Order of the Silken Glove

From Stormravengaming

The Order of the Silken Glove (or simply the Silken Glove) is an order of monks from the Silken Glove Monastery deep in the harsh environs of the Great Desert. They hold a philosophy of strict discipline and adherence to law, though when their laws conflict with those of a local community, they hold their own laws to supersede all others.

Shaped as much by the unforgiving desert as by the instruction of their masters, the Silken Glove monks are a formidable fighting force, individually or in numbers. The epitome of self-discipline, they are absolutely fearless in battle, willingly charging toward certain death if it serves the goals of their order. Owing to long years of training together, the monks form well coordinated strike forces specialized in crippling and overwhelming foes. The Silken Glove Monastery trains both melee combatants and spellcasters.

The Silken Glove has five distinct orders within it. Each corresponds to a digit of a hand, and each has a different calling. Within this hierarchy are smaller sects and subdivisions. For example, the Order of the Thumb is devoted to the study of arcane magic as it relates to enlightenment. A group of female Thumbs, calling itself the Sisters of Pain, seeks enlightenment in pain.

The Order of the Silken Glove has a reputation throughout the Great Desert for taking the law into its own hands and imposing very severe penalties for even the slightest of offenses. As such, Silken Glove monks are usually treated with fear, mistrust and extreme deference whenever they visit a community. Few would dare to challenge an individual monk directly, though, and far fewer would dare the wrath – or retribution – of a group of them.

Description

Silken Glove monks are easily recognized by their garb, which consists primarily of black robes decorated with embroidery of a glove done in black silk thread. They relish their reputation for malevolence and peril and often walk about with sneers of disdain, cruel smiles and wicked grins on their faces.

History

The Order of the Silken Glove came in force to the desert city of Kadish in anticipation of the fulfillment of a prophecy about the Princes of the Universe. They took part in the battle of Kadish, fighting alongside the Princes and against Warduke and his Legion of Heroes. When the battle was ended, the Silken Glove left Kadish to pursue Warduke, in accordance with the same prophecy that had brought them there.