Lands of Tyranny
Day 5 of The Philosopher, Year 414
Order of the Rose
The Order of the Rose is a Knightly order born in the western parts of the Empire dedicated to helping people that are in need of assistance: the poor, the sick, the weak, the undefended, the unjustly accused. They follow the stereotype of the 'White Knight', or the 'Knight Errand', vowed to right the wrongs and protect those who can not defend themselves. Of course Elves and Dwarves are usually excluded from receiving such aid, as they are not considered to be people at all.
​
The Knights are sworn to Minerva 'The Mother' and by proxy also the rest of the deities of the Empire, even though they usually only refer to the goddess in their prayers and rituals. The Knights are often called 'Paladins of The Mother' by the common folk who hold them in high regard. Chaste and righteous, the Knights not only offer their arms and strength, but also their resources and riches.
The symbol of the Knights is a red rose, and often the buildings belonging to the Order are adorned with them, as well as with other red decorations.
Heresy and Relations with the Empire
The Order is very old, its roots preceding the rise of the Empire and its pantheon of gods. At the beginning the Knights of the Order were vowed to Lilith, some subtlety in their traditions and prayers still hinting at that to this very day, and in spite of the fact that most present day Knights are fervent followers of Minerva, a remnant still secretly holds true to the old ways. Referred to as the Heresy of the Lovers, these errant Knights see Minerva and Lilith as being two sides of the same entity. The Heresy is of course punishable by death, and the Inquisition would gladly see all of the Knights burned at the stake in order to ensure that they could eradicate every last seed of this taint, but they are also well aware that the knights are shielded from such drastic action by their extreme popularity and even appreciation in the church of The Mother, which is the main monetary patron of the Order.
The Knights are often faced with hard moral dilemmas when their vows to protect the vulnerable and offer charity to the weak come onto conflict with the Laws of the Empire, and by extension the teachings of The Father. The order often finds itself disarmed and forced to stand down in the face of Justice and its representatives, as well as other members of the Faith, although some Knights have been rumored to still try to protect the common folk against seemingly unjust accusations from the very strict and often deadly, but surely merciless justice of the Overlord.
How to Play
Defend and help other Humans that are in need, defend them and their freedom when they are oppressed...but what will you do when this will contrast with the strict and merciless justice of the Empire? Will you hand in the people you are supposed to protect, will you stand aside and watch, or will you risk your life and the existence of the entire Order, to save the few? Most members of the Order share the same 'Human supremacist' views of the rest of their kin, and even the rare few that are more open minded still share a bias towards helping humans first, and anyone else second.
​
Bonus: Members of the Order of the Rose start with an extra set of weapons/armor at character creation that must represent their faction armor.
​
Equipment & Dye Combination for Order of the Rose:
Author: Rashan
Uniforms by Emily