The Order of the Gauntlet is composed of faithful and vigilant seekers of justice who protect others from the depredations of evildoers. The organization is honorable, vigilant, and zealous. Clerics, monks, and paladins of good (and often lawful good) alignment.

Members of the order are strong in their faith, using it to stand against evil forces. 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; as well as the Poet of Justice, Hoar

Goals

• Be armed and vigilant against evil.
• Identify evil threats such as secretive power groups and inherently evil creatures.
• Enforce justice.
• Enact retribution against evil actions—do not strike preemptively.

The Order of the Gauntlet is armed and vigilant against evil. Its knights use every resource available, including armed reconnaissance, magical scrying, and divine consultation with higher powers. To ensure they can act swiftly against the forces of evil, knights maintain fortified strongholds along border lands, keep well-stocked armories, and practice daily to remain in peak fighting condition.

The Order of the Gauntlet strives not only to expand the boundaries of just society but to maintain justice in lands where it has already taken root. Knights of the order strengthen their presence by establishing chapters—fortresses and strongholds from which knights venture on missions.

In keeping with their mandate for swift, tough action, knights of the order are neither subtle nor discreet. In fact, many knights view any amount of deceit or trickery as cowardice unbefitting a member of the Order of the Gauntlet. "There is no shame in doing what is right" is a popular axiom used to encourage knights to serve the order openly.

The order emphasizes retribution rather than proactive measures. Its knights don't try to predict evil or preempt it, believing the practice of trying to preempt villainy, even if well meaning, is the first step on the road toward tyranny. As one line in the Code of Scales and Weights puts it, knights of the order should strive to "punish evil actions, but not evil thoughts." The order insists on personal freedom, believing that every individual, regardless of their past or associates, can act morally and honorably if given the choice.

Code of Scales and Weights

To enact judgment quickly and with certainty, the Order of the Gauntlet relies on a lengthy list of crimes and punishments called the Code of Scales and Weights. The Code defines crimes against the order ("scales"), as well as appropriate punishments ("weights").

A written version of the Code is available at every chapter of the Order of the Gauntlet. However, as every knight knows, evildoers won't wait patiently for a law enforcer to consult their notes. Thus, to be initiated to the order, every aspiring knight must commit the Code to heart and recite it before an audience of other knights.

Role in War

In times of war, the order's troops are among the toughest, most steadfast soldiers on the Sword Coast. City-states and small nations call on the order to aid their campaigns against injustice. However, the order lends its sword only in conflicts of good versus evil; the order is reluctant to choose sides in morally ambiguous feuds or petty territorial disputes.

In addition to serving as infantry in their own units, veterans of the order act as sergeants or commanders for other units. Soldiers have few qualms taking orders from a knight of the Order of the Gauntlet; many know the leadership and tactical expertise of the order mean the difference between a disorganized defeat and a glorious victory.

Beliefs

• Faith is the greatest weapon against evil—faith in one’s god, one’s friends, and one’s self.
• Battling evil is an extraordinary task that requires extraordinary strength and bravery.
• Punishing an evil act is just. Punishing an evil thought is not.

Member Traits

The Order of the Gauntlet is a dedicated, tightly knit group of like-minded individuals driven by religious zeal or a finely-honed sense of justice and honor. Friendship and camaraderie are important to members of the order, and they share a trust and a bond normally reserved for siblings. Like highly motivated soldiers, members of the Order of the Gauntlet seek to become the best at what they do and look forward to testing their mettle. There are few if any, “lone wolves” in this organization.

Ranks in the Order of the Gauntlet

RANK 1: Chevall (1 Renown)

This is the rank a character receives when first joining the Order of the Gauntlet. For more information on the general benefits of this rank, refer to Factions.

Receive Your Faction's Insignia. The insignia for the Order of the Gauntlet is a silver pendant depicting the blade of retribution held in place by the gauntlet of justice.

RANK 2: Marcheon (3 Renown)

Marcheons have shown that they are aligned with the Order's goals, and can take on more responsibility. For more information on the general benefits of this rank, refer to Factions.

Faction Training. The Order of the Gauntlet offers training in Smith’s tools, Leatherworker’s tools, Carpenter’s tools, Mason’s tools, or Vehicles.

RANK 3: Whitehawk (10 Renown)

Whitehawks are reliable faction agents, entrusted with many secrets and deserving of additional support during adventures. For more information on the general benefits of this rank, refer to Factions.

Item Procurement. The Order of the Gauntlet can procure the following items for a Whitehawk:

• Uncommon rarity: +1 weapon or +1 shield, cloak of protection
• Rare rarity: +1 armor, ring of warmth

RANK 4: Vindicator (25 Renown)

Vindicators are trusted voices within the Order of the Gauntlet. They are looked up as champions of the Order. For more information on the general benefits of this rank, refer to Factions.

Becoming a Mentor. The Order of the Gauntlet can requisition a veteran of the gauntlet or priest of the gauntlet to serve the Vindicator.