Keepers of the Dawn

"The Keepers of the Dawn were a beacon of hope, a flame in the darkness, the light that kept the darkness at bay. But we were snuffed out by that overwhelming evil. They razed our temple to the ground. They slaughtered us like cattle. They took from us Lathander's greatest gift - life itself - and took from the people hope. But we can rekindle that spark. Keep the shadows at bay. We can protect the light of dawn as it burns our enemies. I just need your help."
— Vukaal

The Keepers of the Dawn were a religious following dedicated to Lathander, the god of light and rebirth. They were wiped out in 687 FR by the Hollow Guard.

History

The cult has existed in many forms over the centuries, taking on different names, but in their most renowned state they were the Keepers of the Dawn. At the beginning of the Xervexian Dynasty, they found themselves enjoying immense power and renown due to the royal family's particular reverence for the deity. Their main temple remained Lathander's Crown but branches began to be built all across Faerûn as the religion spread - mostly due to the fact that Lathander was one of three deities permitted to be worshipped. During the Saviour Accords in 70 FR and the subsequent Ouroboros Trials, the Keepers of the Dawn became the caretakers and trainers of the Saviours, thus granting them even more power. It was the end of the 5th century that began their scheme to dismantle all other religion that wasn't permitted by the Xervexian Dynasty. The cults of the Raven Queen and Istus were lessened in power but not attacked. Religions whose doctrine involved resurrection or rebirth in any way, shape or form were targeted aggressively because those were concepts believed to be owned solely by Lathander and his followers. This resulted in the destruction of cults who worshipped Faraam and Anime and the deities themselves fell into deep slumbers, forgotten by the world. This was put to an end by the Hollow Guard in 687 FR when they stormed Lathander's Crown and killed everyone within. The temple fell into ruin and their name was largely forgot.

Members

Current:

Vukaal

Former:

Ryuk (in past lives)

Athena (in past lives)

Altair (in past lives)

D'Bard (in past lives)

Teresavahlia

Structure

The head of the faction is known as the Tender of the Flames.

Public Agenda

Originally, their agenda was simply to follow the teachings of Lathander and smite evil wherever it reared its ugly head. With the establishment of the Saviour Accords, it became their duty to locate and train the Saviours. Over the years, this warped into a grab for power, wherein they began systematically destroying religious followings that involved the concept of reincarnation and rebirth, which they saw as belonging solely to Lathander.

Type

Religious, Cult

Demonym

Keepers

Divines