The Praetic Order

Located within the northern Silvic jungle, wedged between the borders of Amare and Silvadomus, lies the Praetic Order - an ancient order of knights that has dedicated itself to defending Ludwag and it's people. It is mostly known for being the keepers of the Great Shield and main adversary of the Corruption - an enigmatic power that once threatened Azura as a whole.

### Language

Multi-lingual; predominantly High Syndarin and Monic.

### Population

Multi-racial; predominantly Elven and Human.

## History

Ancient records can trace the Praetic Order's back by thousands of years - predating the Republic of Pyros. Very little is known about the intricate details of the Praetic Order at the time, but enough is known to get a basic idea. Formed sometime between 1000 and 600 B.C, the Praetic Order started off as a simple gathering of knights and mercenaries who wandered the vast Amnisican landscape, aiding the various Elven nations situated within it - such as the early Republic of Pyros, the Silvic, Tescans, Meridians, Electi, and Amareans. It is assumed that they received funding from these early nations to keep themselves financially afloat. A separate, although much smaller knight order would appear not very long after the formation of the Praetic Order. Their ancient title has been lost to time, although today they are referred to as the "Armataris Astalda", or "Heavy Guardians". It would be thousands of years until they became part of the Praetic Order, however.

The Praetic Order continued on with this trend up until the Expansion Era, where they receded to their enclaves within the northern Silvic jungle and southern Electi jungle. Very little is known of how the Praetic Order sustained itself during the rule of Pyros, although some scholars theorize that the Praetic Order gave aid to the Pyrian Empire in secret in return for financial aid. This is the most widely accepted theory, as the Praetic Order did not appear to be very technologically advanced up until the collapse of Pyros; it is usually inferred that the Praetic Order used advanced arcane knowledge from Pyros to further and benefit themselves.

During the Age of Chaos, the Praetic Order resumed it's policy of aiding the various nations within Ludwag. Due to the intense political turmoil and constant fighting between nations - the Praetic Order was dragged into multiple conflicts on different sides, being used as mercenaries fighting petty battles rather than knights who upheld peace and order. Eventually, the Kaidon at the time - a Silvic elf named Arathorn ep Sylundoral, enacted a policy of political isolationism to prevent the Praetic Order from partaking in anymore conflicts between nations. This was both a blessing and a curse for the Order - as they could go back to their original purpose of upholding peace rather than intensifying bloody conflicts, though the fervent treatment of this policy by the leaders of the Order at the time prevented them from intervening in the Electi genocide.

Between the end of the Age of Chaos and the year 2142, the Praetic Order would be funded primarily by the Kingdom of Silvadomus - growing a close relationship with them overtime. They would not intervene in the Monic invasion of northern Ludwag, and curiously enough - would form a loose companionship with the Runic Guild. This information is not very well-known though, and what they did together is kept a strict secret by the upper echelon of the Praetic Order. Individuals who attempt to figure out what they did together almost always turn up missing, and texts that prove their partnership are considered outright impossible to find.

When the Corruption appeared on Ludwag's north-eastern peninsula and the Runic Guild disappeared, the Praetic Order was quick to take the reigns of defending the Great Shield, the colossal structure that prevented the Corruption's spread into the rest of Amnisica. It was also around this time that the Armataris Astalda - the Heavy Guardians, would be assimilated into the Praetic Order. The Praetic Keep was gifted to the Order by the Kingdom of Silvadomus for the sake of preventing further invasion, and for the next two-hundred years they would fight battles against endless waves of enemies - who proved strong enough to best even the mightiest of warriors the Praetic Order had to offer.

Today, the Corruption is gone - and the Praetic Order has downsized significantly from what it had used to be. They continue to reside within the Praetic Keep, though their sights are now set on the Void, and the endless wave of threats and anomalies coming from it.

## Economy

During the Corruption War, the Praetic Order was funded by the various Kingdoms and Empires of northern Ludwag - as the Corruption was considered a common enemy by just about everybody, regardless of their differences. Since then, the Praetic Order earns its money through the selling of bread and wine - and is given payment for aiding Kingdoms against apolitical threats such as rogue mages, vampires, lycanthropes, and hostile anomalies. Contrary to popular belief, they are not paid to fight wars as mercenaries.

## Military

The Praetic Order's military compromises the entirety of the Order itself, given it's standing as a Knight Order rather than a nation. Armataris - old Silvic for "Guardian", is the term used to refer to official members of the Order. They are individuals who have gone through training as initiates and dedicated themselves to the Order's cause of defending Ludwag and Azura as a whole. The average Armataris is typically well-armed, clad in at least a few pieces of plate armor and wielding powerful runic weaponry - made easily available to them through the use of runestones. The strongest of the Armataris are the Armataris Astalda, famously known as the Heavy Guardians. They are clad in impenetrable suits of runed chiltic armor, and are a rare sight to see. The Heavy Guardians are considered unkillable by conventional means, but they are by no means entirely invincible; Heavy Guardians have been felled in combat before, mostly at the hands of the Corruption or by extremely powerful mages.

The non-combative side to the Praetic Order are the Istyari; a large sect of scholars, scientists, and researchers who serve the Praetic Order. They possess knowledge capable of being destructive on a realm-wide scale, and seldom share their information with outsiders.

## Government

The Praetic Order is autocratic for the most part, with the Kaidon, the knight-commander of the Antem Order, having final say over just about everything. Regardless, he does not make all of the decisions - and a council of commanders known as the Cadorma are responsible for most of the decisions made by the Order. Cadorma are long-standing competent officers who have been promoted to their position through a vote amongst the current Cadormas, though on occasion are generals and leaders of foreign armies who have transferred to the Praetic Order to aid their cause. The Kaidon is selected through a moot amongst the Cadorma Council.

## Culture

The Praetic Order follows a strict code of chivalry, honor, and respect. The Seven Oaths are rites each Guardian must swear themselves to upon completion of their trials as initiates;

1. To protect the innocent and your comrades, regardless of what threat is posed to your life.
2. To protect the lands of Azura from dark beings.
3. To respect one’s superiors.
4. To bend one’s knee to no power.
5. To aid the injured or needy, no matter the circumstance.
6. To remain clear headed whilst working in the line of duty.
7. To remain steadfast in one’s humility.

The Praetic Order's culture revolves around defending those who cannot defend themselves, ensuring the longevity of mortal-kind on Azura, and ensuring the freedom of those who reside within Ludwag. These ideas have allowed a zealous hatred for cursed creatures such as vampires and lycanthropes to thrive within the Praetic Order; even cursed beings that take up lives of benevolence are not spared, though unwillingly turned incumbent vampires or afflicted lycanthropes often have a blind eye turned to them lest they seek out heightened power.

Tabards and helmets are often personalized by the various members of the Praetic Order - in an effort to show to their enemy and the people they serve that they are not faceless knights; rather, are living breathing people.