The Magistrate (Paladins)

The Magistrate is an organisation that serves as the main antagonist in the lore of Paladins: Champions of the Realm.

Lore
When The Realm (the main location of the game) was a divided and chaotic nation, a group of legendary warriors who called themselves the Paladins battled their way to bring peace and unite the Realm, led by a human male (Karne) and an elven female (Valera). When they succeeded in their goal and brought peace to the kingdom, the Paladins disbanded and some members became of part of Karne's new organisation, The Magistrate, to govern the new nation.

At first, this went well for them (the Realm was peaceful, after all). However, upon the discovery of extremely strong magic crystals, and with them, tragic accidents and people misusing them, The Magistrate had a new goal: to keep all the Crystals only for them and gain the strongest control over magic at any cost. This includes mercilessly raiding, conquering and oppressing any area that has crystals and killing/arresting anyone trying to use them. Although the Magistrate does have an excuse (people abusing the crystal powers and the fatal accidents from using them) for doing this, they ironically abuse their powers as well and have made it clear they hardly care for the well-being of the common folk. This is why The Resistance was created, as well as a massive civil war over control of the crystals.

Some of their members fight because they agree with Karne, some were forced into it and some are just loyal to the group itself.

Notable Members
Karne- The leader and founder of the group. People agreeing with his ideals or being afraid of the consequences of disagreeing with him have made them loyal to him.

Skye - A contract assassin that serves as one of Karne's most trusted advisors.

Lian - A princess from a royal house who (seemingly) seems to have cheated her way towards gaining the title.

Khan - Lian's bodyguard and general who is loyal to his last breath to her and her family, House Aico. Hates the Ska'Drin.

Vivian - A corrupt fighter who only fights with the Magistrate to advance her position in the hierarchy. Someone on the Resistance has seen her true plans and she desires to silence them.

Torvald - A wise, kindly researcher and historian who only fights so that the Magistrate allows him to continue his research.

Ash- A brutal commander always itching for a fight who puts down any resistance as fast and violently as possible.