciate it.
Special Note: This is the highest rank that a Player Character may achieve without retiring.
The Anointed (Tallows; Magi/ Practical/Knight): The experienced and celebrated members of the Grailic Orders, named for the waxy anointing oil that marked their change in status.
The Dedicated (Oafs; Scholar/Smith/Soldier): The rank and file members of the Grailic Orders. Sometimes kindly (or unkindly) called “Oafs”, for the vows they have sworn.
The Apprenticed (Gloss): The novices and trainees of the Grailic Orders. They are sometimes called “Gloss” for their frequent menial duties of polishing or buffing equipment.
Forgelings and the Convalesced (Blunted): These are the non-combatants, retirees), and inactive members of society. The able among them work light duties.
The Errant (Ronin/Wavers): These are Grailguard who have left of their own volition. They are regarded better than outsiders but not by much.
Outsiders (Cupless): Anyone outside Grailguard society is treated well and with courtesy, though with some wariness. Less polite Grailguard call them Cupless.
Criminals (Breakers): These are Exiles, Traitors, and Outlaws to the Grailguard. The worst of these are actively hunted down and called “Fellguards”.
Upbringing
A child entering the auspices of the Grailguard is celebrated, whether through nativity or adoption. But with these celebrations come the burden of duty: each soul within the Grailguard is expected to continue in the holy mission of their people. Thus, these “Forgelings” must endure training and education in one of the Tomehouses of East Praesidium. With few exceptions, all but the youngest Forgelings stay in communal housing near the Tomehouse. They live in cells with one other child, though older Forgelings may have a tiny room to themselves -- this arrangement will carry on throughout most of a Grailguard’s life unless they achieve high status.
Under the purview of caretakers and instructors, they are chosen and trained toward a profession according to their ability. Some become warriors, others find their calling in the lores, while the remainder become craftsfolk. Ultimately, each would-be soldier, scholar, or smith is directed to one of the Grailic Orders to continue their development as apprentices.
Apprenticed: Those who first join an order starts as an Apprentice to a Smith, Scholar, or Soldier. Twelve to thirty six months of achievement and experience will eventually earn an individual their Dedicated status as an official part of a Grailic Order. Training continues “on the job”, although Apprentices are given light duties or routine tasks such as custodial work, weapon maintenance, record keeping, and daytime patrols.
Dedicated: Those who progress past the rigors of Apprenticeship may eventually become Dedicated as a Scholar, a Smith, or a Soldier. These form the majority of the rank and file of the Grailic Orders, being able to operate and function with some autonomy beneath their superiors.
Anointed: Those who perform acts of heroism or excellence become Anointed as Practicals, Magi, or Knights. They are dubbed with their name and title then given greater responsibility but more autonomy to perform their tasks.
Sanctified: Those who perform exceptionally well and/or long periods of service may end up being Sanctified as Wisdoms, Architects, or Paladins. These individuals are highly revered and well regarded by the rest of the Grailguard, regardless of any differences between the Grailic Orders.
Runaways and Leavers: Spoken in shame are those children who flee a Tomehouse and disappear into the wilds -- such individuals are sought out but not with the greatest rates of success. For all the suffocating strictures of the Grailguard, the World Beyond the Fall is crueler still. Individuals who wish to escape from the Grailic Orders need only request such when they grow of age (16 years or older), joining with a Scavver Caravan, Vundarkin Pack, or Cartel recruiter that would have them -- provided that one such group passes by East Presidium.
Stigmata among the Grailguard
For the Grailguard, one’s appearance means little to the greater goal of protecting humanity. Whether unmarked or Stigmatic, all of humanity is invited to their cause, provided that they have the discipline and the will to do so. This open-minded policy also means that the Grailguard have immense variety in their membership, not only when it comes to Stigmata but also other cultures.
There are some among the Wardens that question some of the Grafted Stigmata, such as the Eidolons and the Risen. However, these are in the minority -- the greater whole are more likely to pursue inquiries into the actions of an individual than random circumstance. That said, allowing Eidolonic investiture or allowing a “Sanguineous Embrace” is subject to a fair amount of scrutiny.
Laws
The Laws of the Grailguard demand that their people follow ironclad codes of conduct that reflects their roles as guardians of humanity. Within their lands and territories, they punish the assault/murder of Grailguard, the theft of legitimate property, the destruction of knowledge, the breaking of sworn oaths, and treason/apostasy. Crimes will sometimes overlap with other categories, increasing the penalties levied against those charged with them. Below are the Cardinal Crimes:
Apostasy: This Cardinal Crime covers treason, betrayal, insubordination, and similar offenses. Working against the Grailguard is one of the greatest crimes one can commit and is punished with death. Apostasy also includes those who do not follow lawful orders or those who desert their posts without due cause.
Brutality: This Cardinal Crime covers murder, assault, and similar offenses upon the body of another if self-defense cannot be proven. In the lands of the Grailguard, this Law protects all who are not outlaws or criminals. Things are less cut and dry outside Grailguard territory, though an Inquisitor may hold a Warden to this Cardinal Crime if the act is egregious enough.
Devilry: This Cardinal Crime is involved with forbidden knowledge, highly corruptive magics, and similar matters. On a mundane level, Devilry is the misuse of technology to hurt the Grailguard or the misuse of authority to corrupt subordinates.
Perjury (Oathbreaking): This Cardinal Crime covers the breaking of oaths, lying to one’s superiors, and other forms of deception. Even being caught in a mundane lie is a point of great dishonor. An extreme example of Perjury is lying to an Inquisitor.
Thievery: This Cardinal Crime features the unlawful taking or destruction of others’ possessions. With this Cardinal Crime in mind, many (but not all) Wardens outside their territories do not confiscate or scavenge from dead Humans except for the purposes of investigation or giving it to their kin or to a righteous cause -- doing so is not a crime but these folk have Grailguard Law firmly ensconced in mind.
Law Enforcement:
Within each Order, all individuals are required to assist in maintaining the rule of law and ensuring that it is followed. Their Lord-Commanders ensure that wrong-doers and lawbreakers are caught and sanctioned, temporarily deputizing subordinates as necessary to the task. Usually one or two of the Order’s Paladins is dubbed an Inquisitor and is expected to fulfill the Lord-Commander’s role on most occasions. If the crime requires it, a Lord-Commander may command the detention or suspension of an individual -- usually locking them to their quarters or placing them in a building prepared for such a role. Detention is never the punishment for a crime, merely a place to await the judgment of the Paladin-Inquisitor or Lord-Commander after an investigation of the matter. While detained, the accused can request for an Advocate to assist in proving their innocence.
Furthermore, the Inquisitors of the Silver Tower are granted special dispensation for greater reach and jurisdiction. These individuals may supersede the judgment of any other Paladin, save for the Grailseeker General.
Punishment:
Flogging -- As per its name, this punishment involves the public flogging of an individual’s back. This punishment is less about the pain of the flogging (usually a handful to a dozen strikes) and more about the humiliation of the act. The loss of prestige or even status is part of the sentence. Some floggings are extended, requiring multiple public sessions of the flogging.
Branding -- A few steps up from Flogging,an enspelled burning brand is applied to the offender’s face. Adding to the pain and the humiliation of the act is a continued reminder of the punishment. Such Brands are enspelled to last for a whole year. They can be cured similar to an Anathemic Curse, but doing so is a serious offense to the Grailguard.
Exile — For those whose Crimes have proven them to be unreliable or unfit to stay a Grailguard, an Inquisitor or Lord-Commander may exile an individual from Grailguard territories. This is permanent although certain circumstances or heroic deeds may warrant a return from this punishment.
Execution — Not many individuals warrant Execution but those that do have been deemed too dangerous to live. If captured, these individuals are taken to East Praesidium so that their death is secure and made permanent with the necessary precautions and magics. Certain criminals called “Fellguards” are considered so dangerous that their death is not only called upon by the Wardens, but also rewarded.
Territories
East Praesidium
The current headquarters for all the Grailic Orders since the fall of Grailhome. It has been fully fortified against further attack from the Shroudlands to the west. It is also the place where Forgelings are housed and where the Chalicine Circle meets. This is the main stronghold for the Order of the Silver Tower.
Dragonspire
North of East Praesidium and bordering the Hellhound territories, the Iron Dragons lair in this place. It allows the Grailguard to survey the surrounding area and strike out at invading monsters while remaining a buffer between the Wardens and their “new allies”.
Fioran Library
South and west of East Praesidium is the Fioran Library, squat and wide in the ruins of an ancient school. The Starseekers have since fortified the campus, adding walls and etheric lamps to assist their manned defenses.
Forgehaven
To the north and the east of New Presidium and south of the Dragonspire is the Forgehaven, a place of learning and craftsmanship. Many caravans from outside the Grailguard make there way here before they go to East Praesidium.
Grailhome and the Shroudlands
The former seat of the Grailguard’s territory. The siege and the magics employed in its fall have poisoned the area around it. A similar poisoning has occurred for the lands west of the ruin. Far west of Grailhome is the Swell, an oversized, nigh impassible river.
Steelpost
This is a major trading post turned stronghold for the Shieldwardens and the main gateway (but not the only one) between Grailguard territory and the rest of Mid-Atla.