[hider=The Silent Dawn]
[b]Order of the Silent Dawn[/b]

Location: 
This order of knights, paladins, warrior monks, and priest make their home base on the south eastern island in the Silent South. The Order's main headquarters on the island is located in the temple district of Athkatla, the capital city of Amndis (the name of the nation that controls the island). It is an imposing building called the High Hall of the Silent Dawn, and it towers over even some of the largest temples in the city, as a monument to the Order's power and influence.

Info:
The Order of the Silent Dawn is a fraternity of lawful good paladins and clerics that operates throughout Anadara from the island of Amndis. The Order of the Silent Dawn are foremost amongst the defenders of humanity, the greatest of mortal warriors. This is due, many believe, because of the unique initiation that each full member takes. Every member takes part in a ancient ceremony in which they take a holy vow before the last artifact of the sleeping All Maker, the tome [i]'Amnenician Divinitatus'[/i]. It is said this holy tome holds the spark of the All Makers divine grace. This ceremony thus bestows a unique power in each holy warrior. A source of energy known as 'Divanimus', or Divine magic in layman terms. This power grants these men and women the tools they require in battling the forces of Ruin. 

Members thus empowered of the order devote themselves to fighting evils and injustice, maintaining peace and upholding the law of their respective nations and that of the All Maker. It should come as no surprise that the order still follows the original god of creation of mankind, known only as the All Maker, and his principles. In fact the Order of the Silent Dawn believe the All Maker is not dead, but has receded into a state known as the 'Great Sleep' and will one day return in all his glory to vanquish all the Princes of Ruin. 

Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart:
This is the senior branch of the Order, comprised of dutiful paladins of at least forty years of age. It is an exclusive division that commands respect from the highest ranks of the aristocracy, who regard its members as dignitaries in their own right. This wing of the Order maintains only 25 members at any one time. New candidates are considered only when one of the members dies or voluntarily steps down.

Joining the Order:
In order to become a fully-fledged knight of the Order, applicants must have shown exceptional dedication in fighting the darkness cause by the Ruinous powers and be of at least forty years of age; younger members join the ranks of the Silent Dawn Auxiliary. Paladins who wish to enroll must also have two sponsors: a member of the royalty of his homeland and an active member of the order. The Silent Dawn honors not only distinguished service, but what is perhaps the most remarkable accomplishment of any paladin – a long life.

Council of Prelates:
Each individual branch of The Order of the Silent Dawn is led by a council of three High Officers called Prelates, all of whom must have been a member in good standing for ten or more years. Decisions are made when a paladin called the Chancellor (also a High Officer) makes suggestions, and the Prelates reach a consensus. When a Prelate dies or retires, the Chancellor takes his place, at which time a new Chancellor is appointed. All of the High Officers have a tattoo of the order's emblem on their left wrist. Which is that of a Gold Star in midst of a silver circle.

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[hider=Silent Dawn Auxiliary]

The Silent Dawn Auxiliary is the junior wing of the Order of the Silent Dawn, and comprises of knights who are not yet old enough or highly regarded enough to gain membership to the senior branch of the Order. All of these Paladins of the Silent Dawn Auxiliary pledge themselves to goodly deities; Such as the All Maker. The Auxiliary branch of the Order's motto is: "A loyal heart and a faithful spirit."

Joining the Auxiliary:

In order for a prospective paladin to join the Silent Dawn Auxiliary, they must first be sponsored by an active member of the senior branch of the Order, The Most Noble Order of the Silent Dawn. Two of the Council of three Prelates must also approve the membership, giving their assent for the initiate to be accepted into the fraternity. Most members of the Order come from noble families, often with a history of Order membership. 

Organization:

Each branch of the Order of the Silent Dawn has it's own auxiliary, consisting of no more than 40 members (branches of the Order are called chapters, and are usually based in large towns or cities). A Chairman, elected from the ranks, conducts the Auxiliary's meetings; however, the Chairman is not considered a High Officer, merely an elected representative.

Each member of the Silent Dawn Auxiliary serves for a typical term of five years. After this time, they can either voluntarily retire from the Order or renew their membership for another five years. In order to retain their position as a member, a paladin must gain the unanimous vote of all current Auxiliary members and the approval of two Prelates.

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