The Red Blades

The Red Blades

Faction: Armed Forces of Sundren Location: Mirakus Post, Trade Tier of Sundren City

Typical Member Traits:

• Devotion to swordplay
• Typically lawful alignment
• Appreciates tactics and strategy

Summary

The Red Blades have existed since the founding of Sundren in 1230. Since that time they have been controlled by the descendants of Eriar Vitori; the founder who defined their unique style of swordsmanship. The Red Blades zealously serve Sundren and all of their members have sworn a pledge of eternal loyalty to both the guild and the state. Only the most skilled of warriors are ever inducted into the Red Blades. Once accepted, initiates must face certain trials which often cause even the most resilient warrior to falter. Those who overcome the trials endure rites of passage into full membership and begin their training under Vaer himself.

Origin/History

The Red Blades were founded when the first idealists following Mundus' trek began, hundreds of years ago. Many were former soldiers, high-ranking lieutenants and well trained militia men alike. They wanted to survive, and they evolved in the pursuit of perfection with all matter of blade.

The Red Blades have a patron deity, the Red Knight. They believe in mastering tactical situations, and rely on out-witting and out-skilling their opponent in brutal, highly-efficient force. They are not provoked easily, but when they do strike, it's seldom not a killing blow.

There was an ancient relic, which the red blades hold sacred, Vaer himself discovered it... Though none never heard him say as to where he got it before he died, only that it came to him in a vision after a lifelong pursuit.

That relic is the Book of 10,000 Blades. A cryptic book, written with the wisdom of swordsmanship and battle tactics of lands unknown to many, reaching to all corners of Faerun -- the planes even. It was Eriar who deciphered the cryptic text, which debunked scholars and sorcerous power alike. It is his teachings, after perfecting his craft from this relic, that Eriar brought the Red Blades from a cadre of skilled swordsmen, to a battalion of near invincible sentinels.

The Red Blades are loyalists, their heritage is rooted in Sundren, and they believe in the ideals of the Arbiters. They take order from no one, but the will of the arbiters which is never taken lightly. They believe in faithfulness to their cause so long as it is not corrupt, and that their actions bring peace and stability to the land.

The Red Blades have an almost supernatural ability to think on their feet, and come out on top of a battle -- no matter what the odds. Many believe it is their devoting faith in the Red Knight, which drives their base ideals.

Base(s) of Operations

The Blades mainly operate from Mirakus Post and the Trade Tier in Sundren City. However, with the recent Banite attack, the Blades have been left without a base of operations within Mirakus.

Leadership/People of Note

Vaer Vitori, Saint of Swords A.K.A "The Vitori"
Rasi Vitori, Priestess of Red Knight
Uryll, Saint of Morality
Bachus, Saint of Tactics
Jericho, Saint of Combat

Objectives

The Red Blades objectives consist of perfection of the art of swordsmanship and the protection of Sundren. Their ranks consist mainly of fighters and paladins, although there have been some who have learned the arts of the eastern samurai and been invited into the group. Their abilities have yet to be matched by any in the art of melee combat, and have continuously guarded the walls of Sundren in times even before the Legion.

When the Veritas first rebelled, the Red Blades were the ones to take hold of the Sundren standard and fight back before the Legion was a strong enough entity to do so. They held the walls for years before Sevin and the Fourth Legion crushed the main Veritas resistance and held the walls afterward.

Ranks

Initiate at 1000 rep
Adept at 3000 rep
Defender at 5000 rep
Knight at 10000 rep
Avenger at 20000 rep
Saint (non-player)

Initiation Process

How does one join the Red Blades? They need not worship the Red Knight, however that usually will help them be accepted (if they are indeed faithful), but they must face the deadly initiate trials... where many falter. One need only to prove themselves worthy in the eyes of an avenger rank or higher to have a chance to participate in the ancient and ritualistic trials to attain perfection.

Rituals/Ceremonies of Note

The initiation ceremonies are subject to great secrecy within the order. The Red Blades guard their knowledge and skill well, and no one outside the order of knights has ever learned exactly what takes place within the hallowed halls of the Red Blade headquarters when bringing another warrior into their service or promoting them.

Time line/Historical Events of Note

The Red Blades were originally part of a volunteer force known as the Arbiters Alliance. Recently, the Legion granted them lawful militia status. They parted ways with the churches as they were no longer a volunteer force. They still keep close ties with their former allies.

Every member of the Blades has a specific purpose. Even the lowly initiate spends every waking hour perfecting themselves so that some day they may make a greater contribution. An adept serves as a guild enforcer. When Sundren finds Itself under attack, these mighty warriors are the first to the front. However, no army is without leaders. Behind each group of noble knights is a Defender, leading his squadron into the heart of battle. Serving from the headquarters, the great lords of the Blades, Avengers, plot out tactical moves they then pass onto their field commanders. The saints, considered the wisest of the guild, spend their time instructing and bettering every member of the guild. At the head, the Vitori or, Saint of Swords, ushers his underlings toward greatness.

Red Blades believe that they themselves are the weapon and their swords are merely extensions of their own wills. This is reflected in their ranking structure. Regardless of how talented a warrior was before he enlisted, as an initiate he must re master even the simplistic short sword. Under the firm guidance of Jericho, Saint of Combat, he will subject himself to countless hours of training to prepare his body for the rigors of combat. Only after mastering the crimson way of battle, may a recruit ascend to the rank of an adept and wield a longsword. At this stage of training, the aspiring member pursues the training of Bachus, Saint of Tactics, earning them the privilege to wield a Bastard Sword as a Defender. With the harshest trials behind him, he prepares himself for a month of contemplation, guided solely by Uryll, Saint of Morality. In this time, he ponders why he chose to fight and why specifically he wields a blade. Should he successfully emerge enlightened, he is awarded a great sword and the prestigious title of Avenger, the highest rank an ordinary man can ever attain within the illustrious order.