Red Wardens

Of all the races of Mendia, the Dwarves have the most uniform religious beliefs. Almost all of them worship the King of Steel and pay tithe to the Red Wardens. Dwarves learned long ago that peace and safety depend upon strength and the will to use it. Red Wardens are the backbone of Dwarven faith and use the powers granted by Skystone to protect their people. Most members pursue martial training. Those who call upon the King of Steel gain power over fire, earth, and stone, create protective wards, and imbue items with power.

Organization

Red Wardens are loosely organized into companies based on their location, and each company has three leaders with different roles.

• Paragon - Paragons are military leaders and fearsome warriors. They lead the company in battle and serve as a champion when needed.
• Adjutant - Administrators and councilors who keep the company running from day to day. Adjutants are often older company members who have served as Paragon or Prelate in the past.
• Prelate - Prelates are the soul of the company. They maintain doctrine and use their significant powers to heal and protect the membership.

Companies establish Halls in population centers and those who wish to join are placed on the Company Rolls. Those on the rolls have responsibilities:

• Participate in worship services.
• Tithe 10 percent of their income to the hall.
• Participate in training, either as a student or a teacher.
• Be part of the duty roster for hall watches, maintenance, and/or worship.
• Defend the local populace from external threats.

Red Wardens are free to travel and pursue their own goals. While freelancers may attend services and are expected to tithe when they do so, they are typically not added to the company's rolls.

Purpose

When the King of Steel and Queen of Jewels journeyed to Skystone and slew Magrimond, they did so for different reasons. The Queen was most interested in the power and wealth offered by Skystone, but the King went because the Great Serpent was corrupt and used the power of the Domain to inflict harm on those who worshiped him. That struggle defines much of the purpose of the Red Wardens: defenders of the weak, guardians of civilized order, and a bulwark against chaos and destruction. Halls often take an active role in community defense, working with city watches and military organizations to maintain the security of their base of operations. Wardens are also welcome additions to most armies.

The High Hall

The central seat of power of the Red Wardens is the High Hall in Cairn. Here, councilors elected by the major Halls meet to provide guidance to the organization as a whole. Their responsibilities include:

• Resolving disputes between Halls.
• Organizing responses to threats that lie beyond the scope of a single Hall.
• Electing the High Paragon, High Adjutant, and High Prelate.
• Managing the facilities of the High Hall.

The High Hall provides religious and military training to those that dedicate themselves to the Wardens. It houses the Warden's main temple and armory and serves as a residence for the High Officers, Councilors, and students. It is also a significant fortification.

Ceremonies and Holidays

Red Wardens believe the largest of the Three Eyes is Skystone. Several ceremonies revolve around these celestial objects.

• On the 1st of Rise, Prelates mark the appearance of the Skystone with a ritual of welcome.
• At dusk on the 10th day of Rise, when Skystone is at the top of the Lesser Wheel, Prelates perform rituals honoring the King of Steel.
• The 7th day of Fade marks the Skystone's setting. Prelates hold a ritual of farewell.
• The 3rd of Dark, when Skystone approaches its nadir, is a day of contemplation and prayer. Devout Red Wardens often fast on this day. The day ends with the ritual of return, which calls the King of Steel back to the world.

Ceremonies of the Red Wardens follow a regular pattern:

• Attendees gather outside the temple and the Prelate offers a prayer of welcome.
• The Prelate recognizes visitors and new members of the company.
• The congregation forms a procession led by the Prelate, Paragon, Adjutant, and honored visitors.
• The Prelate calls the company to order.
• There is a moment of silent remembrance for those who have fallen in service.
• The Paragon offers a prayer suitable to the ceremony.
• The Paragon honors those who have done good deeds in the King of Steel's name.
• The Paragon calls for Challenges.
• Challenges are resolved (often by ritual combat).
• New members may be inducted into the company at this time.
• New members often face Challenges (trial by combat).
• The Prelate offers a prayer of peace and brotherhood once all Challenges are resolved.
• The Prelate performs the proper ritual for the day's ceremony.
• The Adjutant collects tithes and makes announcements concerning the Company.
• The Prelate offers closing words.
• The congregation departs as they arrived.
• The Prelate dismisses the company.
• Members generally socialize outside the temple after services.

Signs and Symbols

The primary Red Warden symbol is a ruby gemstone with a triangular cut (point down) surrounded by radiating golden beams, all set on a black background surrounded by a gold border. Holy symbols are metal discs that bear this emblem, generally worn on a chain around the neck. Standard symbols are made of enameled tin or brass. Quality symbols (silver equivalent) are enameled steel.

When used as a rank insignia, the symbols surrounding the gem denote position.

• No marks - A Red Warden not on a company's rolls (*).
• Sigil above the gem - A company mark, indicating the member is the rolls.
• Open scroll below the gem - Herald, messenger, or envoy.
• One to three bars below the gem - Rank indicators.
• Gold star below the gem - Councilor of the High Hall.
• Diagonal marks left/right of the gem - Campaign marks.
• Vertical sword crossing the gem - Paragon.
• Open book over the gem - Adjutant.
• Second gem within the gem - Prelate.
• White background - High Paragon, Adjutant, and Prelate, and their immediate staff.
• Gray background - Honorary rank granted for service to a non-Warden.

(*) Symbols without marks are sometimes carried by special operatives.

A Red Warden company flag shows the standard symbol centered on a gold banner with the company sigil in the bottom hoist corner. Hanging the flag with the gem's single point up is a distress signal.