Order of the Black Griffon
Ervenian Era, 1051 AB
The Order of the Black Griffon are warrior-commanders, oathbound hunters who combine hemocraft with martial discipline and dark pacts to combat existential threats.
The Largest base is located inUltok Rojag. However, the largest are scattered in many bastions in Solubera, the White Lands of Bafigron, Zurekhar and later on, in Kirstan, mātāti ša šinnūtī, Pillar of the North,.
In the South, there are many bastions in Araso-Lond, Nahrso Lómen.
Structure
Structure and Membership
- Initiates;
- Oathbound;
- Black Talons;
Initiation - The Vigil Beneath the Wings
The Black Griffon believes that true authority is forged in isolation, not granted by blood or pact. Their initiation ensures that every member has already faced the cost of command, the temptation of excess and the certainty that no choice is clean.The Vigil
An initiate is taken to a ruined sanctum, cavern, or sealed hall. The place is always a place marked by ancient catastrophe: a dragon’s fall, a failed binding, a battlefield where gods once looked away. The initiate is stripped of insignia, weapons, and armor.Only a single blade is permitted: dull, unblessed, unenchanted. They are then bound to the stone floor beneath a massive carved or fossilized griffon form, which are wings outstretched in judgment. For one full night, the initiate is left alone.
The Test
- The Weight of Command
They experience visions and not mere illusions of battles they did not fight and decisions they did not make. Each choice leads to loss. There is no victory shown. - The Whisper of Power
Hemocraft stirs within their blood, unbidden. The initiate must not call upon it. Those who do are removed or killed at dawn. - The Moment of Judgment
Near dawn, a real threat is released into the chamber: a bound fiend, a corrupted relic, or a weapon capable of great harm.
The initiate must decide whether to destroy it, seal it or sacrifice themself to contain it
There is no correct answer for this judgement - only consequences.
The Dawn
At first light, the Order returns. Those who survived without pleading, without excess, and without reveling in power are unbound. A senior Warden marks their brow with blood and ash, saying: “You are not chosen to rule. You are chosen to endure.”The initiate is then given their insignia to remind them of the burden.
Failure
Those who break are spared public shame but are never permitted to speak of the Vigil, those who embrace power too eagerly are executed and Those who hesitate endlessly are dismissed as they cannot command when doom approaches.Training and Practices
Martial Discipline
They have emphasis on Sword-and-shield mastery and battlefield command and positioning.Hemocraft
They have pact-empowered rites and anti-fiend and anti-dragon techniques.Alchemy
The Black Griffon employs ritual alchemy, often infused with infernal reagents, which are dangerous, potent, and tightly regulated.Culture
View of Blood Magic
Blood magic is sacred burden, not indulgence. Profane pacts are permitted, but only with binding oaths and strict oversight. The Order maintains a tense respect with the Order of the Lycan Chain as they both walk the edge of damnation. They recognize one another as kindred burdens, though neither fully trusts the other’s restraint. In addition, the Order of the Pale Owl mistrusts the Griffon’s pacts. The Griffon sees the Owl as dangerously passive. Cooperation occurs only when threats are apocalyptic.Public Agenda
Their creed
Honor binds us. Power tests us.History
Founded from the remnants of an ancient martial tradition nearly erased by imperial hubris, the Order embraces the belief that corruption must be met with equal resolve.
They are respected by military powers, distrusted by religious authorities. Often called upon in wars no one wishes to acknowledge.
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