Order of the Fire Hawk
| Order of the Fire Hawk | |
|---|---|
 Tarth Moorda as depicted in Complete Arcane (2004). Art by Todd Gamble. | |
| Demonym: | Fire Hawks |
| Type: | Arcane war college |
| Founded: | prior to 579 CY |
| Leader: | Sereda Ostarte |
| Members: | Warmages |
| Headquarters: | Tarth Moorda, Duchy of Urnst |
| Allies: | DoU military |
Order of the Fire Hawk is "an enclave of warmages", in the Abbor-Alz dedicated to teaching magical arts specifically for the purpose of battle-readiness and serving in a para-military organization.
Description
[edit | edit source]The Order of the Fire Hawk is a strict, regimented group of spellcasters "loyal to the Duchy of Urnst"[1] who devote themselves to the study of magic beneficial almost exclusively in battle.
"[Fire Hawks] care for only one thing—war. They dream of steel and mighty blasts of devastating magic, the march of troops, and the unleashed destruction found on battlefields everywhere.
Graduates of [Tarth Moorda...] are drilled only and utterly in the casting of spells most useful for laying down destruction, confusing an enemy, or screening an allied action. The utilitarian spells used by wizards... have little importance to the warmage’s way of thinking."[2]
Training
[edit | edit source]Fire Hawks see the inhospitable desert climate of their garrison/training center, Tarth Moorda in the Abbor-Alz, as advantageous to instilling toughness in their students.[1][3] Tarth Moorda is not unlike a boot camp.[4]
One of the most unusual and definitive abilities learned by the spellcasters of the order is wearing armor whilst casting spells, to become an "armored mage". They train by wearing "ponderous garments (meant to familiarize their bodies with the limitations of movement in armor) while drilling constantly with spells."[4]
Notably, they also go through "advanced learning" to pick up evocation spells commonly used by wizards and they are particularly adept at using metamagic.[5]
History
[edit | edit source]The Order of the Fire Hawk formally founds their training center (Tarth Moorda in the Abbor-Alz) in 579 CY—though this is only the founding of the arcane war college, not the founding of the order.[1][6] The Duchy of Urnst gives over to them an old garrison and the order refurbishes it to serve their needs for training new warmages. It is abandoned an in disrepair before it is converted into an academy for warmages.[1][6] During the renovation, many changes are made, including knocking down some buildings and converting others, while also improving the overall defenses of the fort, including defenses against attack both magical and mundane.[6]
Members
[edit | edit source]
All members are exclusively warmages.
"After years of training at the crown’s expense, a warmage is often expected to repay the investment made in her education through military service."[7]
"After their training, [Fire Hawks] share a deep feeling of camaraderie with their fellow students, and continue to feel a slight affection for any well-run military outfit. [...] Warmages have little in common with sorcerers and wizards, who learn their craft without the rigors or discipline of the warmage’s apprenticeship. In fact, warmages are likely to be more comfortable with the regimented classes—those that appreciate military training, such as paladins, monks, and fighters."[4]
The Order is capable of housing and instructing up to about 80 initiates at a time. In 594 CY, there are about 57, before the deaths and disappearances mentioned above.
Notable individuals
[edit | edit source]
In 594 CY, some of the warmages and other staff of the fortress include:
- Sereda Ostarte (LN female human Warmage 15)—High Warmaster of the Order
- Warmasters (7) (warmage 10)
- Carlis (male halfling Exp5)—personal assistant to the High Warmaster
- Delkin (male dwarf Exp6/Ftr3 3)—armorsmith, blacksmith, and weaponsmith for the Order.
- Melver (male half-elf Clr12 of Heironeous)—healer, leads weekly religious service,[8] advisor to the High Warmaster
- Senior students (10) (warmage 4)—former students with military or adventuring experience.[9]
- 28 hired guards (Ftr1) for security
Structure
[edit | edit source]The Fire Hawks adhere to a rigidly ordered hierarchy led by their High Warmaster, Sereda Ostarte (LN female human warmage 15), who takes that position in 589 CY, ten years after the founding of Tarth Moorda. Six Warmasters underneath her directly oversee the training of new initiates. Together, these are known as the Warmasters Council. Each Warmaster has a specialty corresponding to the general fields which they instruct. Some of these include elemental magic, wands, and martial fighting. Each Warmaster is directly responsible for the instruction and education of students and overseeing wargames. Lastly, are the senior students who serve as advisors to the Warmasters; as well as managing and monitoring the students.[9]
Rumors and legends
[edit | edit source]In 594 CY, there are a series of eight murders committed by an agent of Rary the Traitor.[3]
Publishing history
[edit | edit source]The Order of the Fire Hawk was only ever published in 2004, in two related sources. Complete Arcane and Tarth Moorda, a web supplement for that book.
See Also
[edit | edit source]See also: Tarth Moorda.
Gallery
[edit | edit source]Examples of warmages belonging to the Order of the Fire Hawk.
-
Miniatures Handbook, by Trevor Hairstine -
Complete Arcane, by Matt Cavotta -
Complete Arcane, by Ginger Kubic -
Complete Arcane, by Ron Spencer
References
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]Citations
[edit | edit source]- ↑ a b c d Complete Arcane (2004), p.12.
- ↑ Complete Arcane (2004), p.10.
- ↑ a b Tarth Moorda (2004) , p.2.
- ↑ a b c Miniatures Handbook (2003), p.14.
- ↑ Miniatures Handbook (2003), p.15.
- ↑ a b c Tarth Moorda (2004) , p.1.
- ↑ Complete Arcane (2004), p.165.
- ↑ Tarth Moorda (2004) , p.7.
- ↑ a b Tarth Moorda (2004) , p.13.
Bibliography
[edit | edit source]- Baker, Richard. Complete Arcane. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2004.
- Donais, Michael, Skaff Elias, Rob Heinsoo and Jonathan Tweet. Miniatures Handbook. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2003. Item code 96582.
- Williams, Penny (2004 November 19). Tarth Moorda (web enhancement). wizards.com. WotC. Archived from the original on 2004 November 30. Retrieved on 17 February 2026.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
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