Order of the Doleful Aspect

"I shall march into Hell where others may balk.
I shall reach to the stars where the weak might despair.
I shall speak to the quest where the least may fall silent.
Broken and battered, this do I swear."

Oath of the Order of the Doleful Aspect

The Order of the Doleful Aspect is a secret society of knights and adventurers. All but destroyed and practically forgotten, they maintain a single holdfast within the city of Vermilla in the Argendives.
Once known and respected by all, knights of the Order took vows to protect the weak and fight for the righteous. They held no permanent allegiance to any realm, operating outside of the established political sphere. Knights of the Order did not take sides in wars and conflicts and instead roved the countryside offering aid to those in need.
Inspired by the legend of Baldwin Hayward, the Order first came into being in the years following Augustin's Rebellion when several knights banded together to dedicate themselves to helping the poor and disenfranchised of the world. What began as a small band of unlanded adventurers soon blossomed into a full knightly order under the Emperor Elios. Over time the Order expanded and built several castles across the continent.
The Order took strong objection to the Obviation and believed magic to be the right of the people. This viewpoint naturally put them at odds with the Eloqui Order, and in 1727 the Eloqui together with the Einarian Pontificate managed to convince Emperor Albrecht to rescind their orders of chivalry. The Order was dissolved and their castles within the Empire were seized. While a few disparate holdings continued offering service to the peoples of the continent in secret, one by one they either dissolved on their own or were hunted down by Einarian Bluetalons or Eloqui intercessors.
Today, the Order still exists as a shadow of their former self. Their sole holding is the fortress Semequis Keep, located in the city of Vermilla. However they do maintain several secret hideouts throughout the world, most notably in Derokesh.

Known Members

Semechis Keep

• Sir Barnabas: A stately warrior, Barnabas is the seneschal of Semechis Keep and leader of the Order.
• Rayth Mirthtree: A gnomish woman who serves as the librarian of Semechis Keep

Derokesh Hideout

• Garen of Font-Pelier: Garen is the seneschal of the Derokesh hideout
• Kristofer Weltread: Weltread is a mercenary monster slayer who is tied to the Derokesh hideout
• Edwin Corvax: An ancient, wizened scholar, Edwin Corvax is the Derokesh hideout's lead sage

Other Members

• Erevan: Erevan is an itinerant adventurer who unwittingly swore allegiance to the Order while exploring the long-lost tomb of Baldwin Hayward
• John Foote: A pirate captain and member of the Corsairs of Kassoth who has, according to him, been knighted twice (as the Order forgot the second time that he had already been knighted). It is unclear exactly what circumstances led to this.

Banner of the Order of the Doleful Aspect

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Name:
Order of the Doleful Aspect
Type:
Chivalric order
Base of Operations:
Semechis Keep
Leader(s):
Sir Barnabas
Enemies:
Eloqui Order
Einarian Pontificate