Heavens' Ward

See also: Knights Twelve

The Heavens' Ward acts as the personal guard of Archbishop Thordan VII. These knights exist outside of the normal hierarchy of the Holy See, but may act with the Archbishop's authority when carrying out his personal directives.

The Heavens' Ward is comprised of twelve male knights appointed by the Archbishop himself, in keeping to tradition set by King Thordan. Married men may not join the guard, and members are sworn to celibacy in order to effectively dedicate their lives to their service.

Members

• Ser Vellguine de Bourbagne: "Of the Stone Spear", he is the longest-serving member of the Heavens' Ward, and is second-in-command to Ser Zephirin.

• Ser Grinnaux de Dzemael: "The Bull". Though he is a master in combat, his less than agreeable personality has led to several altercations.

• Ser Paulecrain de Fanouilley: "Coldfire". Born to a poor household, he rose through the ranks with his skill with a lance alone.
• Ser Guerrique de Montrohain: "The Cleaver". A former temple knight, he earned his glory as an infantryman. He used to be a member of the Temple Knights.

• Ser Noudenet de Jaimberd: "The Wise". Originally sent to study at Saint Endalim's Scholasticate so his family would have one less mouth to feed. Uninterested in the politics of the Holy See, he instead dedicated himself to the study of Aether.

• Ser Ignasse de Vesnaint: "Of The Dragon's Tail". A former dragon with a distinguished clear, he has slain many a dragon in the name of the Holy See.

• Ser Zephirin de Valhourdin: "The Just". A former commander of the Temple Knights, he is the Very Reverend Archimandrite of the Heaven's Ward.

• Ser Charibert de Leusignac: "The Stern". A sadistic former inquisitor, he is known for his ruthless persecution of heretics and brutal interrogations.

• Ser Adelphel de Chevraudan: "brightblade". A young knight born to a low house and known for his elegant swordsmanship, he trained from a young age with his brother under his father.

• Ser Haumeric de Peulagnon: "The Valiant". A man of strong principals, he has long strove to walk the righteous path, and so he holds men like Ser Charibert in great contempt.

• Ser Hermenost de la Treaumaille: "Levinlight". A veteran knight who joined the Heavens' Ward during the tenure of the previous Archimandrite.

• Ser Janlenoux de Courcillant: "Of the Steel Oath". He and Ser Adelphel are brothers in arms, having shared the battlefield time and time again and forging a lasting bond through hardship.

Encounters

The Heavens' Ward are faced several times throughout the main storyline of Heavensward and beyond.

• Ser Grinnaux and Ser Paulecrain are fought during the quest battle in Divine Intervention.

• Ser Charibert is fought during the quest battle in Fire and Blood.

• Sers Adelphel, Grinnaux and Charibert are consist of the three bosses of  The Vault. Adelphel and Grinnaux are fought in both human and primal forms, while Charibert only uses his primal form.

• The Heavens' Ward are summoned at various intervals during  The Singularity Reactor and it's extreme mode. They are untargettable throughout the battle with rare exceptions.

• Simulacrum of the Heavens' Ward are faced during the quest battles of Our Compromise and Faded Memories

• The Heavens' Ward return one last time as enemies during  Dragonsong's Reprise (Ultimate). Adelphel, Grinnaux and Charibert are fought again in the first phase, while the second and fifth phases see them summoned similarily as in  The Singularity Reactor.

Lore

The Heavens’ Ward, the personal bodyguard of the archbishop, serves at the pleasure of His Eminence and answers to none but him. Under normal circumstances, the knights of the Heavens’ Ward exist outside the normal hierarchy of the Holy See, but when charged with carrying out the personal directives of the archbishop, they may act with his authority and issue orders to Temple Knights and others.

In keeping with the tradition established by King Thordan I, the Heavens’ Ward is comprised of twelve knights appointed by the archbishop himself. However, after appointing Ser Zephirin to lead the current Heavens’ Ward, Thordan VII instructed him to select the remaining members for their skill at arms only, without regard for their character or familial connections, which the young archimandrite then did, with the assistance of Ser Vellguine.

As a rule, married men are forbidden from joining the Heavens’ Ward, and like members of the clergy of the Holy See, the knights must swear an oath of celibacy. Ultimately, they must dedicate their lives wholly to the service of the archbishop, the sole interpreter of the will of Halone.