Holdfasts
| Legal status | Active |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Protect innocent from forces of evil |
| Location |
|
Membership | MOCK |
History
The Holdfasts were established in Spring 228 by the automaton MOCK after the manor of its 'creator' was reclaimed from cultists (Home for the Hold).
Ranks
The Holdfasts accept any and all who seek to do good, and tries to avoid hierarchies of power that one may hold over another. Recruits are freshly inducted members of the order, while Knights are experienced members who have proven themselves on the field. Pillars are at once a 'rank' and a group within the organization.
Organization
The organization plays fast and loose with their ranks, preferring to separate individuals by talents rather than seniority or power - though, within each sub-group, a hierarchy of ability may form, these are informal at best, and discouraged at worst. Any individual may be in multiple groups, according to their ability.
Pillars
The non-combatant core of the organization. Anything that has a job to be done needs someone to do that job, and those who fill these roles are no less important to the cause than those on the front lines. Cooks, quartermasters, stable hands, farmers, medical aids and merchants are all a foundational piece of the puzzle that, were they missing, would certainly cause an organization to collapse. Soldiers do not march on empty stomachs, after all.
Strategists
Those who direct and guide the actions of the Holdfasts and associated parties. If the associates of Onadbyr are contracted for assistance, it is assuredly coming from this group. MOCK serves an advisory role to the group. Strategists are typically non-combatant Pillars only, but may occasionally join expeditions in an advisory role or be part of another role of the organization and be present in battle.
Adamants
The first - and hopefully last - wall of defense that stands in defiance of the forces of evil. Adamants stand firm and proud, turning away vile undeath and evil magics by any means necessary. Holdfast's unbreaking shield.
Vindicators
Those who take the good fight to the enemy and are proactive in the crusade. Vindicators put their passion for the cause on full display. Holdfast's inexorable blade.
Angelfeather
The ranged corps of the Holdfasts, they support the front lines with both arrow and spell.
Sunbeams
The vigilant sentries of the Holdfasts, these scouts and diviners typically work hand-in-hand with the Strategists to disseminate information and coordinate expeditions. MOCK has requested extra vigilance on Lancaster and the area surrounding Fort Soledad due to the turbulent undead, but the Sunbeams keep watch for all - devilry, demonology, necromancy, or just plain corruption.
Tourniquets
The field medic arm of the Holdfasts, distinct from the aid provided by the Pillars, Tourniquets risk themselves on the field of battle to keep their fellow knights active. All manner of healers, through the mundane, divine, or alchemical can be found here.
Relations Outside the Order
The Holdfasts are a force for good in Kelek, they ultimately seek not to destroy evil - a fruitless, impossible task - but to protect the innocent from those who would do them harm. Even the most zealous Vindicators won't blindly strike someone down. Certain members may hold their own preconceived ideas, but the order has no issue allying itself with morally good undead who keep their mental faculties, or necromancers who do not interfere with the flow of souls, or good-natured people who may happen to have a devilish lineage, or any such similar examples. Even temporarily allying oneself with those of evil intentions and disposition is permitted, assuming it is in service of a greater good. In short: the Holdfasts will not go on a crusade to exterminate evil from the world, they seek to protect the good.
In spite of their organization being based on the orders of Hell and one of the chief deities of the Godclaw being Asmodeus, the Holdfasts count the Hellknights as reliable allies, in particular when their interests align. However, the Holdfasts will always keep the Hellknights at arm's length for the same reasons, not fully trusting them and their ways.
Meta
While the Holdfasts, as an organization, is open to all, the individual archetypes (Lastwall Sentry, Knight Vigilant, and Knight Reclaimant) are restricted in the usual ways - the player must open a ticket to gain approval. Gaining 'access' to certain items and feats may require specifically having one of these dedications, while others may be as simple as being a more experienced member of the organization and of an appropriate level, without committing to taking a dedication. Regardless, as usual for uncommon or rare, open a ticket to get the approval squared away!
Unlike the Hellknight dedications, the Lastwall archetypes do not represent a progression. Sentries do not have to promote to either Knight archetype, nor do you have to be a Sentry to qualify for either of the Knight dedications.