Guardians of the Nine often use the Knights of the Veil as their enforcement arm.
The Knights of the Veil are a devout and disciplined order, sworn to the eradication of undead, particularly those spirits that defy the natural order by lingering in the mortal realm. Their mission is to ensure that the veil separating life and death remains intact, and they view the existence of free-willed spirits as an abomination that must be purged.
Structure and Beliefs:
Hierarchy: The order is led by a Commander, who oversee regional chapters of the order, and Knights, who serve as the frontline warriors. Squires and lay members support the Knights in their missions.
Vows: Every Knight of the Veil takes sacred vows to uphold the sanctity of life and death, to show no mercy to undead creatures, and to protect the living from the corruption of undeath. They also swear to defend the helpless and uphold justice, as they believe that the undead thrive in places where justice has been denied.
Training: Knights undergo rigorous training in both martial and divine disciplines. They are skilled in the use of holy weapons and are often granted blessings by the temples that support their cause. Their training also includes knowledge of necromancy, not to practice it, but to better understand and counter the dark arts that give rise to the undead.
Supporting Temples:
Temple of Ishtar: The Temple of Ishtar provides strong support to the Knights of the Veil. As a deity associated with life, love, and fertility, Ishtar’s followers see the undead as a direct violation of the sanctity of life. The Temple offers blessings, healing, and divine guidance to the Knights, often accompanying them on missions to ensure the proper sanctification of battlefields.
Temple of Set: While more aligned with balance and the cycle of life and death, the Temple of Set supports the Knights’ mission to maintain the natural order. Priests of Set often assist in rituals to banish or bind spirits, ensuring that the undead are returned to their rightful place in the afterlife.
Operations:
Hunting Spirits: The Knights of the Veil are often called upon to hunt down rogue spirits, particularly those that have been summoned or bound by necromancers.
Guarding the Veil: The order is also tasked with guarding places where the veil between life and death is thin, such as ancient battlefields, cursed ruins, or sites of mass death. They set up wards and perform rituals to strengthen the veil and prevent the dead from crossing over.
Public Outreach: The Knights also engage in public outreach, educating the populace about the dangers of necromancy and the undead. They hold ceremonies to honor the dead and ensure their peaceful rest, reinforcing the community’s connection to the natural cycle of life and death.
Question of Darakhul
Knights of the Veil approach the emergence of Darakhul as a symptom of Amber Fever with a combination of investigation, containment, and spiritual support, all while navigating the ethical complexities of dealing with victims of a terrible affliction. Their ultimate goal is to protect the living, honor the dead, and prevent the further spread of undeath in Seregon.
In summary, the Knights of the Veil are a formidable and sacred order, deeply respected for their commitment to preserving the balance between life and death. Supported by powerful temples and driven by a strong sense of duty, they stand as a bulwark against the horrors of undeath in the world of Seregon.