Sword Knights of Aella

(Still a Work in Progress)

The Order of the Silver Phoenix, is a Chapter of the Silver Hand that was established by Queen Rennali Sunwhisper of the Kingdom of Quel'Athillien in response to the reformation of the Congregation of the Silver Hand. It is lead by Highlord Zephon Carhagen, a veteran of the decimated Lordaeron branch of the Silver Hand.

Compromised entirely of Paladins or Knights in training, the Order of the Silver Phoenix accepts recruits of all races, factions and creeds, provided they are willing to swear loyalty to the Kingdom of Quel'Athillien and have the potential within them to grasp the power of the Light.

History
The first chapter of the Silver Hand within the Kingdom of Quel'Athillien was created by Queen Rennali Sunwhisper. Prior to its founding, the Kingdom of Quel'Athillien had many paladins within its significant population, but no organized structure or order with which to command and train them. Desiring to change this simple reality, the Queen appointed Zephon Carhagen, a Duke within her own Kingdom and veteran Paladin since the formation of the Silver Hand, as Highlord of the new fledgling order. Tasked to give the new order a name, Highlord Zephon Carhagen settled on the Order of the Silver Phoenix, which contained references to both the Silver Hand, and Quel'Athillien.

Hierarchy
The hierarchy of the Order of the Silver Phoenix is not that of a traditional Paladin Order, but resembles instead a proper military force. A break-away from the Silver Hand in this regard, Highlord Zephon Carhagen chose this advanced ranking structure, not only due to his past within the Lordaeron military, which made it far more familiar, but also due to the large influx of recruits of various factions and races, which made a more defined command structure a necessity.

The Order of the Silver Phoenix has a total of twenty ranks, each symbolizing the Silver Phoenix in some manner.

Highlord of the Silver Phoenix
The Highlord is the supreme leader of the Order of the Silver Phoenix. Chosen from among existing members of the Order by the reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Quel'Athillien, the Highlord must have complete and unwavering loyalty to the Kingdom of Quel'Athillien and her interests.

The current Highlord of the Silver Phoenix is Zephon Carhagen.

Silver Phoenix Champion
The Silver Phoenix Champion is a veteran Paladin, who like the Highlord themselves, must be loyal to Quel'Athillien above all else. Chosen by the Highlord from a list of candidates, the Silver Phoenix Champion must have displayed acts of courage, valor and compassion above and beyond what would be considered normal for a Paladin in order to be eligible for the position. Beyond that requirement, the Silver Phoenix Champion must also be a master of arms and battle-tactics.

The current Silver Phoenix Champion is Dumah Carrington

Grand Silver-Guard Marshal
The Grand Silver-Guard Marshal is a senior rank within the Order of the Silver Phoenix and is awarded to a singular individual who has shown extraordinary military and leadership abilities. During times of war, the Grand Silver-Guard Marshal commands the entirety of the Silver Phoenix forces, and as a result, must be a master of battle-tactics and coordination.

Silver-Guard Marshal
The Silver-Guard Marshals are leaders among men, and command large numbers of forces within the Order of the Silver Phoenix. Offered to those who have shown exceptional advancements in both battlefield tactics and skill at arms, the Silver-Guard Marshals are usually selected by the Highlord from the Praetorian Commanders. There are only ever five Silver-Guard Marshals active at a time.

Vice Silver-Guard Marshal
The Vice Silver-Guard Marshal is the leader of the Silver Phoenix Lancers, a wing of the Order of the Silver Phoenix which combats any threat to Quel'Athillien that comes from the air, but specifically focuses on those of an undead or demonic nature.

Rear Silver-Guard Marshal
The Rear Silver-Guard Marshal is the leader of the Silver Phoenix Krakens, a small yet vitally important wing of the Order of the Silver Phoenix, which combats any threat to Quel'Athillien that comes from the sea or requires a sea-based bombardment. While the Silver Phoenix Navy can battle pirates and other naval threats, they are specifically trained to battle creatures of undead or demonic nature.

High Praetorian Commander
The High Praetorian Commander is an elite Paladin charged with the leadership of the Silver Phoenix ground forces. Once an order is passed down from the Marshals, or before a request can be passed to the Marshals, it must first pass through the High Praetorian Commander who then passes the order / request to the required party.

First Praetorian Commander
The First Praetorian Commander is an elite Paladin charged with the leadership of the Silver Phoenix Wall-Breakers, the siege wing of the Silver Phoenix forces.

Second Praetorian Commander
The Second Praetorian Commander is an elite Paladin charged with the leadership of the Silver Phoenix Chargers, the cavalry wing of the Silver Phoenix forces.

Wings of the Silver Phoenix
The Silver Phoenix is more than just a standard branch of the Silver Hand. After battling several exotic threats to Quel'Athillien and other parties, both on land, in the air and at sea, Highlord Carhagen recognized a need for more specialized forces to combat these far more exotic threats. In response, he established the Wings of the Silver Phoenix, military corps which would focus entirely on battling a specific threat, be it from the land, sea or the air.

Silver Phoenix Lancers
The Silver Phoenix Lancers are an elite force of the Silver Phoenix. Compromised entirely of Dragonhawk Riders, these soldiers take to the skies on the backs of armored Dragonhawks and use their enhanced mobility to harass any air bound forces with powerful light lances, steel-wire nets and holy oil bombs.

Silver Phoenix Krakens
The Silver Phoenix Krakens is the naval force of the Order of the Silver Phoenix. While limited in size, each ship of the Silver Phoenix Krakens is a holy fortress, employing thick armored plating imbued with holy symbols to whether even the strongest demonic assault. While slow due to the excess weight of the armor, when the ships do move into range, it bombards its enemies with mortar and cannon-fire, each shell and shot blessed and engraved to cause maximum damage.

Silver Phoenix Wall-Breakers
The Silver Phoenix Wall-Breakers are the siege masters of the Silver Phoenix military. Employing mortars, cannons and sapping teams, the primary directive of the Wall-Breakers is to dismantle any fortification which stands between the Silver Phoenix military and the enemy. Each mortar shell and cannon shot is imbued with holy oils and blessings, making them especially deadly to any undead or demonic creature caught in the blast.

Silver Phoenix Chargers
The Silver Phoenix Chargers are the cavalry of the Silver Phoenix military. Heavily armored and often carrying a powerful light lance and longsword, these elite knights charge in formation, riding down their opponents, often after a successful rout.