Sentinels of Iv'arill

The organization of the sentinels was surprisingly informal, considering its almost military nature. Every thirty years, each member was expected to bring a new recruit to the academy in Sendil. Theoretically all these recruits had to do was demonstrate basic magical ability, but in practice they also needed a noble, or at least wealthy background.   Upon being inducted into the academy, apprentices would receive a sword to symbolize their service to Iv'arill. Then, in the tradition of the swordwizards of old, each apprentice names their swords. The instructors decide when each apprentice is evaluated, and after their fourth evaluation the apprentice graduates to a full sentinel.   A sentinel has no other rank, but there are two more well-respected positions. The first is as an academy instructor, which is a position appointed by the High Council. The second is that of High Councillor. Each of the thirteen councillors decides their own successor. Because of these systems, nepotism and sycophantism was rampant.

The sentinels were dedicated to the protection and service of the elven isle of Iv'arill. In the very tense days following the First Rising, this was a duty of the utmost importance.   As ages passed, Iv'arill was mostly ignored by the world at large. Their duties consisted of little more than fighting off the occasional pirate raid, or monster infestation. Then, what was once a sacred duty became little more than the diversion of bored nobles.

The primary power of the sentinels, aside from the order's immense wealth, was the spellcasting power of its members. Each full member was capable of casting spells of the 4th Circle, more than powerful enough to handle most threats.   All members also carried swords, most of which were enchanted. The purpose of these blades was ceremonial, however as the sentinels were not trained in their use. Inspired by the most famous of these weapons, Eldain's sword, Defiance, these blades are popular collector's items among the nobility.

The story to the Sentinels of Iv'arill begins with the swordwizards of the Ancient Elven Empire. These swordwizards were a group of mages that trained as warriors. They had no organization, but followed the same traditions with an almost religious zeal.   These swordwizards distinguished themselves in the First Imperial War against the newly-arrived humans. The war raged until a new threat emerged. Mind flayers and their thralls poured out of The Warrens like an unnaturally well-coordinated flood: the First Rising had begun.   Humans and elves, once bitter enemies, were forced to cooperate. Even then, no non-elves were allowed on the sacred isle of Iv'arill. As the dominated hordes invaded the island, an association of swordwizards fought them back and held the line until the Rising was defeated.   These mages who prevented Iv'arill from falling swore that the isle would never fall so long as they stood watch to protect it. They replaced the traditional white clothing of the swordwizards with a black uniform that distinguished themselves from their kin, and became the Sentinels of Iv'arill.   Iv'arill stood, as they swore it would, but not because of the sentinels' efforts. No one else truly cared about the affairs of the island. When the Second Imperial War saw the elven empire destroyed, the relatively disorganized humans didn't bother invading Iv'arill. Even when the Second Rising swept through the Twin Worlds, the illithid ignored the isolationist elves.   Over time the once-mighty force was mostly forgotten. Their watch became a diversion and the organization became political, and nothing changed for millennia.   This static nature was threatened when one of their recruits wasn't in the usual mold. Instead of a noble looking for a feather in his cap, this person entered into the order in rags and worse, he was a true prodigy. His name was Eldain Mal'atre, and he was quickly removed, but not before swearing to prove his worth to them.   The sentinels didn't care, and the young upstart was quickly forgotten. They were completely unprepared for the next comer. One of the ancient swordwizards named Ansarien Ill'conter appeared before the High Council and expressed his disappointment in them compared to the sentinels of his time. He killed the Council and took control, himself.   The ancient wizard made some changes, he changed the uniform back to the white of the old swordwizards, and sent them against his enemy, Eldain. When they failed repeatedly, Ansarien stepped in, himself and dispatched Eldain and his companions easily, banishing them to the Abyss.   Now free of his fated enemy, Ansarien led his forces against the kingdom of Mandia. With the sentinels at his side, he was easily victorious. He turned his attention elsewhere when he found what no-one expected: Eldain had returned.   He escaped the Planes far more powerful than before, and he had a small army of rebels at his back. He gave a passionate speech, rousing the sentinels to rebel. Most didn't, but enough joined him that the rebel forces grew in power considerably.   After a long and protracted campaign, Ansarien's forces were driven out of Mandia. In a climactic battle far to the south, in the midst of a magically created storm, the mad swordwizard was defeated, once and for all.

The Sentinels of Iv'arill have never been officially disbanded, however the wake of the battle between Eldain and Ansarien saw them thoroughly destroyed. Almost all those that sided with Ansarien were killed, and the few who survived went into hiding. The victors that sided with Eldain went on to form the Order of the Arcane Eye.