As a result of the religious tumult brought about by three men laying claim to the authority of St Peter at once, the authority of the Roman Church had been dealt a grievous blow. Following the Church Council of Constance in the year of our lord 1418, King of the Romans and Emperor elect Sigismund, announced a new Chivalric order dedicated to the defense of Christendom against heresy. This Order was duly approved and Chartered by the new Pope and adopted the symbol of the defeated dragon of Paganism
This new Order was based on the old Order of the Dragon of St. George and incorporated one of it's members, the Despot of Serbia, into it's initial twenty four inductees (including Sigismund himself).
The Order of the Dragon has the most select membership of any in continental Christendom. It's membership consists of Dukes, Princes and Kings and is as much a political league as it is a military force. Membership in the Order enhances the prestige of powerful nobles while strengthening their ties to the Emperor-elect and enhancing his power base.
It is rumoured, though unconfirmed, that all is not as it seems with this Order. The rumours claim the secret rites of the Order are fundamentally pagan in nature and it's members seek to gain supernatural power through them. It is possible these rumors are malicious embellishment of the Orders rites rites and rituals by Sigismund's political opponents, lent credence by the legends of Templar depravity and demon worship. Certainly the Order has Papal sanction and it's members are great Christian Princes. It is precisely due to the orders membership that it's detractors are reduced to sly whispers and rumour mongering and the veracity of these claims are unlikely to be tested openly.
Devices and colours: The Order's members incorporate Dragon motifs (with the cross of St George etched onto the beast's back) into their personal heraldry.
Skills
Animal Handling, Melee arts, Maneuver, Military Arts, Statecraft.
Secret Masteries
Draconists (Statecraft (Ruling) Mastery) Simply being amongst so august and exclusive company is cause enough for renown. Membership of an order formed with Papal sanction to crush heresy can even be enough to quell political opposition in the short term. The Draconist gains +2 PDL to influence rolls when attempting to have their view prevail at councils of war and other political meetings in times of emergency.
The Second principle (Military arts (Command) Mastery) Through the secret rituals of the Order, men can unlock hidden strengths and become mighty warriors. The character gains the Shen and Dominion skills at lvl 1. As long as this remains the only source of their ability in Shen, they may only use variants from the path of conflict.
The Dragon and the Cross (Statecraft (Ruling) Grand Mastery) It is claimed that it is God, through the agency of Papal sanction that grants the Draconists such uncanny abilities on the field of combat. Not often do such mighty princes enter the fray, but when they do, they fight as if the Almighty himself aids them. The Draconist is able to employ Shen (path of Conflict) variants that usually require them to be unarmed while wielding a sword, the symbol of the Christian warrior. When doing so, they do not gain any additional damage from the weapon, but do gain the weapons' enhanced reach in melee.
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