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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 Solvaan, {{#simple-tooltip: among other names | the Solvaan are also called Solländern by the Ailor, and Silver-Guard among other subraces of Altalar, though mostly as an insult to degrade their military value.}}, are the most numerous Altalar in the Regalian Empire. The Solvaan hail from Solleria, though they are also the most numerous in other non-Altalar controlled regions owned by Regalia. The Solvaan are best described as a mixture between the {{#simple-tooltip: Teledden and Fin’ullen | The Solvaan carry themselves with the pride and posturing of the Teledden, but with the more rough bearded and wide-shouldered appearance of the Fin’ullen, as well as their expressiveness.}}. The Solvaan have a pinkish skin tone, and can grow up to 6’5”, while their hair has ranges in {{#simple-tooltip: blonde | ranges from dark blonde, golden blonde and platina blonde.}} and {{#simple-tooltip: brown | dark brown, light brown, and auburn.}}. The Solvaan usually wear {{#simple-tooltip: hair-styles | Solvaan males frequently wear their hair short to a military-crop, while women wear their hair to shoulder length, or bound up also, though longer styles are also known, as long as they are made in such a way they do not get in the way of combat.}} unlike the other Altalar subraces, though can also style the same. Their eyes can be blue, green, or gray, they cannot have a Body Shape higher than Muscular, and have a strong hatredof Mutations and other {{#simple-tooltip: physical deviations | The Solvaan hold onto a pristine view of what it means to be born "Pure Altalar", rejecting any mingling with mutations and physical changes to what Estel made them as.}}.
''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.''


The Solvaan, {{#simple-tooltip: among other names | Also called Solländern by the Ailor, and Silver-Guard by other subraces of Altalar, though mostly as an insult to degrade their military value.}}, are the most numerous Altalar in the Regalian Empire. They hail from the island region of Solleria, but can be found in other Regalian lands as well. Solvaan are best described as a mixture between the {{#simple-tooltip: Teledden and Fin'ullen | Poised and proud like the Teledden, but bearded, wide-shouldered, and expressive like the Fin'ullen.}}. They have a pinkish skin tone, and can grow up to 6’5”, while their hair has ranges in {{#simple-tooltip: blonde | dark blonde, golden blonde and platinum blonde}} and {{#simple-tooltip: brown | dark brown, light brown, and auburn}}. Unlike the other Altalar, {{#simple-tooltip: short styles | Male Solvaan frequently wear a short military-crop, and women to shoulder-length or bound up with tight knots and braids.}} are not uncommon among them, but the normal longer fashions exist as long as they do not hinder combat. Solvaan eyes can be blue, green, or gray, their Body Shape is capped to Muscular, and they have a hatred of {{#simple-tooltip: mutations | They hold onto a pristine view of what it means to be born "Pure Altalar", rejecting mutations and physical changes.}}.  
==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.  


The Solvaan are the most commonly seen Altalar in the Regalian Empire, sometimes also called “Solländern” among Ailor or “Silver-Guard” among the other Altalar, because they are the rearguard of the Allorn Empire’s mark on the wider world (also as an insult, as Silver is a less noble metal than Gold). Most of the populations of the Regalian-controlled Altalar exclave regions are Solvaan-dominated. They carry themselves with a Teledden pride and posturing, but are always possible to be told apart, because they are generally stockier and less lithe. Equally, it is always possible to tell that a Solvaan is not a Fin'ullen, because while they can grow facial hair and their men frequently wear beards, they are less hairy and bulky than the Fin'ullen. The Solvaan can be marginally taller than them, up to a height of 6’5”,
''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.''
and have a pinkish skin tone. Their hair is normally golden-blonde or dirty-blonde, but they are not capable of reaching the pristine bright blonde-ness that Lesarra and Teledden can. They can also possess a wide range of brown hair, which spans from light to dark to mahogany and sometimes even auburn. The Solvaan like to wear that hair around shoulder-length, but cropped and even trim-cut hairstyles have also been used, especially among the military Solvaan. Their eyes can be blue, green, or, uniquely, gray. The Solvaan cannot have a body shape higher than Muscular, and much like the Fin’ullen they despise Mutations and obvious visual oddities.


{{Info races
===Why Play a Knight===
|image = Altalook.png
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).  
|pronunciation = Al-ta-lar
|classification = [[Magus]]
|subraces = Teledden, Fin'ullen, Suvial, Lesarra, Solvaan
|nicknames =  
*Tower-Thumpers (derogatory)
*Slave-Princesses (Ailor)
*Auld-kin (praising)
*Estallorn (Elven)
|languages = [[Ancient Altalar]] (extinct), [[Middle Altalar]], [[Modern Altalar]]
|naming = High Elven fantasy naming, though avoiding Tolkien Elven.
|distinction = Oldest still living race of High [[Elves]]
|maxage = 500
|height = between 5'8 and 6’10 (depending on subrace)
|eye = Varied based on subrace
|hair = Varied based on subrace
|skin =
[[File:Skinssatones.png]]
[[File:Sdsauvial.png]]
|}}
{{TOC right}}


The Altalar, as [[Ailor]] call them, or Est-allorn as they call themselves, are the oldest and most graceful of the [[Nelfin]] [[Races]] that still roam [[Aloria]]. The Altalar have a lengthy history spanning more than 3000 years, during which they ruled the known world. It is a long and proud one, broken slowly over time by a combination of their crippling arrogance and the oppressive weight of external powers and arcane disasters. The Altalar once ruled over many other Races, enslaving them to their will with [[Magic]] and creating a legendary civilization which sought to equal the [[Seraph]] in glory. They are the most gracious, skilled and venerable of all the Races, yet for each of their glories and assets, they bear equal susceptibilities to the vices of pride, depravity, and self-satisfaction, hidden well behind exquisite facades. Although the world has moved past their glory days, the Altalar continue to try and hold onto the crumbling remnants of their [[Allorn Empire]] with stalwart determination and reverence for their history that can match even [[Unionist]] zeal. While the horrors of the [[Wildering]] and the [[Void Invasion]] are still fresh in their memory, renewed faith and determination as well as mortal heroes carrying the charge have given the Altalar new hope that their Race is not a fading one, and that they might yet one day overcome the usurping Races and retake the [[Crown of the World]].
''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.''


==Physical & Mental Characteristics==
==Knights Code==
The Altalar are graceful and ageless: a Race of {{#simple-tooltip: exquisite appearances | One would be hard-pressed to find an Altalar who does not satisfy male or female beauty standards.}} and lethal dexterity. Once they reach 25 years old, they stop aging, with physical frailty only setting in at 450 years old. They can live to be 500 (though aging your character past 150 requires a [[Special Permission]]), and retain their youthful beauty to their dying days. Altalar, however, can change their age-appearance at will, anywhere between what a 20 and an 80 year old Ailor would look like, to pick a presentation most suiting their personality and role in life. Much like the Ailor, Altalar are incredibly visually diverse, but unlike them see themselves within the same identity, with conflict arising from reputation and politics instead.  
===Common Knights Code===
===Altalar Types===
All Knights of all Orders are beholden to this Knights Code.
Altalar are fairly homogeneous, but have five subraces with their own physical differences, mental differences, and cultures, that can all be told apart. These subraces live together in varying proportions, elaborated on in the [[Altalar#Society | Society]] and [[Altalar#Altalar States | Altalar States]] sections. Different Altalar regions can contain minorities of all Altalar subraces, but are always distinctly dominated by one subrace, and attuned to their culture. These subraces are split between the regal and poised Teledden, the passionate and military Fin'ullen, the colorful and strategic Suvial, the intellectual and roguish Lesarra, and the social and pragmatic Solvaan. The Altalar prefer their society stratified, with each subrace fulfilling its own niche, and when Altalar of different subraces have children, those children take after {{#simple-tooltip: one of their two parents | Many families split into cadet branches this way, with a Fin'ullen son of Teledden and Fin'ullen parents making his own name and legacy.}}. Altalar look down on those who leave their subrace's niche or reject Altalar identity, and there is {{#simple-tooltip: no such thing | Despite Teledden claims that Solvaan were created when disgraced politicians slept with Fin'ullen, this is not the case. Altalar cannot blend.}} as an Altalar pulling traits from multiple subraces.
# Loyalty to the Emperor of Regalia, and the Regalian State is required.
====Teledden====
# Knights are disallowed from attacking unarmed or defenseless people.
The Teledden Altalar are tall, regal, and poised, lords of marble cities and {{#simple-tooltip: vast plantations | The Teledden are the most zealous and proficient Altalar slavers, who created all slavery-theory, and support it to the bitter end.}} alike. They are venerable and capable diplomats, and adore debate, always first in line to argue for their people, while also being saddled with an almost universal superiority complex above even the other subraces. Teledden are the loftiest Altalar, standing at up to 6'10", and carry themselves with graceful dignity. Their features are {{#simple-tooltip: sharp and angular | When faced with a Teledden, one always feels as if they are being sneered at or looked down upon, with arrogant smugness.}}, strict with long eyebrows. Exclusively wearing {{#simple-tooltip: lengthy, elaborate hairstyles | Men carry their hair long, while women carry it even longer, even all the way down beyond their waists, and take obsessive care of it.}}, they are an androgynous people with no facial or body hair, a fact which features in {{#simple-tooltip: cultural banter | The Fin'ullen, most of all, love to make jabs at the Teledden for being slim and effeminate, qualities that they look down upon.}}. Their eyes can be blue or green, they cannot have a Body Shape higher than Athletic, and they embrace Mutations and marks of the {{#simple-tooltip: Arcane | The Teledden are masters of Magic, and almost all of them are Sorcerers in some way. It is their most ancient and prized art.}}.  
# Knights are disallowed from degrading themselves or their Order.
# Knights are allowed to enforce Regalian Law, but must abide by it.  
# Knights may not lie, or deceive, but needn't always say everything.  
# 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.
# Celestial Sentinels must seek out the designs of Void Gods and Void Arken and combat them.
# 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.
# Celestial Sentinels must save Vampire Thralls and Blood Thralls and bring them to the light.
# Celestial Sentinels must police and administer the Rite and Laws of Loa to Deathwatch Elves.  
# Celestial Sentinels must protect Estelley Groves and Mana Trees with their lives.  
# Celestial Sentinels must encourage temperance and turning away from Estelley fanaticism.


They carry themselves as if they are above all others, and have the glorious history to back it up. A Teledden can spend {{#simple-tooltip: centuries | Quite literally, certain politicians have vanished into halls of rhetoric for ninety years at a time without ever coming out.}} perfecting a single art. Even non-noble members of this subrace adore political games, immersing themselves for the simple satisfaction of feeling powerful. They are often distrusted by other Races, as the Altalar elite and ruling class of the {{#simple-tooltip: Allorn Empire | Unlike the other subraces, the Teledden don't have the convenient "just following orders" excuse to shift moral culpability for ancient crimes.}}, but frequently worked with all the same, as their arrogance is backed up by genuinely superior intellect and discipline. The Teledden are immensely self-indulgent beneath their public veneers of stoicism, balancing their focused learning with wild, extravagant, and debauched {{#simple-tooltip: parties | The degeneracy the Teledden enjoyed during the fall of the Allorn Empire makes even the Kathar look straight-edge.}}. Culturally, they believe in immense excess for short periods of time, in a sense venting decades of pent-up emotion {{#simple-tooltip: all at once | They even have a special kind of party, called a Valäteira, that is a very over-the-top centennial student reunion, and a smaller Inäteira once every twenty-five years, to warm up and practice for the big occasion.}}. As such, they have two conflicting personalities: their public calm, rational, and cold presentation, and their private chase for satisfaction and new experiences at any cost. Not many ever get to see their {{#simple-tooltip: true faces | Many Fin'ullen generals go their entire lives serving a ruler whose real personality they do not even know.}}, unless they belong to the same secret society or family.
===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 Teledden created the Altalar societal model, the "Wheel of Time", and have the highest position within it. Underneath their superiority complex, they understand and appreciate the other subraces, as they would be {{#simple-tooltip: nothing without each other | Making their haughty attitude to their kin more often than not simply parental grandstanding. A sort of intimate banter.}}. Without the Suvial, their plans would lack depth and cunning, and become an {{#simple-tooltip: endless repeat of old knowledge | The Suvial create new ideas, while the Teledden prefer to argue.}}. Without the Fin'ullen, their regiments would be bare, {{#simple-tooltip: their armies nonexistent | The Fin'ullen do all the fighting and hard labor.}}. Without the Lesarra, their libraries would be empty, and {{#simple-tooltip: little to no information would survive | The Lesarra do all the recording, sorting, and saving.}}. Without the Solvaan, who do not even have a place on the Wheel of Time and frequently clash with Teledden values, the frontier Altalar would be easily assimilated, and many would have been {{#simple-tooltip: Ailorized without a struggle | The Solvaan retain Altalar exiles and fugitives from being totally lost.}}. Teledden arrogance is taken in stride, because true feelings are well understood within Altalar society.  
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 Teledden have a complicated relationship with the Wheel of Time, despite the fact that they created it. Most Teledden are very ambitious, and are supposed to be upper-crust and refined people, while simultaneously being by far the most populous subrace of Altalar. The impossibility of this means that there are a lot of Teledden who just {{#simple-tooltip: "did not make it" | These Altalar live an obscure life of slow decay on their parents' money. Teledden are very careful to always appear busy, because idle wastrels gave rise to the Kathar, so there is a stigma against them.}}. They are diplomats, politicians, artists, public speakers, jewelers, fashionistas, slavers, patrons of fine art and pleasurable excess. The Teledden disdain any one of their number who lowers themselves to the duty of another {{#simple-tooltip: subrace | For example, fighting, tending to grounds, blacksmithing, any rough or unbecoming work that cannot be done in style and without sweat.}}.
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.  
====Fin’ullen====
The Fin’ullen Altalar are shorter, stockier, and with a certain abrasiveness that is uncommon among the other Altalar. The Fin’ullen hail mostly from the coastal cities, the maritime military centers and inland regimental camps on the frontier with the Kathar and [[Varran]]. It should not come as a surprise that the Fin’ullen are mostly known for their martial training and exploits, once having made up the bulk of the Allorn Empire’s foot soldiers, and continuing to make up the majority if not the entirety of all Altalar naval detachments. When compared to the taller Teledden (since Fin’ullen cap off at 6’4’’), they are more masculine and rugged, with a wider shoulder frame and a build more reminiscent of Ailor, yet still with Nelfin features. They differ from [[Avanthar]] in that their waist is much more slender, and their proportions more acrobatic than built to brawl. Fin’ullen exclusively have midnight black hair, a point of pride among their people, and also exclusively have blue or hazel eyes. Fin’ullen tend to wear their hair shorter than the Teledden, normally to the nape of the neck, though some still wear theirs long. They, unlike the Teledden, are also very capable of growing facial hair and body hair, something that the men frequently cultivate and groom very carefully. Their facial proportions are more square-ish, however still not as much as the Avanthar tend to be. Fin’ullen are also capable of tanning their skin, something which is also culturally permitted among them, whereas the Teledden think of it as being a sign of poverty. As well, Fin’ullen ears are longer than those of the other Altalar, but never quite as long as the Cielothar. Fin’ullen cannot have a Body Shape higher than [[Strongman]].  


The Fin'ullen Altalar are stocky, short, and abrasive, masters of the sea and {{#simple-tooltip: dedicated soldiers | Few can match a Fin'ullen blade to blade, and they only struggle paired up against Eronidas or Url.}} with a lengthy history. They are known for their martial exploits, having been the bulk of the Altalar military for all of their Race's history, and continuing to proudly serve that role.
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==
As a base, Fin’ullen are disciplined, militant and self-assured. They, much like the Teledden, spent centuries honing their (often) military or naval prowess, and as such have an air of superiority about them when it comes to their fighting conduct. Indeed, the Fin’ullen can be counted among the world’s most skilled warriors, able to train for decades longer than the other Races, who succumb to the effects of aging. As is fitting, in their society confrontation is often encouraged and even glorified, whether it be a confrontation of weapons or one of words, either of which the Fin’ullen are equally skilled at. Their passionate expression both in word and action comes from their more unrestrained temper and bouts of emotionality that are unusual among the other Nelfin Races, especially in clear view of strangers or outsiders. This has sometimes caused other Races (and even some Nelfin) to refer to the Fin’ullen as the “asshole Nelfin”, because they can be difficult to deal with when in a competitive environment. That said, Fin’ullen are also known to be the most carousing of Nelfin, to be the most tolerant and least dogmatic, and the most openly intimate. The Fin’ullen turn away from the political games of the Teledden, even to the point of ridiculing their haughtiness, but no Fin’ullen would ever understate the importance their leadership holds to them. The old Allorn saying goes: “Where the Teledden feather points, the Fin’ullen spears quickly follow,” and it remains true to this day, as even the largest of Fin’ullen states is ruled by a Teledden prince. Fin’ullen are also immensely vain. While the Teledden express their vanity primarily through clothing and jewelry, the Fin’ullen prefer to focus on the physical, viewing their own body as a work of art, including any and all modifications they make to it (excepting [[Mutations]], which are seen by them as an unnecessary and unwanted corruption of the natural body).
* 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.  
The place of the Fin’ullen within the Wheel of Time is very straightforward. Blessed with sturdy physiques and an education system designed to prepare them for military service, they are the singular combat force of the Allorn successor states. Whether it is fighting as foot soldiers or becoming the crews of wartime vessels, the Fin’ullen have no shortage of things to do in this era of gloom and strife for the Altalar. What this has meant, with the arrival of large wars with Regalia and the Kathar [[Dread Empire]] in the 300s AC, is that a trend has been observed among the Fin’ullen by which they can be said to be ‘generally overstretched’. As more and more of their fighting-age men die defending their realms of residence, the once-vast armies of their Teledden overlords have become thinner and thinner. Whereas once upon a time, the Fin’ullen might have had more choice in their lives, they are now almost entirely conscripted by their regional governments for either hard labor (which the Teledden are incapable of) or a tour of duty fighting off the seemingly infinite enemies of the Altalar, locked out of political escapades or any sort of meaningful non-military self-advancement unless they depart Altalar lands.
* 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 Fin’ullen are warriors, sailors, honor guard, acrobats, heavy laborers, strong craftsmen, physical trainers, disciplinary drill-masters, enforcers, sculptors, entertainers and a passionate escape from a boring and repetitive life-cycle for many Altalar. The Fin’ullen talk down to the cowardice and weakness that they consider of other Fin’ullen who step outside of this cornerstone identity, and roam into what they consider the business of other Altalar subraces.
====Suvial====
The Suvial hail from the [[Void]]-blasted Sundial lands to the far west of the old Allorn Empire, caught in an eternal struggle with the Kathar that has been raging since the Kathar first came into being. The Suvial are similar to the Teledden in appearance, though their faces are more heart-shaped, with fuller lips, a smaller forehead and more prominent eyebrows and noses. Their most distinctive feature is their skin tone, which is far darker than that of the other Altalar, ranging between the darkest of [[Qadir]] skin tones and the darkest of [[Songaskian]] skin tones, with a noticeable bronze hue to it that might almost look golden. The Suvial Altalar have hair colors ranging from dark or mahogany brown to red, even crimson. Their eye colors are always some variant of brown, whether that be intensely dark, or a very light beige, bordering on dull yellow. Their ears tend to be shorter than that of the other Altalar Races, while their height is somewhat in between the Teledden and Fin’ullen, capping at 6’6’’. Suvial Altalar are capable of growing body hair and facial hair, but frequently shave all of it off for styling reasons. It is rare to see a single Suvial that does not have tattoos of some kind, whether they are permanent or henna-based tattoos. Some even theorize that the very art of tattooing originated with the Suvial Altalar, adopted in very crude form by their early Ailor slaves. Suvial cannot have a Body Shape higher than [[Ripped]].
 
Suvial Altalar are similar in disposition to the Teledden, but are often said to speak with honeyed words instead of the critical harshness that the Teledden are more prone to. Suvial Altalar are seen as tactful and reserved, keeping their direct thoughts hidden under layers of implicatory phrasing and posturing, which fits their life philosophy. While Teledden focus on the administrative and diplomatic side of rule, the Suvial focus on tactical leadership. Suvial Altalar are known to have been the most talented generals and most brilliant strategists of the Allorn Empire, but also some of the world’s best cooks. A Suvial’s greatest weakness is an immense, 7 hour long, 25 course dining feast, commonly known as a Taheer among the Suvial. The Suvial are ravenous for new silks, spices, and the newest music or gossip over a fine platter of wine and bites. The Suvial are often seen as the art patrons of Altalar society, and also the drivers of Altalar fashion and haute-culture habits. They are imagined to be the kindest of the Altalar, especially by those who have not met the Lesarra, but all other Altalar know that this calculated demeanor is all a tactical deployment to cover the greater plan the Suvial has for a particular relation or contact. Indeed, it could be said that the Suvial make plans for everything, from small things like seating arrangements, to greater tasks with a lot of information and overhead. The main thing separating them from the Teledden here is that the Suvial are unseen actors who prefer to have things go their way without anyone knowing that they were behind it.
 
The place of the Suvial within the Wheel of Time is more versatile, because their own lands are generally populated by only themselves. Within any of the niches that are required for their society to function, they have perfectly acceptable roles. As such, the Suvial can be said to be freer, but at the same time not, because their options are still clearly stratified and defined, and propped up by the harsh remonstrations of their often controlling parents and extended families. Especially with conflict against the Kathar intensifying and large portions of their population being totally wiped out, the Suvial are willing to compromise on who can do what. That said, the most stereotypical image of a Suvial is that of the commander or general, who interprets the strengths and weaknesses of his contingents of Fin’ullen and uses them accordingly, but not everyone can really be this and the Suvial are understandably laxer.
 
The Suvial are philosophers, tacticians, generals, schemers and plotters, gardeners, cooks, architects and rare earth metal crafters, musicians and singers, commanders, logisticians, and those who love to bring the excess luxuries of the world into their home. The Suvial are less open about their disdain towards other Suvial that act out of the norm for their role in society, but speak whispered ill words behind closed doors towards those Suvial that step outside of this cornerstone identity, and roam into what they consider the business of other Altalar subraces.
====Lesarra====
Lesarra are the most unseen of the Altalar subraces, and often with good reason. The Lesarra Altalar are known to be the studious researchers, archeologists, and scribes, but also the spies and informants of Altalar society. They are often mistaken for [[Isldar]] to the untrained eye due to their visual traits, which differ only slightly from them. They appear similar to the Teledden, having the same height, though their bodily and facial features are even slimmer. Lesarra usually have platinum blonde or extremely bright blonde hair, which also touches on their eyebrows and eyelashes, making them appear almost albino to other Races. The Lesarra also have very thin, long ears that are longer than the [[Cielothar’s]], while they exclusively have dark blue eyes. They are incapable of growing body or facial hair, and walk with a certain floatiness that makes them appear almost weightless, light steps easily springing off the ground. Lesarra cannot have a Body Shape higher than Athletic.
 
Lesarra Altalar are secluded and studious, preferring books to contact with others. They can often be seen trailing a Teledden, their eyes cast to the ground, hugging a tome or pile of books. They tend to act as some kind of recording scribe for the Teledden politicians, keeping note of facts, tedious numbers, and goings-on. They are more commonly found in large numbers within libraries and archives, as well as gardens where they might appreciate the quiet beauty of nature. Lesarra to outsiders appear whimsical and sometimes almost unnoticeable, as they take far less pride in their appearance and are far less vain than the other Altalar. All of this impersonal separation and making themselves appear unnoticeable has a reason however. The Lesarra are sharply observant, looking without being seen, hearing without being noticed, and recording without being observed. The Lesarra record everything they see in books, and yearn to learn more, but without anyone noticing their presence, or digging at what they understand. They are soft and well spoken, but immensely curious and inquisitive if given some information to chase. There is never any malicious intent in what the Lesarra do, as their obsessive nature is always just due to an endless hunger to know more, but the Suvial and Teledden have long learned that Lesarra records contain the most useful and most descriptive source of historical information found anywhere in the world, as long as one is able to translate their quickly self-made alphabets or languages, each Lesarra using a different cipher to mask their own writing. Cryptography as a science has actually been said to have originated with the Lesarra, and this is not without reason. Just as much as they obsess over pursuing the knowledge of others, Lesarra are fiercely protective of what they themselves know, which has contributed to how the Altalar have lost so many records of the Allorn past. Whereas in other Races, there is a concept of shared scholarly libraries and forums of information, the Lesarra absolutely despise the idea of giving out their unique ideas and secret understandings for free. In the rare cases that they do maintain inventories of treatises or the like, normally in large cities, the Lesarra maintain a ‘knowledge tax’ for entry. What this means is that to proceed inside, the visitor must be able to offer something the library does not currently have.
 
The place of the Lesarra within the Wheel of Time is surprisingly not enforced by their rulers, but entirely driven by their own unique and odd personalities. It would not suit a Lesarra to be anything other than what they are, based on how they act, so Lesarra in Altalar society tend to flow effortlessly into their roles more than just about anyone else. They can be found circling the authority figures in their regions, taking notes, attending parties just to chart or map a trend, and generally making a career out of doing what they do best.
 
The Lesarra are spies and analysts, listeners and observers, silent artists and forgotten literary masterminds, nature tenders and animal specialists, those more inclined to the rogue parts of life, historians, intellectuals with a hunger for knowledge, and undecorated wallflowers at any event, soaking up all information there is to find. The Lesarra do not look unfavorably upon other Lesarra that act outside of the norm of Lesarra role in society or their norm, rather, they simply do not acknowledge them at all, as any sacrifice to the pursuit of knowledge and wit, they consider, causes stupidity in the Lesarra, making them unworthy of even acknowledgment.  
====Solvaan====
[[File:Oldtalar.png|260px|thumb|right|All Altalar can decide how old they appear, whenever. While many choose to appear young, older appearances can also be respectable.]]
[[File:Suciaal.png|260px|thumb|right|While those who do not remember Allorn history consider all Altalar exotic, Suvial Altalar are the most exotic of all.]]
The Solvaan are the most commonly seen Altalar in the [[Regalian Empire]], sometimes also called “Solländern” among Ailor or “Silver-Guard” among the other Altalar, because they are the rearguard of the Allorn Empire’s mark on the wider world (also as an insult, as [[Silver]] is a less noble metal than [[Gold]]). Most of the populations of the [[Regalian]]-controlled Altalar exclave regions are Solvaan-dominated. They carry themselves with a Teledden pride and posturing, but are always possible to be told apart, because they are generally stockier and less lithe. Equally, it is always possible to tell that a Solvaan is not a Fin'ullen, because while they can grow facial hair and their men frequently wear beards, they are less hairy and bulky than the Fin'ullen. The Solvaan can be marginally taller than them, up to a height of 6’5”, and have a pinkish skin tone. Their hair is normally golden-blonde or dirty-blonde, but they are not capable of reaching the pristine bright blonde-ness that Lesarra and Teledden can. They can also possess a wide range of brown hair, which spans from light to dark to mahogany and sometimes even auburn. The Solvaan like to wear that hair around shoulder-length, but cropped and even trim-cut hairstyles have also been used, especially among the military Solvaan. Their eyes can be blue, green, or, uniquely, gray. The Solvaan cannot have a body shape higher than [[Muscular]], and much like the Fin’ullen they despise Mutations and obvious visual oddities.
 
They are, from an outsider’s perspective, considered the most varied of the Altalar, caring less about a stratified role, and more about personal achievement and success. Their accomplishments are built in ‘two lifetimes’, one notable ancestor, and oneself. As well, they have distinct personality quirks. The Solvaan tend to bear a calm or neutral-positive veneer, but it is often said that their eyes seem more “alive” and that they are far quicker to crack a smile, or respond with genuine emotion. They enjoy making a show of how much everyone around them likes them, and how well their company is enjoyed, even by peoples who traditionally hate the Altalar. Because of this, a Solvaan can easily be found with a gaggle of [[Allar]] or Ailor in tow. Also, most of them possess some form of military training, but exercise it in a different way than the Fin'ullen. While the Fin'ullen can be thought of as the active army of the Altalar people, the Solvaan are more so the reserve, or the freelancers. Centuries of the Regalians capriciously purging Elves from their provinces has come to mean that they are normally equipped to defend themselves. The Solvaan have a darker side, in that they are given to being incredibly bitter. Their desire to make allies keeps them from speaking out about their disdain or enmity when they should, and instead they bottle up their emotion until pushed into a confrontation. They will deflect, until their public dignity demands they speak up. Perhaps one of the most prized qualities of the Solvaan is their dogmatically loyal attitude to hierarchy, and how many non-Altalar view them as the most honorable and cooperatively minded Altalar. Despite the positivity and sociability that can be found in their Race, there exists an ever-present melancholy as well, a sort of forgotten and unspoken grievance to the loss of the homeland, ever since the [[Cataclysm]] cut them off from the ruins of the Allorn Empire. While generally positive, the Solvaan are also capable of sulking and collectively mourning for what was lost, the Solvaan not feeling the loss of the Allorn Empire any differently than the other subraces, but expressing it with far less revanchism, and more with tragic poetry about the fall of empire and the end of heroes.
 
Uniquely, the Solvaan exist in a sphere somewhat outside of the traditional Wheel of Time. The slowness of Altalar to adjust and their complicated relationship with the other subraces has prevented their proper integration. They have, in essence, given up or more accurately temporarily paused the concept of the resurgence of the Allorn Empire, and adopted the more flexible view that the Altalar have a chance at being part of a bigger global picture where they do not necessarily have to be the preeminent power. It is proposed by the Solvaan that the past is the past and that the Altalar should look to the present, but also retain the political flexibility to turn on the Regalian Empire should the situation ever change. This flexibility means that while they are still considered Est-allorn, part of the Altalar people, they go untrusted and unincluded in the homeland because of their willingness to, crudely worded, ‘shake hands with monkeys and barbarians’. Even Solvaan who attempt to remain true to the ideals of the Allorn Empire are held back by the collective reputation of their people as compromisers who have yet to truly pick their side, and will always have certain doors closed to them. When it comes to Solvaan among non-Altalar, their motto is ‘cooperate, but never assimilate’, stubbornly holding onto their culture and language.
 
The Solvaan are marcher-lords, vintners, legislators, carpenters, mercenaries, militiamen, poets, tragedians and comedians, writers of epics and sagas, minglers and conversationalists, people-pleasers, wary and defensive, and the final outpost of the Altalar outside of their homeland. Despite the Solvaan being flexible in terms of living on the fringes of other societies, they are also brutal against those Altalar that completely abandon their heritage and start living as if they are nothing but an Ailor with pointy ears. It is perhaps part of their collective guilt, that some in the old homeland claim that they have given up on their glorious heritage, that they self-impose a guardianship of Altalar identity. Any Altalar deemed a traitor to their people tends to be singled out and punished by the Solvaan. The other Altalar have come to appreciate them in this way, as guardians on the frontier, if nothing else.

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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