Hektoran Order
The Hektoran Order is a notorious mercenary band that specializes in taking on jobs deemed as suicide missions by others. Despite the odds against them, they have a surprisingly high success rate. One of the most recognizable features of the order is their visage masks, which they never remove in the presence of others, including fellow members. It is rumored that anyone who catches a glimpse of the face behind a mask is marked for death.
The masks are bestowed upon new members as part of an initiation ritual upon completion of a dangerous trial. The visage masks serve as a symbol of unity and anonymity among the members, reinforcing their loyalty to the order above all else. The Hektoran Order is known for taking in orphans, including the children of their enemies, and raising them to become members. These children are trained by the order and are required to undergo the same trials when they come of age.
As a member of the order completes jobs and collects bounties, they return with proof to the order to earn merit. As members of the order gain merit and rise through the ranks, they are expected to take on colors that represent certain personality aspects they choose to embody. These colors do not have specific meanings, but rather the individual assigns their own personal meaning to them. However, the order may reject certain color-meaning pairs if they are deemed antithetical to the order's values. Those who have not earned their colors wear unpainted metal armor and grey-washed leathers.
Structure
- Grandmaster: The highest-ranking member of the order who oversees all operations and makes final decisions that affect the entire order.
- Sect Leaders: Each sect of the order has its own leader who reports to the Grandmaster. There may be several sects within the order, each with its own unique symbol and set of skills.
- Trainers: Members of the order who are responsible for training and instructing the younger members.
- Support Staff: Non-combatant members of the order who provide logistical support and other services to the mercenaries. This includes cooks, blacksmiths, and healers.
- Senior Members: Experienced members of the order who have completed their trial and have earned their house signet and visage mask.
- Junior Members: Newly initiated members of the order who have yet to complete their trial.
- Orphans: Children who are taken in by the order and trained to become members. They begin their training as early as possible and are required to undergo the trial when they come of age.
Culture
The Hektoran Order is a meritocracy, where members gain rank and status based on their contributions to the order. While some work within the order to support others, most become mercenaries or bounty hunters, and use the reward money to contribute to the order. This practice has been deeply ingrained in their culture for centuries.
Members of the order undergo years of training and are then required to complete a dangerous trial, which earns them two important symbols of the order: their house signet and their visage mask. The house signet takes the form of a dangerous beast the member had slain during their trial. This determines to which sect of the order they belong and to whom they answer. The beast must have been slain honorably in single combat.
The visage mask represents their commitment to the order itself. The mask cannot be removed within the sight of anyone once it has been donned, even other members of the order. To repent for their face having been revealed and prove they are still committed to the order, the member must kill all who have seen their face. This has led to a widespread rumor that seeing the face of a Hektorian mercenary means you are marked for death by all Hektorians.
The visage masks also play an important role in the order's funerary practices. As such, any member who finds a mask in the possession of an outsider must reclaim it and return it to the order. For many outsiders, this makes them prized treasures as trophies and curiosities, despite the risk it poses. Few outside the Hektoran Order understand their true significance. When a member of the order dies, their mask is removed and displayed in the Hall of Masks, a sacred chamber within the order's stronghold. The Hall of Masks is off-limits to outsiders, and any attempt to steal a mask is seen as a grave offense punishable by death.
Children play a crucial role in the growth of the order. While the order will take in any able-bodied warrior, children provide a chance to train and hone their skills over a much longer time. As such, members of the order are expected to "reclaim" any orphans they come across as part of their duties. While this practice may seem noble on the surface, the children are given no say in the matter and are taken even if they have other kin who could take them in. Many children also die from injury or exhaustion during the years of training they endure and are not remembered for it since they had yet to earn their mask.
Public Agenda
The inner workings of the Hektoran Order are not well known to the general public. Most people view members of the order as highly skilled warriors who will undertake any task for the right price and never fail to complete their mission.
For royals, nobility, and those with the wealth to hire mercenaries, members of the Hektoran Order are the go-to option for jobs that require extraordinary expertise. Despite their reputation, their prices are high, making them a last resort for some or the only option for jobs that no one else will take on.
History
The Hektorian Order was once a clandestine organization that trained to become the deadliest warriors. However, following the Demon's Gate disaster, as the world became increasingly perilous, they broke their secrecy and gained a reputation as highly effective mercenaries and bounty hunters.
During the initial outbreak, the demons claimed a vast expanse of land and continued to advance, spreading their chaos. The neighboring regions lacked the power to fend them off. When the demon's frontline began to approach lands held by the Hektorian Order, the Hektorian Elders declared it was time to break their secrecy, reveal themselves to the world, and drive back the demon threat. The addition of the Hektorian Order's Duskblades to the battle helped turn the tide, and the mortal races finally began to reclaim ground against the demons. This was the turning point for the Hektorian Order, as it went from being relatively unknown to having a reputation for combat ability.
The Hektorian Order's involvement in the demon war was pivotal, as their Duskblades' unique abilities made them valuable assets on the front lines. Their capacity to channel spells through their weapons gave them an edge in close combat, while their proficiency in armor and spellcasting made them highly mobile on the battlefield.
As the Hektorian Order fought alongside other mortal races to repel the demons, they gained recognition and respect for their combat prowess. Their training methods and techniques were highly sought after, and many warriors sought to emulate their style of combat.
In the years following the war, the Hektorian Order continued to operate as a secret organization, but their reputation as skilled warriors grew. They began to take on contracts as mercenaries and bounty hunters while adhering to their strict code of conduct and their focus on combat training. They also began to share their knowledge and expertise with other warriors who sought to learn from them.
Today, the Hektorian Order is no longer a covert organization, and their Duskblades can be found worldwide, fighting for noble causes or seeking their own fortune. Their legacy lives on in the tales of their heroic deeds during the demon war, and their unique style of combat remains highly respected and coveted by warriors of all stripes.
Type
Guild, Fighter / Mercenary
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