The sight of the Crystal Spire has long awed visitors to Setab City. Its towering height and gleaming facets have inspired countless poems and oaths, though its cold walls and sword-sharp edges have stirred not a few to mistrust and fear. The compound serves as the headquarters and training grounds for the Crystalline Order, a politico-military division that have sworn themselves to the Light and the good of all people.

The Crystalline Order has its roots in the Great Fiend War that nearly destroyed all life. Though the Lightborn managed to finally turn the tide, much was ruined and many fell into despair at all they had lost. A man, who had risen through the ranks to become Colonel of a Tremon brigade, rejected depression. The Human was named Erik Miller, though the Lightborn he had served with called him Erik Brighthand, for his skill as a Defender of the Light. It is said that he single-handedly saved half of his companions through clever use of his healing abilities. This much we know as fact. The rest, until otherwise noted, is the story the Crystalline Order tells and much about it may be assumed to be extensions of the truth.

Having survived both Fiends and Horrors, and the terrors accompanying each, Erik Brighthand refused to allow the remnants of those terrible forces continue to pick at the survivors. The forces of Corruption would not be tolerated to prey upon the weak of body, mind, or spirit. So he went throughout the land, helping to destroy pockets of the enemy forces, burning the dead, rebuilding farms, and comforting those who had lost everything. As he saw the destruction and despair that filled the realm, he only grew more passionate about healing it. Soon, others joined his cause, some veterans, some orphans, but all were willing to help him help others.

Soon, Erik Brighthand found himself at the head of another regiment. He saw that though some carried blades, some carried healing herbs, and some carried only words of comfort, they were all united by the Light. So he made his way, with his followers, to the remains of Setab City. They helped so greatly that the Scepter made a gift of any land within its bounds. Erik Brighthand chose a division of the city that had been completely razed and of little use to anyone. He and his followers set about building for themselves, so that they could have shelter to share, space to train, and places to store supplies to give to those in need. They had built several plain but serviceable buildings to meet their needs when Erik Brighthand was called away to deal with some minor Fiends that were terrorizing the nearby countryside.

He came back wounded and alone. Those that had gone with him were dead, some of them twice. The Fiends were larger than they had been led to believe, and there had been a truly monstrous Horror. Erik Brighthand had also believed that he was doomed to die with his comrades until a great light had come between him and the Horror. He would say no more of the story but showed his followers an amazing crystal he had found in the cave where he had nearly lost his life. It was rough and unpolished but large enough to need two hands to hold it. It glimmered in the light and shed pale rainbows all about. Erik Brighthand kept the crystal on him always, saying the Light came to him easier through it. His followers sought out crystals for themselves as well, to emulate their leader.

After many years, the Empire slowly recovered and began fill with hope again. Erik Brighthand’s followers came to be known as the Crystalline Order, and many rejoiced to see them as they journeyed across the land. Those who dispatched the Fiends and Horrors and were skilled with weapons and shields took to wearing rubies. Those who were skilled in healing, both through the Light and with plants, began to wear emeralds. Those who were skilled in words and wisdom started wearing sapphires. Rarely was any traveling band of the Order without at least one of each crystal.

All too soon, Erik Brighthand died, and his loss was mourned throughout the Empire. Many came to pay their respects, and it was agreed that he would have a great funeral in the Lightborn tradition. He was burned in the center of his district, which had become both beautiful and practical under his guidance. As the dawn broke over the pyre, there was a loud crack. Seconds later, a deep rumbling in the earth was both heard and felt, and everyone scrambled to get away. By noon, the dust had settled, and all over the city, people stared upwards in awe. A huge clear crystal had grown out of the courtyard where Erik’s pyre had been. As his followers touched the crystal, they found doors and hallways, rooms tucked away, and great chambers that could fit hundreds. This wondrous building became known as the Crystal Spire.

Regardless of its fantastical founding, today, the Crystalline Order tasks itself helping to bring peace and aid to those in need. The Order is divided the same way as the first members of the Crystalline Order were. The Ruby Knights are sworn to root out Fiends and Horrors wherever they may be found. The Emerald Knights are sworn to heal those who are wounded or broken. The Sapphire Knights are sworn to ease the minds of those who have fallen prey to despair. Though the Order has given the title of “Knight” to their members, even going so far as to mimic the traditional steps of becoming a knight, the Scepter does not recognize them as landed gentry or nobility in any sense. However, it does accord them great respect, and many people, including great lords and ladies, call them Ser as they would any knight.

The Order is currently presided over by Ser Leon Boreal, the present Effulgent of the Order. He is supported and advised by the three Knight Masters of the three divisions. They are presently Ser Lifa Bergljót, the Ruby Knight Master, Ser Vanessa Fletcher, the Emerald Knight Master, and Ser Cidix Ilaewah Tavynad Rivimar, the Sapphire Knight Master. The various Knight Masters ensure their branches are in accordance with the spirit of Erik Brighthand and the tenet: “Raise arms in defense of the weak against the wicked, heal those who have done none any wrong, and comfort those who have lost their way in darkness.” In practicality, the Ruby Knights are never sent to war unless a Fiend or Horror is there, leading to fewer joining than one might think. Though there is much glory to be had as a Ruby Knight, the training is long and arduous, and there are fewer enemies than Knights. Too many of the young and impatient, this is unacceptable and most will join the military when seeking quick and easy glory. On the other hand, the Emerald Knights flourish and have a branch in nearly every major city, as the largest organization in the Empire dedicated to healing. They must help those in need, so the Emerald Knights subsist mainly on donations. The Sapphire Knights are perhaps the least understood. There are no branches for this part of the Order; this is because most have no need of a chapter house and are instead constantly travelling, easing the pain of tragedies both great and small, in unmarked villages and great cities alike.

There are some that have grievances with the Crystalline Order, of course. Few loyal citizens appreciate that a member of the Ruby Order will not defend the Empire against enemies that are not Fiends or Horrors, the most recent being the Mageocracy. Those who run legitimate healing stores or guildhalls do not regard the “undercutting” of the local Emerald branch with any fondness. Some are ridiculed for needing to speak to a Sapphire Knight, and many who would join the Order are mocked unmercifully, so this Order in particular suffers. The Crystalline Order rarely deigns to acknowledge these problems or viewpoints. They believe there will always be those that oppose the Light, but that, as the Light endures all shadows which touch it, they too shall endure. There have been recorded instances of Order members forgetting this, but there have been relatively few of these. The last case was case thus far was 203 years ago, where a young Ruby Initiate struck and killed a man who theatened him. After two weeks of internal proceedings at the local chapterhouse, the young man was turned over to justice. He was found guilty of murder and went to the gallows “serene,” in the words of a local clerk.