The Kromwell Order

***TL;DR*** A pre-cataclysm band of mercenaries who have turned to specializing in hunting all things Rittic.

*The vast majority of this information is unknown to the larger population of the continent as they have faded into relative obscurity following the disappearance of the Order's main Guild Hall.*

Originally a pre-cataclysm band of mercenaries recognized as the **Brandenweisers, the** **Krömwell Order** is an organization notable for its **vampire hunting capabilities** and it’s orderly and controlled use of RITTIC magic.

The **Brandenweisers** were noted to be one of the few freecorps style peacekeeping forces within the **Aurilian Holy Empire.** Afforded a retainer type fee in some areas the **Brandenweisers** were relatively well off in some areas working tooth and nail to try and make a living. In the areas they were not paid they simply took whatever they could from the individuals they were applying ‘peacekeeping’ force towards, laying absolute waste to nomadic raider bands in a manner that would simply be too cost ineffective for kingdoms to achieve.

While this generally attracted them a positive reputation the organization quickly fell to chaos, being responsible for killing a disorganized elvish infantry party who were collecting taxes. This attracted scorn from all sorts of individuals, and calls for it’s abolition were quickly brought into political rings around the continent.

From this point on the group was forced into hiding, instead of walking around as they once did on full show they took a far more muted approach. Disguised as merchants the group continued to exist among the peasantry for far longer than it should’ve been able to.

After the death of the Dwarven King and Elven King **Brandenweisers** were forced even deeper into hiding, following the establishment of the **Neo Aurilian Empire.** With the balkanization of the Empire on the horizon, various senators paid members of the **Brandenweisers** off, using them as a temporary garrison. To avoid much scrutiny the group were posted at a keep that was afforded to them by one of the senators and thus the group was rechristened…

**The Krömwell Order**

The cataclysm itself was an absolute blessing for the Order, rittic Magic effectively set the organization on a continent-wide treasure hunt; various artifacts falling into their hands. Most notable among these artifacts was a terribly accursed shield, so palpably filled with rittic energy that even the Thelotics in the group could hardly stand the sight of it.

The sheer amount of power within this shield compelled infighting very quickly among the mages in the group, the leader at the time -**Bodmin Krömwell-** a powerful Thelotic attempted to destroy the shield though was brutally slain in the process; being impaled on a wooden stake and left for dead.

Ironically, the means of his own undoing quickly became his salvation. The shield itself taking his soul, embedding itself on a metaphysical plane out of reach. While no longer physically able to be reached, the shield itself grew a terrifying ability to ‘carve’ at someone, being able to effectively reallocate their life force into physical augments.

While impossible to physically hold, the shield itself was forever bound to the members of the **Krömwell Order,** the family line that held it together all became able to invoke the shield, all with varying strengths. The horrendous mix of a graceful soul and rittic magic effectively created a perverse ‘geist’ who could not physically manifest himself due to the chaotic impact it would have on his surroundings.

The shield itself quickly became a curse for the members of the Order, the lot being forced to serve under Krömwell’s sons and daughters for fear of punishment beyond mortal comprehension. As an eternal punishment for his death, the geist forced the members to continue hunting for items of extreme rittic power to seal away from the rest of the world, wanting to avoid the complete destruction of civility in the already fragmented world.

Over time, the group began to slowly fall to obscurity, rumors of ‘treasure hunters’ instead swiftly replaced them. A pleasant cover for their actual dealings. The modifications dealt to the members and the terrifying creatures they field have led to rumored sightings of a ghostly order who prowl for greedy souls. Though ironically the overwhelming majority of the group are **simply human.**

Equipment List

The Kromwell Order's Equipment List