Dawnwardens of Chardac

The Dawnwardens of Chardac were founded several hundred years ago during a major civil war in Chardac. Several factions were vying for power and the decade long conflict had caused excessive suffering to the nation's people. One day, several knights were sent a vision by Skort showing that unless they banded together and put down the factions committing atrocities, Chardac would fall into complete ruin. Together, these knights swore an oath that they would bring justice and order back to Chardac and began a crusade that killed hundreds of people, but saved many more. Once the warlords, slavers, and their ilk were slain, the Dawnwardens brought together the remaining factions in council and had them work out their differences diplomatically... or else. From amongst them, a new king was chosen and order was restored to the kingdom.

During the first few decades after the war, the Dawnwardens played a large part in the court politics. They helped the new king navigate diplomatically between the stronger factions, negotiated treaties with the other kingdoms, and fought mercenary armies upstart lords threw together to try and take the crown. To award their assistance, the king gave them a castle in Flamesborough to house their order, which remains the headquarters of the Dawnwardens today.

Over time, the Dawnwardens have removed themselves from the court as the kingdom became more stable and their time would be better spent elsewhere. A representative of the Order still sits as a royal advisor, but this position is mostly ceremonial these days. The Dawnwardens still patrol the roads of Chardac for bandits and rebels, though most of their time is spent targeting more mystical threats.

Over the decades and centuries since, Skort has appeared several times to members to warn of threats and to award those who are most pious or have performed legendary deeds.