Well, I don’t really know how to start this post, so I guess let’s go to the background of the matter. A new order joins the world of The Griffin Legends, by Mark Howard!

It is said that when the four paladins, Osoric, Dorio, Eudon, and Zarondo swore mutual oaths to defend the city of Oviedo to the death, they formed the first of the monastic military orders. For years, they protected the people of Oviedo from Sudman invasions, orc raids, and worse. Eventually, more paladins, knights, and others willing to pick up a sword in defense of their homes joined their ranks and the Order’s mission grew from defending one city to reconquering all of Iberland from the myriad forces that had invaded over the centuries. However, the Order’s capital would remain at Oviedo, and other orders would soon overshadow the Knights of Oviedo in numbers, wealth, and prestige. However, the Knights of Oviedo remain focused on their goal rather than gaining the glory of the world, and they honor the Order’s four founding members by bearing a cross joining four fleur-de-lis together.

I can’t say how much illusion made me have this opportunity. Mark offered on Twitter the opportunity to his followers of designing with him one house/order for the world of The Griffin Legends. Honestly, the same moment I saw that I decided that I wanted to try, so basically in mind an idea appeared: two colours, red representing the blood, and gold (yellow), which represents the sun, and by extension the hope. Blood spilled on the verge of hope. So is the field defined, red and yellow, the symbol was about to be defined; in my head, it was clear it should mean neutrality. And what symbol is usually associated with neutrality? Greek Cross.

So the original design was there, ready, and as that I sent it to Mark. I actually did a really schematic draw on Paint, so we had an image instead of my words (I’m terrible with it), and tried to communicate my ideas with him, who was really patient, and come up with this blast of lore. The rest of the lore of the house/orders in the world can be checked here.

I can also tell you that the review for Godfrey’s Crusade was already scheduled for this month, so we will dive hard into this world. You can have here more information about the book. Feel free to get your own copy of the book.

A crusade is called to aid the Kingdom of Azgald in the distant Nordslands, and the young idealistic knight, Godfrey, does not hesitate to volunteer. Yet Godfrey soon learns that the greatest threat to the expedition’s success is not the savage clans under High Warlord Alvir and the Great Witch of the North, Nera, or the orcs and cyclopes that fight beside the clans but the rivalries between the crusaders themselves. Can Godfrey interpret the vision granted to him by the gods and unite the crusaders with his holy blade? Will his love, Madeline, be able to keep her magical powers hidden from suspicious priests and opportunistic lords? Will they be able to stop Nera and Alvir from unleashing an ancient evil upon Azgald or will Godfrey and his friends all meet a bitter end in the frigid Nordslands?