Order of the Gauntlet
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| Order of the Gauntlet |
| "That’s the thing about evil: it is darkness, it is shadow, it hides in your blind spot. Then, when you are distracted, it sneaks in. Evil is a master of disguise — and what is the greatest disguise, you ask? Yourself. Evil will cloak itself in thoughts and emotions pretending to be your own, telling you to get angry, to be greedy and envious, to hold yourself above others.
People aren’t born evil — it takes time for evil to fool you into thinking that its voice is yours. That is why to know who you truly are is what the Order requires from each hopeful who wishes to join our ranks. Bravery isn’t fighting the dragon out there — it is fighting the dragon within. That is what we do in our prayers. Once you have slain that dragon, you have overcome the darkness lurking within yourself. Only then do you have the capacity to know true goodness. Only then are you ready to take up the sword and wear the badge of our Order.” |
| —— Kajiso Steelhand |
The Order of the Gauntlet is a relatively new organization dedicated to smiting evil wherever it lurks and without hesitation. The Order understands that evil wears many guises, playing games and tricking others in order to spread. That is why its members act on their own authority, identifying threats and smashing them before they can grow.
The Order of the Gauntlet is a dedicated, tightly knit group of like-minded individuals driven by religious zeal or a finely honed sense of justice. Friendship and camaraderie are important to members of the Order of the Gauntlet, and they share a trust and a bond normally reserved for siblings. Like highly motivated soldiers, members of the Order of the Gauntlet seek to become the best at what they do and look forward to testing their mettle. There are few, if any, “lone wolves” in this organization.
Many paladins and clerics of Tyr, Helm, Torm, and Hoar have joined the organization, seeing it as—finally!—a way of making common cause against the evils abroad in the world. The Order of the Gauntlet is ready to lash out the moment evil acts, and not a moment before. When evil breaks laws, agreements, or commonly accepted codes of conduct, the Gauntlet strikes hard and fast, without waiting for the blessings of distant temples or the permission of rulers. Evil must be met in the field and smashed, or it will swiftly overcome all.
Because the seeds of evil are nourished in the shadows, the Order of the Gauntlet rides out to the most dangerous dungeons, the darkest caverns, and the foulest pits to weed out wrongdoers. But the Order is keenly aware that the shadow of evil lies within everyone, waiting for a moment when it can gain a foothold on their souls. Thus its paladins, monks, and clerics spend long hours deep in prayer to keep their inner eye vigilant and focused on their own thoughts and emotions. In this way they purify themselves from within before taking up their swords to cleanse the world.
The Order of the Gauntlet believes that all sentient beings must come to the light of reason and goodness of their own volition. That is why it is not interested in controlling minds: it focuses only on deeds, setting an example to the world in hopes of inspiring and enlightening others. The Order holds that faith in one’s god, one’s friends, and one’s self are the greatest weapons in quelling the hordes of malice.
With such devout conviction, the Order’s members can be depended on as a source of strength to themselves and others, a bright light against the darkness. They are not preemptive bullies, though. A strict code of honor allows them to strike only when evil deeds are being committed. Thus, the Order of the Gauntlet is hypervigilant, using every resource at their disposal—both divine and mundane—to know where and when dark deeds will occur.
Beliefs
► Be armed and vigilant against evil.
► Identify evil threats such as secretive power groups and inherently evil creatures.
► Enforce justice.
► Enact retribution against evil actions — do not strike preemptively.
► Faith is the greatest weapon against evil — faith in one's god, one's friends, and one's self.
► Battling evil is an extraordinary task that requires extraordinary strength and bravery.
► Punishing an evil act is just. punishing an evil thought is not.
Goals
To be armed, vigilant, and ready to smite evil, enforce justice, and enact retribution. This means identifying evil threats such as secretive power groups and inherently evil creatures, watching over them, and being ready to attack the moment they misbehave. (These are always retributive strikes, never preemptive.)
Ranks
Rank One — Chevall
Rank Two — Marcheon
Rank Three — Whitehawk
Rank Four — Vindicator
Rank Five — Righteous Hand
Welcome to the Order of the Gauntlet
Welcome to the Order of the Gauntlet! Your dedication to defending the weak and dispensing righteous justice is without peer, and your new brothers ans sisters in the order look forward to smiting the wicked at your side., united in our divine purpose. May you live long and use your last breath fighting in the name of all that is good.
As a new Gallant, your preparation time is nearly over. We need all members ready to strike — both to dispense ongoing justice and to watch over those who cannot protect themselves. Troubling changes are afoot, and if the balance tips too far toward darkness, the good people of this land might be quickly overrun. Of course, more and greater foes mean more and greater advancement for the cause of the order, yet our accomplishment brings but small comfort to orphans and refugees. We must ensure that evildoers are brought to heel before they can offend again.
We call on all who value justice above all to stand firm against villainy. Should you act boldly and do right by your compatriots, perhaps you will one day fight by our side as we exact the price for evil from those who beleive themselves above the law. Remember this: Evil is born anew each day, but justice live forever.