Royal Heralds of Gorundia

The Royal Heralds of Gorundia

“The Royal Heralds are a fine bunch—if you like men who smell like old parchment and talk like every word they say should be etched in stone. They carry the king’s voice, sure, but half of them act like they wrote the words themselves. You have to respect them, though. They’ll ride through a battlefield with arrows flying just to tell some noble his lands aren’t his anymore. That takes a kind of guts, even if it’s wrapped up in silk and silver.” - Sorek Redmarch

“A king's will does not ride on parchment alone. It must be carried by a voice that does not waver, by a hand that does not shake, and by a mind that does not falter.”

The Royal Heralds of Gorundia are a distinguished order of emissaries, diplomats, and record-keepers who serve as the king’s voice, eyes, and ears throughout the realm. They are entrusted with delivering royal decrees, bearing official messages, witnessing oaths, and ensuring that the king’s authority is properly enacted. Their presence is expected at every major holding of strategic or political importance, where they serve as both observers and advisors.
Though they are not warriors in the traditional sense, many heralds have endured the hardships of campaign life, acting much like squires to the highest nobles and traveling alongside armies, enduring sieges, and witnessing battles firsthand. Whether announcing commands on the field or keeping detailed records of noble actions, they are expected to remain composed under pressure, calm amidst war, and steadfast in their duty.

Composition and Role

The majority of royal heralds come from noble families, though they are almost always two or three steps removed from inheritance. These men and women are educated in matters of law, history, and diplomacy, trained to speak with authority and to listen with discernment.

• Noble Scions: The most common heralds are third sons and daughters of noble houses, educated in rhetoric, law, and protocol. Many of these individuals view the role as a prestigious station, though few understand its true hardships until they serve in the field.
• Former Knights: A select few are knights who have laid down their swords in favor of service through words. These men often serve in more dangerous postings, where their ability to remain calm under pressure is invaluable.
• Clergy of Lawful Gods: A rare but respected subset of heralds comes from the clergy of deities such as Pholtus, Zilchus, or Delleb. These heralds often act as judges or witnesses for legal matters, ensuring that the king’s laws are properly upheld.

Each royal herald must be capable of enduring hardship, maintaining patience, and acting with impeccable composure, whether they are delivering a declaration of war or witnessing the swearing of fealty. They do not openly command, but they carry the implicit authority of the crown, and their words can shape the course of events.

“A herald does not fight, but he does not yield. He does not rule, but he ensures that rulers do not forget who they serve.”

Duties of a Royal Herald

Royal heralds serve in a variety of essential capacities, each reinforcing the strength and stability of the kingdom.

• Messengers of the Crown: The most fundamental duty of a herald is to deliver the king’s will to nobles, cities, and armies. Their words bear the same weight as a sealed decree, and it is treason to disregard them.
• Witnesses and Record-Keepers: Heralds witness and record oaths of fealty, land grants, marriages, and other noble agreements, ensuring that all such dealings are properly documented. Their accounts are kept in royal archives for future reference.
• Observers and Informants: Though they are not spies, heralds are the king’s eyes and ears, observing the actions of lords and commanders to report back to the royal court.
• Masters of Ceremony: At tournaments, feasts, and royal gatherings, heralds are responsible for announcing titles and precedents, ensuring that tradition and rank are upheld.
• Advisors in Matters of Law and Custom: With their deep knowledge of legal traditions, heralds act as advisors to nobles, helping to resolve disputes and ensure lawful governance.

The greater houses often employ their own heralds, distinct from the king’s appointed ones, but a royal herald is expected in every castle and holding of great import, ensuring that the king’s will is heard, understood, and properly enacted.

Religious Affiliations

“A kingdom without faith is a kingdom without foundation. A herald must understand the gods as well as the laws of man.”

While royal heralds serve the crown first, many of them hold personal devotion to deities whose domains align with their duties. Among them, three gods are the most commonly venerated.

• Zilchus – The God of Power and Authority: By far the most common patron of royal heralds, Zilchus represents influence, governance, and diplomacy. Those who follow him believe that power must be wielded wisely and decisively, and they see their role as ensuring that the king’s rule is enacted with order and respect.


• Pholtus – The God of Law and Order: Heralds who hold a more rigid view of their duty often venerate Pholtus, believing that the king’s word must be upheld as an immutable law. These heralds tend to be the most unyielding in their interpretation of duty, refusing to allow sentiment or compromise to weaken the kingdom’s structure.


• Delleb – The God of Reason and Record-Keeping: A smaller but respected sect of heralds follows Delleb, believing that their greatest duty is to preserve history and ensure that the king’s deeds are recorded faithfully. These heralds often keep detailed journals of their experiences, providing insights for future generations.

While no formal temple of heralds exists, each royal herald is expected to conduct personal devotions, and many consult clergy in matters of divine law and wisdom.

Attire and Insignia

Royal heralds are easily recognizable by their distinct attire and the symbols of their authority.

• The Herald’s Cloak and Robes: Heralds wear light blue cloaks and robes with silver trim, signifying their role as the king’s envoys. The colors reflect their neutrality in noble disputes, as they represent the crown above all factions.
• Royal Seal and Patents: Each herald carries a royal seal to authenticate decrees, as well as patents of office, proving their station and authority.
• Signet of Their Assigned Noble: Though they serve the crown, heralds assigned to a noble’s service also bear a signet ring of the house they represent, ensuring that their presence is recognized and respected at court.

The Herald in War

Though not warriors, heralds often ride with armies, announcing commands and recording the actions of noble commanders. They are not to be harmed or interfered with, and attacking a herald is considered treason. However, they are not granted the same immunity as priests or medics—if a herald bears a declaration of war, he may not leave the field before delivering it.

“A king’s word must travel faster than his sword. A herald’s duty is to ensure that when the sword is drawn, it is drawn with purpose.”

Heralds do not rule, but they ensure that rulers rule rightly. They do not command armies, but their words can shape the fate of battles. Whether in court, castle, or campaign, they remain steadfast in their purpose—to bear the will of the kingdom, and to see that it is remembered.