The Ninth Order
Some 15 miles south of Korvosa stands Citadel Vraid, the black-iron fortress of the Hellknight Ninth Order. From its grim fastness, this autonomous legion of law-bringers seeks to enforce its own harsh vision of order upon Quarren, meeting out law with blade and iron-shod boot. Unconcerned with the petty trivialities of morality, Hellknights are fanatics of law, adhering only to their harsh vision of old age order and their own unyielding sense of honor. To this end, the rare signifiers of the legion have been known to call upon the aid of powerful beings that share in their totalitarian approach to uphold the rule of law and the ways of order.
Members of the Ninth Order are found in greater numbers in Korvosa than in any other settlement in Quarren. The Korvosan Guard bristles at the occasional unrequested aid of the harsh-minded knights, but it begrudgingly accepts their results and acknowledges their effectiveness. The city’s government has little interaction with the knights except for occasionally employing contingents on a case-by-case military basis, much like common mercenaries, and welcomes their contributions in subjugating the wilds surrounding the city’s holdings. The city’s monarchy, however, holds a decades-old grudge, dating back to the order’s refusal to obey the Korvosan crown almost immediately after the citiy's subjugation. This sentiment is shared by the people, who fear, despise, and misunderstand the knights—often referred to as “Korvosa’s Devils”—but none dare speak openly against them, fearing the carte blanche with which they enforce the laws of order
Structure
The order is currently commanded by Lictor Severs “Boneclaw” DiVri, with Mistress of Blades Maidrayne Vox presiding over its martial forces and Paravicar Acillmar directing the order’s signifiers.
Culture
Like all of the Hellknight orders before them, those of the Ninth order believe themselves to be above morality, caring only for the establishment of righteous order at all costs. Strong martial traditions, strength, force, and intimidation are the primary virtues of the order, well represented by their distinctive horned helms and ornamental breastplates featuring the head of a great beast or even the demons fought by the old orders (each member of the Order’s armor being unique, but bearing these features). That is where the distinction ends, however, as the Ninth Order has little to worry about in way of demonic incursion or corruption after the great success of the old orders from before The Breaking. Many of the same practices are upheld as tradition, but have lost their meaning without the constant threat of chaotic outsiders faced millennia ago by their ideological ancestors. The Ninth Order is viewed by many as little more than a well equipped band of mercenaries compared to their ancient namesakes, but they bear the same unwavering approach to order and law as those before them and enforce it readily as brutal shock troops and tools of martial law when the need arises.
Type
Military, Mercenary Group
Training Level
Semi-professional
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Leader
Leader Title
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
Notable Members
Comments