These Orders are sometimes wrongly linked with mercenary troops, particularly the numerous Fighting Orders, but this denigrates the standards and recognition which belong to Orders. Responsible Orders range from long-standing organizations hired as guards to free-ranging Paladins affiliated only by their commitment to the same vows. They tend, with a few significant exceptions, to be less prestigious than the Honourary Orders and less well known, but much more common. Missing the social element which the Honourary Orders can boast, and usually offering fewer rewards, Responsible Orders are the "working character's" second home. Responsible Orders also offer training and access to certain Class "Kits" which are otherwise unavailable (i.e. the only way to become a Medician Paladin is to belong to the Order of the Red Robe).
The number of Responsible Orders for Paladins is less than other Responsible Orders due not so much to a lack of need but more to a lack of potential members. The Responsible Paladin Orders, or Holy Orders, are also limited by the need for both a religious and political environment which encourages or at least allows for Paladins and their organization into Orders.
Order of the White Lance - the most famous of the Divinate Paladin Orders, this Order also has the longest history. Steadfast worshippers of Syphide, they would rather die than renounce their vows, and many have given their lives in the name of their lord. Common only in the Onuin Holdings, they can still be found doing good deeds and defending their faithful wherever Syphide is worshipped in the south. Founded in 3221 in Iftos, they suffered terribly under the rule of the Viphor Dominion, and the Order was virtually wiped out. They survived and now are based in Bayhead, Rockwall and Shrift, along with their headquarters in Iftos. Member benefits include room and board at any temple to Syphide in the Holdings, a +1 reaction bonus from lawful and neutral NPCs, and a +2 reaction bonus from all good aligned NPCs of the common or lower classes. Membership is now at an all-time high of 28 members.
Order of Noble Grace - this small order of True Paladins (worshipping Syphide) is based in Venelland, and like the Order of the Sextile, it often finds itself intervening in the political and military disputes between Venelland and the Magedom. The good news for the Venellese is that the Order of Noble Grace can also safely be said to be partisan: as the worship of Syphide is shunned (and heavily taxed) in the Magedom, these Paladins clearly side with Venelland.
Order of the Fair Stag - a very small and little known Order, they are accorded tremendous respect by those who have met them or have had some interaction with them. These True Paladins are based out of the mighty temple to Federdall called Amsran, near to Rushan in the Andron Kingdom. Founded in 3872 to honour those fallen in clearing the area of monsters to make it safe for travellers, the Order believes that as Federdall is the Great Defender and the Watcher of the White Way, it is their duty to defend all ways. They can be found on roads, trails and trade routes throughout northern Trishore. The roster stands at 9 Paladins at this time, and to aid them the Priests in Amsran provide them with free spells and access to any training they may desire.
Distinguished Order of the White Way - honourable followers of Federdall, they have often performed great feats of valour and faith in the name of their god, and are known throughout north-central Trishore. These Divinate Paladins have one of the toughest vows to follow in all of Trishore. In addition to the basic vows, they also include tithes of 25% of all income, chastity and celibacy, and industry. Benefits include a +3 reaction bonus from all good NPCs familiar with the Order, and free room and board wherever they desire. The sponsoring Temples are found in Ald-Mured, Oukran, and Fayrint, with the headquarters based in Belecost in the Andron Kingdom. At this time a mere 15 Paladins make up the complete Order.
Righteous Order of Divine Wrath - a highly militant and aggressive branch of the Temple to Lysturge in Ocba, these rare Paladins have taken the Peacekeeper aspect of their god to a deadly height. They worship only the L.G. aspects of Lysturge and treat worshippers of other L.G. gods with disdain, worshippers of non-evil gods are treated with loathing, and those of an evil alignment are merely put to death. Even other Priests of Lysturge who are not L.G. are met with contempt. The Temples involved, in Merlot, Pinal, and Terach sponsor members of this Order, with the headquarters based in Aubert. This Order is the only source of Votary Paladins in all of Trishore. They have been involved in a holy war to exterminate all Printep worshippers (particularly in Bornu) for over fifty years. Membership currently stands at 23 Paladins.
Order of the Knight's Heart - this Order is highly visible and well known throughout Schew, as these True Paladins serve primarily as guards, chaperones and helpers within temples to Shelah in and around Schew. Thus, they are seen by Shelah worshippers and passersby quite regularly, and are assumed to number far more than they actually do: there are 44 Paladins currently in this order. Their entry standard is simple (worship Shelah and have the minimum standards for Paladinhood), and any Temple will sponsor qualified applicants, so many are quite low-level. But they are devoted, and very commited to their local Temple and community, which makes them very popular in return. Compensation includes room, board, all spells for free, and a minimal stipend based on the recipients level.
Order of the Red Robe - founded in 3557 by Bucal Rinot in the village of Silverflow in the Kingdom of Cadorna, this Order remains the only source of Medician Paladins in all of Trishore. They worship Sefeldt, and their healing powers and willingness to risk their lives for a patient are well known, and those wearing the embroidered Red Robe receive a warm welcome virtually everywhere they go. Sefeldt welcomes all Good worshippers, but Bucal Rinot, the founder of this Temple was a True Paladin worshipping Sefeldt, and effectively the father of all Medician Paladins in Trishore. Upon the temple's construction he discovered there were many who were eager to strike a blow for Good by healing and helping others, and so began the Order's rich history. A recent surge in applicants has recently raised membership to 27 Paladins.
Noble Order of the Holy Battle - all leaders and noted tacticians, the members of this Order revel in battle as much as they excel in its execution. These Militarist Paladins made the difference in many Cadornian wars, and they take their support of the Kingdom second only to their vows to Federdall. Technically all temples to Federdall in the Kingdom of Cadorna sponsor this Order, offering rest and sanctuary, but almost all take their vows at the hands of the Patriarch in the temple at Anchor Castle. They are accorded great respect in the Kingdom (above 6th level is treated as an Armon), and are well known in all lands north of the Samarkand. There are but 31 of these Paladins in Cadorna, most of them low level, but they are an huge repository of military knowledge.
Knights of the Rose - perhaps the most noble, if fool-heartedly thick-headed Paladins in all of Trishore, they are known throughout the lands for their strong faith and arrogant ways. Usually minor nobles or land-owners in their homeland of Schew, these Chevalier Paladins all worship Amun. Sponsored by every church of Amun in Schew, Knights of the Rose are numerically more common with versus most of the other Orders in Trishore, with 43 members on the roster at this time (mostly lower level).
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