Deathguard

The Deathguard maintains its headquarters in Shae Mordai in Aerenal. Its members police the wilds of Aerenal, paying particular attention to the manifest zones tied to Mabar, which draw necromancers and undead. Its members operate outside Aerenal, however, where undead are more prevalent.

Cial Jhaelian (NG male undying councilor) is the High Warden of the Deathguard. He fought against House Vol when that line was shattered and continues to lead the Deathguard after his own demise. He has a gentle demeanor, even in battle; he feels pity for undead, not hatred.

Beneath the High Warden are four Wardens, each bearing nominal responsibility for one of the other four inhabited continents: Khorvaire, Sarlona, Xen’drik, and Argonnessen. The Warden of Argonnessen resides in Aerenal, since elves are not welcome in the dragon homeland.

The other members of the Deathguard find that they are most effective when they disperse themselves as widely as possible around the world. At the same time, they know the value of staunch allies in their unending battles, so they associate with like-minded adventurers, even non-elves, to better pursue their order’s goals. They send frequent reports to the Warden who has authority over the continent where they operate, and they can appeal to the Warden for assistance from other Deathguard members when needed.

Caskal Dulaen (NG male elf cleric 8 Undying Court) is a Cyran who fought Karrnathi undead in the war. As an urban elf, he constantly strives to prove his worth to the order over and above his usual duties. Marai Jhaelian (LG female elf paladin 5/hunter of the dead 3) is a grim warrior who underwent the ritual disfigurement common in the Jhaelian line before she joined the Deathguard, making her appear undead though she is in the prime of life.

The Undying Court teaches that negative undead are conduits to Mabar and that merely by existing, these creatures slowly drain away the life-force of Eberron itself. For the most part, the Aereni prefer to avoid contact with the outside world, but the war against undead is a danger that bypasses all borders. The soldiers engaged in this conflict are known as the Deathguard, an elite unit dedicated to the Undying Court and to eradicating the taint of undeath from the world.

The Deathguard is largely comprised of clerics, paladins, and fighters who have access to the Sacred Purifier prestige class, the Hunter of the Dead PrC from Complete Warrior, and the Sacred Exorcist PrC from Complete Divine. The order also includes a small corps of cleric/rogues with levels in the Shadowbane Stalker PrC from Complete Adventurer -- these agents are often equipped with ghost strike weapons, allowing them to make sneak attacks against incorporeal undead. In a world where most NPCs possess NPC class levels, the Deathguard are among the best at what they do, chosen from the most gifted soldiers and priests of Aerenal. But they are few in number, and the loss of any Deathguard is a blow to the Undying Court.

Clerics of the Deathguard can use the spells from Libris Mortis designed to fight undead (ghost trap, ghost touch armor, protection from negative energy, spawn screen, undead bane weapon, and similar effects) and should have access to many of the new feats. Aerenal is known for its manifest zones linked to Irian, and rituals performed in these regions infuse the Deathguard with positive energy. This in turn allows them to take feats such as Enduring Life, Empower Turning, Sacred Vitality, and Unquenchable Flame of Life. Participation in such a ritual could easily be a prerequisite for PCs who wish to take these feats. If a character can earn the respect of the Deathguard, she may be initiated into these mysteries.

The servants of the Deathguard are proud folk who believe that their calling places them above mortal laws. Others, however, do not share this view. The elves are generally required to act covertly. While they may strike at any undead creature or any necromancer that creates negative undead, they seek to battle the most significant targets -- powerful vampire lords, leaders of the Blood of Vol, and the like. Meanwhile, Erandis d'Vol despises the Deathguard and always takes any opportunity to eliminate a Deathguard unit. Because of this, Deathguard warriors may be unexpected allies in any battle against the Blood of Vol ... or they could show up unexpectedly as adventurers engaged in a delicate undercover operation!

Finally, the elves of Aerenal are the obvious source for positoxins. The jungles of Aerenal contain a host of unusual plants, many of which have been altered by exposure to the energies of Irian and Mabar. Between their long studies of the energies of these planes and their hatred of negative undead, the Aereni are the logical force to have developed these unusual tools.