Order of 600 Keys
The Order of 600 Keys takes the oaths of devotion directly to the Emperor. This has become fairly questioned by the citizens of Desyatina; especially, after the third Emperor the order assassinated. The general thought is that the order were really trying to out show the first two assassinations and we generally agreed. If you know what a blood eagle execution; then you know where they started and I wont tell you how they embellished it with eggs. If you don't know; then best not to look. This has given them a reputation as a corrupted Order and therefore highly respected by the Council. However, they have really worked hard to clean up their Order; most members would claim that now the Order is "mostly" made up of honest and devoted soldiers. All I can say-Woe to the citizen who judges poorly whom to bribe.
-Osnovatel Nenadezhnogo Rasskazchika
The Oath of Devotion which is required by the Order has a few ways of being interpret. One side sees the Oath as devotion to the role of Emperor not the induvial whom holds the title. Some sees the Oath distinctly as loyalty to the person holding Emperor. A quiet group just wants to hold onto their jobs. Who would know how political things get in an Empire.
Credit Authority and The Tongue Ribbons
There are two things that establishes the Order of 600 Keys' foundation of authority; first, their Tongue Ribbons; second, their paper credit
Credit Authority and The Tongue Ribbons
There are two things that establishes the Order of 600 Keys' foundation of authority; first, their Tongue Ribbons; second, their paper credit
- Tongue Ribbons: this rough leather bow is not only the Order's holy symbol, but also, the written word of authority granted by the Emperor. It's written on the tongues of traitors which are leathered and folded into a county's fairs "blue ribbons." These fleshy ribbons state that the holder is acting as the voice of the Emperor along with whatever authority the Emperor has granted them, at least for those who could read the fine print on these badges?
- Paper Credit: the members of the Order can issue paper checks to locals for expenses while they are on a mission. They can be redeemed by local nobles (houses.)
The Order of 600 Keys as NPCs The Order has clean itself up after General Shinshkin was appointed by Emperor Markoff. Now that General Shinshkin was killed during the Raid on Ice Iron Mountain; there is some risk that things will go back to the older ways. The Order is elite class when compared Imperial Troops. They are directly linked to the Emperor's wishes and authority. Anyone whom is not from a noble class, realizes that interacting with the Order is the closest interaction they could ever have with the Emperor. Most interactions are good, do not get in their way of their duty and they are hospital; if not, the velvet glove will reveal the iron underneath it.
Noble houses have a wider range of reactions. They have bit more authority and resources to deal with the Order which requires the Order to treat them with respect. The fact that most nobility have cleric levels and play a Piety game is not lost on the Order.
The Order only has a max of 600 Paladins. this does not include slaves and hired servants. It is not usual to find wizards, fighters, or other wearing the black and red uniform.
Composition
Manpower
Total: 569 soldiers +60 slaves Not big enough to be a legion
Two Cohorts The Left Arm: 275 Soldiers +30 Slaves, The Right Arm: 294 Soldiers +30 Slaves
Three Companies Each Arm: 91 Soldiers each +10 Slaves +9 officers
Three Platoons per Company: 30 Soldiers +3 Slaves +1 Officer
Three Squads per Platoon
37% Full Orc, 34% Half-Orc, 20% Human, 9% Other
Equipment
The Order issues the following equipment, which is not owned by the member. It is considered treason to hold some of this equipment if you are not from the Order.
Black Cordite Splint armor: AC 17, STR required 13, Disadvantage on Stealth, +2 to AC or on saving throws that inflict psychic or Necromantic damage. Cost 800gp. This replaces the chainmail & Holy symbol equipment, pg 84 PHB Tongue Ribbonthis is the badge to demonstrate that you speak for the Emperor, it varies in authority; but counts as a holy symbol. This replaces the chainmail & Holy symbol equipment, pg 84 PHB 600 Keys PackBackpack, 7 days of provisions, Bedroll, Mess kit, 3 day waterskin, tinderbox, 3 candles, 3 torches, vestments, 1 block of incense and censer, two lengths of 15 foot ropes, Fly Tent, & 4 pinions. This is an additional choice to paladin's packs of Clerics or Explorers packs, pg 84 PHB. Empirical Credit: If you are in charge of a mission granted by the Order, then you gain paper checks to use on your mission equal to your [(Character Level or CR + Piety)x100GP.] If you are on a mission which you are not in charge of, then it is reduced to [(Character Level or CR + Piety)x5GP.] The checks are issued to members of the Empire whom can reclaim them with Magistrates or local noble houses while in the field. A paladin can turn this into raw coinage before leaving on the mission, but costs 2x the amount (50 credits is turned into 25gp.) Naturally, all the things bought with credit or unused credit are returned to the Order. Weapons: are issued as describe under "weapons"
Black Cordite Splint armor: AC 17, STR required 13, Disadvantage on Stealth, +2 to AC or on saving throws that inflict psychic or Necromantic damage. Cost 800gp. This replaces the chainmail & Holy symbol equipment, pg 84 PHB Tongue Ribbonthis is the badge to demonstrate that you speak for the Emperor, it varies in authority; but counts as a holy symbol. This replaces the chainmail & Holy symbol equipment, pg 84 PHB 600 Keys PackBackpack, 7 days of provisions, Bedroll, Mess kit, 3 day waterskin, tinderbox, 3 candles, 3 torches, vestments, 1 block of incense and censer, two lengths of 15 foot ropes, Fly Tent, & 4 pinions. This is an additional choice to paladin's packs of Clerics or Explorers packs, pg 84 PHB. Empirical Credit: If you are in charge of a mission granted by the Order, then you gain paper checks to use on your mission equal to your [(Character Level or CR + Piety)x100GP.] If you are on a mission which you are not in charge of, then it is reduced to [(Character Level or CR + Piety)x5GP.] The checks are issued to members of the Empire whom can reclaim them with Magistrates or local noble houses while in the field. A paladin can turn this into raw coinage before leaving on the mission, but costs 2x the amount (50 credits is turned into 25gp.) Naturally, all the things bought with credit or unused credit are returned to the Order. Weapons: are issued as describe under "weapons"
Weaponry
This weaponry is standard issue; however, officers and veterans will have their bought weapons to substitute the issued. Once again, these weapons are issued by the Order and are not owned by the members. Although, the Order of 600 Keys is setup as a military unit, their missions and duties rarely put them onto a military field; therefore, the weapon provided are more inclined to a versatile nature.
Half Lance: Cost: 10gp, Damage: 1D8 piercing & slashing, Weight 4 lb, Properties: Two Handed, Reach, Cautious Step: When a target takes damage from this weapon's attack, the target, reduces their speed by 5' for every 7 points of damage (rounded down) on their next or current turn-if this damage was taken during an attack of opportunity. Thrown (range 10/30) This is option (c) to the Paladin's 1st and 2nd equipment choices Spiked Long Axe: Cost: 12 gp, Damage: 2D4 piercing & Slashing, Weight 6 lb, Properties: Finesse, Crippling Effect: on a critical success; you may roll an addition D4 after rolling the double damage and any additional bonus damage. This is option (c) to the Paladin's 1st and 2nd equipment choices
Half Lance: Cost: 10gp, Damage: 1D8 piercing & slashing, Weight 4 lb, Properties: Two Handed, Reach, Cautious Step: When a target takes damage from this weapon's attack, the target, reduces their speed by 5' for every 7 points of damage (rounded down) on their next or current turn-if this damage was taken during an attack of opportunity. Thrown (range 10/30) This is option (c) to the Paladin's 1st and 2nd equipment choices Spiked Long Axe: Cost: 12 gp, Damage: 2D4 piercing & Slashing, Weight 6 lb, Properties: Finesse, Crippling Effect: on a critical success; you may roll an addition D4 after rolling the double damage and any additional bonus damage. This is option (c) to the Paladin's 1st and 2nd equipment choices
Vehicles
They typically foot march, although some might use horses if the mission requires it. They do not use cavalry. Their logistics are well invested by the Empire, exploiting opportunities for travel and infrastructure.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments