Foundation of the Order
The Order sets its foundation as the 25th Day of the Month of St. Strathor the Unconquered, in the 585th year of the Mandadorian epoch. The master of this congress of knights-palatine was the Venerable Kargal of Kandor, but the Archdeacon Galderok, the Master-General the Order of St. Karant and Archbishop of Kalmantane, had advised Kargal, and the guidance manifested in what was soon to happen.
Background
In the aftermath of the Battle of the Red Sun, the exhausted palatine army took refuge at Kastelayr, just north of the Rans River, where the Thousiersian baron and adventurer Thaldemon, a knight of the Order of St. Barst, had encamped with his forces at the ruins there, and were rebuilding it. There the paladins took breadth of all that had happened, and discussed the fate of the matter. Much of their discussion pivoted over whom would be the next War King to continue the fight against Thagdion, but they could not agree, and even the paladins bitterly disputed where their power should lie. The Archdeacon Galderok, for his measure, recently affirmed as Master-General of the Monks of St. Karant, denied that he would support any new War King who did not enjoy unanimous support. It was at this point, at the point of stalemate, that the Venerable Kargal proposed that instead of electing a War King, they should instead form a knightly order, as had been seen in other lands, and that then they might elect a Master-General who might be disassociated from royal descent, and whose election may be restricted from the jealous karden, and might instead only be a matter for the paladins of Dwarden. Impressed by this proposal, they heard the harsh extent of Kargal's intent, meaning to bind them forever in brotherhood to defeat their foe.
The Kargal Oath
At Galderok's recommendation, Kargal chose the site near Manifold where St. Yathamian had fought with the pagans in centuries past, and selected a large broken rock, sundered by the might of Mandador, as the centerpiece of their gathering. They held camp there for three days, and discussed much of what they intended, and took to prayer and ritual cleansing.
When the third night came, the Diaconate Shield was placed upon the stone at the sacred stone, along with the Drathantorian blade, and in vigil they donned the gray cloaks of the Order of St. Karant, and caused a fire to start in their midst. In the depths of night, when it could grow no darker, Galderok blessed their proceeding, and sealed whatever they might swear in solemn oaths by the will of Mandador. Then Kargal challenged them with the Oath, swearing the first himself, slitting open his hand with the Draconic Blade, and dripping the blood into the fire. The rest repeated the oath after Kargal himself, and then each, one by one, was knighted by the Monastic Blade at the hand of Galderok.
Thereafter they elected their leaders, and upon Galdren's election as Master-General, Kargal gave to him the Dragon Blade.
Founding Knights of the Order
St. Galdren Ferox of Drathantor, Master-General
Ven. Thrasold of Lasterak, Seneschal
St. Kellebard of the High Kald, Master of Horse
Bl. Badrian the Erloktian, Master of Foot
St. Everane of the High Kald
St. Tretherane of Pro-Praetoria
Ven. Kargal of Kandor
