The Order of the Silver Veil: Guardians Against the Abyss

Founding of the Order 10500 AM

The Order of the Silver Veil was born from the ashes of the Pact of the Veilblood, five centuries after its founding and after it was torn apart by internal strife and the death of Elyssara Veyne. Following the schism, the Order emerged under the leadership of The Harbinger, who believed the only way to combat the growing threat of the Voidbane’s remnants was to wield its power in a controlled manner. Rejecting the reliance on unstable blood magic, the Order instead embraced controlled eldritch mutations, binding fragments of lesser entities to their warriors to create a force capable of confronting supernatural horrors.

The Order of the Silver Veil adopted the mantra: "Strength through control, purpose through sacrifice." Its members believed that the best way to defeat the Voidbane's influence was to understand and master the same eldritch power that spawned it. The Order’s warriors, called the Silverbound, underwent Rites of Veiling to bond themselves with fragments of eldritch entities. These bonds gave them supernatural abilities but came with risks of corruption and monstrous transformation.

The Order’s mission became threefold.

1. Neutralize Abyssal Shards

Seek out and destroy the remnants of the Voidbane scattered across Caemothas.

2. Contain Corruption

Imprison or eliminate beings corrupted by Voidspawn or other unnatural forces.

3. Hunt Supernatural Threats

Destroy fiends, aberrations, and other entities that prey on mortals.

The Silverbound and Their Formation

The Rites of Veiling created the Silverbound, warriors who were more than human but less than monsters. These warriors were limited to 42 active members at any time due to the complexity of their creation and the danger of their existence. Each Silverbound underwent significant physical and mental changes, making them both powerful and alien.

All Silverbound develop distinct features from their eldritch bonds, including glowing silver eyes, vein-like runes across their skin, and light hair. These augmentations are unique to each warrior, with some appearing more monstrous than others.

These warriors display enhanced speed, strength, and resilience. They gain the ability to detect and resist Void corruption. Limited eldritch abilities such as spectral shields, shadow manipulation, or energy-based attacks are often developed. In desperate situations, a Silverbound can fully unleash their bonded entity’s power, transforming into an eldritch hybrid with immense destructive capabilities. This, however, pushes them closer to corruption.

The Rites of Veiling are a double-edged sword. Prolonged use of their abilities risks turning a Silverbound into an uncontrollable abomination, a state known as Unveiling. The Order enforces strict protocols to ensure that such members are swiftly neutralized.

Key Events

The Rise of the Silver Veil 10965 AM

After the Pact’s collapse, the Harbinger gathered surviving members who still believed in the use of eldritch power. The Sanctum of Chains, a fortress hidden in the mountains of Kiyoage, became the Order’s first stronghold and training ground.

The Sealg Creach 10970 AM

The Order proved its worth by neutralizing an Abyssal Shard in the jungles of Brocéliarm, where Void corruption had twisted the landscape into a nightmare. Though victorious, the Order lost seven warriors to Unveiling, a grim reminder of the sacrifices required.

The Rift Wars 60500 AE

During the Sorrow War, the Order allied with the Elysium Empire to confront the Primordials and their elemental armies. However, their use of eldritch power led to tensions with the Empire’s magitech forces, and their alliance fractured after the Siege of Aeterna Regalis, where the Order was accused of abandoning their allies to confront a Void-corrupted fiend.

The Abyssal Vault Sealed 100001 ME

In Mauvaiscolac, the Order sealed a massive Void rift located within the ancient Abyssal Vault, a site tied to the Voidbane’s initial incursion. This act solidified their role as the primary line of defense against the Voidspawn but cost them several key Silverbound warriors.

Territories and Strongholds

Sanctum of Chains

The Order’s headquarters, a monastic fortress where Silverbound are trained and their powers are kept in check. The Sanctum is warded against both physical and magical threats. No one is exactly sure where this place is. Rumor and myth are the only leads.

Vault of Shadows

A subterranean citadel where the Order imprisons corrupted entities and studies eldritch phenomena. It is the site of their most dangerous experiments and rituals located somewhere in Bruasia.

Shadowed Spire

A towering stronghold in the Celtic-inspired lands of Tarnith, used as both a forward base and a sanctuary for those fleeing Void corruption.

Rivalry with the Crimson Circle

The Order’s relationship with the Crimson Circle has been defined by animosity and philosophical differences

The Order’s Perspective

The Circle’s reliance on mutation is viewed as crude and reckless, a poor substitute for the precision and discipline of eldritch binding.

The Circle’s Perspective

The Order is seen as dangerously arrogant, playing with powers beyond mortal comprehension and endangering the world with their hubris. Their clashes often occur in contested regions like Bariculbos and Vindamosa, where relics of the Pact of the Veilblood and Abyssal Shards are most commonly found.

Present-Day Role

In the modern era, the Order of the Silver Veil stands as a bastion against the lingering horrors of the Voidbane. Their warriors are sent across Caemothas, often alone or in small groups, to confront supernatural threats. While respected for their effectiveness, they are also feared for their otherworldly nature and the toll of their power.