Black Ward was a large slavery organization centered in Waterdeep. They were led by Katayga Graymarsh who eventually joined the Light of Freedom after they were destroyed during the upheaval in Waterdeep.
Basic Information
Base of Operations: The Sword Coast
Leader: Nolgreth Goldenrod
Regents: Dolara Notchbelt, Ro Alstu, Thandal Socolt
Formed: 1488 DR
Membership
Members: Primarily human soldiers and warlocks though almost all classes and races are represented
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Symbol
Once working as adventurers for hire called the Blood Axes, the group was renamed and has become more and more violent and regimented. Originally this happened under the rule of Aeus Paxis, their expansion and move to being a military force has ramped up under the rule of Nolgreth Goldenrod. They went from having a few dozen members to now having over two hundred.
They now have factions in every major town and city working with many of the criminal organizations including Xanathar in Waterdeep.
Members
The group primarily hires ex-soldiers and other men-at-arms though others such as rogues, warlocks, and clerics do occasionally join. Usually this is a ratio of around ten fighters to one of the other three.
History
The year of formation for the Blood Axes has been lost to history, very much as a result of the formation of the Burning Blade. It is believed that the original group was around three to four hundred years old based on what some of the older members remember.
When Aeus Paxis took over in 1488 DR, he changed everything that the founders had desired for the group. Instead of trying to better the world around them while making a few coins, coinage became the driving force for everything they did. Some of the better members left the group during this time but many were happy to do what they did for the amount of money they were making.
Unfortunately for Aeus, a smart and powerful regent named Nolgreth had him assassinated and took his place.
Tenants
The list of rules for members of the Burning Blade are many but are also in constant flux and not always enforced.
The main rule is that coin is all that matters in the end. Any job is worth it so long as the coin is enough. Good, evil, law, and chaos don't matter.
A new governing council over the city of Waterdeep to replace Shallis but keep alive the fight against slavery.
Member | Group |
---|---|
Ara Argadi | Advisor |
Arga Dael | Slavers |
Brenn Draegus | Nobles |
Daethi Fylsa | Freedom of Light |
Grund Haarl | Sailors |
Judan White | Clerics |
Kaleesa Draegus | Knaves Against Tyranny & Slavery |
Kafu Asdan | Council of Mages |
Mama Margaretta | Service Workers |
Trynn Mellik | Merchants |
A group founded in Waterdeep that sets out to destroy the slave trade located there. It has sense begun to spring up in other major cities along the Sword Coast. The leader of the movement is a female priestess by the name of Deborah Millings. Stolen from her home in the south years ago, she eventually secured her own freedom and now fights for others.
Basic Information
Base of Operations: Vigilant Tower
Leader(s): Steffan Hrothgar (cleric of Helm) and Anton Limnacod (Paladin of Tyr)
Favored Deities: Helm and Tyr
Formed: 1390 DR
Membership
Members: 20 paladins, 6 clerics, 2 fighters, and 1 sorcerer
Alignment: Neutral Good
An order of knights who practice vigilantism in order to preserver order and destroy evil. This order has existed for a relatively short time in the grand scheme of the Sword Coast at only 150 years old. They reside in the restored ruins of Castle Hatton, now known as Vigilant Tower. At their current membership of approximately 30 knights, they are fairly small compared to some of the other orders but what that lack in size they makeup for in tenacity.
Members
The Order consists mostly of humanoid paladins and clerics though there have been fighters and sorcerers among their ranks.
Brix Bandaria
One of the top level paladins of Helm. He is well renown for is fierce brutality in battle, often flying into a rage much like a barbarian.
History
In 1388 DR, a couple fended off a horde of orcs assaulting a small town on the Desserin River near Yartar named Midton. Having long been adventuring as a paladin of Helm, Perry Euphemia and a cleric of Tyr, Jeanne Dynamis, they felt it was time to buy some land and settle down. Repurposing the ruins of Summit Hall, they hired many people to man the new tower and drew in followers who wanted to help protect the town and learn their ways.
Slowly they built a small order of knights that they named The Order of the Vigilant that has remained at Vigilant Tower since. Most knights spend a few years outside of the tower as a part of their training to learn more about the world and how they fit into it.
On the eve of Spring Equinox in 1406, Perry passed away in his sleep at the age of 72. Two weeks later, Jeanne passed of a broken heart but not before setting up the line of succession for the order. Brix the Bearer served for 26 years after the deaths of the founders, preserving their tenants and ideals within. Eventually Brix was killed in battle against a fierce ancient red dragon leaving the group to a pair of elves named Steffan Hrothgar (cleric of Helm) and Anton Limnacod (Paladin of Tyr) who brought a harder edge to the order. Mercy and quarter were never to be given to any evil creature or human regardless of gender or age. The duo continues to rule the order and barring an unnatural death, they will remain there for several centuries to come.
Tenants
Preserving honor in the act of vanquishing is not as important as gaining glory. — Jeanne Dynamis, 1398
The primary tenant of the order is that evil must be vanquished and any means justify the ends. They also believe that creatures that are evil are always evil with no chance for redemption. They have no problem killing the young of evil creatures such as clutches of kobolds or hatchling chromatic dragons.
1. Destroy evil at all costs
2. That which is evil is irredeemable
3. Protect innocence and preserve good
4. Leaders who fail these tenants must be removed
Holidays
The order celebrates the traditional holidays of the Sword Coast as well as two holidays specific to the order. The first is Foundation Day and the second is The Day of Vicissitude.
Foundation Day (The 10th day of Uktar)
This is a celebration of the day that Perry and Jeanne fended off the orc horde in Midton. It is marked by a feast at midday and singing and dancing in the evening. At the height of the revelry, a group of knights sings the Hymn of Midton.
The Day of Vicissitude (The 19th day of Chez)
A more somber holiday than Foundation Day, it is a day of remembrance of Perry and Jeanne on the anniversary of Perry's passing. There is an evening meal followed by prayer in the chapel. Those knights abroad are required to spend two hours in prayer that evening facing Vigilant Tower, the location of Perry's death.
A now defunct group of bandits who had taken the town of Phandalin captive with threats. They were led by a mysterious wizard named Glasstaff, They were involved in human trafficking with slavers out of Neverwinter.
Founded by Ara Argadi and based in Neverwinter, The Spirit Walkers, allow the living to speak to the recently deceased for a short time to tie up loose ends for a nominal fee.