Order of the Vallotis

The **Order of the Vallotis** (pronounced /vɑːlloʊtɪs/) was officially regarded as a force that defended the sanctity of Apollonian light, truth and prophecy. Their advocates claimed they were saviours, holy warriors, protectors of the light, and champions of all that was truthful. Others saw them as symbols of control over the freedom of art with a religious fervour that inspired absolute devotion to their mandate rather than morality. Their role was to protect the communities of faithful from dark threats. Their main headquarters was Sunguard in Dexicos, though the Order operated across the entire Kingdom of Heliotym.

In 529, an unknown event triggered a conflict between the Vallotis and the Faen and thus evolved into a Civil War than spanned the majority of Heliotym. What such event was is debated to this day, but the relationship between these two groups had gradually deteriorated for decades beforehand.

Five years of war of war passed. Sometime during 534, the Faen defeated the Vallotis — disarming and dissolving the Order quickly after. According to Leoven, most members were then executed (likely those with the Captain rank and above) or exiled. In some time following the end of the war, the Faen transformed Sunguard into an art museum.

## Operations

### Oath-Taking

All members of the Vallotis after recruitment and a suitable period of training undertake the Vallotis oath, which binds them to the order until either breaking their oath and thus losing all powers or upon death. The Vallotis oath is as follows:

> ***To uphold the doctrine of and maintain loyalty to the Vallotis.***
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The Vallotis doctrine is as follows:

> *To prevent the misuse of arcane abilities and art in the worship of Apollo, and preserving the purity of light.*
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### Ranks of the Vallotis

The Vallotis are structured in a rank based system. It is customary that ranks are gifted on a merit-based system, though — like in most orders, armies, and mercenary groups — superior ranks can be filled by those of immediate lower ranks if there is a sudden vacancy, such as death or oath breaking.

#### Recruit

> Anyone enlisted in the Order preparing to take their Oath.
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#### Hoplite (Knight)

> *Hoplites* are fully fledged members of the Vallotis who have taken their Oaths. This is the lowest official rank of any soldier within the Order.
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#### Lieutenant

> A *Lieutenant* is in charge of a small squad of roughly five or six Hoplites This rank behaves more like a sub-rank, but was only gifted to skilled members of a squad to award quasi-leadership. A Lieutenant does not have an archaic Vallotis name as the position was likely created later than the founding of the Vallotis, unlike all the other ranks.
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#### Lokhagos (Captain)

> A *Lokhagos* has Captaincy over four or five Lieutenants. They can lead Vallotis operations and are meant to be obeyed without question by recruits and Hoplites.
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#### Syntagma (Colonel)

> All *Syntagma* are in charge of a regiment of approximately 150 Vallotis, with five Lokhagos under their command. A Syntagma may also be called on by a Taxiarhos to act as a covert agent to root out conspiracy or act as their deputy should they be unavailable to personally command those of a lesser rank. They may also be called upon to personally oversee special operations such as arrests, raids, and investigations.
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#### Taxiarhos (Commander)

> *Taxiarhos* is a title granted to the second-highest-ranking officer of the Vallotis. They are officials who are responsible for strategizing and commanding the operations of the Order. They often work with important Faen officials to supervise the running of larger-scale experimentations and studies.
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#### Stratigos (General)

> A *Stratigos* is the highest-ranking officer working on the front lines of the Order. They also sit on a council of Generals to advise the Polemarch.
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#### Polemarch

> The *Polemarch* is the leader of the Vallotis Order. The only person of higher authority in the city of Dexicos would be the King. The leader of the Faen is of equal standing.
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## Trivia

* The conception of the Order of the Vallotis was inspired by a combination of the Templar Order and the Grey Wardens *(Dragon Age)*