Order of the Sacred Roses
The Order of the Sacred Roses is a militant order dedicated to specific Fiore traditions and codes. Respected within Fiore society, the Order contains honorable people who are concerned with the image of the race as well as the greater good of life in general. It is based in Seaview, though its members range far and wide across Omath and Orela.
History
Originally founded in 1427 by Hartford Devins, the title 'Warrior of the Roses' was, at first, a joke. Hartford was known throughout Seaview as an expert rose gardener, with his love for his plants measuring up to that for his wife, Omelia. Hartford was humble to a fault, as well as very easy-going and quick to laugh, even at his own expense.
In the spring of 1427, the hamlet of Seaview was invaded by an army of Golai, hell-bent on destroying the Folk. While they met their match in the Sheriffs of the village, one golai managed to escape from their blades. Two nights after the victory, Hartford awoke to a strange sound in his garden. Looking out his window, his eyes came upon the golai trudging through the roses, blade drawn, toward his neighbor's burrow. As the rose blossoms crushed under the beast's feet, Hartford felt something build within him, a rage that burned brighter than any fire.
Bursting from his burrow, he caught the goblin completely by surprise. His charge and subsequent tackle drove them both clear of the roses and, in a moment's time, Hartford had killed the beast with his bare hands. The noise had alerted the Sheriffs, who seemed a bit shocked when they came upon him, covered in blood and tending to his roses.
The mayor was informed, and he congratulated Hartford for his valorous deed. Many jokes circulated, to which everyone, including Hartford, laughed merrily. The greatest joke was perhaps from the blacksmith, who labored to create a blade for Hartford. The blade was a fine creation: rose-hued steel etched with rose stems and blossoms, its pommel carved into the likeness of a rose in full bloom. With the blade came the appellate 'Warrior of the Roses', and Hartford, smiling all the while, placed the blade above his hearth.
When he passed on his son, Tillon, received the blade. Tillon was a man of courage and honor, full of fire and determination. In his days, he turned the title from a joke to a true honor, for he took the rose blade and actively went out to destroy the goblin menace. He held himself to a strict code of conduct, becoming quite a noble warrior much praised and respected by the halflings of Seaview. With the profits made by killing golai he commissioned a shield to bear his standard. A buckler rimmed with rose-colored gold, painted a light brown and bearing the image of a rose in full bloom.
As Tillon aged, he married and settled down, laying his sword atop the mantle as his father had done before him. Above the sword hung the shield, a testament of his devotion and prowess. When his son Bayzhil expressed his desire to take up the adventurous life, Tillon told him of his deeds as Warrior of the Roses and passed down a written record of the code that governed his ways. Bayzhil set out adventuring, living by the Code, and, a few years later, received the rose blade and shield.
For many years Bayzhil adventured, fighting the evils that lurked the realms. Many years were spent along the King's Way, fighting the goblins that infested the Iniek Forest like parasites. His blade skills were quite impressive, and many people outside his race took notice of his ways and prowess, as well as his talent for performing. By the time he sought to return to Seaview, he was known as the Warrior of the Roses and Rose Bard of Sinclair. He had made many friends, including the man that would live by the Code just as he had for these years.
Bayzhil had no family of his own, save his parents, so he had no heir to pass the Traditions to. After many nights of prayer and contemplation, he made a choice. He would pass down the Traditions to the noblest warrior of the Folk he could find. Fortunately, the warrior was closeby, in the form of his ally and friend Tinndor. Tinndor accepted the duties with honor, having lived by a closely similar code of conduct for most of his life. Bayzhil parted ways with his successor after assuring his confidance, and returned to Seaview.
As Bayzhil had done, Tinndor found himself drawn to the Iniek Forest and the King's Way. There he constantly fought against the goblins, who had been drawn together under the symbol of a dark god, Greth.
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