Silver Horn

Sigil of the Silver Horn

## Common Knowledge

The Silver Horn is an organization in Kuragma that trains people in the ways of being a Paladin. Its Paladins tend to travel around Orelisle and help where they can.

## Further Description

The Order of the Silver Horn, usually referred to as simply the Silver Horn, is an organization based in Kuragma with a focus on training those who wish to become Paladins. Their motto is *“Walk with Justice”*.

## Purpose and Practices

This section should detail what the organization/institution aims to do, as well as any major/wiki-worthy practices of the group. Purpose can range from teaching to worshiping a god to governing a country. Practices can range from occult rituals to feeding the homeless. Any other customs/traditions/endeavors/etc. go here as well.

## History

### Location

The Silver Horn is located in Kuragma in a large building called the Silver Halls. It contains dormitories for its members, large spaces for training both indoors and outdoors, a forge, a conference room for the Exarch Council, kitchens, and many other rooms to accommodate the needs of its members.

### Founding and History

The Silver Horn was founded by its current Highlord, Thanatos Bloodfist, soon after he himself became a Paladin. Originally, the Silver Horn was made up for the most part of Kuragmans before word spread and others began to seek it out and train there. It began with ten Arms, the current ones minus the Arm of Guiding Light. It also acted for some time as the Kuragman military but recently has been distancing itself as a separate entity focused on Paladins rather than Kuragma’s political matters. The Silver Horn played a major part in combatting the Fel in the Fel Wars in K’vesten, recruiting the Binturians to help in their efforts. Highlord Thanatos eventually promoted Justicar Neona Tishkaw to Exarch of a new Arm, simply known as the “Binturian Branch” before Neona named it the Arm of Guiding Light. This new Arm was meant to act as the go-between for the Silver Horn and Binturia. The creation of the Arm of Guiding Light also spurred efforts within the organization to turn the Silver Horn into a safe haven for those who needed it and a place to learn all types of skills rather than solely a place recruiting people to become Paladins and low-key serve in Kuragma’s interest. Currently, Highlord Thanatos is leading an extermination of the Undead in Eriene Necros.

### Notable Members

#### Thanatos Bloodfist

Thanatos is a Kuragman, the current King of Kuragma, as well as the first and current Highlord of the Silver Horn. A former Binturian, he formed the Silver Horn in an effort to spread the ways of Paladins across Orelisle, but for a long while his efforts were isolated to Kuragma. He tended to use the Silver Horn as a Kuragman military of sorts while Kuragma got back onto its feet, his position as a royal of Kuragma and as the head of the Silver Horn causing conflicts of interests. However, as of recently, he has separated the necessities of Kuragma and the Silver Horn itself, focusing the Silver Horn more on upholding the values of Paladins rather than using it as a personal army. When there are matters involving Binturia, he withholds his input to avoid any biases.

#### Neona Tishkaw

Neona is a lynx-folk, a former Binturian, a Paladin of Polaris, and the current Exarch of the young Arm of Guiding Light. She was originally recruited as a Justicar of the Arm of Infinite Redemption upon rescuing Exarch Fenrir Oburos from an ambush in which one of his Justicars was killed. She was later promoted to Exarch and Thanatos entrusted her to create a new Arm of the Silver Horn that would act as a liaison between the Silver Horn and the Binturian Party to make efforts to work with the Binturians less complicated. She also took it upon herself to use her Arm as a shelter for anyone who might need it, inviting people across Orelisle – including a number of Binturians – to become members to any degree they choose, whether it’s to be trained as an Initiate or simply come to learn and have a place to escape to if necessary. She visits the Silver Horn whenever she can, but she spends a lot of her time traveling across Orelisle carrying out her duties to Polaris, sometimes inviting people she meets along the way to visit the Silver Horn as guests in her Arm.

#### Carina Rocio

Carina is an encantado who disguises herself as a normal human by always wearing a hat or helmet. She was formerly a Justicar of the Arm of Righteous Intent, under Exarch Barrin Stomphowler, during which she acted as the go-between for the Binturians and the Silver Horn during the Sanctuarian Battle of K’vesten and led the Silver Horn troops who helped the cause. She offered her advice and support before and during the battle, helping the Binturians to patch any flaws in their plans. She was later moved to be the Head Justicar of the Arm of Guiding Light, under Exarch Neona Tishkaw, since she was already familiar with the Binturians and had worked with them. Seeing as Neona is often off carrying out her duties to Polaris, she oversees the Arm in her absence.

## Hierarchy

From highest rank to lowest rank, the hierarchy of the Silver Horn is as follows:

1. Highlord
2. Exarch
3. Justicar
4. Knight
5. Acolyte
6. Initiate

### Highlord

The Highlord is the commander and overall leader of the Silver Horn. They are responsible for overseeing the Exarchs and being the public face, for the most part, of the Silver Horn. They hold grand authority over each member of the Silver Horn. They must approve all promotions in rank Knight and above, and they have a non-voting seat in the Exarch Council unless a tie-breaker is needed.

### Exarch

Exarchs are directly subservient to the Highlord. They are the primary commanders of the Silver Horn. Each has authority over an “Arm” of the Silver Horn that they get to name themselves. They make up the Exarch Council, which acts as an advisory body to the Highlord. The Exarch Council will meet to discuss what action the Silver Horn should take in response to threats across Orelisle or issues within the Silver Horn itself, and decides based on plurality vote. If there is a tie in votes, then the Highlord gets the tie-breaking vote. Exarchs are personally chosen by the Highlord and are considered the most elite warriors in the Silver Horn. Exarchs have a small plaque with the Silver Horn’s emblem on it that represents their rank and can be used as a form of identification. There is a Grand Exarch who leads the Exarch Council and is the second-in-command of the Silver Horn under the Highlord.

### Justicar

Justicars are sub-commanders who report directly to their commanding Exarch. There are several Justicars in an Arm, who each command a squadron of Knights within that Arm. This rank is granted to those who have demonstrated considerable skill in commanding troops in battle and are exceptionally just. They serve as field commanders and function similarly to a conventional lieutenant. They train groups of Initiates. There is Head Justicar of each Arm who helps the Exarch oversee the other Justicars of the Arm.

### Knight

Knight is the lowest active rank in the Silver Horn. They form the backbone of the Silver Horn, carrying out day-to-day tasks. They often wander Orelisle, going where they are needed most, usually working in pairs or larger groups, or joining new parties. They are sometimes called back to the Silver Horn in times of need, although it is there choice to join those endeavors or not unless they are directly ordered by the Highlord or their Exarch to help. At this rank, a member of the Silver Horn can fully use Paladin magic.

### Acolyte

At this rank, a member begins practicing Paladin magic. They each serve directly under an approved Knight, following them, observing them, and taking part in their actions on occasion, almost like a squire. They must pass a series of three trials – Honor, Strength, and Justice – to graduate to Knight.

### Initiate

An Initiate is a new Paladin hopeful and trains in a group under a Justicar. They do not train yet in the concepts of Paladin magic. Instead, they undergo training in the Paladin Code, combat, the history of Paladins, and the responsibilities of being a Knight of the Silver Horn. When their Justicar feels they are ready and if the Initiate decides to stay in the Silver Horn, they graduate to Acolyte. Some Initiates decide to stay only temporarily in the Silver Horn in order to improve their combat skills and learn the basics of being a Paladin, at which case they can leave without any obligation to the Silver Horn.

## Structure

The current Highlord of the Silver Horn is King Thanatos Bloodfist of Kuragma, and the current Grand Exarch is Tellius Fire-Fist. Every Arm has the same naming convention, *“Arm of” + Adjective + Noun.* There are currently eleven Arms of the Silver Horn.

* Arm of Immutable Harmony
	+ Led by Grand Exarch Tellius Fire-Fist, Kuragman
* Arm of Furious Retribution
	+ Led by Exarch Selvala Greenleaf, Wood Elf
* Arm of Righteous Intent
	+ Led by Exarch Barrin Stomphowler, Human
* Arm of Indomitable Will
	+ Led by Elspeth Sunfury, High Elf
* Arm of Unbreakable Honor
	+ Led by Exarch Tarawyn Daxos, Human
* Arm of Sovereign Freedom
	+ Led by Exarch Nylea Thunder-Maw, Kuragman
* Arm of Unstoppable Justice
	+ Led by Exarch Menelaeus Ember-Born, Kuragman
* Arm of Unwavering Truth
	+ Led by Exarch Thorim Foehammer, Dwarf
* Arm of Infinite Redemption
	+ Led by Exarch Fenrir Oburos, Wolf-Folk
* Arm of Supreme Mercy
	+ Led by Exarch Athreos Stone-Heart, Kuragman
* Arm of Guiding Light, a.k.a. “The Binturan Branch”
	+ Led by Exarch Neona Tishkaw, Lynx-Folk

## Philosophy and Culture

### Paladin Creed

All members of the Silver Horn are required to learn and honor the Paladin Creed, which is as follows:

> *I am a Paladin,*
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> *I am the sword of justice,*
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> *The shield of the weak,*
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> *The protector of the innocent,*
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> *And the bane of the wicked.*
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> *The Light is my weapon,*
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> *Righteousness, my cause.*
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> *I act without contempt,*
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> *My heart set in its duty.*
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> *I answer the call,*
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> *To dispense judgement to those who would bring chaos to this world.*
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> *Beware my retribution,*
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> *For mercy is granted only to the worthy.*
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> *Justitia retributionem.*
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### Mandates

In addition to the Paladin Creed, all members of the Silver Horn are expected to uphold the mandates of the Silver Horn, which are as follows:

* To preserve the principles of Justice, Honor, Peace, and Freedom across Orelisle.
* To protect the weak and punish the wicked.
* To combat the greatest threats that Chaos brings to these lands.

The Silver Horn also has a mandate in place that it does not operate in Binturia unless an extreme emergency arises, and even then the current Highlord, Thanatos Bloodfist, must usually recuse himself due to conflict of interest. If there is a need for communication between the Silver Horn and the Binturian Party, it is defaulted to the Arm of Guiding Light.

### Knight Trials

Before an Acolyte can become a Knight, they must pass a series of trials. These trials are modeled after the three Kuragman trials faced by those who climb Mt. Solon. The trials are the Trial of Honor, the Trial of Strength, and the Trial of Justice. The Trials of Strength and Honor are individually tailored to each Acolyte, however the Trial of Justice is identical from Acolyte to Acolyte.

The Trial of Justice pits the Acolyte against a mirror image of themselves created via ritual, but this image is their perfect opposite. The Acolyte must destroy this dark clone in order to symbolically conquer their own inner evil.

### Attire and Salute

The main colors of the Silver Horn are blue and gray/silver. Most members where a tabard or badge with the Silver Horn’s emblem on it when out representing it across Orelisle.

The Silver Horn’s salute is in honor of the salute used by the Jericho Army, which Highlord Thanatos once served in: left arm across the chest, fist clenched against the right shoulder.

### Entry Cards

Members of the Silver Horn ranked Justicar or higher are allowed to give entry cards signed by them to people across Orelisle that they consider to be allies or potential members of the Silver Horn. If someone presents one of these cards while visiting the Silver Horn, they are considered a friend and are allowed in, otherwise they must be approved by a high-ranking member of the Silver Horn before entering.

### Arm of Guiding Light

The Arm of Guiding Light is also called “The Binturian Branch” and is meant to act as the liaison for the Silver Horn and the Binturian Party. It is at the moment the newest, and smallest, Arm of the Silver Horn. If there is a need for the Silver Horn to get involved in Binturian matters, then members of this Arm are the first to investigate the situation and decide the degree of involvement that is necessary, as well as if members of other Arms will be needed. This Arm also acts as a space for anyone, Paladin hopeful or otherwise, to come in and exchange information and teach skills of all kinds, as well as seek out shelter if they need it. Members of this Arm can come and go as they please, as not all of them are specifically training to become Paladins and can choose to only loosely be considered members of the Silver Horn.

## Further Information

* The Binturian Party
* Jericho
* Kuragma
* K'Vesten
* Radiance
* Thanatos Blood-Fist