Sorry I haven't replied to this. I have been very busy with baby, work and thesis of late.
I had thought that Nanial's Ruins were probably the remains of a pre-Closing base for the Knights of Saint Volanc or some similarly rabid militant order of god- and heretic- bashers. The ruins site would have been right on the contested border between the Wenelians and the Grand Duchy. I suspect that their position may have been similar to a Crusader Castle. As both a staging ground and defense against the krjalki of the interior.
The chapter at Noshiam was probably dedicated to anti-troll work and was eradicated post-closing when so many orders found their magical powers faltering. I do not think they survived much past the general destruction of the Middle Sea Empire - though they may have philosophical descendants in the Rokari. Naninal was certainly too close to a seat of Elder Race power for survival.
The utter lack of ruins is suspicious isn't it? Perhaps a short realm remains behind where echoes and renmants of the lost order persist. I always did like the concept of regio (pocket realms) from Ars Magica. And one does wonder where the folks at Yellowstone learned their troll-repelling magic. Perhaps some of Castellian's early followers visited here?
The Order's early use of the Sharp Abiding Book may make them of interest to the Rokari who may regard them as noble forebearers to their Rightness or (just as likely) a bunch of wretched heretics whose very memory should be expunged!
Hope this helps!
Jeff
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