Keepers of the Gyre

The Keepers of the Gyre are an organization of cleric-knights and monks that operate out of the Shoal of Blackstin, the largest Necropolis in Logres. They are followers of The Raven Queen, the New God of Death. Dedicated to the natural processes of life and death, the Keepers of the Gyre have special permission from the God Emperor of Mankind to destroy undead and necromancy wherever they find it, and interfering with the official business of a such an agent (called a knight of the Gyre) is a capital offense. That being said, the Keepers' close association with death and undead has lead to their infamy, and their secrecy regarding the practices they undertake to defend the dead from resurrection has lead to their popular portrayal as blood sorcerers and necrophiliacs.

Preservers of Ancient Lore
Although few ever enter the Shoal of Blackstin alive, it is believed that the well guarded walls hold primordial secrets regarding life and death from the Age of Lords, perhaps earlier. It is presumably from these secrets that the Keepers of the Gyre learn their arts. Any knowledge contained within the walls of the Shoal of Blackstin has been declared heretical by the God Emperor, and thus, anyone who were to learn the dark arts contained within the Necropolis would be unable to share the knowledge to outsiders upon penalty of death.

Wandering Priests and Paladins
Many members of the Keepers of the Gyre are born to the order, having been nurtured and raised within the walls of the Shoal of Blackstin. Although most choose to remain with their families within the Necropolis, learning to perfect their powers of life and death, some find the cloistered lifestyle impossible to maintain. Those priests struck by insatiable wanderlust are allowed leave of the Necropolis after swearing oaths of secrecy and devotion to the order, making their way in the dark and foreboding wilderness of Logres. Such travelers normally hide their identity, not wanting to attract the attention of a commoner who has heard the vulgar rumors regarding those who reside within the Necropolis. These wayward clerics often make pilgrimage to the other Necropolis in Logres, sharing and learning new practices with their brethren across the world, destroying and cleansing the dead along the way.