Academy Anthology: Hail and Well Met

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====== Darcozzi Paladini ======

Though the Civorean Empire was infamous for its hostility to mages and love of conquest, not all of life in its borders was seen as inhospitable. Within the walled cities of the Empire, ideals of honor and justice did exist.

In this era, an order of warriors sworn to the Empire and its people did arise. Founded as palace guards for the Emperor and Senate during the reign of [[Emperor Darcozzi IV]], the Darcozzi Paladini were famous for their sense of fair-minded justice, passion for the arts, and loyalty to the Empire as an ideal, rather than a specific Emperor. They were known for their reliance on wit and agility in their fighting style, rather than brute strength, and the royal purple capes of the guard were seen by all as an extension of the Empire’s will.

After the shattering of the Civorean Empire in the wake of [[The Visitor]], many of the Civorean people became a people without a nation - they traveled the continent in caravans, some settling where they could, some forming groups of wanderers instead, seeking refuge in the various corners of the continent they had once ruled with an iron fist. In the wake of this fracture, the Darcozzi Paladini found a new purpose - the protection of the Civorean diaspora, and the preservation of the vibrant arts and culture of the Empire.

Darcozzi Paladini in modern times are a rare sight in the cities that dot [[Civorea]] and [[Biomia]], as they tend to stay with their caravans, but they occasionally are seen on quests to obtain goods or assistance from local cities. Warriors of the order are often Paladins of the Crown or Glory as fitting their ideals, but the order does count fighters, rogues, and bards amongst their number as well. They are often dressed in bright colors, with a reliance on lighter, more flexible armor than plate-clad cousins, and they are rarely seen without a royal purple cape to show their allegiance. 

The warriors of the order make no excuses for the poor treatment of mages and unfettered conquest of the Empire when interacting with outsiders, and are dedicated to showing the softer side of the Civorean people - as such, Darcozzi Paladini are typically trained in the arts and theatre, and their fighting styles often mix in dance and acrobatics. Their style favors dual-wielding the short-bladed gladiuses of the Empire, but some Paladini often mix in the light bladed rapier techniques of the even more ancient Elven Empires, with the light buckler shields common amongst the gladiators of their day.

Over the centuries since the existence of the Empire, the Civorean people have become known for their vibrant culture and love of the arts, and a Civorean caravan on the horizon is met with cheers and fanfare for their musical talent and acrobatic performers. However it is common knowledge that should you wrong these travelers in some way, or betray their hospitality, the last thing you see will be the flash of a dagger from beneath a beautiful purple cloak…