The Black Sentinel Order
"I can think of no other group that shares the pure hatred for the undead that the Sentinels harbor. Driven by the edicts of the King of Bones, these zealots are relentless in their desire to purify the unholy blight upon Vanigraad. I'm just glad they're on our side." ~ Keldias Horgil, Sentinel Scribe.
Among the hunters of chaos that arose during the First Age, none are so driven as Nurean's Black Sentinels. Clad in their telltale black leather long coats over various types of armor, the Sentinels stand vigil over the continent. Searching for any signs of undead corruption that would seek to spread its unholy influence. Quartered within the Courtyard of Bones, these hunters receive blessings and guidance from clerics of the Death God. With whom they share a close and unwavering bond.
Founded ten years before the calamity of the Planar Confluence at the order of Taliyah Greyspine, a seasoned veteran of the Sanguine Conflict, and the Nurean High Priestess Morgiana Ebonlocke. The Black Sentinel Order was created with the soul purpose of consolidating and structuring the scattered witch, vampire, and undead hunters that often looked to the Nurean church for council and assistance. With their guidance, the Order would grow exponentially in the first decade of its life and coming to train hundreds of hunters. The two women would also bring in a paladin of Galatea, Horvath Naraya to augment the martial training of new recruits and teach the proper cremation rites to the Sentinels.
The Sentinels do not discriminate against race, or background when looking at potential new hunters. Nor do they require a devotion to Nurean in order to be inducted. All they ask of their recruits is their unyielding oath to purge the blight of undeath anywhere it may try to hide. As such, before being swore in as official Sentinels and as part of initial training, recruits are required to study the Librum Necromantis. A consolidated tome of knowledge on every species of undead the Order knows of. A recruit should be able to vividly recall, and describe, no less than 15 different types of undead before taking the Oath of Bones. This was made a requirement by Paladin Naraya shortly after his introduction into the Order after losing over a dozen Sentinels on a failed expedition into the Blood Coast to purge the spreading vampire threat shortly after the Planar Confluence.
All members of the Black Sentinels, under the direction of High Priestess Ebonlocke, receive their orders from the Lady of Bones. A seer who communes directly with Nurean, the Death God. It is from this young woman, and the blood filled scrying basin she utilizes, that the Sentinels get their divine directed assignments. It is said that the Death God gives his Seer visions through the pool that she must then interpret and pass on to the High Priestess. This guidance from Nurean then takes priority over all other requests to the Order. Sentinels are called back from assignment where Morgiana, Taliyah, and Horvath then decide who best to send on the divine directive. These assignments are among some of the most dangerous and important hunts that the Order will ever undertake. It was one such assignment to the Blood Coast that Horvath lost his 12 Sentinels. Barely returning to the Courtyard himself.
Select members of the Order also choose to undertake a ceremony known as the Bloodletting. Where the blood of monsters is infused into a willing host to mutate their bodies in order to better combat the evils they swore to destroy. To some these Sentinels become the very thing revile, but their efficacy as Blood Hunters can never be called into question. There are many different schools that a Blood Hunter may study, each with its own instructor within the Order. But all are overseen by Horvath's Paladins, to ensure they never succumb to unholy blood that now flows through their veins.
All of the kingdoms differ to the Sentinels where undead are concerned. Averhiem even going so far as to grant special amnesty to the Order so that its members may freely perform the schools of magic necessary to combat any threat they may encounter. All requests pass through the Raven Tower, a roost of ravens that serve as communication between the Courtyard of Bones and the Vanigraad continent. Everyone from the highest noble of Twilight's Crossing in Averheim, to the lowest born street rat on the docks of Port Carnival are allowed to submit requests to the Black Sentinels. Payment for services are negotiated when a request is accepted and Sentinels can choose to waive payment entirely depending on the circumstance. Instead only requiring a pilgrimage to to Courtyard of Bones and a small tribute to the King of Bones. This method of operation has garnered the Sentinels a silvered reputation among the common folk and many treat them with respect and caution in equal measure.
Turn the hunters into the hunted.
Type
Religious, Holy Order
Alternative Names
The Sentinel Order or just Sentinels.
Deities
Location
Friendly with the Vault Seekers
The Black Sentinels will occasionally accompany a team of Vault Seekers should they require escort through areas where undead presence is either heavy or unknown. This is done to provide support to the Seeker teams and ensure all parties return safely.
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