Grave Warden (grayv wor-dn)

For many of us, the wounds of Venidon are memories of yesterday, still fresh in our minds. To see the sacrifice that saved our people corrupted into these walking mockeries of life serves as a reminder of our failure and our obligation to do better.
~Teregan Vilna, Grave Warden

Trained in an undisclosed location in southern Nuaira, the Grave Wardens bring magic, faith, and blade against the Undead of Orela.

Career

Qualifications

Applicants to the Grave Wardens must have a desire to destroy the undead in the world. While no specific skillset is required for membership, those who practice arcaneor divine magictend to excel.

Payment & Reimbursement

The Grave Wardens earn a stipend during their training to cover living expenses, but once they are commissioned they are expected to make their own way in the world.

Perception

Purpose

Grave Wardens travel throughout Omath, seeking out undead to destroy. They frequently take on other commissions for pay or in trade for services, giving them the perception of being mercenaries.

Social Status

Pray you never meet a Grave Warden, boy. If you do, you need to worry about what they're hunting.

While many Grave Wardens are valued, especially in regions with frequent undead problems, they are also viewed as somewhat removed from society as a whole and thus with reverence and apprehension. 
In a strange reversal of normal hostilities, even militant Ezirandi show respect to Grave Wardens.

Demographics

The number of Grave Wardens is a closely-guarded secret and fluctuates due to high fatality rates, but it is speculated that less than one-tenth of one percent of the Nuaira are Grave Wardens. Non-Nuaira Grave Wardens exist, though they are exceptionally rare as entrance to the Kingdom of Nuaira is difficult for outsiders.

Operations

Tools

The tools of the Grave Warden vary depending on their training and method, but all Grave Wardens bear an amulet depicting a sword driven into a cairn. This identifies the wearer as a Grave Warden and bears an arcane sigil with the name of the bearer. Upon receiving their commission, a Grave Warden is taught the incantation to reveal the sigil, allowing them to verify the bearer is actually a member of the corps.
Those who falsely wear a Grave Warden's amulet risk extrajudicial execution -- if the Grave Warden who discovers the deception is not in a position to carry out the execution, they are expected to pass a message to the corps so that one can be assigned.

Dangers & Hazards

As might be expected from fighting undead, the life of a Grave Warden is fraught with danger. Many freshly-commissioned Grave Wardens do not live more than a year, falling prey to their quarry.

Type

Military

Legality

The only nation in which Grave Wardens are legal is the Kingdom of Nuaira, but no kingdom prohibits their presence or operation. Even the Magocracy of Ezir permits them to operate within their borders, provided the Grave Warden completes their commission and departs immediately.

Used By

• Kingdom of Nuaira