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-====== Order of the Guardians ======
-First, a quick run down on fighting orders. Much like wizards with their mystic circles and evil cabels, a Fighting Order is a group of warriors and knights dedicated to a common cause. Often times these are rallies around a single person or common belief. The most common of these are the holy fighting order of knights that revolve around a religious structure. These warriors are dedicated to their religion and the person that most personifies their own beliefs in how to live a holy life. While these orders are usually sanctified by the church, most have their own rules and regulations that must be followed which doesn't always follow church doctrine.
-There are also a few orders that do not follow a religious doctrine, but instead are rallied around a single person of incredible deed and action. These are different from mercenary companies in that the central figure is often dead and the people of the order are rallying around their memory and words. Many people confuse these orders with common mercenaries but they are closer to holy fighting orders that a mercenary. A true mercenary will do whatever their own moral code says they can do for their next job, while a fighting order acts upon a common belief structure for all members.
-In all cases, a fighting order is a excellent place for a warrior to find those who have the same belief structure and are there for mutual support. Mercenary companies chase only have the next contract, while a true fighting order is founded in the bedrock of its own belief. This bond so strong it often reaches beyond death.
-===== Vayne =====
-As I mentioned above, we are going to cover the Holy Fighting Order that I belong to — or used to be a part of until very recently. The Guardians are a holy fighting order dedicated to battle, specifically to the god Vayne in the Temple of Light. While they bring glory to the name of Vayne, the order has grown such that it has little connection remaining with the church itself. Instead, doctrine is brought down from the words of Vayne and interpreted by the master of the school where a student is taught.
-This does not mean that The Guardians are a lawless bunch of warriors looking for battle. It means that we have our own code of conduct and beliefs that may not fit completely with the current laws of the Temple of Light. However, because the laws of The Guardians are so close to the Temple laws the order is still considered a part of the Temple's orders and many priests have called upon its members in times of trouble.
-The training is very rough, 15 hour days in physical training for years while a beginning student — then even longer hours spent contemplating battle and studying tactical situations for both individuals and army maneuvers. For years, the existence of a future Guardian is spent doing nothing but honing the body and mind to react as one and still able to divide the necessary tasks of battle. The body must learn to operate on known muscles to accomplish its task with as little input from the mind, because the mind must spend most of its time watching the overall situation and watching for the subtle shifts of battle. This may sound easy, but many more people leave the training grounds than ever become knighted as a Guardian.
-The road is long, and rare will a member of the Guardians die of old age while resting comfortably in their bed. Still, to be recognized as one of the best warriors in the world — and knowing that to be the truth is a benefit all its own.
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-The Guardians are the chosen warriors of Vayne, god of Battle. Created by the sacrifice of a noble human warrior the Guardians have a long history of training the best warriors anywhere. They are open to anyone that wishes to learn the "Art of Battle", regardless of race or ideas.
-The idea of honorable combat is what forges a Guardian's spirit. The ideal Guardian has but a single goal in mind; to become the greatest warrior and fight in the final battle with Vayne. This "final battle" is a legend passed down from the very start of the Guardians. During the time when destruction is upon the universe Vayne will gather about him the best warriors ever (the exact number of warriors is unknown) to fight by his side.
-The learning "temples" of the Guardians tend to be located in remote areas so that only the truly dedicated may find them. Even then many search out the temples in hopes of finding the ultimate secret of battle. For these people their search is worthless; only a true spirit wanting knowledge can even become an Initiate.
-CODE OF HONOR
-  - A Guardian will always remain true to their word of honor. The word of a Guardian is the most binding contract with others.
-  - A Guardian will never initiate combat with a foe unable to defend themselves, nor cause combat to be iniated through either action or inaction.
-  - A Guardian will never let an honorable opponent or companion suffer needlessly.
-  - A Guardian shall always strive to become the best warrior. Preparing their mind, soul, and body for the "Final Battle"
-Like most ancient codes these have become muddied throughout time. While a Guardian is forbidden from attacking those that cannot defend themselves. Most Guardians believe that this does not include striking from ambush. If the target is battle-trained then they have the ability to spot the ambush before it takes place. In many ways these codes reside in one's soul, not on paper.
-Inner Search: Detects even the slightest imbalance in the
-Guardians system. From simple poisons to anything else that would
-hamper someone's ability to fight.
-Purge: This is the ability to force your body to remove a
-foriegn substance. Anything from poison to broken arrowheads can
-eventually be worked out of the character's system.
-When you purchase the next rank Devotee you can purchase the
-next ability:
-Anaylze Style: Straight from the Ninja Hero book except that it
-works against warrior, not just those with martial arts.
-====== Journey ======
-When the world was split asunder by the fury of Bern many of the oldest texts were lost forever. In the aftermath the Guardians were shattered and their temples destroyed by large armies seeking power. Moving into remote locations the survivors rebuilt what they could, but much of the knowledge was lost forever.
-Sometime after this the idea of paths, or journeys, began to appear. The exact meaning of the "perfect warrior" had become unknown and different people understood the older texts differently. Now a Guardian must choose their path before they become an Acoylte. The more common are Blades, Staves, Hand (unarmed), Axe (short-hafted weapons), and War (all weapons). This path will determine the knowledge they are taught as they advance in ranks. It is not unknown for a Guardian to change paths, but is relativity uncommon.
-====== Ranks ======
-The Guardians represent both a military and religous order. As such they have a very clear defination of rank and where everyone is in relation to others. While it is very rare for the Guardians to muster as a pure fighting order rank takes precedent over temple politics
-Novice
-This is not actually a rank within the Guardians. Instead, this represents the initial training someone must endure to enter the Guardians. Using a rigorous method helps weed out the people that do not wish to understand the "art of battle".
-Initiate
-This represents the first true rank of the Guardians. During this time the student is trained in all manner of unarmed combat. In addition, they are taught the strengths and weaknesses of all weapons. This stage of the training is over when they have choosen their path (see above).
-Acolyte
-For the first time the Guardian has chosen a path and the actual training can begin. They will be skilled in their path until every basic element of thier craft is known. While none of the more advanced techniques are taught; a solid base must be built before advancement can take place.
-Devotee
-Unlike the previous rank a Devotee returns to the older manuscripts and re-learns the knowledge of previous Guardians. While thier body control is increasing their mental state is achieving levels that go beyond simple combats.
-Warrior
-This level will show the largest increase in martial skill of the lower levels. Putting into practice all of the knowledge gained previously is not an easy task. Many Guardians find that the skills of this rank are the hardest to obtain. Bringing the body, mind, and soul into perfect balance is difficult under the best conditions. In a confused battle; almost impossible.
-Master
-This is the current middle ranking. Seperating the average warriors from those that have obtained the true "art". By the time the Guardian has reached this level they have discovered that the Guardians are not the pinnicle of combat. Instead, the Guardians are mearly a stepping stone for a "true artist" to obtain a higher form of the "art".
-Priest
-After the soul-searching during the Master rank those that wish to continue learning delve deep into the true secrets of battle. This is one of the ranks where the Guardian's knowledge progresses minimally. The amount of accumulated knowledge open only to the upper ranks is vast.
-Disciple
-After delving into the secrets gained during the last rank, the Guardian is ready to apply them in real combat. After years digging through past accounts a Disciple is generally considered a "True Practioner of the Art of Battle".
-Champion
-The highest rank a majority of the Guardians will ever be given the chance to obtain. Only a small number of the Guardians that survive the rigorous training will ever be considered knowledgeable enough to progress this far in the ranks.
-Sensei
-Sensei is the last rank listed by the Guardians. The only way to obtain this rank is by the acceptance of at least 10 other Champions that you have obtained "true mastery".
-====== Training ======
-These styles are trained fighting styles. Unlike most fighting techniques, a martial style has a trained patterns to take full advantage of the fighting weapon. This same advantage can become a nightmare if facing someone skilled in its weaknesses.
-                The Guardians are a wide-spread organization dedicated to the final battle. Their god is known by many names in different cultures, but the legends remain the same. So day a great battle will descend upon the world and the best warriors will be ascended into the heavens to fight.
-Temples
-                The Guardians erect temples that are easily defended and far from others as possible. During an Initiate’s training their must be no external thoughts distracting them. Each temple is ruled by the WarMaster
-Titles
-                WarMaster
-                WeaponsMaster
-                Keeper
-                Watcher
-                BladeMaster, BowMaster, AxeMaster
-                ScoutMaster, HorseMaster
-                Priest
-{{tag>martial}}