Articles
The Nworadi
The Knights of Goranthor
The
Nworadi verge on the dubious status of a secret society, such as the Templar
of medieval Europe, or the Masons of the 18th and 19th century. They
are a group of Goranthite paladins dedicated to the protection of Lorn,
the only extant elfin nation. They are small, but powerful and organized.
Much of their activity is clandestine, and despite the fact that majority
of Nworadi are elves, the Order prefers its affairs to remain largely removed
from the public eye, for what the innocent may know, so may the foul goblinoid
hordes. The Order itself is cloaked in secrecy, half-truths and myth;
the curious are usually lead far astray by deliberate and not-so-deliberate
misinformation, though some just mysteriously disappear.
The Nworadi cause King Hælor
not a little unease, for although they seem to support his policies of
isolationism and the unity of the elfin peoples, they are a small but tremendously
powerful force who have made it very evident that they serve their god
Goranthor and the welfare of the people of Lorn before any crown.
The Nworadi are composed
largely of paladins of the elfin god Goranthor, but their ranks also include
a handful of Goranthite priests and clerics, and even an occasional truly
devoted fighter. The Nworadi are purely elfin – there is not a single
non-elf or even half-elf among their ranks. They also have a number
of friends and supporters among the Lornian nobility who are devoted to
the Nworadian cause, but rightfully feel ill at ease openly supporting
an organization upon which the King looks with disfavor.
Many people know of,
fear and respect the Nworadi, but few indeed know many specifics about
the order. Frequently its members led double lives, and all members
have a name known only by their fellow Nworadi. Also, upon entering
the organization, a number of Nworadi completely remove themselves from
society at large in order to totally devote themselves to the Order.
Using the Nworadi in Your Campaign
The Nworadi stand in a precarious
position. They can easily become an oppressive secret society much
like the present day Ku Klux Klan: deep-rooted and immensely powerful through
both clandestine planning, pure brute force and political savvy.
On the other hand, the Nworadi are Lorn’s first and best defense against
an invasion of any kind – and they are active in their defense. Nworadi
are commonly sent out into the wilderness and other kingdoms for reconnaissance
and to aid other Lornians citizens in need. It may be interesting
to play the Nworadi as the Masons of the 19th century: a mighty respected
fraternal society cloaked in secrecy that has now become mistrusted and
feared, perhaps for good reason, perhaps for none.
PCs may encounter
a Nworad in need of assistance – or they may even attempt to enlist the
Order to come to their own aid. In the former case, the Nworad will
be properly grateful, for despite the shadow of mystery that looms over
the Order, Nworadi have a strict sense of honor and conduct. He pledge
the PCs his –and possibly the Order’s – help in the future. In the
latter case, the largest hurdle will be actually locating a member, or
anyone who will actually know something concrete about the Order and be
willing to admit it. But, the PCs may have a good cause, though the
Nworadi will always make their own decisions. However, the Order
does nothing for free: they will consider the PCs indebted to them, and
may call for the repayment of the debt at any (inconvenient) time.
Your PCs may even
be enlisted by the Nworadi in may ways. They may be hired as guards
to accompany a supporter of the Order, or as simple explorers, or even
as spies to work either in Lorn or abroad. However, it is doubtful
that the PCs will ever know they are working for the Nworadi, even after
repeated contact. The Order places a great priority on its anonymity.
The PCs may only discover the identity of their employers, or even benefactors
only when they deeply involved in the Nworadi’s clandestine machinations.
Symbols: Black
and gold; a gauntleted fist holding the blade of a sword, all in gold,
upon a black shield. Often members are given a ring or a small medallion
with this crest upon it.
