Knights Postaller
The Knights Postaller are an order of messengers whose oath prohibits lying, and whose members are revered for their ability to detect any falsehood. Their symbol is a Pigeon (a sacred, extinct animal of the old world), and their towers can be seen all over the Skyreach mountains.
Origin of the Knights Postaller
The first records of tamed flydragons came from a group of nomads externally referred to as Vagrants. The Vagrants were relied on to deliver news to the villagers and towns they visited, often using knowledge of the outside world for the purpose of trade and bartering.
One particular group of Vagrants began to grow enamored with the flydragons, who began to train them for use of flying. These nomads became known as Flying Vagrants.
The ease and utility of using flydragons became well known among other nomads, especially since newborn flydragons would imprint on the first face they saw. They made terrible pets on account of it never leaving its "parent" alone and needing lots of food and water, but they suited the Vagrant lifestyle well.
Within a few generations, taverns catering to Flying Vagrants and their flydragons began to pop up, primarily along the Skyreach mountain ranges. With the reputation of the Vagrants as bringers of far off news, settlements began to pop up near and around these taverns.
In time, the Vagrants became official messengers hired out by the taverns to deliver their news to the surrounding areas. To combat any misinformation, a Messengers Guild was established. A mythos began to grow surrounding this guild given its closed off nature to further secure the information that they monitored.
Following this, the Dark Sun Federation began to encroach on the Skyreach mountains, leading to war. As a reaction, the Knights Postaller were established as a faction within the network of Flying Vagrant taverns. Their services were used as front-line messengers and aerial forces in the fight to repel the invaders. During the war, the Knights Postaller and Flying Vagrant network took orders from the High Grove, and remained under its authority afterward.
Structure of the Order
The Order follows a hierarchical structure, with the High Grove of WoodkennersWoodkenners"I am the hill and the valley. I am the rising and setting sun. I am the key and the door. I am the closed fist and open hand." * from The Invocation of the World Tree, an old Skyreach "kenning" or spell The woodkenners, a decentralized federation of druids, bards, and priests, are revered as spellcasters and spiritual experts among the indigenous tribes of the Skyreach mountains. These enigmatic figures work closely with the local hunter-gatherers and horticulturalists, sharing and preservin at its head. Under the command of the High Grove, Knights fill the following roles:
| Role | Duties |
|---|---|
| High Namer | Oversees multiple towers, accountable to High Grove |
| Steward | Master of an individual tower, memorizes messages |
| Keeper | Keeps the flydragon stables |
| Knight | Delivers messages |
Institutional Practices
The Knights Postaller, like the Woodkenners, are forbidden to use any form of written language. The training of a new Knight involves the memorization of hundreds of symbols, legends, dances and songs that they use for memorization. Even High Namers maintain the tabu against writing.
The oath of truth forms the core of the Knights' power. Knights Postaller have the trust and favor of most of the common-folk simply by virtue of this one rule. Although the order is subordinate to the High Grove, the Knights actually keep the Grove in check by preventing the spread of misinformation.