Coronan Warrior Lodges

Created in the Age of Anarchy, Coronan Warrior Lodges are Knighthood orders which serve the Kingdom of Zoscia in times of peace as an alternative method of policing the surrounding regions and protecting the downtrodden. Originally formed as an elite military extension of the ancient Coronan Kingdoms, the development of professional forces has phased the Orders out of mainstream military operations and instead placed them in a more honorary role within Coronan society. Modern Lodges and Orders are primarily founded and ran by retired military personnel with active duty rarely being seen by the founders, this is because of the limitations placed on Lodge operations. In times of war and active military campaigns, the Warrior Lodges cease to function militarily and operate instead as a club where soldiers can meet and leisure about. During peace times however, the Lodges are granted the ability to commence in contract based operations and receive the occasional funding from government institutions as a means to help bolster their strength and supplies.

Having a close relationship with the Zoscian Armed Forces, active military personnel that sign on with a Lodge are required to remain active in the organization just as they would serving the military directly. Performance and activity dossiers are kept on all active soldiers by the Orders, them transferring the information to the Armed Forces on a regular basis. When it comes to military situations that go above the Lodges own abilities, the military is consulted about the issue along with the monarch on their next course of action; a symbiotic relationship existing between the three institutions. Only active or retired military personnel are allowed to join the Lodges, a series of trials being conducted which vary from hunting dangerous creatures to showing feats of strength. Using the trials as a means to filter out unqualified recruits, only the best are inducted into orders and are required to commence in the Oath of Knighthood which is a set of moral codes they must follow. Failure to do so leads to expulsion from the Lodges and if controversial enough, perhaps even imprisonment by the government for their drastic crimes.

Serving low income contractors and sometimes even working for free, Warrior Lodges are profit based organizations which also commence in charity if the situation is dire enough for their employer. Government subsidies are given in the case of charity contracts so as to pay the participating warriors, this has helped nurture a culture of compassion and guardianship over the downtrodden which had differentiated it from most private forces which work off of price alone. Their efforts also allow Zosica to propagate its political and religious interests abroad and towards a direct group of people, the downtrodden which are more willing then most groups to adapt and convert if it offers a better life.

## Oath of Knighthood

The Oath of Knighthood has existed in the Age of Anarchy and remains a government enforced code of conduct for all members of a Warrior Lodge or Order. Those which retain the Oath and remain active members also gain the lowest rank of nobility which is the Knight, a title which carries weight within Coronan society.

*I swear by the Light and Corona to uphold their values and protect their interests. I will be their sword and shield in the midst of battle which strikes at the darkness and protects the innocent and downtrodden. No foe will be spared by my blade, no victim will be left to the devices of evil, I will give my life for any and all wishing to walk the righteous path. Through the glory of our Lord and greater Zosica I will fight and defend those which cannot help themselves and will raise them up as equals. No shadow will remain untouched by light and no soul left behind, as a Knight of righteous and honor I humbly serve until death.*

## Warrior Lodges

Orders and Lodges come in many different styles and varying degrees of power, however several rise above the rest as Coronas finest and most renown Warrior Lodges. These listed few have earned their place through their consistent success and service throughout history or their considerable size and funding which has propelled them to relevancy. In the event that a minor lodge begins failing, it can always merge into a more successful one so as to retain its service and sometimes even its heraldry if allowed to do so. This has made several large Lodges more so a melting pot of smaller ones which all work together under a single organization.

Grey Tailed Fighters: Tracing its origins back to the Grey Tailed Rebellion and its warriors, the Fighters do not share the socialist ideals of its predecessor and instead draw attention to the fighting style used by their ancestors. Made up of descendants of the original rebels and warriors drawn by the unique style, the Fighters utilize fire dancing in combat and adorn an artificial Rolmer tail which they set ablaze; hence the name. They set their swords on fire as well and make their combat maneuvers an art form in its own right with dances and ballads being crafted for the fray. The Fighters have existed since the Kingdoms Era and primarily takes low income and charity contracts in the modern era, them being a safe and work oriented order that simply wishes to help the little man similarly to their ancestors.

Templar's of Light: A religious order formed from the most pious and zealous of Coronan society, the Templar's have existed since the Age of Anarchy and work primarily in the faiths interest and protect religious officials whenever necessary. More of an internal order, Coronan warriors wishing for a closer bond to their God join this organization and practice religious rites and ceremonies alongside their usual contract duties. While contracts and charities are commenced on occasion for outsiders, the religious activities of this organization makes it less active compared to its peers. Renown for its heavily armored Templar's and Paladins which rely on faith to see them through the most deadly of contracts, they have built up a decent reputation as guardians even in the most dire of circumstances and a reliable source for new converts.

Corona's Chosen: Formed during the Zoscian Succession War, Corona's Chosen is a Warrior Lodge dedicated to the Kingdom of Zoscias interests and only operates within allied territories for contracts. Created in reaction to the Red Maw, Corona's Chosen are known as caretakers of the world and work to preserve its beauty and influence among the stars. Considerably more diplomatic compared to other Lodges, the Chosen are seen by many as the most effective and favored organization for its difficult trials and ability to defuse even the worst of situations.

The Lodge of Zoscia: The largest known Lodge and most active, the Lodge of Zoscia is a merger of multiple minor organizations into a single entity. Having the easiest requirements for entry and a willingness to take any and all contracts, it has ballooned in size and relevancy with many believing it to be the future of Warrior Lodges; a single organization which everyone pitches into. Formed in the Interstellar Era, it is a more recent addition to the Lodges numbers and yet one of its most successful as well. Making most of its income from stamping out piracy and guarding merchants, it has a sizable treasury and passionate young warriors which consistently flock to its banner in hopes of honor and glory.

Kings Guard: The smallest of the major Lodges and one of the most traditional, the Kings Guard is a Kingdoms Era knight order which served the Empire of Oaldia and its nobility as an honor guard. It went on to later serve Old Zoscia and the Kingdom of Kolagah following Oaldias collapse and eventually the Kingdom of Zoscia. Employed primarily by Coronan nobles and sometimes the monarchy itself, the Kings Guard operates mainly as an internal order which rarely takes high profile contractors outside of the nations borders.

## Trivia

The Coronan Warrior Lodges are based off of the Norse Viking Lodges and Knighthood Orders of Medieval Europe.