Renaissance Pleasure Faire - RenQuest

The Order of the Sun

Long ago, when the British Isles were first being cultivated as a possible area for civilization, a great darkness threatened the land. Monsters crept forth from the shadows of forests and mountains. Men went mad and performed unspeakable acts against their neighbors. Indescribable horrors rose from the grave, as if heeding some unheard call to arms.

During this time of terror, a cadre of knights took it upon themselves to venture forth and fight the nightmares that threatened the people. Assembled by the Church and blessed by the Pope, this holy squad was christened the Order of the Sun, and under their banner many dark things fell.

In the course of their adventures, the Order discovered that the source of these horrors was none other than Tiamat, the dark demoness of Sumerian myth. Long thought dead, Tiamat had merely been gathering her strength for another assault on mankind, sending her unholy children out as her own personal death squadrons.

As one, the Order attacked Tiamat and her wicked brood, and their battle raged on for nearly seven months. But in the end, the Order's sheer courage and unyielding will won the day, and the serpentine goddess fell against their holy blades.

At least, that's what they claim happened.

Centuries have passed since that fabled day, and the Order is now a shell of its former self. Originally the Order had a noble purpose - to defend the helpless against the monstrous beasts of the night. As the years passed, however, they became more passive about their role as protectors, especially since each year brought fewer and fewer "monsters". Even the ones they set out to take care of oftentimes proved to be minor nuisances or easily explainable as over-exaggerated by superstitious minds.

Membership in the Order is now more about status than anything, though ambitious souls still crave a return to the original glory days. As a whole, the Order still focuses on the traits of honor, loyalty, justice and adhering to the law of the land. Many see it as a primarily religious order, and though it is true it was put in place with the structure of the church in mind, a faith in a higher power is not necessarily a requirement for joining.

With Bloodtharken's return looming over the horizon, the Order in Deptford is somewhat eager to do its part in dispatching the beast, seeing it as a way to reestablish their role as the defenders of mankind. Since most of those who still hold to the name are old and tired, they seek new blood to bolster their ranks and carry the banner of a once honored band of warriors. Whether the Order will indeed restore itself remains to be seen.