Champions of Oristhane

Those who rise to the pinnacle of martial or magical prowess within the Dawn Legion, Oristhane's standing army, receive the title of Champion of Oristhane. The Champions are an elite coterie of dedicated professional warriors who perform the most important of the Dawn Legion's duties: protecting the reigning High Priestess. Because this is their duty, the Champions are most often in the Shadowless City, but will accompany the High Priestess when she travels elsewhere. The Champions are often quite close to the High Priestess, for aside from their roles as bodyguards, they are expected to be amiable companions to her because of how much time they invariably spend around her. 
The Champions of Oristhane are a tight-knit, non-hierarchical group who operate as equals, subordinate only to the High Priestess and trusted to cooperate effectively. Typically, at the start of a Champion's career, they will spend most of their time in a role relatively distant from the High Priestess, such as guarding the Blue Cathedral in the Shadowless City, while those later in their career serve closer to her. At any given time, there can be anywhere from twenty to fifty Champions in service of the High Priestess; currently, there are twenty-three.
Within the larger context of the Dawn Legion, the Champions are an ultimate martial authority: even the Legion's generals must submit to the orders of a Champion. Regardless, the Champions are unlikely to actually be involved in military affairs—their job of guarding the High Priestess is of such high importance that it would be rare for them to leave that role to participate in warfare. The Champions' military duties are largely ceremonial. And their importance as figures of ceremony is significant; they are symbols of Oristhane's might, deeply effective at stirring up feelings of patriotism. They are iconic and instantly recognizable, clad in golden armor with red-crested helmets.

Type

Security

Founding

296 YC

Overall training Level

Elite

Assumed Veterancy

Decorated/Honored

Parent Formation

The Dawn Legion

Used by

• Oristhane