The Order of the Black Rose

The Black Rose is an order of warriors sworn to hunt down and slay undead monsters in Irolas. Based out of the Black Fort in the Kosmian mountains, just on the border between Otiko and Kosmia, the Order is made up primarily of Elves. However, any race may be allowed in their ranks.

## History

The Order of the Black Rose was founded in the year 227 B.E., after the defeat of the Elven necromancer Belegor. Following this victory the Council of the Woods forbade the practice of necromancy within the woods of Otiko and established The Order of the Black Rose, with the sole purpose of hunting necromancers and the monsters that they raise. For 80 years The Order aided the Council to enforce their ban on necromancy, until The Folly of Alagost. After the Council refused to punish Aralost for his crimes, Bornir Sarric, the Commander of the Order at the time, cut ties with the Council and declared The Order independent of Otiko. Bornir then moved The Black Rose into the edge of the mountains of Kosmian, outisde the control of both elves and dwarves, and established The Black Fort which has served as The Orders headquarters ever since.

## Organization

The Ranks of the Order of the Black Rose are as follows:

* Commander - The singular leader of The Order, a Commander serves for 50 years before stepping down and serving The Black Rose as a Master
* Master - Advisers to the Commander, Masters typically remain in the Black Keep. While at the Keep Masters train Pages, research new ways to fight the Undead, and provide council to other members of The Order. An Elder Knight or Vindicator can only be named Master by the Commander. Rarely, a Master may be called out of the Keep in order to once again combat the Undead.
* Vindicators - Death Knights that have perfected the art of combat. Vindicators are chosen champions of Nerull, and are gifted additional magical abilities by the Goddess of Death.
* Elder Knight - An Elder Knight is a Death Knight that has chosen to take on a Squire. Elder Knights and Squires travel in pairs until the Squire is granted the rank of Death Knight by a Master or the Commander. Elder Knights are considered equal in rank to Vindicators.
* Death Knight - A full fledged member of the Order, Death Knights journey the world slaying the Undead, hunting Necromancers, and battling the agents of Vecna.
* Steward - Members of The Order that have graduated from Squire, but do not hold the rank of Knight. A Steward may be a Knight that has been injured or grown too old to fight, or a Squire that has elected to study and pursue knowledge of the Undead instead of battling them directly. Stewards remain at the Black Keep, brewing potions, maintaining the castle, and teaching lessons to Pages. A Steward is technically equal in rank to a Death Knight, but often must work harder to prove their worth than their warrior counter parts.
* Squire - A graduated Page, Squires have received basic training in combat and knowledge of the Undead. A Squire roams the countryside along with an Elder Knight, from whom they receive the rest of their training.
* Page - An initiate that one days hopes to be named a true member of The Rose. Pages train, study, and work to maintain the Black Keep until such a time that they are deemed worthy to attempt the Shadow Trials. Upon their success a Page then swears the Black Oath and is named Squire.

## Notable Members

Fardan Pasalor - The first Commander of the Black Rose

Bornir Sarric - The second Commander of the Black Rose, separated the Order from the Council of the Woods.

Elro Tramaer - The sixth Commander of the Black Rose, Commander during the Battle of Shadows

Recknar Tramaer - A Vindicator in The Order and adopted son of Elro Tramaer, Recknar served The Order during The Search for the Primordial Stones and the subsequent Battle of Shadows. These accomplishments earned him the title of Keeper in the human nation of Kentor, the first member of The Black Rose to be given such a title.