The Sisters of the Thorn

Catherine Elise, so awed by the miracle she witnessed vowed that the horrors of war had robbed the world of so much, and that despite his ascension, a good man was still dead. She took the spear that had delivered the fatal blow to General Atanos and returned to her home in what would later become the country of Louve where she began an order of Knights dedicated to the preservation of peace. This all female order of Knights stands today as among the finest negotiators and diplomats in the world. They serve as the personal guard of the Hierophant, and act as his eyes and ears.   Base of Operations: Château Au Elise, Louve   Commonly known info: The Sisters of the Thorn are known far and wide as the greatest champions for peace in the world. Their actions have stopped wars, spared thousands from famine, and changed the course of history for the better. Founded shortly after the ascension of Rann Atanos, by Catherine Elise the Sisters are the guardians of the Cathedral of Light and the personal bodyguards of the Hierophant. Trained in the arts of courtly life, as well as master combatants they can disarm an opponent's with a gentle smile as quickly as they can with a sword. They are one of the few knightly orders that still travels with a large entourage. Their skills of diplomacy demand certain accommodations for the proper entertainment of guests and dignitaries so it is not uncommon to see the Sister traveling with a squire as well as clergy, tradesmen, specialized merchants and even courtesans, nearly 100 people travel with any given sister.   Goals and Ideals: The goals of the sisterhood are to neutralize conflict in all forms, especially for the cause of preserving life. Meetings and negotiations with quarreling sides are held on her terms, and guests are well fed and relaxed before any negotiations so that they are more inclined to open their hearts and minds to come to an understanding over the true nature of their conflict and come to the best possible peaceful resolution. Many of the more talented members of the Sisterhood have been invited to stay on in high level positions of state as advisors to major and minor lords all over the world. This doesn’t stack the odds in your favor, but it does make an opponent more willing to discuss options.   Leadership: At the head of the order is the Matron of Roses, she can be found in the court of the Hierophant or at the Chateau overseeing the training and education of the young women new to the order. She answers only to the Hierophant, and assigns her knights to specific tasks and assignments via chapter convents scattered across the church kingdoms.   Behind the Curtain Information: The Sisters are stretched to their breaking point. There has been a great need in recent history for their services, as well as a rise in the threats of armed conflict. The 2nd Prophet’s Crusade disillusioned many would be recruits from enlisting in the order, and those Sisters already serving are asked to perform more duties than they can manage, and in many cases the process has broken down into a stalemate, and more frequently, failing the cause of peace all together. Their resources dwindle as they now provide humanitarian aid to lands and people still ravaged by the Great War. With so much recent failure obscuring their once proud tradition, the Sisters are starting to lose their once respected position in civilized society. A war between Avindor and Alaecia seems inevitable, and such a conflict will force the Sisters to choose between destroying the order to hold together what would be a temporary peace at best, or allow another war that would in all likelihood tear the known world to pieces.