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The Order of the Gauntlet was a coalition of morally upstanding warriors, knights, paladins and clerics who dedicated themselves to the destruction of evil in Faerûn in the 15th century DR. They were a unified group, bonded by either their fervent religious beliefs or staunch dedication to enforcing justice in the realms. To these brothers and sisters in arms, evil had to be dealt with and could not be ignored.[1][2][3][6]

Members of the order were strong in their faith, using it to stand against evil forces.[2] While this faith ranged from believing in one's personal god, it extended also to those considered close friends, and especially to oneself. Most often, Knights of the Gauntlet venerated either the God of Guardians, Helm; two of the deities of the Triad, Torm and Tyr;[4] as well as the Poet of Justice, Hoar.[6]

Organization[]

The Order of the Gauntlet had a number of chapters in various cities located across the western Realms of Faerûn.[7][8][9][10][11]

Activities[]

As part of their duties the Order of the Gauntlet remained vigilant against any potential threats to the Realms, standing ready to stop any aggression. When necessary, they investigated potential threats or secretive organizations, and watched over those creatures they saw as inherently evil.[6]

Beliefs[]

The Order of the Gauntlet held three tenets:[6]

  • Faith was a member's most potent weapon against evil
  • Great challenges required heroic demonstrations of both strength and valor
  • It was justified to punish an act of evil, not a thought or feeling

Tactics[]

Valiant Endeavor

Knights of the Gauntlet undertaking a valiant endeavour

The order was clear on its methods of operation, and would never preemptively attack an opponent. They forewent the approval of local leadership when striking against evil.[2] They struck their foes fast and hard, seeking decisive victories.[12] They would never punish someone who had not committed an evil act nor those who merely expressed immoral thoughts.[6][13]

It was very uncommon to see a lone member of the Order as they almost always traveled in groups.[6]

Base of Operations[]

In the North, the Order of the Gauntlet maintained a strong presence in the city of Neverwinter,[11] several members stationed in Waterdeep,[8] and a representative in the Ten Towns city of Bryn Shander.[10] In the Silver Marches, they maintained a small watchtower near the Silverymoon Pass known as the Hawk's Nest. It was there they bred hippogriffs, that were trained as aerial mounts.[14]

The order was well-represented in the Western Heartlands. In the devout city of Elturel, their chapterhouse operated out of the tavern known as A Pair of Black Antlers.[7] Order members in Baldur's Gate discreetly supported those vigilantes who fought out against lawlessness.[15]

Far south in the land of Chult, the order first settled in Camp Righteous near a Chultan shrine, until it was taken over by undead creatures. They then established Camp Vengeance further up the river, near the Aldani Basin. The leader of the 50-man expedition was an incompetent nobleman named Niles Breakbone.[9]

Possessions[]

Members of the order were known to proudly display the holy symbols of their respective deities.[1]

Relationships[]

The Order of the Gauntlet counted a number of influential organizations among its allies. While they operated in very different ways, the Harpers and the Gauntlet ultimately shared the same goals for Faerûn.[2]

As of the early 1490s, they sought to ally themselves with the Knights of Samular to conduct an allied campaign in the Savage Frontier.[16]

History[]

As of 1489 DR, the Order of the Gauntlet was considered one of the newest power groups in Faerûn.[3]

When the Cult of the Dragon began amassing vast stockpiles of treasure in the 1480s, the Order of the Gauntlet went to investigate. Working with the Harpers, they tracked a cult shipments across the Sword Coast to learn more about their far-reaching schemes.[5] When the threat of the cult, and the summoning of Tiamat proved to required a coalition of power groups, the Council of Waterdeep was established.[17] The order's delegate to the council was the Tormar paladin of Elturel, Ontharr Frume.[2]

At some point in the late 15th century DR, the order established themselves along the River Soshenstar, so as to rid the jungle of the undead infestation.[18][19]

In the Year of the Scarlet Witch, 1491 DR, the Order attempted to cultivate more political influence in the Sumber Hills region of the Dessarin Valley. They sought alliances with various local leaders, including the Waterbaron of Yartar.[16]

Members[]

Members of the Order were staunch comrades, never failing to trust in each other completely. While united, they were highly competitive and strived for excellence in all of their actions.[2][6]

Notable Members[]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

Adventures
Hoard of the Dragon QueenThe Rise of TiamatPrinces of the ApocalypseOut of the AbyssTomb of AnnihilationStorm King's Thunder
Video Games
Neverwinter

External Links[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Wolfgang Baur, Steve Winter (August 2014). Hoard of the Dragon Queen. Edited by Miranda Horner. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 29. ISBN 978-0786965649.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Steve Winter, Alexander Winter, Wolfgang Baur (November 2014). The Rise of Tiamat. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 12. ISBN 978-0786965656.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 147. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Christopher Perkins, Will Doyle, Steve Winter (September 19, 2017). Tomb of Annihilation. Edited by Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 30. ISBN 978-0-7869-6610-3.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Wolfgang Baur, Steve Winter (August 2014). Hoard of the Dragon Queen. Edited by Miranda Horner. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 30. ISBN 978-0786965649.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 Wizards of the Coast (2014). Factions — Order of the Gauntlet. What is D&D?. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on 2014-12-11.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Wolfgang Baur, Steve Winter (August 2014). Hoard of the Dragon Queen. Edited by Miranda Horner. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 28. ISBN 978-0786965649.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Christopher Perkins, James Haeck, James Introcaso, Adam Lee, Matthew Sernett (September 2018). Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 17. ISBN 978-0-7869-6625-7.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Christopher Perkins, Will Doyle, Steve Winter (September 19, 2017). Tomb of Annihilation. Edited by Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 47. ISBN 978-0-7869-6610-3.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 249. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 101. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  12. Matt Chapman (2015-04-01). Player Factions: Our "Heroes"? (Web). In Matt Chapman ed. Dragon+ #1. Wizards of the Coast. p. 12. Retrieved on 2017-07-09.
  13. 13.0 13.1 Steve Kenson, et al. (November 2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 85. ISBN 978-0-7869-6580-9.
  14. Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 156. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  15. Adam Lee, et al. (September 2019). Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. Edited by Michele Carter, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 166. ISBN 978-0-7869-6687-5.
  16. 16.0 16.1 Richard Baker, et al. (April 2015). Princes of the Apocalypse. Edited by Michele Carter, Stacy Janssen. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 15. ISBN 978-0-7869-6578-6.
  17. Steve Winter, Alexander Winter, Wolfgang Baur (November 2014). The Rise of Tiamat. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 5. ISBN 978-0786965656.
  18. Christopher Perkins, Will Doyle, Steve Winter (September 19, 2017). Tomb of Annihilation. Edited by Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 30. ISBN 978-0-7869-6610-3.
  19. Christopher Perkins, Will Doyle, Steve Winter (September 19, 2017). Tomb of Annihilation. Edited by Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 36. ISBN 978-0-7869-6610-3.
  20. Wizards of the Coast (2014). Barrowin Undurr. What is D&D?. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on 2015-02-10.
  21. Wizards RPG Team (July 2014). “Lost Mine of Phandelver”. Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set (Wizards of the Coast), p. 16. ISBN 978-0-7869-6559-5.
  22. Christopher Perkins, Adam Lee, Richard Whitters (September 1, 2015). Out of the Abyss. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 127. ISBN 978-0-7869-6581-6.
  23. Cryptic Studios (August 2014). Neverwinter: Tyranny of Dragons. Perfect World Entertainment.
  24. Christopher Perkins, James Haeck, James Introcaso, Adam Lee, Matthew Sernett (September 2018). Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 39. ISBN 978-0-7869-6625-7.

Connections[]

The Five Factions
Emerald EnclaveHarpersLords' AllianceOrder of the GauntletZhentarim
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