Order of the Radiant Sun

### Symbols and attire

Talisman with a longsword shining in the sun, decorative red capes and robes, trimmed plate armors and shields with fiery patterns, and white horses

### Motto

"Justice comes at the break of dawn"

The Order of the Radiant Sun is one of the most respected knightly orders one can find on the continent of Énelya. They are devoted to their God Imperatus and his proclaimed son, Firentinus, and under their leadership and guiding light they pledge their lives in the fight against Angmar and his demons. Firentinus was their original founder; he founded the order some years before the Second Demon War and the coming of Malzarak. Most believe that Firentinus was sent by his father, Imperatus, to guide the people of El Sherdan towards a glorious future; they heeded his warnings and established a powerful army of paladins and clerics, preparing for a massive conflict and once it came, they rode in great numbers and destroyed the armies of Malzarak together with their allies, the elves of Náraleth and the dwarves of Vonrim.

Because of the charismatic leadership of Firentinus and the orders great success in the Second Demon War, the Radiant Sun has established an extremely powerful position within the Empire of El Sherdan. They are essentially the core of their army and their highest ranking members act as commanders in many parts of the empire. Their duties include border patrol and inner security, military training, guarding the royal family as well as the bookkeeping and archiving of history. In general, their paladins and clerics are always at work wherever they go.

Around the El Sherdan capital of Osaris lies the training camp of the Radiant Sun which is used for training new recruits and generic soldiers of El Sherdan's army. From there, those who wish to become paladins move to the Radiant Citadel on the western border of El Sherdan and those who wish to become clerics move to the Library of Enlightenment close to the southern coast of El Sherdan. Some may eventually return and take positions within the Radiant Monastery or the Temple of Imperatus. Those who wish to be on the front lines are moved to the Crimson Vanguard which is tasked with patrolling the western border and frequently comes into contact with brigands, beasts, drow and gray elves. Some members of the order are situated within the chapter houses in Antar and Isqarioth's Bastion, who also train their own recruits. Paladins and clerics sent to Isqarioth's Bastion include some of their most experienced members; they have the important tasks of helping the Bastion Defenders in any way they can and gathering intel from the dangerous wastes known as the Wildlands of Angmar. However, they have a secondary, more secretive task of keeping an eye on the Dead Kingdom of Vhenan as the new wave of necromancy and undeath has raised concerns within the order.

Aside from paladins and clerics, the Order of the Radiant Sun likes to employ other, more specialized agents on the field. These of course include the reclusive and ever so elusive inquisitors and their more specialized branch, the kinslayers; devoted dhampirs dedicated towards eradicating all vampires from Sherdanian lands. The dhampirs and their natural instincts in tracking and fighting undead have proven useful to the Radiant Sun and in exchange for their assured survival and well-being, the dhampirs will gladly serve. The order also houses a few white necromancers in secret, just to learn more about necromancy and to find effective ways to combat it. All kinds of wizards as well as sorcerers specializing in fire magic and pledging themselves to the services of Imperatus and Calina are always welcome in their ranks. Wizards help in investigating magical matters and provide utility while sorcerers are used mostly for combating and eliminating threats. Ifrit sorcerers are a common example of this. Other than that, some martial classes such as fighters are used as front-line combatants but they are usually limited in their advancement within the hierarchy of the Radiant Sun, unless they show extraordinary valiance and strength of faith.

In recent years, the Order of the Radiant Sun has developed a strong rivalry with the Knights of the Black Star. The betrayal of the dark elves and their king Nárindo along with the Scouring of Náraleth left a seed of doubt in their minds and it has been growing over the years. The Radiant Sun does not trust Undariel and his moon elves, whom they see as opportunists and possible conspirators of Kyil'Zhal or some other Xal-Nuie. The order is constantly on their toes, prepared for another great war against the demonic forces summoned by these possibly traitorous elves. While the Knights of the Black Star have attempted to be more diplomatic, the Radiant Sun can be hard to convince and most members are not backing down until they have definite proof. Their interests in the east are currently divided between Vhenan and the Wildlands of Angmar, both of which are seen as dangerous areas and possible threats to El Sherdan and the south as a whole. The Radiant Sun has proven to be rather indecisive on what they should focus on and have instead chosen to wait for a better moment to act while continuing to gather as much information as possible.