Setting:Tabula Gloria/For'Channar/Fort Deeanday

To the west of Valdenar Cove on the coast, right at the treeline of the Phrennoack Forest lies the first of the Empire's three current-day forts, Deeanday. The forces stationed there are mostly trained to deal with the errant wildlife escaping out of the Forest and into Imperial lands, their patrols ranging from the fort itself at the north and the village of Twaunae on the Crenskaw Creek at the south. Early in the fort's existence, it was locally ruled over by a Duke of the par'Channar bloodline. Legend has it that a terrible plague struck the fort in its early days, reaching the Duke despite his attempts to isolate himself from it. Not wishing to die from the debilitating disease, he cast himself off of the balcony of the garrison into the Northern Sea instead. He survived though, and with the plague cured from himself. Professing the waters to be the cause of the cure, he led those who were still living into the waters and, surprisingly enough, his claims were true, ridding the infirm of the disease with the powers of the morning tide.

Though the Duke's name is lost to history and even to the meticulous Archives, what is known is that after his experience he founded the Knights of the Morningtide. Originally formed with the ranks of those destined to become physicians, the Knights soon took in people of multiple disciplines. All of those wishing to become a Knight are trained in both combat and medicine, bringing aid to those in need and wrath to their enemies. Once they graduate, they enter the illustrious and enigmatic ranks of the Morningtide, donning coats and hoods of black and the beaked mask of the plague doctor. Though effective, their practices are strange. They clean themselves with running water every morning and night to purify themselves. As for their healing practices, they employ a mixture of conventional medicine and faith healing, sometimes striking the wrong tone with some of the more skeptical among those living in their area of influence.

It is even said that if you stick around long enough during their cleansing ritual, you may even hear the name of the founding Duke muttered in their litany of blessings under the roar of the running water. Though if you stick around that long, they will likely eliminate you for ruining their purification.

But not all the soldiers of Deeanday aspire to ascend to the enigmatic Knighthood. There are also those who are simply there to defend the Empire. Though not a Knight order of its own, the Watch as it is simply called consists of hardy men from very rough backgrounds, especially the farmers of Rausclef and the foresters of Twaunae. A good way to see the difference between the Knights and the Watch is to see its drill sergeant in action. Berthold Maertz of the Second Watch Regiment is a very no-nonsense guy who brings that attitude and confidence to the forefront when training new recruits. His armor is clunky, his language is salty, and his gaze is downright crushing, but Maertz is a man who not only commands respect, but a man who earns it. Members of the Watch are tough as nails, but are taught the virtues of brotherhood, helping each other and those they serve. They are also knowledgeable in their own right, many of them augmenting their armors with enchantments of various magics as well as mutagens which more naturally strengthen their shells.

Suffice it to say, it is assumed that there is an application for Knighthood floating somewhere in the Chamber of Decree to make the Watch a formal order.