The Silverblade Company
Structure
The Silverblades were created by a royal decree by the King of Gallia, and have sworn an oath to the King, the Gallian State, and the Noble Houses of Gallia (although not to any specific house, outside of the ruling line. A secular society, the Order was created in response to the independent Chivalric Orders, such as the Urzh Kroashent and the Black Order, placing it under the influence and indirect control of the King.
The Gallian Crown has reserved several important powers to ensure that the Order never reaches true independence, such as maintaining the Order's coffers, appointing and knighting major officers, and overseeing tribunals of High Justice of the Order's members. The Silverblades maintain a higher degree of quotidian autonomy outside of the Gallian Crownlands, operating as full royal agents in Anjev , the Cloth Cities and Tolosa, and with limited restrictions in Letha, Normandi and Akitainia as extensions of the often intertwined noble houses.
The Silverhand
The top position within the Company is the Silverhand, a position that is appointed by and directly answers to the King of Gallia. Typically a high noble of Gallia, the Silverhand is a full member of the Royal Court, with offices and residences within the Crystal Palace, authorized to act with the full authority of the King. However, the position is not without its restrictions. The Silverhand is forbidden from leaving the walls of Per-Ys without the express permission of the King. This subservience is symbolized by a pair of lightweight, finely crafted silver manacles that the Silverhand is required to wear at all times, a less than subtle reminded to the fate of the Grandmasters of the Urzh Kroashent who rose above their station in the eyes of the King. The position is a lifetime office, but a Silverhand can be removed by the King at any time and for any reason.The Lords of Silver
The Silverhand is supported by the Lords of Silver, operating commands across Kornôgel. Unlike their predecssor organization, commands within the Silverblades adhere to the political boundaries of states, as interpreted by the Gallian Crown. The Lords of Silver are typicall drawn from Gallian, Anjevin or Flandrezed noble stock, and wield a great deal of power as authorized agents of the Silverhand. The Lords of Silver are allowed a personal Ambaxtoi and a lifestyle befitting their noble rank. They wear a pair of silver rings on their wrists like the Silverhand, but with no chains attached to them.Paladins
Answering to the Lords of Silver, are the paladins, who operate as local overseers and field commanders of day to day logistics. Typically, these authorized officers maintain control over key military strongholds or major settlements within a region, but possess little authority over regional affairs. Others operate as Knights Errant, tasked with the investigation and countering of threats, both magical and mundane, against the Gallian Crown, and, to a lesser extent, its subjects. Paladins may operate in groups of up to 5, but require permission from the Silverhand for larger operations. Paladins are typically accompanied by one or more (up to 3) squires and a small retinue of Foot-Soldiers and servants, as many as befits their noble rank. They wear silver bands on their ring fingers.Culture
The Silverblades have strong ties with both the Gallian Crown and the Noble Houses of Gallia, infusing the order with both a sense of national pride and an air of authority and affluence. Serving in the Order is considered a great honor and privilege, one sought out by both nobility and wealthy bourgeois seeking entrance to the world of the Nobles. It is common for second children to attempt to obtain membership as a stepping stone to gain their own lands and titles through service to the Crown. Befitting this high status, the Order is outfitted with the latest and most high quality equipment, often supplementing the already generous flow of coins from the coffers of Gallia with personal fortunes.
The Silverblades have a reputation, not always deserved, of chivalry and professionalism, largely tied to their flashy uniforms and noble heritage, rather than their actual actions, but many within the company strive to maintain this reputation. However, younger Silverblades can also have an air of haughty entitlement, overconfidence and ill-preparation compared to veterans or their equivalents in the similar organizations. The company membership were sworn not to retreat or move more than four arpents (about six acre's breadths) from a battle.
The relationship between the Silverblades and the Gallian Crown can strain relations between errant paladins and parties hostile to Gallian rule, especially outside of Gallia. The Silverblades are typically better received in more Faerie-influenced societies than their religious counterparts as a result of their secular nature and the organization strikes a cooperative tone, but anti-fae sentiment, especially against the Korrigan and the Fomorian peoples, is often rampant in the large segments of the company's membership.
After serving for a set time, members in retirementreceived a small payment and the order provided housing.
Public Agenda
The Royal Company of the Silver Blades, AKA, the Silverblade Company is an elite force of soldiers and arkanists, organized under the authority of the Kingdom of Gallia for the purpose of countering threats to the Kingdom and its peoples from the supernatural elements of Faerie and the Bleed. Overtly anti-fae elements of the Order's original mission, as well as references to Faerie as the "False World" have been removed, although some factions continue to press for these publicly denounced sentiments.
While originally created to counter Faerie itself, the Company now focuses on active threats against population centers, including universally acknowledged threats such as Sluagh, Garwaf and Finfolk, cursed or powerful Arkane Artefacts, and more hostile troupes and raiding parties. Silverblade operations are either directed by Gallian authorities or paid for by local entities similar to a mercenary company. Unlike the Order of Albi, the Silverblades do not see the eradication of Faerie and its influence as part of their mission on an organizational level, although some within the Company do.
The Silverblades have a complex relationship with their "sister" orders, ranging from regular cooperation to rivalry and outright hostility. The Company considers its primary rivals, organized along similar structures, to be the Lethan Order of the Ermine and the Arled Knights of the Golden Fleece, but this is largely restricted to formal and diplomatic settings. They often work directly the with Black Order, even granting control of the Blackstone Vault of Angers to the religious order. They often exist in contention with the Order of Albi, viewing the Church's power as an infringement on sovereignty of Gallia and view the Chasseurs de Sang Noir as outlaws, enemies of the Crown, but, both are treated as allies of convenience in dire circumstances.
Assets
Unlike the fully autonomous Urzh Kroashent, the Silverblades are forbidden by Royal Decree from constructing castles, waystations or other structures, save for temporary, emergency situations. Instead, they are garrisoned at properties owned and maintained by the Crown, or from rented properties in large urban centers. The majority of its wealth is held by the Gallian Crown or its noble membership, which pays a large tithe for entry into the prestigious Company, and most equipment is owned privately by the noble members of the organization. Lodging and operations of the Order are typically of a high quality, befitting the Royal personages who theoretically could reside in the buildings.
Assets captured by the Company are typically delivered to the Crown or to the Black Order, typically the Blackstone Vault of Kastell Angers, which serves as the artefact repository and training ground for new recruits, although the official headquarters is located in Per-Ys itself, within the Crystal Palace. A large administrative complex is located in the suburban village of Santouen, an hour ride South of the city gate.
History
The Silverblades were created during the Black Crown Affair by Order of King Philippe Le Bel, to continue the mission of the Knights of the Crossroads as that organization was purged by the King, while also countering the influence of the Church-backed Black Order. Phillipe, an avid Staunchist with an intense hatred for the peoples of Faerie, saw the Company as a way of enacting a harsher response to Fae activity, more similar to the Order of Albi than the Crossroads Knights in goal and tactics. The Company was first chartered in the suburb of Santouen, in a disused granary that would become its primary administration headquarters.
Before Philippe could reorganize the new Company to carry out a planned purge of Fae influence from Gallia, the Battle of Nesle Tower and the King's subsequent imprisonment in the Blackcrown ended his scheme. His successor, Louis the Quarrelsome was quickly coronated and the charter of the Silverblades was altered, removing overt references to Faerie and the declaration of open warfare on its peoples. Several Staunchist allies of the King were removed from their positions, with more moderate leaders put in place. The charter was signed along with peace treaties with the Court of Summer, the Court of Winter, the Boléguéans Council and the Fomorians of Normandi.
The Silverblades initially did not allow the inclusion of women or fae in their ranks, but changed this following the success of their Lethan imitator, the Order of the Ermine, which allowed both, and began to draw nobles of the contested Marches of Neustria into the Ermines rather than the Silvers. The Silverblades were quick to capture the public imagination with their shining uniforms and careful linking to Heroes of Legend, but have never reached the same level of influence of the Knights of the Crossroad.
Shining Swords Cut Out the Heart of Darkness
Founding Date
1209
Type
Civilian, Knightly Order
Alternative Names
The Shining Order, the Lightblades, the Royal Order of Santouen
Predecessor Organization
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Experienced
Demonym
Silvers, Shiners (Derogattory)
Parent Organization
Location
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