The Guardians of the Faith were a religious militant cadre of The Lady in Banith. Originally created in response to the Malazan Empire's invasion of the Lands of Fist, the order was responsible for protecting both pilgrims and the faith. As religious police they enforced what was permissible within the faith with their iron-heeled staves. The order fell under the authority of Starvann Arl, Abbot of Our Lady the Saviour Cloister and Hospice. The Guardians wore dark severe robes, cloth trousers, brocaded satin vests, and linen shirts.