The Gauntlets

## Relationships

### Allies

The Lunar Guard, The Sundom, The Long Shadow, The Travelers, Temple of Netia, Temple of Zine, Temple of Erasil, Temple of Thusur, Temple of Ena, Temple of Muna

### Enemies

The Barons, Temple of Bana, Temple of Fivor, Temple of Colir, Temple of Vexar, Temple of Rathos

The Gauntlets are one of the major factions in Lunareth, their influence even spreading to other planes in the multiverse. They adhere to the Oath of The Gauntlets, serving the greater good, no matter the cost. They also operate gratis, never expecting or demanding recompense for their good deeds.

## Oath of The Gauntlets

> "I solemnly pledge myself to The Gauntlets, bound by selflessness, courage, compassion, righteousness, and humility. I give my life in service of the greater good, putting the needs of others before my own. To confront adversity with unwavering passion, foster unity among all, and continually strive for peace and prosperity. I swear to uphold this oath, and its responsibilities, with honor and dignity, rejecting recompense for my service. Today, I transcend personal glory, and vow to uphold these tenets for as long as I live. So, I swear."
>
>

## Tenets of The Gauntlets

* **Selflessness**: Your needs may not come before those you serve.
* **Courage**: Do not yield in the face of adversity, face it and endure.
* **Compassion**: Lend your ear to all who have struggles, offer help to even the most destitute.
* **Righteousness**: The greater good prevails through you, you must not fail it.
* **Humility**: Resist the allure of gifts and prices; the urge of pride and glory.

## Ranks and Hierarchy

While The Gauntlets do not operate under guilds, creeds, or sovereigns, they do however have ranks, signifying their commitment to the cause. There are also auxiliary ranks within The Gauntlets, people who have not taken the oath, but offer help to Gauntlets, such as providing basic needs like food and shelter, or offering information.

### Gauntlet Ranks

**Foundling**: The first stage of any Gauntlet, Foundlings are honorary members of The Gauntlets, proven by their determination, compassion, or skills. Through many trials and tests, Foundlings learn the basics on becoming a Gauntlet before officially taking up the oath.

**Guardian**: Upon taking the Oath of The Gauntlets, Foundlings become Guardians, servants of the greater good. Guardians are not yet nomadic, being ordered to remain within a certain area, providing their services there. While a great many Gauntlets have this rank, they are still separated by seniority within this rank. Guardians who spent the longest time in service of the oath are considered higher up in the hierarchy than freshly oath-sworn Guardians.

**Gauntlet**: Once a Guardian's deeds are monumental enough, they are promoted to Gauntlet. Gauntlets leave their homes, families, and possessions behind and become nomadic, serving the people of Lunareth and even the multiverse in their journeys. Being a Gauntlet is an incredible honor, and an equally incredible responsibility. They are given free reign into foreign nations, and treated with ultimate respect.

**Oath-Bound**: After many decades of upholding the oath, Gauntlets can choose to retire without consequence or become Oath-Bound, a highly important role within The Gauntlets. The Oath-Bound monitor and oversee the upholding of the oath by other Guardians and Gauntlets from within their base of Operations in Mythspire. They are also responsible for punishing oathbreakers of the Oath of The Gauntlets. Oath-Bound cannot break their oath, as their last sacrifice before ascending to this rank is their free will. To be Oath-Bound is to become the oath, and resistance is impossible. Regarded with highest respect, the Oath-Bound are seen as the ultimate forces of good.

### Auxiliary Ranks

**Samaritan**: Samaritans are people who have demonstrated great kindness to their community and The Gauntlets that serve them. Samaritans are usually shop owners, artisans, and local figureheads who swear to help members of The Gauntlets with anything they require. Not required to take the oath, Samaritans come and go.

**Auxiliaries**: Auxiliaries are Samaritans or Foundlings who have no real combat prowess, but are still committed to serving the greater good. While most choose to take the oath, it is not required. Auxiliaries rely on secrecy and espionage, keeping hidden so they may assist Gauntlets in secret, as to not alert the forces of evil to their presence. Auxiliaries are in charge of setting up hidden safe houses, establishing encrypted modes of communication, and maintaining Gauntlets' identities secret if the situation calls for it.

## Rules

The Gauntlets, on top of their oath, must also follow a set of rules. These include small exceptions to the oath, as well as protocols for offering and providing aid to others.

1. The ownership of coin or any sort of currency with the intent of purchase is forbidden for Gauntlets. All services must be paid for though volunteer work.
2. Acts of kindness, such as the providing of food, water, clothes, or shelter, must not be accepted if doing so would lessen the living conditions of the provider.
3. Aid must be offered to all who are in distress, but one cannot help those who refuse the services of The Gauntlets.
4. The use of violence to end conflict must be the last resort. Violence with lethal intent is forbidden unless it is in the defense of another who will die if that type of violence is not use.
5. Denial of entry into an establishment, home, or sovereign for being part of The Gauntlets must be respected. If entry is necessary, one cannot act in service of the Oath within the confines previously described.
6. Should an act that could go against the Oath be required to save the life or lives of a person or people, one must take it. Breaking the Oath in this way may be forgiven under certain circumstances.

## History

The Gauntlets were founded on the 35th of Ethonos, 478 E.D by Une'ros, an elven worshipper of Netia, Goddess of Ceremony. Before creating The Gauntlets, Une'ros travelled across Lunareth, spreading the holy word of Netia. After he gave his last coin to a family in need during his travels, he felt unburdened by the weight of coin, which elated him. He continued to travel, paying for services with prayer, service, and company. When his travels returned him to his home town, Mythspire, he decided to sell all of his possession to build the headquarters that would become the base of operations of The Gauntlets.

From these headquarters, Une'ros trained the first generation of Gauntlets, creating the Oath of The Gauntlets, its tenets, and its rules. This caught the attention of Zine, God of Redemption, who offered Une'ros the opportunity to train a group of Zinities to become Gauntlets. This unity created The Redeemers, Zine's personal army of Paladins. Now, many Gauntlets also preach the words of Zine. It is also Zine who grants magical powers to those who take up and uphold the Oath of The Gauntlets.

Since then, word had spread of Une'ros' Gauntlets and their good deeds. Soon, most of the Inner and Outer Burrows had learned to accept the Gauntlets into their homes, relying on their protection and service.

On the 13th of Dienas, 231 E.E , Zine offered Une'ros one final boon, to become one with the oath he swore long ago. There, Une'ros became the first Oath-Bound, a creature of unbreakable will and determination, with only the greater good in mind. Une'ros lead the Gauntlets for another 2 centuries before passing away.