The Hellknight Order of the Black Arch
Summary: The Hellknight are collectively known as the renowned order of Knights with a heavy focus on promulgation of law. They focus mainly on the strict and unswerving attitude on Order and Law, no matter the costs involved, the most pragmatic approach is often considered the right one, even if forgoing innocent lives and suffering collateral damage in attempts to achieve the greater goal. The Hellknight Orders are based on the empire of Cheliax, located by the Inner-Sea region on the continent of Avistan, in the world of Golarion. Heavy influence on the imperial law and order is tied into
the Hellknight orders where the Order’s history began. Some of the more influential and powerful orders have expanded beyond the empire’s borders, where the reputation of the Hellknight alone assures Lords and Ladies of efficient lawkeeping and Order. Even if it at times, gruesome, the nobles are glad to leave the ugly work to the Knights, and this is just fine for the Hellknight.
The Hellknight are not a religious organization, even though The Order of the Godclaw is a Hellknight order that extols the virtues of five deities (Of Golarion, see wiki.), distilling select tenets into a dogma far from any one god’s faith. Rather, exacting the harshest philosophies from them, forming the concise outlook for their
Order. The Hellknight are known for their harshness and severity, but the organization itself is not inherently Evil, they are unconcerned with morality of their actions, considering emotions a weakness rather than an asset when making logical choices. Yet the majority of the Order’s dutiful are arbiters and enforcers of order and justice. Many who join their ranks, do so due to the sense of righting wrongs in the world, fighting bandits and marauding monsters, seeing a lawful world a much better option than not.
The Hellknight have a Century of tumultuous history and formation of multiple Orders. The empire of Cheliax’ conduct and open worship of Asmodeus and the fiendish host, supported by the ruling royal house of Thrune, and adherence to diabolism has a heavy influence on the Hellknight and their philosophy. Since morality is cast aside and only cold logic and effectiveness remains, the teachings of Ordered Hells and their efficient Armies have become a staple of example to which the Hellknight often refer to by their myriad duties. Outside of Cheliax, the reverence of Devils and Diabolism has not been found so welcomed, but the fact of effective law keeping and discipline has kept many nobles silent as the results of the Hellknight work speak highly of their effectiveness.
Races: Predominantly humans, with gnomes being the second most likely race to join the Order, though all other races will be considered and might be allowed to join.
Classes: Fighters, Monk, Wizard, Blackguard, Weapon Master, Assassin. The worship of some recognized powers can be accepted: Cleric, Favored Soul, Hexblade, Divine Champion. Other classes, not listed, can certainly work, while others are simply unfit.
Alignments: Lawful Evil, Lawful Neutral, Neutral Evil. Good aligned characters would find the Order of Black Arch opposing much of their moral values.
Notes: There are no level-restrictions to join the Order, but we are currently based in Barovia (levels usually ranging between 1 and 12). The faction is based on the Pathfinder–game system of the Order of Hellknights in the various campaign settings of the world of Golarion.
Themes and expected challenges: Duty, Order, Power, Ambition, Law, Ruthlessness, Dark secrets, Corrupt officials, Tyrants, Hierarchies, Courtesy, Bureaucracy, Pride, Immorality, Imperial, Byzanthine systems.
Orderly activities of adventuring, with a sinister flavour, in search of Power. Offering assistance to the local authorities, finding advancement and status in the hierarchies of the land. Working the law, abusing the loopholes. Retaining fearful reputation and feeding the collective ambitions of the group. Lectures and training in efficient warfare, conduct and alternate philosophies of the Hellknights. Struggling with moral dilemmas.
Getting involved: Reach out to Gavrosa Pulex in-game. A character who would like to be involved with the group activities in the rich world of Ravenloft domains, character ambitions and roleplay will always be the priority and also the inclusion of the playerbase rather than its exclusion, however the form of interaction might be more antagonistic in many cases, but enjoyable gaming will be considered a top priority for all!
Contacts: Via forum account PM - Primeape
Active as of 09/03/2022
