The Guardians of Light descended from The Paladins Guild, which was formerly known as the Templars Guild, carrying with it a rich culture and history. It is my hope that upon reading the words within these pages, you will come to understand the deep culture and beliefs of The Guardians of Light, and that you will gain much knowledge and insight into our House.

Humbly, In Service —
Sir Ariye Aaseth Rian

IIIForeword
IV174–178 AF · The Founding Years
V179–190 AF · A Tumultuous Season
VI191–203 AF · War & Covenant
VII204–218 AF · Into a New Era
VIIIAcknowledgements & Authors

174 AF

Sir Gawain introduced a new guild to Sapience, known only then as the Templars. As transcribed in his first post, the purpose of the Guild would be to "protect the holy shrines and protecting the believers in the Church. This could involve fighting with the evil guilds such as the Occultists, Serpent Lords and the Kharon. I hope that you will be up to the task, and I wish you the best of luck in your God given tasks."

175 AF

Many things happened to the fledgling Templars. Sir Gawain first noticed that some of the shrines across Sapience had been defiled. Seeing this as a threat, he urged all Templars to learn the Devotion skill sacrifice that would allow one of the Faithful to coerce animals into following them to a shrine for holy offering. Sir Agamemnon and Sir Treanor joined the Templars in this year.

176 AF

The Templars planned out their Guild Manor in Delos. It was also during this year that Odysseus warned of the potential harm "Occultic Demons" could do to those who faced them. Lord Phaestus later corrected Odysseus, informing the guild that the proper term for such beings was "Chaos entities."

177 AF

The Templars added Chivalry as a skillset, that, along with Bladefire and Devotion, made the Templars one of the most feared classes in the realm. It was also in this year that Sir Gawain introduced Syvelium as Guild Tutor, located in the Chrysalis Basilica — the recently completed Guildhall.

178 AF

A rather dark year began for the Templars, as the infidels had defiled both of the current shrines down to the level known as "crystal." Yet thanks to the tireless efforts of many Templars, most notably Odysseus, the shrines were returned once more to "Golden" level.

179 AF

A tumultuous year for the Guild. It was in this year that Sir Gawain, Founder and Guildmaster, declared that the Templars had taken far too much at the hands of the Occultists, the Kharon, and the Serpent Lords — and thus did the Templars declare the first war on Evil. The war was later redefined in the month of Phaestean to focus mainly upon the Occultists, as the Sentaari allied with the Church would handle the Evil Kharon. Also noted for the first time this year: Odysseus departed the Templars to attain the rank of Secretary within the Priests.

181 AF

Sir Gawain opened the Guild for general admissions. He reminded all new members to learn from Syvelium, not Epicurus, and to remember to use Scholastic pills — a precursor to modern myrrh gum. It was also in this year that Heron called for the Templars to collectively strike down Servelan for the slaying of Priests.

184 AF

The Kharon Empire was formed, and those standing against it were warned of dire consequences. It was during this year that the Templars took a stand and formally refused to join the Empire; Guildmembers were for the first time urged to exercise great caution while within Ashtan.

187 AF

The Templars maintained numerous shrines throughout Sapience, but their upkeep grew increasingly vital as the Occultists redoubled their efforts to tear them down. The ability to imbue swords with the SoulStealer Bladefire ability was once again reinstated, granting the Templars renewed strength in combat.

190 AF

Lord Phaestus announced that Templars had been granted a formidable new ability: the Rite of Banishment.

191 AF

Sir Gawain negotiated a treaty with the Kharon that would cease all combat between the two Guilds, whilst the Kharon would in turn cease defiling the Shrines. This accord allowed the Templars to direct their full attention toward the Occultists.

193 AF

Lord Phaestus announced several new abilities granted by the Logos: Battlecry, Lunge, Arc, Barge, Defend, Impale, and Disembowel. In the same year, Sarapis announced an experience bonus equal to ten parts in a hundred of what would normally be gained through sacrifice. Shrines continued to be defiled and sanctified across the realm.

194 AF

Falconry was added to the Chivalry skillset. Thakren questioned whether Sir Gawain's soul truly inhabited his body enough to remain Guildmaster, though Gawain was swiftly defended by his steadfast friend Sir Agamemnon — and shortly thereafter by Gawain himself, as he returned to the realms full-time once more.

196 AF

The Kharon returned to jumping and slaying young Templars. Several within the Guild, as perhaps a means of escape, turned to drink as a temporary solace for the deaths visited upon them by the Kharon. Sir Agamemnon subsequently made it an offence for any Templar to be found in a state of drunkenness.

197 AF

The frequency of Kharon attacks increased. Sir Agamemnon was appointed Guildmaster, as well as Vizier of the recently founded Shallam. Also in this year, Napoloen of the Occultists conducted his first raids upon Shallam. Gaia was named the first official Patron of the Templars.

199 AF

Golden Shrines were placed in the Guild Halls of the Kharon, Serpent Lords, and Shadow Snakes — that those summoned into those halls to be slain might use the Shrines to defend themselves. Lord Deucalion made an inspiring post to the Guild:

You have been given a high calling, Knights of the Church. May each of you begin your day by preparing yourself for the battle that lies before you — for it will not be on the field of battle that you will find your greatest challenge and responsibility — but in the times in between, when you must be about the business of honoring your Church and your guild with your actions of wisdom, restraint, mercy, and service — as well as justice.

— Lord Deucalion

200 AF

Sir Agamemnon introduced the Logosian Code of Honour. The Code held that honour is not a rigid code of conduct, but rather the maintaining of the powerful illusion of the realm — decrying the taking of advantage of loopholes, the playing of multiple characters, and the fleeing to safety to avoid rightful battle.

BladeFire weapons would no longer be handed by the Divine; one must now pray at a shrine to receive them. In addition, Gripping was instituted. New Templars would henceforth automatically receive Amber swords — superior to a shortsword, though not yet the equal of a longsword.

201 AF

Luthius and Danicar defiled nearly every shrine in Shallam, leading to Ashram's death as he attempted to defend them. Sir Gawain counselled patience: wait until they have finished, then sanctify — for trying to halt them would only lead to more death.

202 AF

Ghost urged all Templars not to be free with their guild-favours. Zaklin, having slain a newbie, showed remorse and accepted what he considered his inevitable outguilding. Other Templars — notably Enmity — stood up for him. Ashram departed the guild.

203 AF

Lord Sarapis announced that BladeFire would be removed, and in its place Forging would be implemented. Sir Oberon announced Khaseem as the main Templar enemy, and Sir Agamemnon ordered that the Guild slay Khaseem to teach him a lesson in manners. WarChicken changed his name to Kay, and Weaponry was announced as a required training path for those wishing to fight effectively with a DSL.

204 AF

Complaints about BladeFire's removal mounted, for as it became Forging, many knights found themselves bereft of a fighting skill. Isildur urged all to persevere through the hardships. Sir WarMaster returned to the ranks. The aura of rebounding was implemented, as were the techniques of Raze and Razeslash. Dain announced his presence to the Guild, and Envenom was added to weaponry as the art of milking began.

205 AF

Sir WarMaster announced his impending wedding to Calypso. Khaseem went on a defiling spree in retaliation for having been slain repeatedly by Templars. Most grievously, Lord Sarapis announced that Achaea would become a pay-to-play world — and many Templars announced their departure from the realms.

206 AF

Gaia made Her first post as Guild Patron upon the Boards, to the comfort of those who remained faithful.

207 AF

Lord Sarapis changed his mind and implemented a system of credits, and many returned to the Lands. Sarapis offered Merentesh's weapons shop in Delos to the first person to approach him upon achieving trans Forging — offered for the sum of fifty thousand gold.

Dalamar made his first post, announcing that he had slain Khaseem.

208 AF

Khaseem continued his troublesome ways. Sir Agamemnon promised to punish him, and Gaia pledged Her support in the same.

Sir Agamemnon stepped down as Guildmaster. Sir Oberon contested for the position, only to find that Sir Agamemnon had already appointed Sir Isildur as his successor.

209 AF

Sir Oberon, realising he could not prevail against Isildur in the contention, pledged his support in an effort to unify the guild. In return, he was recommended for a Secretarial position. Mesmer, a former Templar turned Kharon, began slaying his old brethren.

210 AF

Lady Aurora became the new Guild Patron — and Sir Gawain, who had departed during Lady Gaia's patronage, returned at last to the Guild.

211 – 212 AF

Defilement problems persisted. Dalamar contested Derek as Vizier of Shallam, calling upon the Templars to show their support. He subsequently admitted to deliberately provoking the Kharon, so that he might enter Ashtan and slay those who were defiling the Shrines.

213 AF

Sir Jaxanine contested Sir Isildur for Guildmaster. He succeeded — and was the first Guildmaster in the order's history to win by challenge.

216 AF

Nimos caused trouble for the Guild. Falcon scout was removed from the skillset. Cleaving was implemented.

217 AF

The Guild considered the unthinkable: surrender to Ashtan in the current war. Sir Isildur roundly criticised the guild for giving even a moment's consideration to such a suggestion.

218 AF

Sir Isildur contested for Guildmaster and won the subsequent election. He then took the most consequential step of his tenure — renaming the Templars as The Paladins Guild — and in so doing, birthed a new era in the long history of our order.

✦ Finis ✦

This volume would not stand without the labour of those who came before. To them, the gratitude of all who shelter under the Light is owed.

Original Author: Lord Qwilleran Yuridja
Revised & Edited by: Sir Ariye Aaseth Rian

✦ In Service to the Light ✦