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==Heavy Bow Combat==
The Celestial Sentinel Order is a Knightly Order that is different when compared to other Knightly Orders, in that it is not native to Regalia, but made by the Lanlath Elves in their own enclaves, and eventually recognized in the Regalian Empire. The order is primarily occupied with fighting the ruinous designs of the Void Gods, to directly counteract their plots and their priests and minions, and to fight the agents of the Void itself, whether that be Spirits, Arken or those seeking pacts with Demons. While the Celestial Sentinels and the Aelrrigan Order are allies in a similar fight, the Aelrrigans focus more on the crimes of (magical) mortals and their wrongdoings. The Celestials primarily investigate the designs of greater immortal powers and counteract them directly and indirectly by both preventing their objectives and diminishing the power of the agents of these powers. The secondary work of the Celestial Sentinels is to encourage moderation in faith and fanaticism, specifically aimed toward Estelley Faith. Having been established to guard against the violent ideology of Cemaan within the Estelley faith, the Celestial Sentinels protect the sacred groves that Reliquary Knights do not pay attention to, but also chastise and obstruct any fanatics who use the gospel of their gods to cause chaos and suffering, while also acting as unofficial justice dealers in the eyes of Leyon and Ëlana.  
Heavy Bow Combat covers the usage of light bows such as Anglian Heavy Bows and other Longbows. These weapons have to be fired from a stationary position and provide very little mobility, though allow the user some close-range defense. Each Mundane Ability must be bought with increasing Proficiency costs, 4 Proficiency per Mundane Ability (all 5 costing 20 in total). Mundane Abilities are purchased from top to bottom. All Abilities ignore armor worn by the target unless specified otherwise. Note, Mundane Abilities of this Category can only be used when the appropriate weapon is being wielded by the Character. It is not possible to duo-wield ranged weapons or a ranged and melee weapon.
 
{| class="wikitable"
''The Senleya Order, uniquely, is not native to Regalia. Founded by the Lanlath Elves in their enclaves and eventually recognized within Regalia, it is primarily occupied with fighting the ruinous ambitions of the Void Gods by opposing their plots, priests, and minions. All forces of the Void, including its Spirits, Arken, and those pacted to or serving it, are their enemies. Besides this, the Senleya also fight radical parts of the Estelley faith while also protecting it as a whole. Guarding the sacred groves that other Knights cannot protect, they chastise Estelley worshipers who stoop to using their gospel as an excuse for chaos and suffering, trying to keep the justice of their Gods Leyon and Ëlana.''
|- style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center; background-color:#c0c0c0;"
 
! Points Invested
==Design==
! Name
Celestial Sentinels, sometimes called Celestials or Sentinels for short, bring the aesthetic of angelic warriors to Roleplay with higher-ranked Knights of the Order manifesting wings and gaining flight. Celestial Sentinels are heavily geared towards the Estelley Religion, particularly the erudite moon god Leyon, and the vigilant sun goddess Ëlana. The former incorporates themes of the moon, knowledge, foresight, and silver, while the latter incorporates themes of the sun, purity, fortitude, and gold. The Celestial Sentinel Order is exclusive to Elves of any Race, they must however be Estelley worshipers. The majority of the Celestial Sentinels are however Lanlath Elves, as the Knight Order was established by them.  
! Type
 
! Range
''Senleya is the Elven word for "sentinel." The Senleya have an angelic aesthetic, their stronger Knights manifesting feathered wings and smiting with the power of their divine patrons. They are heavily geared towards the Estelley religion, mostly the wise moon god Leyon and the fierce sun goddess Ëlana. Any Estelley-worshiping Elf can serve as a Senleya, but the vast majority of the Order are Lanlath. It is steeped in their history and built around their culture.''
! Description
 
|-
===Why Play a Knight===
| 4 Points
Knighthood is a great way for even new players to get involved in pre-existing groups and activities. It is hard for new players to find a group to roleplay with, Knighthood membership guarantees some familiarity and the possibility to get involved in the roleplay of others without too much effort. Knight groups usually organize their own internal social roleplay, and Knights are generally well-received by the wider player base. Knighthood also grants a unique ranking system where players can set goals for themselves and work towards them. Knight roleplay does require some reading, however, because Knights have to follow a Knight's Code or risk expulsion. Celestial Sentinel Knighthood in particular is recommended for players trying to invest in Lanlath roleplay, or be part of a wider Estelley worship community both as protectors and police force, as well as opposition against the conspiring Void Gods. Sentinel Knighthood perfectly pairs with aesthetics of angels and D&D Aasimar, as well as the general esthetic of demigods (even though they are not).
| Heavy Shot
 
| Mundane Ability
''Knighthood is a good way to get involved in pre-existing groups and activities. Since it guarantees roleplay, a group, and a reason to log on, it is appealing for everyone from new players to veterans. Knight groups organize their own internal social roleplay and are usually well-received by the playerbase as pleasant spaces. Knighthood also grants a unique ranking system for Characters to progress up the ladder of their Order and gain privileges for honesty and effectiveness in their Code. Knight roleplay requires reading, however, as Knight characters must follow their Codes or risk expulsion. Senleya Knighthood is recommended for players who are invested in Elven lore and want a guardian role among Elven players, or are interested in fighting Void interests from a non-Purist, non-Unionist angle. Their aesthetics pair well with D&D Aasimar and general angelic references.''
| Emote Distance
 
| Heavy Shot is the default Arrow attack for a Heavy Bow Combat user. This simply involves shooting a Heavy Bow at a target that is not behind cover. Each shot has a 1 minute cooldown and if hit, creates the equivalent of a deep gash like a sword hit would, or a piercing wound in case the enemy is wearing armor. For each shot, the Archer must do a “/dice 0 20”, with any roll above 5 causing a hit to land.  
==Knights Code==
|-
===Common Knights Code===
| 8 Points
All Knights of all Orders are beholden to this Knights Code.
| Knocking Shot
# Loyalty to the Emperor of Regalia, and the Regalian State is required.
| Mundane Ability
# Knights are disallowed from attacking unarmed or defenseless people.
| Emote Distance
# Knights are disallowed from degrading themselves or their Order.
| The Archer shoots a heavy pound arrow, an arrow with a lot of weight and force behind it, but more kinetic than piercing damage. This shot damages about as much as a stab of a dagger does, but forces the target to be knocked back by 6 blocks into the opposite direction of the Archer, or until they hit a solid object, which then causes blunt damage but does not Stun them. This ability has a 3 minute cooldown. This Ability is a guaranteed hit.
# Knights are allowed to enforce Regalian Law, but must abide by it.
|-
# Knights may not lie, or deceive, but needn't always say everything.
| 12 Points
# Knights are expected to give alms to the poor and protect the weak.
| Marking Shot
===Specific Order Code===
| Mundane Ability
The following Knights Code applies only to the Celestial Sentinels.
| Emote Distance
# Celestial Sentinels must seek out the designs of Void Gods and Void Arken and combat them.
| The Archer shoots a Seraphalo Marking Shot, an arrow with a particularly useful luminescent feather. This arrow always hits (unless there is an obstacle between the Archer and the target) and does no damage, but marks the target (not through invisibility) with very obvious luminescent dust for 5 minutes. After being hit, the next Ability or Ranged Weapon Mundane Ability used on the target ignores all hit chance dice rolls and becomes automatic hit, after which the Mark expires. This Ability has a 5 minute cooldown. This Ability is a guaranteed hit.
# Celestial Sentinels must keep tabs on Void worshipers and priests and contain their plots.
|-
# Celestial Sentinels must keep tabs on Void Arkenborn and prevent their temptation to evil.
| 16 Points
# Celestial Sentinels must save Vampire Thralls and Blood Thralls and bring them to the light.
| Bow Slam
# Celestial Sentinels must police and administer the Rite and Laws of Loa to Deathwatch Elves.
| Mundane Ability
# Celestial Sentinels must protect Estelley Groves and Mana Trees with their lives.
| 3 Blocks
# Celestial Sentinels must encourage temperance and turning away from Estelley fanaticism.
| Bow Slam allows the Archer to slash their heavy bow in a semi circle in front of them (a 180 degree angle) followed by a ground slam. Anyone within 3 blocks of the Archer’s front is knocked back 5 blocks and falls over, but receives no damage. This Ability has a 5 minute cooldown, and can only be used if at least 1 person is within 3 Blocks Range.
 
|-
===Rite and Laws of Loa===
| 20 Points
The Rite and Laws of Loa concerns two parts of the same cultural tradition, the Rite (turning) of the living to the Deathwatch Elves, and the Law (preserving of duty) that the Deathwatch have to the living. The Rite of Loa involves the ritual killing of an Elven Estelley Faithful in the Estelley Temple during a religious rite that converts them into a Deathwatch Undead, and then bind them by Loa's law to the protection of a specific person or family. This Undead is then bound for all eternity to protect the name and family of their charge, or risk violating the Laws of Loa. Celestial Sentinels are meant to keep an eye on the Deathwatch Elves and ensure they uphold their duty and do not start living a life away from their obligation, or worse, become Deathrotten or betray their task. In such cases, the Celestial Sentinels hunt down and put an end to Loa's traitors. Deathwatch Undead are Legal in Regalia only under the extremely strict watch of the Celestial Sentinels.  
| Power Shot
===Nuance of Fanaticism===
| Mundane Passive
The duty of Celestial Sentinels to guard against fanaticism among the Estelley Faithful is a bit more nuanced than just preaching against war, slavery, and Cemaan. Cemaan's message is not any more violent and destructive than that of any other Estelley God: Loa's death-bringing and Leyon's apathy to the suffering of the world over the acquisition of knowledge and skill can cause just as much misery. ''Replace with: Even a god considered benevolent like Leyon causes problems through his apathy to the suffering of the world in favor of his pursuit of knowledge.'' Cemaan's message however is often used as an excuse to do things (or not do things), and therein lies the duty of the Celestial Sentinels: not to imply that worship of specific deities makes one more liable to do evil, but that using religion as a justification to do evil is the great sin itself. Short of using violence themselves, the Celestial Sentinels keep watch over the Estelley faithful to contain the excesses of fanaticism through diplomacy and tact, avoiding the sword until the very last. Celestial Sentinels will avoid raising arms against fellow Estelley worshipers until no other option remains. ''Replace with: The Senleya contain Estelley fanaticism and violence through their words until no option remains. The sword is a last resort.''
| Announce Emote
==Structure==
| The Archer kneels, producing a heavy power shot. This Ability requires both calculating and concentration to pull and deliver on mark, thus requiring a full minute to remain stationary and charge. When the charge is complete, the Archer may release at the target, as long as the target is not behind cover. If they are, the Archer may hold this position however long until they leave cover, or until they get knocked over. If the Archer is interrupted, charge will have to re-commence. This arrow is guaranteed to hit. The Archer must do a “/dice 1 5”, where 1 means the left arm, 2 means the right arm, 3 means the left leg, 4 means the right leg, and 5 means the face. Whatever part of the body this arrow hits, is paralyzed for 1 hour, and if the face is hit, the player must use “/trait add Blindness” for 1 hour that can only be removed by Mundane or Ability Healing. This Ability does not cause maims. This Ability has a 24 hour cooldown.
The Celestial Sentinel Order has a hierarchical structure that defines ranks within the Order:
|}
* '''The High Hierophant''' (NPC) is the highest leader of the Celestial Sentinel Order.  
==Light Bow Combat==
* '''The Valley Council''' (NPC) are the elders and instructors and teachers of the Order.
Light Bow Combat covers the usage of light bows such as recurve bows, hunting bows and other cavalry bows. These weapons can be fired while on the move, and provide ample mobility, but leave a user very weak to close-range attacks. Each Technique (Ability) must be bought with increasing Proficiency costs, 4 Proficiency per Technique. Techniques are purchased from top to bottom. All Abilities ignore armor worn by the target unless specified otherwise. Note, Mundane Abilities of this Category can only be used when the appropriate weapon is being wielded by the Character. It is not possible to duo-wield ranged weapons or a ranged and melee weapon.
* '''The Alyaan Sentinels''' (Player) are the highest attainable rank of Knight of high prestige and esteem.
{| class="wikitable"
* '''The Sinaï Sentinels''' (Player) are a well respected and Knight with great sway in the Order.
|- style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center; background-color:#c0c0c0;"
* '''The Celvel Sentinels''' (Player) are the esteemed warriors sent on difficult tasks for the Order.
! Points Invested
* '''The Sunel Sentinels''' (Player) are the formal rank of Knights who get sent on missions.
! Name
* '''The Lomaan Sentinels''' (Player) are the lowest rank of just-graduated Knight in the Order.
! Type
* '''The Squires''' (Player) are pre-graduation. Recommended for trying out, with less obligations.
! Range
===Privileges===
! Description
Privileges are a set of unlockable rewards that can be attained each time a Knight ranks up. The rank up process is evaluated by Lore Staff based on a combination of: adherence to the lore, adherence to the knight's code, activity, consistent character portrayal, good engagement and in some of the higher ranks, leadership. When a rank up is granted, players may choose one of these privileges (each only once) to apply to that rank up, ensuring that the appropriate reward is granted for each milestone. Being expelled from the Order causes the loss of all Privileges, and in some cases, Privileges may also be revoked if a Character is punished by the order for misdeeds, or disciplined by staff for Server Rule breaking.  
|-
* '''Privilege 1''' The Knight in question gains Persuasion Dice Rolls at /dice Wisdom+Faith (see Abilities Page for more information).
| 4 Points
* '''Privilege 2''' The Knight in question is granted a rent-free Knight's Estate in the Knight Quarter with Staff decoration.
| Light Shot
* '''Privilege 3''' The Knight in question is Sun blessed or Moon blessed, gaining Elytra Flight out of Combat and Angel Aesthetics.
| Mundane Ability
* '''Privilege 4''' The Knight in question gains access to the Moon-Vaults to source knowledge from the ancient Allorn Empire.
| Emote Distance
* '''Privilege 5''' The Knight in question receives an Artifact designed for their Character that cannot be taken from them.
| Light Shot is the default Arrow attack for a Light Bow Combat user. This simply involves shooting a Light Bow at a target that is not behind cover. Each shot has a 30 second cooldown and if hit, creates the equivalent of a slight cut like a dagger slash would, or a puncture wound in case the enemy is wearing armor. For each shot, the Archer must do a “/dice 0 20”, with any roll above 5 causing a hit to land.  
==History==
|-
The Celestial Sentinel Order was established, many millennia before the first Viridians were Knighted in Regalia, when the Lanlath Elves were expelled from the Allorn Empire due to their crime of temperance and pacifism. As the Lanlath were expelled to their Twilight Valleys, a small choir within their society insisted that blind ignorance to the ruin that could follow them into their paradise realms, would cause the same moral demise as had happened in the Allorn Empire. The Celestial Sentinel Order as such is intrinsically linked with the history of the Lanlath, and acted also as the official police force of the Lanlath within their own realms as they had no formal armies. While some contact remained between the Allorn Empire and the Lanlath as both sides had a vested interest in keeping up to date about each other's magical developments, most Valleys were closed to outsiders, and as such, the Sentinels rarely crossed outside of their enclosed environments and were by modern standards, nothing more than a somewhat bettery equipped militia. Their armor and symbolism is consistent with the standards of today, but they lacked the formal military training that would make them formidable warriors on the battlefield such as they are in the modern day.
| 8 Points
 
| Evading Dash
The history of the Celestial Sentinel Order becomes more pressing in the last 500 or so years of the Allorn Empire, leading up to Cataclysm. While all events transpired in the Allorn Empire with the Gods growing ever more silent, the Yanar Vanguard being ignored, and various sub-groups of Elves splitting off, the Lanlath predicted disaster. They had perhaps not predicted the Cataclysm itself, for such an event was too horrific even for the Lanlath to predict, but they certainly suspected a violent collapse of the Allorn Empire if not at the very least a splintering of warring states and factions. This immediate concern caused discord among the Twilight Valleys, who spent many years contemplating and discussing their course of action. Eventually an agreement was met, that the Lanlath would venture into the most violent and wretched places of Ailor dominions, seek out the strongest of warriors and most skilled of swordsmen, and offer them a bargain: safety for them and their family in the Twilight Valleys paradise and their progeny, in exchange for military training of the Celestial sentinels. It was as such that around 400 BC, the Celestial Sentinels became an actual force worth reckoning with, as Ailor instructors taught them how to wield their weapons and battle tactics. Many of the descendants of these instructors still live in the Twilight Valleys, a rare occurrence of outsiders being allowed to live in esteemed and respectful conditions in what are normally Lanlath ethno-communities.  
| Mundane Ability
 
| Emote Distance
The Lanlath prediction would come true 4 centuries later, which some might say was a long time and a large margin of error for their prediction, but was actually merely a lifetime in Elven terms. The rapid onset of the Void Invasion did not leave the Lanlath untouched, some of the Twilight Valleys were utterly destroyed as they were anchored in geographic locations where the Void Invasion occured, and the horror of the savagery of the Void denizens shocked Lanlath society and the Celestial Sentinels alike. While they were proficient warriors, the Order was completely blind to the outside world, and often unaware of impending doom before the Spirits started pouring through their magical gateways that acted like honey pots for buzzing bees. The Twilight Valleys that survived quickly called for an end to self-isolation and apathy to the world outside of their pristine communities. It marks the date immediately after Cataclysm, that the Celestial Sentinels reached out into the wider world, using the time when Void Magic and the Void Gods were at their weakest, to start their watch against their ruinous plots and schemes.
| The Archer uses a quick Evading Dash in any direction to reposition within Emote Distance, as long as they can see their intended location and get there in one linear direction without walking into obstacles (such as walls too tall to climb). If obstacles are reasonably climbable for the Archer, this climbing is also included in the dash. While dashing, the Archer is untargetable, and the dash is complete in a matter of seconds. This Ability has a 3 minute cooldown. This Ability cannot be used during a Stun/Disable/Root.
 
|-
As time passed, natural alliances formed with the Aelrrigan and Viridian Order (which early on was aimed more at fighting Vampires and protecting Regalia). With waves of migration of Lanlath to Regalia, emboldened by a newfound sense of interest in the world outside of their secluded Valley realms, the Celestial Sentinels became a common presence in the Regalia's borders, so much so that the Lanlath representatives sought out the Emperor of Regalia, and bargained official recognition of their Order within Regalia's borders. This in turn further accelerated Lanlath migration into the Regalian Empire, and even the establishment of an all-new Twilight Valley in the north of Solleria, where the population had become an Elven melting pot. The Celestial Sentinels were spared the mage-hate of the middle centuries, as their Aelrrigan allies were hunted down, largely because their order did not much use Magic, favoring the blade. In the modern day, the Celestial Sentinels while technically a foreign Knight Order (as the Lanlath Valleys are not a nation state part of the Regalian Empire), is considered a powerful domestic force, with the Knights well respected at the Imperial Court and even extended to enforce Law in the Empire by the Emperor's will. The Celestial Sentinels have several chapterhouses across the Regalian Empire where future Sentinels are induced, having recently opened their doors even to non-Lanlath Sentinels (with the caveat that they fit within the behavior expectations of the ethereal and pensive Lanlath that is).  
| 12 Points
==Trivia==
| Marking Shot
* The fact that the Celestial Sentinels show parallels with Breizh folklore winged divine messengers, that has not been lost to the Breizh people. The Celestial Sentinels have always avoided the subject, leading to some conspiracy theories among the Breizh that the Weard were actually Celestial Sentinels who assisted Elen with the protection of the Breizh people from the mysterious entity called The Midnight.
| Mundane Ability
* The Celestial Sentinels are often described as Poet Knights, due to the poetic and almost religious chants and songs of praise they hymn or battle-cry while engaged in their duties, calling upon the blessings of the moon god and the sun goddess, or promising justice and a return to the light for all things wrapped in darkness and suffering.
| Emote Distance
* Celestial Sentinels are forbidden from holding religious or political office, as it is believed that these occupations interfere with their objective judgement, and encourage temerity and ego in their representation of the wills of Leyon.
| The Archer shoots a Seraphalo Marking Shot, an arrow with a particularly useful luminescent feather. This arrow always hits (unless there is an obstacle between the Archer and the target) and does no damage, but marks the target (not through invisibility) with very obvious luminescent dust for 5 minutes. After being hit, the next Ability or Ranged Weapon Mundane Ability used on the target ignores all hit chance dice rolls and becomes automatic hit, after which the Mark expires. This Ability has a 5 minute cooldown. This Ability is a guaranteed hit.
|-
| 16 Points
| Pinning Flurry
| Mundane Ability
| Emote Distance
| The Archer unleashes a flurry of light shots aimed to pin down the enemy from being able to move, regardless of what armor they are wearing, or whether they are hiding behind an obstacle (with the exception of Ability Shields). This Mundane Ability works like a Channel Ability, meaning it can be upheld for as long as the Archer is not attacked or knocked over, though can at most be performed for up to 5 minutes before they run out of arrows. This Ability never does any damage or cause any knockback, the target is able to do things in their pinned down position (including use Abilities), but simply cannot move from the very point that the Ability started being used from. The Archer can move around at a walking pace, but can only ever target one person, and cannot switch targets, and cannot use other Abilities or attacks during it. This Ability has a 30 second cooldown as long as the full 5 minutes was never reached, if it was, this Ability goes on a 2 hour cooldown. The moment the Ability channel is interrupted, the target can move. This Ability is a guaranteed hit once commenced.
|-
| 20 Points
| Power Shot
| Mundane Passive
| Emote Distance
| The Archer shoots 8 arrows in very rapid succession against a single target. Perform a dice roll for each shot, “/dice 0 20”. For each dice roll above 10, the arrow hits. If Marking Shot was active, the first shot is a guaranteed hit, but all successive shots still need to be dice rolled. For each shot that hits, the target deceives a deep gash somewhere on their body from which they bleed, but none of these shots can ever maim or cripple a person. Additionally, for each hit shot, the target is knocked back by 1 Block per amount of hits. This Ability has a 24 hour cooldown.
|}
==Crossbow Combat==
Crossbow Combat covers the usage of light bows such as light crossbows and heavy crossbows. These weapons have to be fired from a stationary position and provide little mobility, but have a lot of utility functions. Each Technique (Ability) must be bought with increasing Proficiency costs, 4 Proficiency per Technique. Techniques are purchased from top to bottom. All Abilities ignore armor worn by the target unless specified otherwise. Note, Mundane Abilities of this Category can only be used when the appropriate weapon is being wielded by the Character. It is not possible to duo-wield ranged weapons or a ranged and melee weapon.
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center; background-color:#c0c0c0;"
! Points Invested
! Name
! Type
! Range
! Description
|-
| 4 Points
| Brittle Shot
| Mundane Ability
| Emote Distance
| Brittle Shot is the default Arrow attack for a CrossBow Combat user. This simply involves shooting a Crossbow at a target that is not behind cover. Each shot has to specifically be aimed at a piece of armor, as Brittle Shots do not cause much damage, but instead disable pieces of armor on a target. For each shot, the Archer must do a “/dice 0 20”, with any roll above 5 causing a hit to land. For each landed hit, a piece of armor is disabled (which must always be either an entire left arm, right arm, left leg, right leg, chest, or head piece), while doing minimal brute damage and causing some bruises. This Ability has a 1 minute cooldown, and does not break Artifacts or Mythics. The effect applies the same to Ability Created Armor, unless the Ability armor has a per-hit breaking rule set, in which case it follows that instead.
|-
| 8 Points
| Knocking Shot
| Mundane Ability
| Emote Distance
| The Archer shoots a heavy pound arrow, an arrow with a lot of weight and force behind it, but more kinetic than piercing damage. This shot damages about as much as a stab of a dagger does, but forces the target to be knocked back by 6 blocks into the opposite direction of the Archer, or until they hit a solid object, which then causes blunt damage but does not Stun them. This ability has a 3 minute cooldown. This Ability is a guaranteed hit.
|-
| 12 Points
| Net Shot
| Mundane Ability
| Emote Distance
| The Archer shoots a Netbolt at a target, causing an exploding canister to throw a net out at the target, which if the target is not behind some form of cover, causes them to be Rooted. In order to determine hit, do a “/dice 1 20”, with any roll above 5 meaning the shot lands. The target is netted for 1 minute, during which they cannot move or use Abilities (unless that Ability gives immunity to Roots or allows them to free themselves from a Root), but can start freeing themselves. If the target is not attacked or knocked out, they can be freed by themselves after the 1 minute is over. If another person helps them, the netting only works for 20 seconds. If the target is attacked while being netted, the first attack instantly breaks the net, but is guaranteed to hit as the netted target cannot defend themselves. This Ability has a 24 hour cooldown.
|-
| 16 Points
| Gate Shot
| Mundane Ability
| 3 Blocks
| This Ability allows the Archer to knock down a Mundane Gate or Ability Wall (such as Magewall). The Archer is immobilized, taking 4 separate strategic shots (each separated by 30 seconds for a total of 2 minutes) after which they activate a specialized steamtek winch that pulls both a Purestone core as well as force on all anchor shots. After the emote pulling the winch into action, whatever metal/wooden gate or Ability wall/doorway it was aimed at is destroyed. This Ability can be used twice per day but has no cooldown. The Archer must also be standing within 10 Blocks of whatever they are shooting at, and within clear line of sight.
|-
| 20 Points
| Percussion Shot
| Mundane Passive
| Announce Emote
| This Ability causes the Archer to shoot an explosive Percussion Shot After a quick loading, the shot is fired, is a guaranteed hit, and causes a fire-less explosion at the target person. Any person within 10 blocks of this person is knocked to the ground with shrapnel cuts on any exposed skin. The target themselves are knocked to the ground with one limb of their choice broken as well as cuts and slices all over their body. After Percussion Shot is fired, the Crossbow of the Archer becomes defunct due to the heavy firing mechanism breaking during this shot. This prevents further use of Crossbow Mundane Abilities for 12 hours.
|}
==Puretek Combat==
Puretek Combat covers the usage of [[Puretek]] weapons such as the Puretek Quartershot (Pistol) and the Puretek Demishot (Rifle). These weapons have to be fired from a stationary position, and as such have little mobility, but provide a lot of defensive mechanics against Aberrants though little against Mundanes. Each Technique (Ability) must be bought with increasing Proficiency costs, 4 Proficiency per Technique. Techniques are purchased from top to bottom. All Abilities ignore armor worn by the target unless specified otherwise. Note: Puretek weapons cannot be used by anyone who does not purely only have Racial Abilities and nothing else, or is any type of Aberrant. If an Affliction, Lineage, Special Permission, or some kind of Curse or Spell gives a character any additional Abilities or Mutations, they are no longer able to use Puretek. There is only one exception: Archan Abilities are not counted, and still allow the usage of Puretek. Note that Puretek Mundane Abilities can only be used when your Character is wielding a Puretek weapon, with the exception of Puretek Quickshot.
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center; background-color:#c0c0c0;"
! Points Invested
! Name
! Type
! Range
! Description
|-
| 4 Points
| Belt Shot
| Mundane Ability
| Emote Distance
| This Ability allows a Puretek wielder to use a Puretek Quickshot, a one-time use Puretek pistol rapidly drawn from their belt (or other concealed location around their waist), and shoot a quick blast at a target non-Mundane. This shot is a guaranteed hit, and can be used as a Counter/Interrupt for any Ability that is being casted (as long as it can be Countered), Channeled or otherwise prepared or used, even if the Emote of the Belt Shot came after the Emote of the Ability. This Ability effectively acts as an “Ace card” to use to quickly counter a single Ability, and then prevent the target non-Mundane from using another Ability within 20 seconds to quickly buy some time, nothing more. If it Counters/Interrupts any Abilities, these Abilities do not even go on Cooldown, they simply do not trigger, and the user cannot use them again for 20 seconds, but is completely fine after those 20 seconds. It causes no damage, and can only be used once per day. This shot has no effect on Mundanes. This shot also shoots through Ability Shields. Note, if your character has a Puretek weapon, Belt Shot is not that specific weapon. It is just an additional Puretek one-time-use boomstick.
|-
| 8 Points
| Barrage of Purity
| Mundane Ability
| Emote Distance
| This Ability allows the Puretek wielder to barrage a target with repeated Puretek shots, in an Ability that acts more like a Channel Ability. The Shooter must be stationary (whether kneeling or standing up), and repeatedly fire the Puretek weapon at a single target. While this Channel Ability is active, the target is unable to use any Abilities that can be Countered (non-Counter-able Abilities like Mundane Abilities and Racial Abilities are still usable). This does no damage to the target. The effect immediately ceases if the Shooter is interrupted or attacked, or the victim gets behind cover (which they can still do, as the projectiles merely cause a few puffs of white smoke on the target that barely cause a gentle push on them). This Ability has a 30 second cooldown after being voluntarily stopped, or interrupted. While Barrage of Purity is active, no other Barrage of Purity can be activated within Emote Distance until this one ends. This Ability can both be used with Demishot and Quartershot for the same effect. This shot also shoots through Ability Shields.
|-
| 12 Points
| Switchtek
| Mundane Ability
| Self
| The Shooter extends the Switchtek Blade from the Puretek Weapon, disabling the use of other Puretek Mundane Abilities, but converting all Puretek Combat Proficiency Points in Half Dagger Combat Proficiency Points (50% conversion, rounded down to whole numbers). The Puretek weapon then effectively becomes a Switchtek Dagger, and can be wielded as such with Proficiency. If the Puretek wielder is instead using Demishot, Switchtek changes the Demishot into a shortsword, converting all Puretek Combat Proficiency Points into Sword Combat at a rate of 3 Puretek Combat turning into 1 Sword Combat Proficiency (so a 33% conversion, rounded down). In order to switch the Switchtek back to Puretek, 10 seconds of re-modification must be done before Puretek Mundane Abilities can be used again. Proficiency conversions do not break Proficiency Cap (so if a Character already has 20 in Dagger, this adds 0 Dagger Proficiency).
|-
| 16 Points
| Gate Shot
| Mundane Ability
| 10 Blocks
| This Ability allows the Shooter to knock down an Ability Wall (such as Magewall). The Shooter can move around, taking 4 separate strategic shots (each separated by 30 seconds for a total of 2 minutes) After 4 separate shots (which must all have been fired from within Emote Distance) whatever Ability Wall or Gate they shot at will shatter. This Ability can be used twice per day, and has no cooldown. This Ability can both be used with Demishot and Quartershot for the same effect.
|-
| 20 Points
| Overload Shot
| Mundane Passive
| Emote Distance
| This Ability causes the Shooter to shoot an overcharged blast from the Puretek Weapon. After a quick loading, the shot is fired, is a guaranteed hit, and causes a fire-less Purestone-Essence explosion at the target person. Any person within 10 blocks of this person is knocked to the ground with no damage, but is unable to use any Ability (besides non-Counter-able Abilities like Racial Abilities and Mundane Abilities) for 1 minute. The target themselves are knocked to the ground and are unable to use any Abilities (besides non-Counter-able Abilities like Racial Abilities and Mundane Abilities) for 1 hour, and any active Abilities that have not already completed their full effect before the shot hit are Cancelled or Countered. After Overload Shot is used, the Puretek weapon breaks, and no further Puretek Mundane Abilities can be used by the user for 12 hours. Overload Shot can only be used once in Emote Distance around the user. After it has been used, the Emote Distance area around them becomes overloaded with Puretek Essence, making another Overload Shot impossible for 1 hour. This also includes shooting an Overload Shot from outside Emote Distance into the negation field. This Ability can both be used with Demishot and Quartershot for the same effect. This shot also shoots through Ability Shields.
|}

Latest revision as of 00:01, 13 October 2023

The Celestial Sentinel Order is a Knightly Order that is different when compared to other Knightly Orders, in that it is not native to Regalia, but made by the Lanlath Elves in their own enclaves, and eventually recognized in the Regalian Empire. The order is primarily occupied with fighting the ruinous designs of the Void Gods, to directly counteract their plots and their priests and minions, and to fight the agents of the Void itself, whether that be Spirits, Arken or those seeking pacts with Demons. While the Celestial Sentinels and the Aelrrigan Order are allies in a similar fight, the Aelrrigans focus more on the crimes of (magical) mortals and their wrongdoings. The Celestials primarily investigate the designs of greater immortal powers and counteract them directly and indirectly by both preventing their objectives and diminishing the power of the agents of these powers. The secondary work of the Celestial Sentinels is to encourage moderation in faith and fanaticism, specifically aimed toward Estelley Faith. Having been established to guard against the violent ideology of Cemaan within the Estelley faith, the Celestial Sentinels protect the sacred groves that Reliquary Knights do not pay attention to, but also chastise and obstruct any fanatics who use the gospel of their gods to cause chaos and suffering, while also acting as unofficial justice dealers in the eyes of Leyon and Ëlana.

The Senleya Order, uniquely, is not native to Regalia. Founded by the Lanlath Elves in their enclaves and eventually recognized within Regalia, it is primarily occupied with fighting the ruinous ambitions of the Void Gods by opposing their plots, priests, and minions. All forces of the Void, including its Spirits, Arken, and those pacted to or serving it, are their enemies. Besides this, the Senleya also fight radical parts of the Estelley faith while also protecting it as a whole. Guarding the sacred groves that other Knights cannot protect, they chastise Estelley worshipers who stoop to using their gospel as an excuse for chaos and suffering, trying to keep the justice of their Gods Leyon and Ëlana.

Design

Celestial Sentinels, sometimes called Celestials or Sentinels for short, bring the aesthetic of angelic warriors to Roleplay with higher-ranked Knights of the Order manifesting wings and gaining flight. Celestial Sentinels are heavily geared towards the Estelley Religion, particularly the erudite moon god Leyon, and the vigilant sun goddess Ëlana. The former incorporates themes of the moon, knowledge, foresight, and silver, while the latter incorporates themes of the sun, purity, fortitude, and gold. The Celestial Sentinel Order is exclusive to Elves of any Race, they must however be Estelley worshipers. The majority of the Celestial Sentinels are however Lanlath Elves, as the Knight Order was established by them.

Senleya is the Elven word for "sentinel." The Senleya have an angelic aesthetic, their stronger Knights manifesting feathered wings and smiting with the power of their divine patrons. They are heavily geared towards the Estelley religion, mostly the wise moon god Leyon and the fierce sun goddess Ëlana. Any Estelley-worshiping Elf can serve as a Senleya, but the vast majority of the Order are Lanlath. It is steeped in their history and built around their culture.

Why Play a Knight

Knighthood is a great way for even new players to get involved in pre-existing groups and activities. It is hard for new players to find a group to roleplay with, Knighthood membership guarantees some familiarity and the possibility to get involved in the roleplay of others without too much effort. Knight groups usually organize their own internal social roleplay, and Knights are generally well-received by the wider player base. Knighthood also grants a unique ranking system where players can set goals for themselves and work towards them. Knight roleplay does require some reading, however, because Knights have to follow a Knight's Code or risk expulsion. Celestial Sentinel Knighthood in particular is recommended for players trying to invest in Lanlath roleplay, or be part of a wider Estelley worship community both as protectors and police force, as well as opposition against the conspiring Void Gods. Sentinel Knighthood perfectly pairs with aesthetics of angels and D&D Aasimar, as well as the general esthetic of demigods (even though they are not).

Knighthood is a good way to get involved in pre-existing groups and activities. Since it guarantees roleplay, a group, and a reason to log on, it is appealing for everyone from new players to veterans. Knight groups organize their own internal social roleplay and are usually well-received by the playerbase as pleasant spaces. Knighthood also grants a unique ranking system for Characters to progress up the ladder of their Order and gain privileges for honesty and effectiveness in their Code. Knight roleplay requires reading, however, as Knight characters must follow their Codes or risk expulsion. Senleya Knighthood is recommended for players who are invested in Elven lore and want a guardian role among Elven players, or are interested in fighting Void interests from a non-Purist, non-Unionist angle. Their aesthetics pair well with D&D Aasimar and general angelic references.

Knights Code

Common Knights Code

All Knights of all Orders are beholden to this Knights Code.

  1. Loyalty to the Emperor of Regalia, and the Regalian State is required.
  2. Knights are disallowed from attacking unarmed or defenseless people.
  3. Knights are disallowed from degrading themselves or their Order.
  4. Knights are allowed to enforce Regalian Law, but must abide by it.
  5. Knights may not lie, or deceive, but needn't always say everything.
  6. Knights are expected to give alms to the poor and protect the weak.

Specific Order Code

The following Knights Code applies only to the Celestial Sentinels.

  1. Celestial Sentinels must seek out the designs of Void Gods and Void Arken and combat them.
  2. Celestial Sentinels must keep tabs on Void worshipers and priests and contain their plots.
  3. Celestial Sentinels must keep tabs on Void Arkenborn and prevent their temptation to evil.
  4. Celestial Sentinels must save Vampire Thralls and Blood Thralls and bring them to the light.
  5. Celestial Sentinels must police and administer the Rite and Laws of Loa to Deathwatch Elves.
  6. Celestial Sentinels must protect Estelley Groves and Mana Trees with their lives.
  7. Celestial Sentinels must encourage temperance and turning away from Estelley fanaticism.

Rite and Laws of Loa

The Rite and Laws of Loa concerns two parts of the same cultural tradition, the Rite (turning) of the living to the Deathwatch Elves, and the Law (preserving of duty) that the Deathwatch have to the living. The Rite of Loa involves the ritual killing of an Elven Estelley Faithful in the Estelley Temple during a religious rite that converts them into a Deathwatch Undead, and then bind them by Loa's law to the protection of a specific person or family. This Undead is then bound for all eternity to protect the name and family of their charge, or risk violating the Laws of Loa. Celestial Sentinels are meant to keep an eye on the Deathwatch Elves and ensure they uphold their duty and do not start living a life away from their obligation, or worse, become Deathrotten or betray their task. In such cases, the Celestial Sentinels hunt down and put an end to Loa's traitors. Deathwatch Undead are Legal in Regalia only under the extremely strict watch of the Celestial Sentinels.

Nuance of Fanaticism

The duty of Celestial Sentinels to guard against fanaticism among the Estelley Faithful is a bit more nuanced than just preaching against war, slavery, and Cemaan. Cemaan's message is not any more violent and destructive than that of any other Estelley God: Loa's death-bringing and Leyon's apathy to the suffering of the world over the acquisition of knowledge and skill can cause just as much misery. Replace with: Even a god considered benevolent like Leyon causes problems through his apathy to the suffering of the world in favor of his pursuit of knowledge. Cemaan's message however is often used as an excuse to do things (or not do things), and therein lies the duty of the Celestial Sentinels: not to imply that worship of specific deities makes one more liable to do evil, but that using religion as a justification to do evil is the great sin itself. Short of using violence themselves, the Celestial Sentinels keep watch over the Estelley faithful to contain the excesses of fanaticism through diplomacy and tact, avoiding the sword until the very last. Celestial Sentinels will avoid raising arms against fellow Estelley worshipers until no other option remains. Replace with: The Senleya contain Estelley fanaticism and violence through their words until no option remains. The sword is a last resort.

Structure

The Celestial Sentinel Order has a hierarchical structure that defines ranks within the Order:

  • The High Hierophant (NPC) is the highest leader of the Celestial Sentinel Order.
  • The Valley Council (NPC) are the elders and instructors and teachers of the Order.
  • The Alyaan Sentinels (Player) are the highest attainable rank of Knight of high prestige and esteem.
  • The Sinaï Sentinels (Player) are a well respected and Knight with great sway in the Order.
  • The Celvel Sentinels (Player) are the esteemed warriors sent on difficult tasks for the Order.
  • The Sunel Sentinels (Player) are the formal rank of Knights who get sent on missions.
  • The Lomaan Sentinels (Player) are the lowest rank of just-graduated Knight in the Order.
  • The Squires (Player) are pre-graduation. Recommended for trying out, with less obligations.

Privileges

Privileges are a set of unlockable rewards that can be attained each time a Knight ranks up. The rank up process is evaluated by Lore Staff based on a combination of: adherence to the lore, adherence to the knight's code, activity, consistent character portrayal, good engagement and in some of the higher ranks, leadership. When a rank up is granted, players may choose one of these privileges (each only once) to apply to that rank up, ensuring that the appropriate reward is granted for each milestone. Being expelled from the Order causes the loss of all Privileges, and in some cases, Privileges may also be revoked if a Character is punished by the order for misdeeds, or disciplined by staff for Server Rule breaking.

  • Privilege 1 The Knight in question gains Persuasion Dice Rolls at /dice Wisdom+Faith (see Abilities Page for more information).
  • Privilege 2 The Knight in question is granted a rent-free Knight's Estate in the Knight Quarter with Staff decoration.
  • Privilege 3 The Knight in question is Sun blessed or Moon blessed, gaining Elytra Flight out of Combat and Angel Aesthetics.
  • Privilege 4 The Knight in question gains access to the Moon-Vaults to source knowledge from the ancient Allorn Empire.
  • Privilege 5 The Knight in question receives an Artifact designed for their Character that cannot be taken from them.

History

The Celestial Sentinel Order was established, many millennia before the first Viridians were Knighted in Regalia, when the Lanlath Elves were expelled from the Allorn Empire due to their crime of temperance and pacifism. As the Lanlath were expelled to their Twilight Valleys, a small choir within their society insisted that blind ignorance to the ruin that could follow them into their paradise realms, would cause the same moral demise as had happened in the Allorn Empire. The Celestial Sentinel Order as such is intrinsically linked with the history of the Lanlath, and acted also as the official police force of the Lanlath within their own realms as they had no formal armies. While some contact remained between the Allorn Empire and the Lanlath as both sides had a vested interest in keeping up to date about each other's magical developments, most Valleys were closed to outsiders, and as such, the Sentinels rarely crossed outside of their enclosed environments and were by modern standards, nothing more than a somewhat bettery equipped militia. Their armor and symbolism is consistent with the standards of today, but they lacked the formal military training that would make them formidable warriors on the battlefield such as they are in the modern day.

The history of the Celestial Sentinel Order becomes more pressing in the last 500 or so years of the Allorn Empire, leading up to Cataclysm. While all events transpired in the Allorn Empire with the Gods growing ever more silent, the Yanar Vanguard being ignored, and various sub-groups of Elves splitting off, the Lanlath predicted disaster. They had perhaps not predicted the Cataclysm itself, for such an event was too horrific even for the Lanlath to predict, but they certainly suspected a violent collapse of the Allorn Empire if not at the very least a splintering of warring states and factions. This immediate concern caused discord among the Twilight Valleys, who spent many years contemplating and discussing their course of action. Eventually an agreement was met, that the Lanlath would venture into the most violent and wretched places of Ailor dominions, seek out the strongest of warriors and most skilled of swordsmen, and offer them a bargain: safety for them and their family in the Twilight Valleys paradise and their progeny, in exchange for military training of the Celestial sentinels. It was as such that around 400 BC, the Celestial Sentinels became an actual force worth reckoning with, as Ailor instructors taught them how to wield their weapons and battle tactics. Many of the descendants of these instructors still live in the Twilight Valleys, a rare occurrence of outsiders being allowed to live in esteemed and respectful conditions in what are normally Lanlath ethno-communities.

The Lanlath prediction would come true 4 centuries later, which some might say was a long time and a large margin of error for their prediction, but was actually merely a lifetime in Elven terms. The rapid onset of the Void Invasion did not leave the Lanlath untouched, some of the Twilight Valleys were utterly destroyed as they were anchored in geographic locations where the Void Invasion occured, and the horror of the savagery of the Void denizens shocked Lanlath society and the Celestial Sentinels alike. While they were proficient warriors, the Order was completely blind to the outside world, and often unaware of impending doom before the Spirits started pouring through their magical gateways that acted like honey pots for buzzing bees. The Twilight Valleys that survived quickly called for an end to self-isolation and apathy to the world outside of their pristine communities. It marks the date immediately after Cataclysm, that the Celestial Sentinels reached out into the wider world, using the time when Void Magic and the Void Gods were at their weakest, to start their watch against their ruinous plots and schemes.

As time passed, natural alliances formed with the Aelrrigan and Viridian Order (which early on was aimed more at fighting Vampires and protecting Regalia). With waves of migration of Lanlath to Regalia, emboldened by a newfound sense of interest in the world outside of their secluded Valley realms, the Celestial Sentinels became a common presence in the Regalia's borders, so much so that the Lanlath representatives sought out the Emperor of Regalia, and bargained official recognition of their Order within Regalia's borders. This in turn further accelerated Lanlath migration into the Regalian Empire, and even the establishment of an all-new Twilight Valley in the north of Solleria, where the population had become an Elven melting pot. The Celestial Sentinels were spared the mage-hate of the middle centuries, as their Aelrrigan allies were hunted down, largely because their order did not much use Magic, favoring the blade. In the modern day, the Celestial Sentinels while technically a foreign Knight Order (as the Lanlath Valleys are not a nation state part of the Regalian Empire), is considered a powerful domestic force, with the Knights well respected at the Imperial Court and even extended to enforce Law in the Empire by the Emperor's will. The Celestial Sentinels have several chapterhouses across the Regalian Empire where future Sentinels are induced, having recently opened their doors even to non-Lanlath Sentinels (with the caveat that they fit within the behavior expectations of the ethereal and pensive Lanlath that is).

Trivia

  • The fact that the Celestial Sentinels show parallels with Breizh folklore winged divine messengers, that has not been lost to the Breizh people. The Celestial Sentinels have always avoided the subject, leading to some conspiracy theories among the Breizh that the Weard were actually Celestial Sentinels who assisted Elen with the protection of the Breizh people from the mysterious entity called The Midnight.
  • The Celestial Sentinels are often described as Poet Knights, due to the poetic and almost religious chants and songs of praise they hymn or battle-cry while engaged in their duties, calling upon the blessings of the moon god and the sun goddess, or promising justice and a return to the light for all things wrapped in darkness and suffering.
  • Celestial Sentinels are forbidden from holding religious or political office, as it is believed that these occupations interfere with their objective judgement, and encourage temerity and ego in their representation of the wills of Leyon.
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