Order of the Golden Lance

> "Brothers and Sisters in Arms,
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> The Order of the Golden is an organization for the betterment of Haven, and as such it must be impartial in nature and well regulated in structure. With regards to the latter, we must set standards for ourselves, and we must keep to them if we are to remain on this noble path we have been set on by the first Lord Commander, Zy Ravenheart." - **Original Recruitment Poster for the Order (circa 2019)**
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First of the Great Knight Orders, the Knights of the Golden Lance were founded during the War of Time to bring law, order, and most importantly hope to the people of Compass Rose. These fighters for what they believe is right and just can be found all over the world, but their base of operations is the town of Compass Rose, for which they serve as law enforcement and defense forces.

## **Zy’s Golden Standards**

There are a set of "Standards" that all Knights of the Golden Lance must uphold, and the majority swear by as a way of life. The Standards are as follows:

1. The Knights of the Order are to protect one another, only in the event that innocents are endangered otherwise should a knight abandon their comrades.
2. The Knights of the Order are to not take sides in a conflict unless to protect the lives and wellbeing of the innocent and Haven itself. Knights shown to put their own loyalties and opinions above protecting the innocent will be asked to put those loyalties aside for the greater good, or if that cannot be done, to leave the Order.
3. The Knights of the Order are to put the lives of innocent before their own.
4. The Knights of the Order are to only resort to violence if deemed necessary. Attempts at diplomacy should always be taken first.
5. The Knights of the Order are to abide by and help uphold the laws of the land in which they operate. In the event that the laws of the land conflict with the laws of the order, default to the laws of the land.
6. The Knights of the Order are to act honorably and justly, both on and off the battlefield. Knights found to be engaged in dishonorable or unjust activities or behaviors will be either discharged from the Order or will serve to correct their actions.
7. The Knights of the Order are to obey the orders of their superiors unless those orders directly conflict with the laws of the Standard, in which case the Standard will be chosen first.
8. The Knights of the Order are to hold themselves and their comrades to the Standards set by the Order. Should a Knight’s actions conflict with the Standards, their reasoning will be heard and judged by the assembled local Paladins of the Order.

### **Oath of the Standards**

(Said before and after The Standards are spoken in witness of the Lord Commander, or in some circumstances a high ranking Paladin)

"I hereby swear to uphold Zy’s Golden Standards to the best of my abilities, whether on the battlefield or in the Tavern. In everything I do and everything I say, until the day I die or the day I leave The Order."

## **Structure of the Order**

### **Lord Commander**

Leader of the Knights of the Golden Lance. By standard stationed in Compass Rose. It is their job to lead the knights in any way they see fit. After the death or retirement of a Lord Commander, a new one are chosen by a collected council of all available Paladins from amongst themselves.

### **Paladins**

In charge of individual teams of knights and footmen. They must ensure their Knights uphold the standards and protect the citizens to the best of their ability, and their footmen uphold the integrity of the Order and follow orders. They are in charge of sentencing criminals and holding other forms of trials within the boundaries of Compass Rose unless a higher court is called for.

### **Knights**

Soldiers that have taken the oath and become Knights of the Golden Lance, gaining the title of Sir and a higher status within the Order. Following their local Paladin or set off solo into the world, the knights seek to uphold the standards, the laws of the local area, and protect the civilians. It is a knight’s job to ensure greater conflicts to not endanger the innocent bystanders or forgo local laws.

### **Footman**

These are the rank and file soldiers of the Order. Those simply working for basic pay or training to take the Knight's Oath. Though they technically follow the Paladins that the Knights do, they are often temporarily assigned to an individual knight for patrols, battle lines, or other important duties.

## **Famous Knights**

### **Lord Commander Zy Ravenheart**

*Full Page: Zy Ravenheart*

 The Founder of the Order, Zy was a Noxcess who was once a wanted fugitive in his homeland for failing to uphold an Oath. Because of this, he dedicated his life to doing good in the world by protecting those who cannot protect themselves, and bringing hope to those who have lost it. As a child, his father told him mostly fictitious stories of Knights of old, and he brought those stories to life by working to found the Order with his closest friend, Lance Cestil. He later courageously sacrificed himself along with his right hand man Sir Dylan Fairbrook, his fiance Tanda Raven, along with the rest of the Grey Wardens to end the war of time.

### **Saint Lance Cestil**

*Full Page: Lance Cestil*

A boy of but 17 during the lead-up to the War of Time, he was a force for good within the town of Compass Rose. A priest of the old time deity Tanana, his optimistic view of the world bringing a certain light to the town that even Lord Commander Zy could not bring. However, he was killed but weeks before the War of Time began by a member of the Cult of Isaac, the pre-cursor to the Cult of Caliban who started the War of Time, while Zy was occupied dealing with a massive Aether creature. However his legacy lives on, the Order itself being founded in his name.

### **Sir Garrik Walker**

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