So I've looked up the pathfinder wiki for the Knights of Ozem.
In relation to Lastwall: they are a militant order dedicated Iomedae, with headquarters in Vigil, that watch for signs of the Whispering Tyrant and have a goal of destroying undead.
So is this military order a group that works along side the Lastwall military? Are the Knights of Ozem and the Lastwall military one-in-the-same? Are they an elite or specialized part of the Lastwall military?
I would love to hear some input. Thanks in advance.
From what I can tell, the Knights of Ozem, while an important part of Lastwall's military, aren't in command of Lastwall, although they are based in Vigil, Lastwall's capital. It seems they are more focused on defeating undead and demons then holding back the orcs of Belkzen, which is, at the moment, the primary concern of Lastwall.
If I had to guess, I would say that right now most of their forces are probably in Mendev right now, as the Worldwound seems to be a more pressing matter.
I also can't find anything suggesting Watcher-Lord Ulthun is part of the Knights, but I wouldn't be surprised if some of the previous Watcher-Lords were Knights of Ozem, as their histories are closely intertwined.
Anyone else have some input on this?
bump
Does anyone know what role they play in the mendevian crusade, especially in WotR? I think there is probably more published material on that, so maybe I could sorta copy how they do it there.
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Based on this story (which involves a somewhat uptight Knight of Ozem disowning his son for going to fight at the Worldwound instead of becoming one of said Knights), there is absolutely no direct formal interaction between the organizations, though the Knights mostly seem to respect the crusaders and vice versa.
Um... The entries on the pathfinder wiki specifically say that they concern themselves with undead in ustalav, scouting out Geb, and fighting in the worldwound. They specifically do not fight Orcs as far as I can tell. I'm just askin for what kind of role they actually play in the worldwound, I already know they have a role in the worldwound.
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My understanding is that The Knights of Ozem are an independent knightly order, religious in nature, that has gradually intertwined with the secular government of Lastwall. Sort of an idealized fantasy version of the Knights of Malta.
There were tons of knightly orders founded in Taldor/Cheliax back in the "Empire" days. Aroden and his church were apparently pretty big on consecrating new knightly orders (which is one of the reasons why Hellknights were originally called Hellknights. When the founder created his own knightly order, he specifically refused to allow Aroden's church to consecrate his order. Which was apparently highly unusual).
So the Knights of Ozem were an Arodenite Order of Knights who venerated Aroden's Herald, Azari, as their patron saint. Iomedae, as a mortal, was a member of that order who eventually became its leader during the Shining Crusade.
After Azari died in the Shining Crusade, Iomaedae elevated to the position of Aroden's Herald and became the new patron of the Knights of Ozem. With Aroden's death, she because their sole patron (and also absorbed much of his old church, which the knights would have affiliated with).
We don't know if the Knights of Ozem were always specifically dedicated to destroying undead and demons, or if they just became specialized over time because of their huge role in leading the Shining Crusade and being so close to the Worldwound (which Aroden's church had traditionally kept an eye on).
Anyway, the Knights of Ozem predate the nation of Lastwall. Lastwall was specifically founded (by a diverse group including the Knights of Ozem) to be a permanent guard over Gallowspire. Watching over the orcs would be a secondary duty (since the orcs had fought under the Whispering Tyrant, and the Hold of Belkzin was right there anyway), even though the orcs are probably a more consistent day to day threat now than the relatively contained undead.
So there is probably a difference (at least on paper) between a member of the government/military of Lastwall and a Knight of Ozem. But I also imagine that there is a lot of crossover, with knights also holding officer ranks and filling public offices simply because they're the most capable people around and they have a history (and interests) so closely tied to the nation itself.
As for their involvement with the Worldwound, I wouldn't expect there to be that many Knights of Ozem operating in Mendev. The bulk of them would be in Lastwall. Remember, the Knights have very high standards for admittance, which means it won't be a particularly large organization. The higher level members would run patrols in Virlych, while the mid and lower ranking members would mostly be in Lastwall itself (ready to be called on at a moment's notice). So there would probably be a band or two of knights in Mendev, but The Knights of Ozem are a limited resource that can't spread itself too thin no matter how much they may want to.
TL;DR
#1 The bulk of the Knights of Ozem would be focused on Gallowspire. Containing the threat of the Whispering Tyrant is the primary focus of their order.
#2 As a result of geography and history, they would also fight orcs rather frequently. Not because they specifically want to, but because the orcs are a constant threat to Lastwall, which makes them a threat to goal #1. The Knights probably don't go on the offensive against the orcs often, since that would be a drain on resources. But they most certainly help beat back invasions, and probably have set aside at least some resources (a few knights, etc) to focus on eliminating the orc issue.
#3 Being that they are a "Big Good" organization, the Knights of Ozem are also concerned with the Worldwound. Aroden closed it once, and Iomaedae is involved in a crusade against it. So it definitely ranks highly on their list of things to fight. Unfortunately, this is an area where their elite nature is a problem. The more resources they send to fight at the Worldwound, the less they have to keep an eye on the agents of the Whispering Tyrant. So there is probably a band of knights in Mendev that rotates out (fighting experience and whatnot) and a few individual knights who go on their own initiative, but they wouldn't commit too many standing resources because they simply don't have the numbers to focus on both.
Note that orcs rank higher than the Worldwound. Again, this would be a matter of geography. Orcs are constantly invading Lastwall, where the knights are based. Demons from the Worldwound are not, and getting to them takes time and drains resources.
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hey... probably not related to the OP's question, but I created this sword a few years ago. In retrospect, I'm not sure if the BULL RUSH maneuvering ability is legal, but otherwise I think my math was right, at the time of creation! ;)
(Leaping and Maneuvering abilities are from the Paizo Blog)
OZEM’S REVENGE
Keen Evil Outsider Bane Shatterspike +2
Aura strong evocation; moderate transmutation; moderate conjuration; CL 16th
Slot none; Weight 4 lbs.
DESCRIPTION
This intimidating weapon appears to be a longsword with multiple
hooks, barbs, and serrations along the blade, excellent for catching
and sundering a foe’s weapon. Wielders without the Improved
Sunder feat use a shatterspike as a +2 longsword only. Wielders with
the Improved Sunder feat instead use shatterspike as a +5 longsword
when attempting to sunder an opponent’s weapon. Shatterspike can
damage weapons with an enhancement bonus of +5 or lower. The
weapon also generate light as a light spell on command or at the direction
of the weapon.
Construction
Requirements Str 13, Craft Arms and Armor, Improved Sunder,
Power Attack, keen edge, shatter, summon monster I; CL 12.
INTELLIGENT WEAPON ABILITIES
(+4 total, so +30,000, for 34,315 base cost) EGO +4
Leaping: The item can leap to its possessor's hand or become instantly equipped. As long as the possessor has the item on his person, as a free action he can call out to the item, causing it to jump into his hand (if that is how it is wielded) or equip itself in the appropriate slot (if it takes up a slot). Items that are not wielded or do not take up a slot cannot have this power. The possessor must have a free hand or the appropriate slot free for this ability to function. Item Type: Special. Price Modifier: 2,000 gp. Ego Modifier: +1.
Maneuvering: Whenever this weapon is used to perform one specific type of combat maneuver, in this case BULL RUSH, the possessor receives a +2 bonus on the check and does not provoke attacks of opportunity when attempting the combat maneuver. This does not stack with the bonus gained from the feat that grants the same bonus, such as Improved Disarm. Item Type: Weapon. Price Modifier: 8,000 gp. Ego Modifier: +1.
Intelligent base 500gp
Lawful Good
Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 18; +7000gp; EGO +9
Speaks Taldane, Varisian, Osiriani
Senses (120 ft.), Speech, Telepathy; +2500gp; EGO +1
Cast 0th level spell at will, cast as a standard action on the sword’s initiative turn (ENHANCED DIPLOMACY); +1000gp; EGO +1
Cast 4th level spell 3/day, cast as a standard action on the sword’s initiative turn (SPIRITUAL ALLY, CL 16th; +19/+14/+9/+4 to hit, 1d10+5 dmg); +33600gp; EGO +2
Defeat Evil Outsiders; EGO +2
Item can detect Evil Outsiders within 60 feet; +10000gp; EGO +1
Total Cost: 98,915; Total EGO: +22