Looking for some ideas or opinions - I'm into River Run Red, and one of my players is a Cavalier Sword Lord. He's having some issues with butting heads with the other rulers of the new settlement, and how this should work with his Order of the Dragon oath to support them. So he's writing to his mentor for advice and... I have no idea how being a Sword Lord and a Cavalier should work. Both seem to be militaristic orders who put a big deal on installing their ethics and combat secrets in their members. I've read what's been published about the Sword Lords, but I can't find details of how the Cavalier orders actually organise themselves in Golarion. Can anyone point me in a good direction, or has anyone else hit this combination of factors before?
Offhand I don't remember if they addressed it in the book but the Knights of the Inner Sea may have what you are looking for.
Outside of that, I would borrow examples from other game settings, like Dragonlance, Dragon Age, and Forgotten Realms, to see how knightly orders are organized and/or portrayed.
I hope that helps somewhat.
CB out.
I have a similar issue in my game, where a character is just about to start taking Cavalier levels - as a member of the Order of the Dragon - so I have been giving the matter some thought.
In my game, the order of the Dragon is going to be a very loose knit structure. Each member has different personal goals, different class requirements - and have committed themselves to completely different groups. one could be committed to furthering the cause of a party of evil characters, another could be committed to furthering the cause of a group of lawful good characters. What they have in common is the edict.
"The cavalier must remain loyal to his allies and must always work to further the aims of the group. He must protect his allies from harm and defend their honor when called into doubt"
And members of the order recognise and respect that Vow in other members - whether the party aims coincide or not. So, in my game, a member of the Order of the Dragon will be required to support his allies - even if they do something he doesn't quite approve of. If he breaks that edict - he will lose the respect (and membership) of the order.
For me, there is no overarching political structure to the Order of the Gragon - just a group of individuals recognising a kindred spirit. Simples.
The commitment to the Swordlords is equally straight forward. If he passes on the secrets of Aldori Swordsmanship to someone who doesn't take the Aldori name - he is in trouble. But as far as I can see - there are no other real requirements for being in good standing with the Sword Lords.
Ironically the 'middle aged' Cavalier who will take the oath of my character has dedicated himself to a group of people who people who travelled and fought together years ago. That group only includes one swordlord (who just happens to be Lady Jamandi Aldori - the First swordlord) the rest of the group are now all merchants, priests and business owners. After all, few adventuring parties are composed of all one character class.
TBH the "butting heads with neighbours issue" sounds more like an alignment clash rather than a real issue for either the Swordlords or the Order of the Dragon.
Thanks for the feedback guys!
When I said he was butting heads, I meant with the other PC rulers of the kingdom, not with the neighbours. He's hitting that interesting zone where he wants to support and protect the group, so he's wondering what to do when he sees one of them doing something that brings danger to them all.
But that's a good point - the Order is very loose, and there's no guarantee that it applies to noble deeds any more than ignoble. That'll be interesting if, say, his mentor winds up allied with a faction that opposes the party.
Alignments are actually something that I've dropped; I get a lot more out of saying "this person is an ass" rather than that they're "evil." Thankfully I've no clerics in the group to worry about protection spells or the like.
In case you're interested, based on the advice you guys gave this is what I whipped up; again, his question was mostly about what to do when he viewed the actions of the rest of the party as being dumb and leading them into danger.
Alexander,
Apologies for the lateness of my reply. The balance of the Houses is delicate, to put it lightly, but when the Regent calls we must still answer. I have spent much of the Spring in the Gronzi forest, for reasons I shall not go into now; suffice to say that I am most glad to be back in Restov.
You ask about your Oath, to which my answer is simple - think why you took it.
Our brethren of the Cockatrice think too small. One man alone cannot change anything. The Shield and the Sword are abstract, concerned with ideals. All well and good for philosopher and drunkards, but where are such things when the wolf is at the door? The Star and the Lion, they are too big! What they serve consumes them, they become a drop in an ocean. No, you chose the Dragon, like I did.
You chose it because it gives you allies. Allies are strength. They are eyes when yours are blinded, arms when yours are weak. They are defences. They are cunning. They give to you, and you to them. A chorus loud enough to carry through the night, but small enough that each voice is heard. That is why! You did not pick them for no reason, or - if you did - you paid little attention to me. Each supports and compliments you, and so each of you bolster the others, and make you capable of great, great deeds. What you have built in that hostile wilderness need only be the start.
That is why your oath tells you to defend and remain loyal to them. Without them, what are you? A lone swordsman, whose death shall be marked by few and then forgotten. But it does not require you to expect less in return! Nor does it require you to sit idly by while they risk what you have pledged yourself to on fool's errands. Confront them! Challenge them! You are not their servant, you are their peer! Perhaps there are reasons you do not see, or perhaps there are perils they do not.
You must protect their bodies and their honour, because both are your own. What good are they, or you, if others do not respect you? There are those in our Order who say that you must be loved, others feared. I do not put stock in such limitations. You must be known as strong, with all that entails, and let others decide whether they will adore or fear you for it by their actions. Enemies must know that they will never face you alone. Allies must know that you are dependable, and not to be crossed, or they will sooner or later.
Take heart in that your efforts are already bearing fruit. Your successes against the bandits and wild creatures of the Greenbelt have been noted, and your name bandied about the dueling schools and taprooms. If I were to only give you one piece of advice it would be this; make sure your arm and wit are both ready next time you return to Restov.
Yrs, etc.
Nice :)