Companions of the First King
The Companions of the First King are a martial order headquartered in Sanctuary. The order dates back to the time of Valon and was originally comprised of his early followers. After his departure from the world, they formally adopted the name that the order has now had for six centuries. While every member of the order is an adherent of the Cult of Valon, the Companions are not an arm of the church.
The Companions are a small order, but they count among their ranks some mighty warriors. The presence
The leader of the Companions is named simply the Swordbearer, for they carry the Sword of the First King, an ancient weapon once borne by Valon. The current Swordbearer is Lady Gabriele Lindner of House Lindner. Though she is likely not the best fighter in the Empire, she has immense ability to read terrain and to deploy and lead warriors in the small-scale engagements in which the Companions thrive.
The Companions, like the far larger order of The Knights Custodian, avoid political entanglements as a group. Unlike the Knights Custodian, this is not an obligation placed on individual Companions. They have on occasion even found themselves on opposite sides of the same battle. Should this happen, it is expected that a Companion will treat honourably with any other Companion.
The Companions receive their funding from donations. The order is small and its members are frequently nobles who are wealthy in their own right, so it has no need for a large treasury.