Dragonaurs

The Ordo Templis Dragonaurs are a paramilitary organization based in Havenshield. Although their heritage is closely tied to the kingdom, and they often continue to serve it, they officially maintain a neutral stance in all political and religious affairs. Despite the divine favor that many of the Order's knights receive, they adhere to no strict pantheon. Through a special decree, they are allowed to operate beyond the reach of the monarchy while still enjoying many of the benefits that the kingdom bestows.

The Order has few discrete ranks: beyond the rank of Initiate, there are only Paladins, Magisters, and Captain. The single rank of Captain is given to a Magister who possesses qualities of leadership far beyond his or her peers. Only when one Captain dies or retires is another one appointed via consensus of the Magisters. The current Captain of the Order is Alwin Gracilis, who has held the title for the past 16 years. Dragonaurs abhor the lofty titles and decorations that other orders bestow upon its members, preferring instead to measure one's experience by the gravity of one's deeds. Dragonaurs are highly individualistic; each member, once given a task, is provided all the resources available to complete it, but are ultimately expected to carry it out independently.

Whether the name "Dragonaur" refers to the Order's legendary feats of dragon-slaying in days of old, or their elite regiment of dragoons is unclear. So intertwined are these two aspects that the word "Dragonaur" itself is almost synonymous with fantastic imagery of with knights in shining armor battling fire-spewing dragons. Today, Dragonaurs occupy more leadership-oriented positions as political advisers, field marshals, and diplomats than their more martial predecessors. They can be found even in the furthest reaches of the continent serving myriad causes, seemingly chosen at random. More recently, the Order has developed an intense interest in archaeology and arcane history; excavation teams scour hidden valleys and abandoned cities on a fervent quest for magical relics and occult knowledge, though what sparked this recent development, and for what purpose remains a mystery.