The Holy Temple of the Azure Order

## Brief History

*He was like a miracle walking from the dunes: Surrounded by the haze of the desert, the sands crashed about him and the very boulders of Egaria walked with him.*

**- Akwetee Navanavh – Beggar at the gates of Koren (1745)**

According to the first texts of The Azure Order on the fifteenth day of Frostfall in 1745 the man known then as Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar came from the desert to the great city of Koren dressed in the robes of a pilgrim. He brought with him the Fundamental Lord Ulimanthar Dragonexus of the house of Catsari, one of the great Vorokians of Stone, whose flesh was emblazoned with the marks of the Gods of the Great Desert, the Lords of the Empire of Rice, the Divinity of the Jade Empire and the Pantheon of the Royal Basin. The wanderer took refreshment at the Tree of the Stolen Fruit, an establishment owned by Bem Ogawan, it was from this simple hostelry that he spoke his words, words that were heard by only a handful of people. Bem Ogawan became the first disciple and in the twenty one days that the pair travelled Koren they assembled a great assembly of the faithful. From here Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar travelled to Gamtha and the Lake of Diamonds where he spoke to those that would hear the words of his religious teachings.  Onwards he travelled from hamlet to city and township to village, always speaking, always gathering followers and always moving towards the Great capital of Haven.
*“In all the lands there are thousands of deities, in Daer Akmir alone there are over one hundred. The Church of Calius Menth, The Following of Three Wonders, The Congregation of the Tin Wanderer, New Miran, Yeehj the Endless Horizon Lord, The Volume of Ire, The Lidless Validation, Werianity and Farimism name a handful of religions that I have encountered across the world. Some civilisations lay claim to hundreds in one go whilst the voices of others are heard by only one virtue as they kneel in dusty halls offering their hope to divinity. Where I walked I, I listened and where I listened I learned and what I learned I have carried with me, here to Daer Akmir. For here in Daer Akmir is the heart of Faith, the soul of Faith, the very beginnings of Faith.”*

**- Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar on his arrival in Koren.**

When he arrived in the capital it was among great furore for he had gathered with him a host of supplicants all of whom spoke his words as though they were a Mantra. As he had crossed the thresholds of the cities of the Royal Basin no guard had challenged those that walked with him and such was the beneficiary of his people that they were met with hospitality and love by the common people. The doctrine that he spoke came to the ears of the Clergy in each place that he passed and was passed on from Priest to Priest until it reached the great synod in the capitol where the powers that represented such were a feared for the position that they held. When the people of Al Kar finally arrived at the gates of the Capital the Priesthood of the Clergy were strongly keen to keep the preacher from their door but the College were desperate to lay their hands upon the Fundamental of Beyleethe and see their own questions answered. So it was amid the familiar disagreements of the two great political powers that Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar entered Haven and came to the seat of all strength in the Royal Basin. He would not allow interference with Ulimanthar and kept him, instead, close at his side as he addressed the congregation that gathered before him and as he spoke the symbols of the Divine that were a part of that creature flared into power as though responding to the movement of his very speech and all were mesmerised.

*“The words that he spoke were powerful and old, full of religious definition and fervour but that was not what inspired those that followed him and though we knew not what was to follow we found him uplifting and strong. He reached out to us with his teachings and found in each and every one that walked his path the spark of belief that we, perhaps, had not realised that we were lacking. It was as though he was walking with us or that we had always walked with him and seen what he had seen. It was never truly about the groups that he spoke to; he drove his words into all of us assembled; awakening a strength in us that we were unaware of. We truly became his pilgrims and his soldiers; his crusaders if you will, as he spoke and that privilege, that right to call us “his” he handed to the Gods or more rightly back to us, that we might give it to the Gods ourselves, in all humility.”*

***Miriam Stole – Crusader of the Way (Ex Captain of the Crimson Brotherhood)***

The throng, by now, numbering in the thousands, some say that tens of thousands could hear his voice as he spoke from the steps of the Clergy buildings, closeted away in dark corners or standing in the light. Many historians would have you believe that it was people of faith to whom he spoke or that they were people of power. In the eyes of Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar perhaps they were, for they came from all teachings of the Royal Basin: Soldiers stood by farmers who stood by priests who stood by cobblers who stood by enforcers who stood by thieves who stood by divine warriors who in turn stood by soldiers. For many their lives were already filled with a cause; teaching the poor, healing the sick or policing the streets, for example but where all had a faith not all held true to it, some drifted from the gathering before the core of its teachings had been exposed whilst others found little interest in the dogmatic assault upon their senses. Throughout the teachings Renik did not hesitate or stumble over any iteration nor did the doleful glare of his rock guardians flinch in the brightness of the afternoon. As the day moved towards night the sun began to set and clouds stumbled from the sky leaving it the perfect vein of blue. It is fair to say however that when those without the true faith melted away the pure that were left were the beginnings of the Azure Order.

*“There are eleven Lords and Ladies, Gods of the Royal Basin and over a hundred Archangels and Angels and even more demi-powers and greater servitors. The choirs and hosts of the heavens have thousands of voices each clamouring to be heard above the others to bring the value of their portfolio to the fore of each discussion. Below them in the mortal realm each of them is served by hundreds of priests, some even thousands and whilst many tread the path of the pilgrim still more do battle in their own quorums, harsh words echoing out into the halls of the clergy. Who are we to say with truth and power what the interpretations of the Gods should be? Who are we to guess, yes to guess, where the might of the faithful should be directed? How many voices should there be speaking, screaming into the darkness when there are so few to listen? The might of the Gods, all Gods is here in your hearts, here in your souls and here in your minds and whilst there are Priests to each faith there must always be those that adhere to and understand all faiths and act for the greatest good. Look into yourselves children of the gods and ask yourselves how many of those voices do you hear?”*

**Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar during his address in Strabain.**

Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar spent the night deep in prayer with those that had chosen to follow him and in the morning he sent them forward to gather their families and settle their business before their journey began. In three days they had once more assembled before the might of clergy, gathered to hear again the words of their leader. Where hundreds had dispersed to gather their families several thousand returned to join all those that had already been recruited on the great pilgrimage across the Royal Basin. The unified churches were in good spirit for in the absence of his followers the preacher had spoken at length with the great and the faithful of the Clergy and satisfied them that through his leadership the Order of the Azure Sky would bring strength and loyalty to the Priesthood. In their benevolence the Holy Order of Yarrianne had declared that this man would heal the rifts in the land and the people and indoctrinated him into the faith of Yarrianne. In a great address the thronged people were blessed by the Priests of all Faiths for their journey and in the clear bright air of Earthnew in the year 1746 the Azure Order began their first crusade to the Great Desert, deep into Egaria, to march against the Zoranethi Temple of Time, drive out the evil that had made it their home and claim it in the name of the Royal Basin and its Gods.
*“You could hear his words, not just in your heads but, like he said, in your souls and your hearts and it was like the voices of all of the Gods and all of their servants were talking to you. I could not speak to exactly how he was affecting everyone else there, not directly, but you could sense the change in a lot of people. There was so much strength in what he was selling to us, it is far too hard to explain directly but as you began to understand what he was talking about you started to find a direction in yourself, a need to solidify and unify the faiths to a point where all could blossom. When I walked away from that meeting I sold up everything I had and prepared to follow this visionary wherever he might lead but that was not the whole of it. From the moment he had finished enlightening me I found a respect for the Priesthoods and those that followed them and a deep seated need to offer my aid and guidance to them”*

**Vessimal Manz – Disciple of Naed (Ex Innkeeper)**

The journey took them through the Western Marches where they continued to gather faith although the numbers did not swell as such instead they received gifts of provisions and arms. This became known within the Order as the March of the Makeshift Warriors as armour and weapons changed hands between the soldiers as each individual came to a new task or purpose. It is here in the history of the Order that we first begin to understand the freedom that is afforded to its disciples. Librarians walked as armoured and armed as any soldier and knowledge was passed freely between those that would have guarded secrets in a prior life. In early Watersdown the vast column turned West and entered Rhygahrean territory where they were, at first, met with hostility but the Marcher Lord Milan spoke to their leaders and gave to them great secrets that he had learnt of in his travels. In return for this knowledge the group was allowed to move onwards until they came to an old temple along the borders of the Wyld Woods and the corners of Sunlit Branches. Only the Great Preacher entered and he never revealed, to our knowledge, what mysteries he uncovered within but when the journey was done we once again moved South and West into the Desert and on to the temple.
*“The Clergy are the most Divine order to have been given the right to call upon the Gods and speak in the name of them. It is their faith and guidance that gives the souls of this great land the spiritual wellbeing that they need and leads them on the path to the final Redemption that they will find in death. Through the ranks of the Churches the Great Priests; the Inquisitors, the Redeemers and the Grey Whisperers for example are served by those ranking priests of their faith, scribes, accountants and agitators. They are guarded by the Divine Warriors of their sanctity and faith who take place in the Holy Crusades against their enemies. Throughout this institute secrets fold in upon secrets, parts of the same church schism out against its own servants and allied powers seem rife with traitors and spies ready to sunder friendships and begin war for the furthering of power. Despite the purity that faith brings there is no guard against the corruption of mortality within any echelon of power so what I offer you my family is not power but service.”*

**Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar speaking to what would become senior members of the Order on the journey of their first crusade.**

When the Order arrived before the ancient structure they saw that the edifice was in a great state of ruin and the followers of evil were stationed within. They faced those priests that had lost their faith in their Gods and been consumed by the darkness that welled from the broken statues that could be seen within the ancient Zoranethi Temple. The battle was short but bloody, those with the greatest belief seemed most vulnerable to the powers of the faithless abominations that prowled the halls. However the deathly creatures could not touch the power of the House of Catsari and the Fundamentals, tattooed in the symbology of the Gods, they seemed invulnerable, protecting the members of the Order as best they could. Eventually the Azure were victorious and drove the evil from their new found bastion and unfurled the banner of the Royal Basin incorporating all of the Gods and their Angels at the very top of the ancient Zoranethi Structure. As the banner unfurled so the surviving members of the pilgrims that had travelled so far knelt in prayer and homage as the Lord Defender of Yarrianne led us in a prayer of victory. The beginning of the Azure Order may have begun under blue skies in Haven but its birth was in blood in a great crusade against evil under the heat of the Egarian sun.

*“It was a long journey that took us through the Marches and then West into Rhygahrea, a journey that was made longer by the fact that we could only move at the speed of our slowest member. It gave us a lot of time to discuss and to plan what we would do; who and what we would become. Milan had taken up the purity of Yarrianne and we had come to call him Lord Defender, he had taken the time to explain to us that in the Temple we sought we would find many enemies of the Faith, the beginnings of a perversion of our own beliefs that would spread across the world like a plague unless it was stopped. We knew that some of us would have to fight, some of us would have to support and eventually some of us would have to farm the land using different kinds of weapons. There were all sorts of folk with us from all sorts of guilds; Shield and Brotherhood, the Outriders, Priests and Divine Warriors of all kinds, the Company, Oathtakers, Sourcerers and Skalds, even some Mind Throwers and Grove Walkers. That didn’t matter though, soldiers were passing breastplates to farmers and Wagoner’s were passing the reigns to casters. It was as though listening to the words of the Lord and being on this new path were all finding a different aspect to ourselves and a new calling.”*

**Larianne Grassille – Head of Farming and Production within the Azure Order (Ex Silent Company Lieutenant)**

The survivors sent riders galloping to Koren to extend invitations to the Clergy and the nobles of the Royal Basin to attend Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar at his new Temple. It was estimated that they would not arrive in haste but instead would take perhaps up to two months to appear with grace and élan that those of station would require. During that time the people went to work repairing the temples weakened defences and preparing to till what was gloriously farmable lands around the structure. Buildings that would go on to house the families of the various disciples of the temple were swiftly erected and by the time the notables of the Royal Basin arrived the barracks and stables were near completion. Dignitaries from every noble family, guild, college and most importantly church were present in the ceremonies that took place to honour the completion of the main temple and it was to rapturous applause that Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar took the stage to thank the Clerics of the Great Pantheon for the victory and for leading them to this place to drive back their enemies. The charter of guilds was then produced and, as witnessed by all worthies there present, the Holy Temple of the Azure Order was added for all time to that writ lest they act against the best interests of the Royal Basin and those that they serve.

*“Tell me then servants of the Gods, who can be trusted across the courts of the clergy to keep the secrets and guard the priests against the knife in the dark? Should that knife be held by one the same ordained order than no-one from that faction can protect them? The words that are spoken belong to the God and to their Priests, they may be shared by other Priests of the Faith but they are not for the ears of those not ensconced into the inner mysteries.  Equally should their guards be traitors to their cause then those secrets will not remain as whispers for very long. I ask you who have been touched: The words I have gathered from across the world to join with me in committing ourselves to an oath that will bind us by a sacred duty. We do not need precise words we will simply find the oath in our hearts and make that promise to ourselves, incorporate it into our prayers and give ourselves our own strength but the duty remains: There is no difference in the reverence of the Gods; all are sacred, all have a place in the Divine order of things and their followers have their duties.”*

**Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar speaking before leaving Haven and before addressing the Clergy**

For over two hundred and fifty years the Azure Order climbed the ladders of trust and faith not only within the Churches but also within the echelons of the Guilds themselves. The Azure Order represented a group of relative newcomers to the Guildic arena and there was much to be done. Fortunately the backing of the clergy was a huge stepping stone that bought with it not only wealth and funding but gave the Order access to the prestige that noble houses sought and so strength was attained through growth. The way was not paved with roses eternally however, Divinity bought with it orders to war and in the relatively short period which the guild existed it has fought in innumerate crusades against heretics and blasphemers alike. The Walker Rebellion during 1822, the Slaughter of the Fox Queen in 1848, the Fifteen Darkened Weeks, which, of course, took place in the Rice Empire in 1922 and the Opened Box Crusade of 1963 are some of our more famous exploits. The Disciples of the Order have received many accolades, awards and medals of honour, none of which are worn but accepted with gratitude and stored in the Temple. Such action serves to remind us that reward for us is the service that we perform, the guidance and wellbeing of our spirits in the afterlife and the sanctity of our souls to the Gods, all Gods. We do not act for the corruption that is wealth, power nor through the compulsions that are greed, hatred or envy.

*“I have a lot of strange memories about Haven and then beginning the pilgrimage. People had been told that we were going on this massive crusade against some ancient evil in the Great Desert. There were folk that actually thought we were heroes on some mission for the Gods, perhaps we were, I still have trouble believing it, given what has happened. But there we were, you know, getting carried away with it all as farmers gave us loaves of bread and ex-soldiers pushed freshly sharpened swords into our hands, blades that can’t have seen action since the Gabrak Wars if you take my meaning. Then they asked us why we were doing it and, well, it seemed proper to repeat the oaths that Milan had told us to keep in our hearts so we did, we spoke them to people. I’ll tell you what: Saying those words time and time again to the smallfolk, not that I should not be counted as a smallfolk mind, like I say we were getting carried away, those words they made us feel empowered, like soldiers or crusaders. I could never tell you exactly why but that oath is what made us Disciples of the Azure Order, there is more to it than any oath or any other words I ever heard. It made me do something I never thought I could do or would ever forgive myself for: Kill”*

**Karlo Darkspur – Crusader of the Way (Ex Hospitallier of Yarrianne)**

The guilds purpose was called into question in two thousand and thirteen when it was revealed that Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar was, himself, a crusader against the faith: Mazarek, son of Skagrid and challenger of the Codex of War. According to history Mazarek was a tyrannical murderer who had acquired power through the use of dark magics slaughtering thousands in his wake. We had lived a long time away from the Royal Basin, in seclusion, alone with our faith with only the voice of this so called wickedness to guide us. We question the validity of these claims: This revelation came during a re-emergence of the original darkness that had consumed the temple that we now call home, it is possible that he was consumed by it trying to keep the rest of the Order safe. Equally the story of the rise and fall of Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar is not for the Order to tell or to dwell upon, we knew him as the Lord of the Order and that is always what he will be to us. Whilst the story of the end is clearly unknown to the Order what we are aware of revolves around the fact that more than a third of our number and the Vorokians themselves were destroyed protecting him and that in the aftermath of his falling a part of him or at least something that wears his visage now stands as the High King. This High King, it is said, will unify the land and the people and bring all things together to stand against something that will change the face the world. In all ways is this not the coming of the Lord that we were promised?

*“All are Divine then that walk in the faith of things no matter what mantle has been placed about their pious shoulders. They may be known as Priests or they may be called Divine Warrior, they may have taken up the Priesthood long after their dedication to another cause and be known as a follower in Ley or they may be the scribes and Loremasters. Regardless we must protect the clergy: The vitae that runs through the bodies of its clerics, the words that make up its doctrine, the alliances that keep their strength, the secret words that bind all of these things together. These are the things that we guard through virtue of patience, veneration and most importantly by keeping everything that we see and hear to ourselves. We are bound by oath to keep the secrets of all clergies, all faiths and all of the followers who support them. That is our honour bound oath, first and foremost but there is more to the order than just keeping safe the holy.”*

**Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar – Part of his victory address to the Azure Order after taking the Zoranethi temple of time.**

There have been many cries from the Court; where does our future lie and to whom now do we hold allegiance? The answer remains the same, as it always has: To the Priesthood of the Royal Basin and more than that to the faith which the smallfolk of the land cling; we will safeguard that faith. Following that, all folk should hold the faith of the Gods in their hearts which means that our allegiance should war come is to that aforementioned Royal Basin, the nobility that guide them and to all the facilities that fly the colour. As the guild faces a new time within the history of the Royal Basin we are blessed not only by the increasing influence that the Gods have on the land but also by the appearance of the great and Holy City of Karrid Ren, a place where truly the mark of the Divine can be felt. As our leader leaves us to take on the burdens of all of Daer Akmir so too should we turn our attentions to these wondrous places.

*“The Vorokians themselves? They have served the order faithfully and in all the God’s truths we would benefit from their return. Long ago though in those early days when we fought against the darkness they were terrifying, I had never seen nor have I since such a blending of the Priestly arts and the power of Sourcery. It was as if they had always been of the Divine, the way that those symbols blazed across their bodies and there were more. The more they fought the more other symbols became apparent, old symbols that I did not recognise and ones that I have never seen again. After the battle the fundamentals moved into parts of the temple and became our guardians and protectors and over the course of several months even our symbols vanished from them. That didn’t matter though, it was like they belonged there and the common belief that we always held was that they had somehow been carrying divinity within them and that they had transferred it to the walls of the building that we now called home. Our Lord trusted them and they were more than part of Order they were the Way that guided us.”*

**Zun Te Malay – Disciple of Terref – (Ex Priest of Rayvahn)**

### Ethos and Code of the Azure Order

As Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar taught us there are no words of service that we can offer to any mortal that would have any validation. The words of our lives are given to us by the Gods when we are born, some chose to hear them, some chose to be taught them by the faithful. Others, still, ignore them but we of the Azure Order embrace and live them. Truly, we are blessed by our own divinity as much as we are the faith that is placed upon us by the Priesthood.

There are three Oaths of dedication that a member of the Order must pledge and then adhere to:

The first, as indicated above, is an oath of the members own wording and choosing that swears them to the Order. The phrasing and content of the Oath is usually considered over a long period by the speaker and then submitted to be personally perused by one of the Lord Protectors (Almost without exception it will be the Lord Protector of the Faith to whom service is to given). If the Lord Protector believes that the Oath is true and from the very soul of the writer they will hear the words. Oaths are encouraged to be short, concise and from the heart although it is universally agreed that these things are not mutually exclusive.

The next Oath is taken to all recognised Basanic Deities; to respect and adhere to the traditions that they may place upon you whilst in service to them. To keep the words that are spoken in the presence of their followers to yourself and to never repeat them, to protect those you are in service to and to defend the alliances of the Gods.

The last Oath is to be taken in dedication to a recognised Basanic Deity, Angel or Archangel. To be one of their followers and instruments, to uphold their ideals and beliefs not only in reverence to that power but also in homage to the Clergy and as an example to those that surround you.

That member must take the Oath of Faith to up hold three chosen tenets of the Holy Warriors of the faith that they follow alongside the common tenet; Thou shall preserve the Church and the tenets of thy deity, bowing to those Pure of Faith and obeying their enlightenment in all things.

The member of the Order will swear the Oath of Protection that swears them to protect unto death any follower of the faith that they serve, who travels in their company. This Oath stands as long as the follower of the faith continues to prove their purity. The member of the Order can only be in the service of one follower of the faith at any one time.

The member of the Order will swear themselves to assist and offer aid to any follower of the faith that they serve whom they encounter on their travels. This oath stands as long as the follower of the faith continues to prove their purity.

When in the company of another member of the Azure Order then and only then may any secrets relating to the faith be spoken. These secrets must be kept by members of the Azure Order at all costs.

*“If there is any doubt left in the souls of the followers of the Order that there are enemies of the clergy and of the faiths of the world then let them be cast aside. The enemies that we face upon the field tomorrow have taken a light out of the world imperilling the spirits of many thousands who serve the Pantheon. Do you believe that those that have dedicated their lives to the preservation of the Churches should fall here unprotected and unchampioned? I have foreseen that should the Gods fall from the heavens then a great plague will sweep across the land. A new faith will spring up from the remains of the old and all shall become as one under the thrall of that which brings all together. We will train as warriors, battalions of us from our ancient edifice in the great wastes of the desert. When the time comes we will call upon the favour that we have earned from the Gods and drive back this evil before it finds us and makes an end to our people as individuals.”*

**Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar – On the eve of the march The Fox Queen –**

### Extreme Duties and responsibilities

The duties to the Priesthood, to each other and to the Guild are clearly outlined but there are questions that are often asked and these are the answers to them:

If we ever learn of something that must be made more public how should we proceed?

Whilst it is not the place of the Order to judge the actions of the Priests any member who has attained the rank of Confessor may hear the words of another member of the Order. They may then choose to approach a Lord Protector with news that this information may be harmful to Clergy. Those Members of the Order that hold the rank of Lord Protector are given right to address the assembly of the Synod with concerns however the origin of the information is protected by the Confessor and so anonymity is maintained and the Holy Sanctity of the Oaths are protected.

We move to protect not only the Church we stand for but also its alliances what of conflicts?

We have been charged by our progenitor and also the Clergies we protect to act with good judgement and impunity. Should it be our decision that any practitioner of a faith be acting in a way that is anyway detrimental to our codes, or at least what our codes stand for, then they must be challenged and in extreme cases they must be executed. If any member of the Order is seen to take such extreme action and it is later proven that they have acted without wisdom then they will suffer a lethal penalty.

Words of the Holy Temple of the Azure Order

We are the shield that faith provides.

## The Circle of Nine – Guild Leaders of the Holy Order.

### Lord Defender of Yarrianne – Ker Gentz (Human)

Ker Gentz was born in 1984 in a town called Lilton which takes up land on the Western side of the Valisian Woods. After being bought up on the legends that surround that woodland, of Fae and creatures of myth he grew into a bright and enthusiastic lad who would spend many of the afternoons of his youth in the deep forest, watching, taking notes and getting to know the beauty and serenity of life. By the year 2000 however he had been conscripted into the militia of Baron Alexander Shadowmane to serve as a runner and assist with the putting down of the assembly of several large bandit groups. He served well enough until his first combat where he learned two simple lessons. The first was that he had an innate talent with the surgeon’s knife and the second was that he could not take a life. At the end of the campaign, sometime in the Sunrise of 2001 he handed in his commission in the militia and joined the faith of Yarrianne in nearby Strabain where he was accepted and began an unremarkable career as a cleric.

His life in the Priesthood was unexciting but he served well and true to the faith, then after years of adequacy he was sent home, in 2006 to Lilton to serve, once more for the Baron Alexander Shadowmane. However all of this was to change rather swiftly and radically during the following four years as the cataclysm came and the forests around Lilton transformed with the emergence of the Unrelenting Kingdom. The histories of the Cataclysm are well documented but the role of Ker Gentz was not; his actions were a far cry from the heroics that many others undertook in defence of the realm, indeed the majority of his work took place in the Unrelenting Kingdom. From here he assisted the restoration of the Fae land to its place in Eidelos saving thousands of lives and eventually battling the followers of the infamous House of the Moon. Despite his Yarrianite training and the previous decisions that had led him to leave the militia the actions of the Fae Court known as Gloaming were so abhorrent to him that by the end of it several had died at his hands.  These actions, despite the forgiveness of his superiors, led him to resign as a clergyman in the year 2011.

Gentz spent the years between early 2011 and late 2013 in a great turmoil over the taking of the lives of other living creatures. In all good faith the killing had been undertaken to save the lives of the innocent from the hands of cruel and wicked folk who would have seen them in torment. Ker could not see the truth of this in his heart, he could not see a justification to his actions and at his core he could not forgive himself for those deaths and nor could he allow his Lady to grant him grace. Exchanging his fine vestments with the robes of beggar he took up the bowl and walked into the wilderness of the Royal Basin to seek Redemption. For those intervening years he traipsed across the land, watching the horrors that war brings and the witnessing the coming of daemons and hoardings alike. He lay his hands to charitable tasks; healing the sick, laying the mortar for new homes, repairing damage to farms and hostels and hearing the confessions of the sorrowful but in no place and in no action did he find the absolution that he sought.

In the Frostfall of 2013 he found himself at the gates of Haven, he had not intended to travel there and wondered, as night fell, what had led him to the gates. As dusk gathered the last vestiges of light under its cloak he joined a queue of beggar men and scoundrels seeking protection from the night. Allowing others to take his place in the line that they may receive sustenance more swiftly he offered the prayers of light and life for them. When his supplication drew to an end a great blue flame lit up the sky above the College of Controlling power whilst the lights of that ancient edifice grew dim. From the gates of the city came a plague of lizards which, as they rolled forward, grew in size and form until they were great and powerful men that wore the skins of lacertids. A great battle took place that night on the streets of Haven as well as in the Skies above, it is known that the Guardians of Power took place in that battle against the power of the Blue Fire Prophets and that at its end the High King, Mazarek as he is known to the Azure Order, drew breath for the first time and brought the battle to an end.

During the fighting Gentz defended the poor folk and eventually the wounded militia and other fighters that were attempting to protect the city. The chaos of war raged around him; dirigibles exploding in the sky far above as washer women took to the street alongside Silver Saints to keep their city safe. Ker fell repeatedly under heavy wounds inflicted by his enemy but rose each time to continue defending the wounded townsfolk. As the moment of victory drew near so did the end of Gentz life, his belly opened, his life blood slipping away he sank to his knees and prepared for the afterlife but there was no answer to his call and in his final moments he knew that he would face damnation. Then the High King awoke and let out his breath and all folk of the Royal Basin spoke the word the he spoke: Enough. When that word spilled from his lips it was not, as it was for all others, alone: “Enough Ker Gentz, though my time with the Azure Order is over yours is just beginning; you may kill but you are not a killer, you may end life but you are not a murderer, you may follow but you are a leader. You are needed, your faith is needed, you protect the faith, you protect the clergy.” When he told this tale to the Lord Defenders it was known to be true, he took the seat of power and he has never looked back.

### Lord Defender of Tiberius: Torokan V’ilens (Human):

Torokan was born in 1931 to the V’ilens family of the Golden Lands; the family are an old family that have supported both the Church of Tiberius and the baled Dragon for almost two thousand years. Torokan is named after the Holy Warrior who was knighted by Dieron the Blessed during the first Gabrak Wars, truly the V’ilens family are touched by the Legend that Walked.  Indeed this namesake of the original was a personal pupil of Dieron the Blessed in his youth, the popular view of the Church was that Dieron honoured the family as a duty but we of the order, we believe that this is the second coming of the Torokan of that first age. It is safe to say that he shouldered the responsibility well, the sword that he carries has sent the souls of the sinful to their afterlife in every crusade that he has fought in and as each falls to the ground so his voice sends prayers for their spirits to the heavens.

Torokan is a Crusading Defender of later years who excels in sword play and displays the virtues that define a hero of the Council. Torokan committed literally hundreds of deeds in the name of his God until in the year 1973 Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar came upon his usual pilgrimage and chose Torokan to champion Tiberius within the Order. Torokan has served well; anyone that has learnt the art of the blade has learnt it from him or one of his pupils. His inspirational words and deeds are at the very heart of the fighting core of the Order. Those that choose to follow Tiberius follow Torokan as their exemplar for he, like his mentor Dieron, has taken the words of his Lord and lived his life by them with the caveat that unlike so many others he has evolved with them. Those words do not define the man, the man defines the words; they are tools of his faith, weapons like his blade, armour like his shield. The Lord Defender can put these tools down and be a man but he knows that even without them he is a man of ideals, belief, faith and of the Order. So too are the men and women that have come to follow him, those that cannot follow his ideals are not fit to wear the Azure.

### Lord Defender of Naed: Argones (Human):

Argones was born in the village of Delve in the Western Marches in 1966 and when he speaks of his early life he remembers fondly the idle life of a farmer’s son who would wile away the summer afternoons with cheap wine and a pretty face. These languid memories bring a smile to his lips and a warmth to his eyes but he also remembers travelling to watch the great games that took place bi-yearly in Haven. These, he tells us, were the focus point, the inspiration that pulled him out of the life that lay before him and gave him a different perspective. The games, he says, are somewhere that all can go to watch and to take part no matter what walk of life they come from, a place where all men are equal. If you let him he will then go on to tell you, probably for many hours how he became an athlete representing the Western Marches and that during his time he became a devout follower of Naed, excelling in his skills and donating virtually all of his winnings to worthy causes.

He eventually retired in the mid-eighties, joining the Church of Naed as a physical instructor where he toiled tirelessly until 1992 when he completed his vows and became a Priest. Argones is not a man to shirk physical toil but despite his piety he found the tasks of preaching and deep prayer to be difficult without the same athletic direction. However in the same year Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar spoke at the church of the Azure Order and the dedication to physicality that dedication at the Temple brought.  He returned with Argones in tow and installed him as the Lord Protector of Naed. Within a few months new techniques for training were introduced and fitness levels within the fighting order soared. Many learnt that whilst to the majority Naed represents freedom and hope these are only cornerstones of his faith: “Zeal, bravery, individuality and risks these are the strength in his divinity because without the protection of self you cannot protect the freedom of the people that you stand for.” That is how the once famous wrestler is likely to finish any conversation that he has with you and usually once he has finished his time with you, you follow.

### Lord Defender of Ekimelahw: Heliak Got (Kalishinka):

The Lord Defender of Ekimelahw is a terrifying entity whose past has been quite literally wiped away by our founder Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar. During the first coming of the Devourite child K’Kegnihothe, whose history and relevance can be found in many texts, Heliak was part of those followers of Ekimelahw that were infected by the Xectros: A corrupting philtre that leaves the body open to the corruption of the Hanged Men who are the spirits of criminals not destined to be returned to life. Many of the Halls of Justice were controlled by these dark powers but via the will of heavens and the power of the Church the records of that happening were sealed. The Church seemed doomed until the intervention of the Azure Order whose eternal vigilance led to the revelations that bought the Ekimelahwian malady to the attention of the Clergy. Through the wisdom of the Lord Protectors under the guidance of the Clergy many of the Ekimelahwian faith were purged but all were killed. Despite his best efforts none had ever been able to fully cleanse the corruption of Xectros from the body but Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar finally bought about the full return of one.

Heliak was reborn into the world by the will of Ekimelahw as the Lord Protector divined but she was cast out by her Church with no memory of her previous life and left only filled with faith. She was taken in by the Order and assumed the role of Lord Protector of Ekimelahw when Vortigan Rone stood down after feeling the reverence and power that she held. The world seems to revolve around this primal force of balance and perception and as she moves through the great Temple she instils the presence of the Goddess in all that see her. She has been the Orders secondary war marshal and sits in judgement on any matters that require her attention. Heliak is cold, clinical and without prejudice, despite this she is unexpectedly approachable should you need spiritual advice and inspires any who worship the Incorruptible with her dogma. The fear she inspires come from the lack of humanity that she displays towards everyday life, the followers of the Azure Order know no fear when she is on the field of battle beside them.

### Lord Defender of Bethylak: Chianan Mahoon (Granite Heart Kuldisar):

Chianan is a born talker whose distinctive Razor Back accent can be heard long before you encounter her cheerful face and the physical energy that comes with her speaking. She says she was born in 1887 and certainly appears to be around that age. Hailing from the deeps of the mountains her stories tell us that she was a member of the Hall of the Low King where she worked as an archivist and advisor on the world beyond the lands of the Granite Hearts. That role is surprising as she herself had never travelled beyond the confines of her home and her actual knowledge was based from her self-teachings and the stories of travellers. It was from these travellers that she gathered knowledge of Bethylak and began to supplicate to his divinity becoming one of the few, if not only, members of the faith that became a follower of a deity outside of their own pantheon without the formal training of a Priest. It was whilst in this position that she first read of the Azure Order and the work of its disciples under their great Lord Protector, all the writings told her that he travelled on pilgrimage to the places where those worthy to become members of the Temple could be found and recruited them on merit but after thirty years of waiting she decided to test those rules and in 1955 she left the Razorbacks for good.

She travelled for five years in search of Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar, trying to follow in the footsteps of his pilgrimage. Five years of effort would have deterred, perhaps, even the most ardent followers of a goal but it found Chianan in the Homespun Inn along the Folding Way planning her next move and it was here that Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar found her. He spoke of a priestess of Bethylak that had called to him when he was addressing a crowd, she was dying of old age; she told him that her Lord had come to her in a vision and told her of the wandering Kuldisar that sought the Tao of the Azure Order, that her faith was pure and her convictions unwavering. That the Priestess had pressed the hourglass of her life into his hands and bade him hand it to this wanderer and tell her that her journey was over. As a member of the clergy bid so did he obey. She is jovial and always pleased to assist and help those members that come to her for training. As the guilds resident Lore Master she is often found in the vast libraries pouring over the ancient and indecipherable tomes that belong to this ancient Zoranethi edifice, truly the Lord Defender of Bethylak.

### Lord Defender of Terref: Jo Jo Reruth (Tzi Tzain):

It would be a fair question of the general populace and one that the press often press in conversations with the Temple: Where does the Priesthood of Terref fit into such a militant organisation? When one looks at the portfolio of the Goddess one sees a faith that is full of the brightness and wonder of life in all ways from capitalist to free spirit. If one looks deeper one will see that the truth behind the façade, the mask that the Priests wear and that is of a Church that values organisation, intelligence and wealth to achieve their ends. Jo Jo Reruth is a man that personifies the individual tenets and the whole: Reruth, as he prefers to be called has suffered for his faith in Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar. He travelled to the Basin with the Velikiy Knyaz of Dralkosh Olas as a subservient member of the group and operation. When the order came he heard the calling and made his case to the Velikiy Knyaz but for his affront to the Shard in wanting to leave he was allowed to leave but minus his right hand.

Reruth’s background and age is unknown, what is known is that Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar trusted him and that he has never failed the Order since he became Lord Defender of Terref in 1802. He is tasked with the gathering of knowledge, the placement of members of the Temple around the clergy and dealing with their reports. Whilst he is active in any crusade that is followed his Terrefian followers spend much of their time moving through the villages and towns of the world like ghosts keeping their eyes and ears open for any enemies of the Clergy or any dangers that the Churches or the Azure Order may need to respond to. Many may not consider this to be the way of Terref but his pupils follow both her teachings and his interpretations of them as canon. Reruth has suffered, refusing to have his hand returned, but made an exemplary teacher in philosophies and the Focus arts and many take his example of ordeal and made it their own for the order.

### Lord Defender of Notelexus: Opilance Lionsgold (Human):

Opilance Lionsgold was born in the bosom of wealth and high society amongst the most powerful family in the Royal Basin. During his youth however he spent much of his time with one of the Lionsgold vassal households, the Flametowers and heard the call of the church in dreams and visions and was soon firmly ensconced within the skeletal clutches of Notelexus. It was as though he was born to be amongst the dead, the fire and passion of those touched by their patron burned like a torch within him and for many years he fought, as a warrior should, long and hard in the name of his God. During the year of 1997, his thirtieth, he was selected for the pilgrimage to the Minaret of Fire where the hammer fell but his column was attacked and destroyed by his enemies. He was left for dead in the sands encircled by artefacts of unholy power in an act of vengeance by his foes, power that would prevent him finding his Gods side upon his death. Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar had visions of his own and found Opilance bringing him back to the Order.

It took Opilance only a few weeks to recover from such a rigorous assault not only on his person but also on his soul and at first was less than keen on a role within the Order. When our leader revealed that those visions had come from the previous Lord Defender of Notelexus who had died some three years earlier. Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar had yet to replace the great and most holy Sarah Watts, none had been found who could replicate her greatness and yet that night when the Lionsgold lay dying his old friend had visited him in his meditations. She had led him to the desert and told him that here was the man to lead the warriors in battle and bring the gift of death in the name of the clergy. When Opilance was told of this truth he accepted not only the role of Lord Defender but also of War Marshal. Opilance is a leader but in truth he is not a teacher, he leaves the majority of such work to chosen underlings spending most of his time planning the potentials of new campaigns and military manoeuvres to better trim the skills of the Order. He is well respected but few like the dark haired man with the furrowed brow who clearly has not forgotten the actions of enemies that left him near death and unsouled all those years ago. Vengeance would clearly be appreciated.

### Lord Defender of The Kraken: Falakar Kezek Tar (Zoranethi):

A recent addition to the Order, no-one is overly sure where Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar found Falakar but many suspect that he was gathered up from the Tharinos of 2010 that he attended. Falakar is an obviously excellent addition to the Orders powers. There are many secret areas of the Zoranethi temple that even Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar has yet to uncover and Falakar has been doing everything in his power to reveal the mysteries of the power that lies here. At the Tharinos of 2013 his deity revoked the right of the Zoranethi people to receive his power even through the deepest of prayer. Whilst this horrified Falakar he was surprised to discover that he was still able to call upon the divine power of the Kraken. He is now unique amongst his people as a Seer and many believe that he is pondering leaving the Order so that he might better be able to assist the Zoranethi rather than watch them suffer a crisis of faith his battle brothers however know that he will handle this burden as any follower of the Kraken should and that he will remain.

The days to come will be the real test for Falakar; the Royal Basin went so far as to make his race exterminable on sight during much of 2012 and 2013 and this move was supported by the clergy that he is pledged to protect. Whilst the Churches clearly made an exception in his case that may not be good enough for a being that has served not only the Kraken but his races objectives for well over two thousand years. However his diligence and duty to the Temple is very clear and his reverence of Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar was absolute, he has openly stated that despite his mentors change in position he is happy to continue serving the duties that were laid before him and also the idea of the High King should it become what is required. Despite his Undead nature Falakar is friendly, open and popular amongst those that serve him and a constant source of questioning by historians and loremasters that seek his firsthand experience of affairs that are shrouded in the mysteries of time; a role that he is happy to fulfil.

### Lord Defender of Rayvahn: Ti Por (Yuirfarvallen):

According to the stories of her people Ti Por was born in Rhygahrea in the province of the Camp of the White Leopard in the year 1197. She was born, according to her people, under a bad moon and with strange signs and portents although what they might be are unclear. She struggled in her early years to assimilate into the ranks of her people and found the Tao of Kethlan alien to her. These problems continued into her later life but she soon found a solace in her life; a rarity amongst her people Ti Por is not only an incredibly devout Priestess, from Rhygahrea, who has more or less forsaken the Tao of Kethlan but she is also a Rayvahnite who is a consistently reviled Goddess amongst their people. She operated in secret for the hidden people amongst her camp but her work was often snuffed out. When she heard of the Order she made her way here to give the wisdom of her 800 years to those that wished to learn. When she was bought into the presence of Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar such was the strength of her faith that he fell to his knees and wept at the purity of her spirit.

She is ardent and stringent in her teachings and has truly embraced the way of all Gods. Whilst she holds to the teachings of Rayvahn she has become a font for all of the ways and beliefs that hold sway here. This made her the exemplar of the Order and effectively the second in command behind Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar although she never wished for the responsibilities of such leadership. Since the arrival and ascendance of Ker Gentz she has handled much of the bureaucracy that he has yet to become familiar with but the processes of handing over such responsibilities are well underway. It seems likely that she will remain as a deputy for the Lord of the Order and maintain the steady hand that keeps the faiths united. Her followers are myriad and many, even her role as a warrior within the Temple does not prevent Rayvahnites across Daer Akmir acknowledging her example as the inspiration behind the faith that they carry.

### In Memorium - Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar -

Though he is now the High King of Daer Akmir the man that is responsible for the creation and strength of our order shall be forever remembered.

#### Lord Defender of Yarrianne: Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar (Flame Elf):

In the darkness of the Frostfall of 1745 the great and powerful Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar came from the desert as the blessed one, the father of all purity and defender of all faiths. With him came a great fundamental of stone whose form bore the symbols of the nine Gods that ruled in the heavens at that time. They travelled to the great clergy buildings of Haven and there addressed the assembled followers of the faith. When they heard his great words of becoming the glue that would independently and without arbitration hold the clergy together and of the coming threat he gained many followers such was the power of his inspiration.

Upon leading his followers back to the Holy Temple of the Azure Order in the Southern wastes of the Great Desert he assumed control of the order and began his teachings. He joined the power of the Fundamental House of Catsari with the followers of the might of the heavens and the Azure Order was born. Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar, the blessed one, the father of purity was wise, strong and full of courage. His words were tempered with the wisdom of his years and instilled a sense of pride in all that come to him for guidance. He was fervent to his cause but not foolish enough to turn a deaf ear to those that offer him their own advice in the running of his order. He was beloved of almost all who met him and through his own humility was an unassuming hero. He shall be missed.

### Guild Buildings

Whilst the Azure Order operate out of practically every Basanic Clergy based building across Daer Akmir their home and only Guildic Facility can be found in the Great Desert and is the site of the victory of their first crusade.

### The Holy Temple of the Azure Order

According to the words of Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar the Holy Temple was built long ago by the Zoranethi around the time of the first Codex Wars. Situated on the Ley Lines of power that criss-cross the world it is blessed with not only with primal power but with the brilliance of Zoranethi artifice. Although it was once dedicated to the purpose of Zoranethi Empire building and spreading their influence across the world that power is now being dedicated to the defence of the Gods and Goddesses that guide us through the darkness of our lives and to the final line of protection that will save our world from the coming of that which unifies all power.

Originally located along the Southern coastline of Egaria, this mighty edifice, was moved during a magical calamity presumably during one of the various cataclysms of the past. It centres around a main building some twelve stories high and spanning over one hundred and fifty rooms, that have been discovered so far. Around the main temple are training grounds, brewing and scribing facilities and various smithies, carpenters workshops alongside other points that are used to supplement the strength of the Order. Here the finest steels, woods and ores are imported to create the finest weapons and armours for the followers of the Order who are barracked in what was once an old building that held huge warriors that must have towered twenty to twenty five feet tall.

The Order is supported by a large number of equally fanatical civilians, many of them family members of the Order warriors. They have taken several of the larger buildings and areas of the temple to be their own constructing solid buildings provided by masons, skilled architects and hard labour. Bakers, butchers, stables, these buildings and many more are safe within the protective walls of the compound and plans abound to expand the temple into a citadel that give greater strength to the surrounding areas and the many Zumatakan tribes that have come to the Order to ask for their protection. At this time Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar is considering the expansion of the Order but is concerned that it will compromise the ethics of the Order and the basic principles that it stands for.

During the final parts of 2013 our Lord Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar was reportedly slain of mortal form to be reborn as the High King of all of Daer Akmir. When this great calamity of the Order occurred there was a shift in the power that was here: Very few remember the exact happenings but according to half remembered reports the House of Catsari became as one with the walls as a mighty force shook the very roots of the building. Throughout the halls of the Order ancient voices screamed out and some remember the chanting of the name of the Lord of Battle Skaggrid again and again. Whatever happened on that fate filled day the Temple still stands and though it was heavily damaged at the end of that year its rebuilding is certain.

### The House of Castria

Where Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar found them and how they came to be allied to us is largely unknown but living amongst the Order were thirty five fundamentals of obsidian. They functioned as guardians and also instructors in some of their ancient ways. The alliance between the Order and the House was born of a joint need to protect the worlds against the coming darkness. It is whispered that the House were once banished from their Vorokian home for crimes committed against their people others say that Milan Al Zanen En Renik Al Kar rescued them from imprisonment when they were betrayed by their own Kings. Whatever the reason for their alliance they served faithfully and there has always been a power of faith within them which flies in the face of the tenets and beliefs of the other Vorokians. Despite their supposed disappearance into the very walls of the Temple those that were attuned to their ways claim that they can hear them deep within the stone still.

### Uniform and Guild Colours

Members of the order are instructed to wear as close garb to the chosen uniform of their deity and to have a coloured Lanyard or Sword Knot attached to their weapons that denotes the deity or parent deity of the power to whom they supplicate. However they are to wear a visible symbol of the guild; a blue sphere on a mixed white and grey eight pointed star on a black background at all times