Hesneen (The Ever Vigilant)
Lawful Neutral Lesser Power
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Hesneen is a dutiful servant of creation, the persistent friend and untiring laborer that does the day to day work necessary for life and society to continue. He is the god that the others confide in, knowing that he will never betray their trust. Hesneen battles for order with persistence and endurance unending, fighting the never ending struggle of survival against the evil and chaos that would bring society down. Corruption, disloyalty and betrayal are his enemies as are distrust and laziness. Society needs those that are willing to serve regardless of their own station in life or the hardship it may bring. Those that would serve the world follow the way of Hesneen.
The Dutiful Servants (The Church of Hesneen)
| CLERGY: | Cleric, Specialty Priest (Armiger) and Paladin. |
| CLERGY ALIGN: | LG, LN, LE |
Dogma and Beliefs:
Success
Success in life
is important to Hesneen. To Hesneen success is the having of individual
integrity, friendship, trust and perseverance so that all can find enough
comfort and happiness to be able to raise and provide for family and their
order, community or society. The greatest success is to be found in the
home and in the completion of a task at hand. This may seem small to most,
to consider success only to finish a small goal or job, but without such
how would the world continue. The day to day actions of those that just
finish what they are asked, raise a family and complete a task they have
chosen to do, is how everyday existence continues. Without it things would
fall into chaos, negligence, disrepair and destruction.
Duty
Though success
is the main reason for doing what one must do, it is not right to proclaim
oneself above others. It is the duty of each individual to do what society
needs in order to make it remain stable and secure. This means that in
raising a family, running a business, obeying the law and maintaining the
status quo, one will succeed and perhaps even gain a semblance of comfort
if they fulfill their duty. Along with this may even come wealth, property
and power but the Hesnian should still remember they are part of a whole
and be humble. They should show restraint and have a lack of conceit or
self importance. It is because of many others doing what they should and
upholding the order of society that any may lay any claim to success. So
it is not uncommon that those in power are worshippers of Hesneen but they
are always grateful for being in their position of wealth and property
and never take advantage of those that are below their status in society.
Obedience
While the follower
of Hesneen is to be obedient but this does not mean they must follow the
orders of any that would give them. All people are free to chose that which
they call authority and to obey it. Law itself and order are not important
in themselves, only in the choice to maintain them and live by them because
it is the right thing to do matters. The Hesnian only obey laws because
they had chosen to do so as a means to continue and maintain community
and society. They will not break laws because they have taken it upon themselves
to chose to obey them and once a Hesnian chooses to do something they never
renege themselves of that choice. While some laws can be forced upon society
wrongfully, the Hesneen will continue to obey them until it is shown that
they are no longer keeping faith with the vow of loyalty the Hesnian has
given to the authorities they obey. The authorities themselves have to
uphold the same laws that the society has been founded upon and once they
break from them then no one who had agreed to follow them need keep their
own vows. As in the death of the one you have sworn a vow, when the laws
you have sworn to follow are no longer the same laws that uphold society,
become corrupted or manipulated for the aggrandizement of one over the
many, then the vow no longer holds the Hesnian to them.
Obligation
The Hesnian will likely not undertake
a task if they feel it is beyond them, but once they agree to one they
will continue until it is done. This of course cannot always be true as
some will die before a task is finished and some things are just not capable
of being finished. Many times a task left unfinished, after a person who
has agreed to doing it has died, will be taken up by his family in order
to meet their family member's obligation. If the task becomes impossible
of completion the Hesnian will feel they have failed and unless released
from the undertaking of the task will attempt to make amends. These amends
can be either through later service, goods and moneys or any other recompense
the person for which they had agreed to finish the task will accept. At
times the Hesnian will indenture themselves in this way, becoming more
or less the slave of the person for a certain number of years in order
to fulfill the debt they owe and cleanse themselves of it or free any burden
to their family. In general Hesnians do not like to be in the debt of others
or beholden to them but are willing to do whatever is needed to pay one
when they occur.
Slavery
Slavery is servitude, but it is not
willing servitude. The motivating factor is force and punishment rather
than duty or compensation. As such, Hesneen looks on slavery with
disdain if not outright disgust. Slavery is a form of servitude that destroys
any concept of duty and loyalty, relying instead on the use of force. Servants
of Hesneen do so willingly, whilst slaves do not. Even in the case of the
indenturement of others, the Hesnian will suffer slave like conditions
if it was their choices that had led to it. though if a Hesnian finds themselves
in this condition they should obey their masters as long as the master
doesn't force them to disobey Hesneen's higher laws or other laws of the
land. The best way to endure is to obey and loyalty is its own reward.
Slavery should be stopped and definitely not practiced but it is right
to obey the laws of your society and if they allow the practice you then
you should abide your treatment under the law. However, Hesneen abhors
disobedience and rebellion, he is supportive of seeking the freedom of
slaves by means such as outside forces intervening or enabling the slaves
to convince their masters to free them in a non rebellious way. Only when
the slavery is unlawful is the Hesnian free to pursue rebellion or escape.
In places where slavery is legal and institutionalized, many slaves worship
Hesneen and abide their condition with perseverance and loyalty to their
masters.
Oaths, Promises and Vows
The practice
of taking an oath or giving a vow to another is an everyday part of the
life of the follower of Hesneen. Even so, they are not given lightly. An
oath is held by the individual until they have been freed from it either
through completion or action, and possibly by it being lifted by the one
for which the oath was sworn. Typically one is freed from an oath by the
completion of a task for which the oath was taken. Oaths are specific grants
of the person's life and efforts to the pursuit and completion of a task.
Unlike a simple promise which carries less weight but is no less breakable,
the oath prompts immediate and unchecked action.
A promise has
no innate time limit. Unless stated a promise must be done before
the ability to do it has passed but this can be after years have gone by.
It in no way holds a person from also pursuing other things or other promises.
An oath, on the other hand, puts that which the oath states as the prime
direction of the person taking the oath until completed.
Vows are life
long rules the individual lives by that in most cases guide all other actions
thereafter. A vow must be made to a god, specific individual or group and
is never given to oneself. It is possible to be freed of one's vow either
by purposeful release or the death of the one that holds you by it. Also
each vow has an intrinsic belief in the reciprication by the ones for which
it is taken. If the one the vow was given to reneges on the reasons for
it, then it no longer holds the individual. Vows are never taken lightly
and are only broken for the most extreme reasons.
No Hesnian will
ever willingly break any of these; promise, oath or vow, it is all the
same and binds the person to the intent of their word. There is no word
games allowed either as these are a sacred trust enforced by Hesneen himself.
A promise, oath or vow must be given freely and with the intent as stated.
No deception or loopholes are ever looked for or used and in the case of
others trying to take advantage, ever accepted by the Hesnian. Obedience
by the Hesnian is always by their own choice and cannot be forced without
a fight.
The Duties of Hesneen
Hesneen has many
avatars. The most wildly accepted is the diligent soldier, though the look
of the soldier can vary greatly. It is most commonly a strongly built male
dwarf in chain mail with a hammer and shield in Khardfee and other dwarven
shrines found in Kyranath or a large human in chain mail with long sword
and shield, elsewhere. The human may also be seen riding on a horse. Other
appearances have been of a laborer carrying a great burden and also of
the healthy and loyal wife and mother.
Hesneen has
a habit of appearing amongst the more common folk as one of the later mentioned
avatar. He appears as a laborer of either gender and helps those in need
with their daily chores or with problems that may occur in everyday life,
but always leaves them with some miracle or message to be spread by word
of mouth throughout the laborers that maintain society.
Alters and Idols:
In almost all
cases the idols of Hesneen are of the soldier, either a dwarf in their
lands or, in most cases, a human. In a few shrines in Lithar and the temple
of Walnuttown, the idol is of a handsome woman wearing an apron and holding
a child. In the later case the temple is said to be that of the dutiful
wife, though this description of the god is rare, in fact singular to this
one temple.
Alters though
are invariably a simple stone dais, that is reached by three broad steps.
The steps will have these words engraved or in mosaic on them; Humility,
Loyalty, Obedience, one to each step. In the center of the dais is a pillar
two to three feet tall with the idol of Hesneen standing upon it. The alter
will have incense or candles burning around it at all times. Around the
idol can be found small cards or momentos of the worshippers having performed
the Ceremony of Abeyance who leave them as reminders to the god to care
for them and hear their prayers.
Major Centers of Worship:
Hesneen is mainly
worshiped in the human kingdoms of Kyranath, but he is also venerated by
the dwarves of Khardfee. Major temples are situated in Fairingtown Branch,
Walnuttown and Windtown with minor temples in Silverstown and Springsoninatown.
Shrines can be found throughout Lithar, Tuth and Khardfee and in a few
places in Alderd but few if any are within Ruch or Edilar.
The Temples
of Hesneen are generally grandiose affairs, built by donation of resources
and labor. Though the people are humble and usually not grandiose or ostentatious
in their manner of dress or way of living they do have pride in their god
and their deeds. They show this through donations to the church which are
then used to build grand temples and abbeys or shrines. It is not uncommon
for what is a simple shrine to have stained glass windows or tall buttressed
bell towers, with interiors paneled in carved wood and frescoes or other
works of art. Some of the most beautiful works of architecture make up
the buildings dedicated to Hesneen. The wealth of the church is generally
in the artwork contributed through labor and skill by the parishioners
and not in precious items of gold or other valuable commodities.
Hesneen has
more smaller support buildings than any other god. These are usually abbeys
and shrines that double as community centers and support buildings. They
are places of education for the community but also orphanages, welfare
soup kitchens and shelters for the poor. Most are supported through the
sale of goods produced by the different orders of brothers and sisters
of the church that raise crops and cattle or produce useful commodities
and items.
Worshipers:
The worshippers
of Hesneen can be found in any level of society but are more commonly found
in those areas that serve it rather than run it. But regardless of social
status they all are dutiful and loyal to their family and profession. Many
soldiers that serve a specific cause or district, realm or lord are followers
of Hesneen. Less so are those warriors that hire themselves out to the
greatest bidder, though even here a specific mercenary group may be worshippers
of Hesneen and completely loyal to each other and their current employer.
But the greatest following of Hesneen is the common laborer and the homemaker.
In the later case Hesneen may be the secondary god to Celenia or Tyre depending
on the individual needs but Hesneen is clearly thought of as a second and
greatly influential god amongst all that have to persevere and struggle
with the day to day drudgery of work needed to make a living and provide
for family. Hesneen does not mind being considered a secondary deity to
these as he knows that they are important during certain parts of life
but that it is through the diligence and vigilance that he provides that
they are able to survive the rigors of life throughout.
The followers
of Hesneen are dependable and trustworthy workers. They will never cheat
any out of a full days work or over charge for a service. Their word is
their bond and the intent of their word is more important than what is
said or understood. It is not like them to attempt to deceive others. They
can rarely if ever be bribed or corrupted and make good jailers, treasury
guards and court workers. Their loyalty to their patron shows no bounds
and they are almost always from solid family and community.
The Clergy:
The clergy of Hesneen is the most diligent in their service to others. While all god's clergy serve their worshippers to some degree, those of Hesneen have no preference in who the individual worships or may put above Hesneen, they serve all of creation in order to maintain the level of comfort and aid needed to allow everyone to succeed.
Church Hierarchy:
"We are the dutiful servant, without us society would come to an end." – Bildon Ad Haddeen, Cardinal (545 NA to 602 NA)
The Dutiful
Servants are heavily structured in terms of the levels of power granted
to the clergy by Hesneen. Once the priest shows they are able to be granted
through prayer certain spells of their god, they are raised to the next
level in the church structure. Most of the clergy of Hesneen do not travel
beyond their assigned districts and are usually cloistered in their temples,
abbeys, convents and shrines. These are always near to some community under
the protection of some legally titled lord. Those clergy that do travel
are normally assigned to the duty and so go with those they have been assigned
to wherever they have been asked without complaint. Service is its own
reward and where that service takes you is of no concern. Only the Armiger
freely travels, having their patron to decide where they can go or what
they must do.
Hesneen has
a closely working alliance with Thr as the main protectors and guardians
of society. But Thr's wandering ways do not allow him to have many temples.
Hesneen has opened his temples to the clergy and followers of Thr and a
shrine to Thr maybe found at each of Hesneen's temples, but not his own
shrines. The clergy of Thr will come and stay at a temple of Hesneen for
a season at a time and aid both worshippers of Thr and Hesneen as is needed.
Loyalist - These only initiated to the ways of Hesneen but have yet to gain any divine favor of the god are called the Loyalist of the Dutiful Servants. They are students and workers in the places of worship for the church.
Dedicate - Also called brother and sister of their orders, (Brothers of Duty, Sisters of the Good Mother, Knights of the Obedient Heart, etc...) these dedicated to Hesneen make up the majority of the Dutiful Servants. Once prayer yields divine power to the Loyalist, they are then accepted as clergy of Hesneen and promoted to the ranks of the Dedicate of the Dutiful Servants. Remaining in the place in which they had studied and worked in most cases, they begin to take on the actual workings and give service to the church and community.
Armiger- Some are called to serve Hesneen but rather than through the traditional studies within the Abbeys and Convents of the Dutiful Servants, they come to the god on their own while under the service of some other. These, though dedicated to the god and the church, are still beholden to some other patron. This patron may actually be a part of the church, but these are not held to the places of worship but rather the agents of Hesneen in the rest of the world. They are sent on missions or at times, left to provide a means of service for themselves and to spread the faith.
Friar - Though housed and assigned to a specific place of worship and likely belonging to some order within the Dutiful Servants, these clergy are asked to travel throughout their community and provide for the service of society as best as they are able. They have gained enough power in the church as to perform the auguries needed to grant the Ceremony of Abeyance to the follower's of Hesneen (cast 2nd-level spells).
Prior - Once the Friar has traveled around the district and gained the trust and loyalty of the parishioners they may gain enough divine favor to now place wards to guard the Dutiful Servants (cast 3rd-level spells). At such time they are given their own parish and a shrine to care for and maintain while serving their community.
Abbot/Abbess- Once favored by Hesneen and able to divine the actual will of the god (cast 4th-level spells) The Friar is assigned to or may request being moved to lead one of the Orders of the church. These become the headmasters of the schools and are responsible for the economical handling of Dutiful Servants' funds. The Abbot/Abbess is the administrator of a shrine that also has a business and produces goods that are either sold or used to provide for the upkeep and charities of the church.
Bishop - When an Abbot gains the ability to atone for the disloyalty or breaking of vows for the worshipper of Hesneen (cast 5th-level spells) they are given responsibility over a district and all the shrines, abbeys and convents that lay within it. They are typically connected to a temple at this point but may need travel somewhat to maintain their district.
Archbishop - The Bishop that gains such favor as to heal the near dead to near complete health (cast 6th-level spells) is given control of the Temple itself and the running and decision making over all workings of the church and the districts that are controlled by it. The bishops under them act as their main means of communication and control of the districts under their control.
Cardinal - With the ability to place the symbol of the god to guard the Dutiful Servants' establishments (cast 7th-level spells) this Archbishop is asked to take control of the council of Archbishops and lead the Dutiful Servants in all places in the greater region. These will have the sobriquet of their regional name. I.E. The Cardinal of Thardferr. Throughout Kyranath there is found one Cardinal in each of the larger land masses.
Though there may be many of the same level of divine favor at any given time, there is a limited number of temples and so just a small number of Archbishops and only one Cardinal in each of the greater regions of Kyranath at any given time. But as each place in the hierarchy is taken on as a duty and not a means of power, they share their station with any showing they have the level of favor of the god as they. In such a case, the ones sharing the duty will decide between themselves the best order of action to be taken at any given time. Also having more to share in the office allows them to take on less obligations, being more specialized, amongst themselves and so better serve society. In such a case they may have epithet titles such as Archbishop of the Temples Defense or Archbishop of the Eastern Expanses and so delegate the authority and responsibility to the one they find most capable.
Ceremonies and Holy Days:
Ritual Oaths and Vows (Special)
While all promises, oaths and vows
are taken seriously by the Hesnian some are even more so. Rather than just
something to be practiced and kept as personal integrity and as ethical
behavior, those using special rituals are actually enforced by Hesneen
and have other than normal consequences. There are many such Ritual Oaths
and Vows that are taken by Hesnians and others who wish to have something
enforce their promises or behavior. The following are only a few.
Priestly Vestments:
Each order
may have its own special achievement for their members but in general every
part of the clergy wears the same standardized uniform. This is mainly
decided by the station in the church. Depending on the order which runs
the place in which they are living, the manner of dress may be varied for
the loyalists. Until such time as they actually gain divine spells and
have taken vows to Hesneen, their manner of dress may vary greatly. But
manyorders ask that certai uniforms be worn whil ethey are staying in the
order's establishments or while taking classes, etc...
The vestments
of Heseen's clergy are never audacious and usually upholds the Dutiful
Servants's ideals of humility. Dedicates and Friars wear brown robes. The
Friar will also wear a hood, typically down around their neck. Priors where
black robes or tunics over black breeches and a white gorget. An Abbot
will dress the same but also wear a wide brimmed hat. Bishops wear long
white tunics over black breeches. They also wear a black jerkin over the
tunic. Archbishops dress the same but also wear a wide brimmed hat. The
Cardinal dresses almost the same as the Archbishop only his jerkin and
hat are red. All wear their holy symbols on a beaded leather or braided
silk cord around their necks. Archbishops and Cardinals may also have one
mounted on the end of a staff.
The holy symbol
is often a simplistic 'T' or hammer shape on a solid colored circle's.
Official coloration for this is silver on red but small iron hammer shapes
on wood are often used in making the most common symbols and so many are
closer to gray on brown. Variation on tone and color is allowable and may
be designation for a specific order. Some may use oak for the backing or
different stains for coloration. Normally the Holy Symbol is not made out
of precious metals other than silver or stones other then hemitite. They
are not meant to symbolize wealth or power and so the commonly found items
in any village are good enough for the clergy of Hesneen. The hammer on
shield symbolizes the tools used or crafting of steadfastness and defense
that the church wishes to uphold.
Affiliated Orders, Societies and Guilds:
Knights of the Vigilant Virgin-
This order of Paladins was formed in the times before the Second Mage War.
It is told that a devout follower of Hesneen, a lord of what is now western
Lithar, had left on the day of his wedding to a beautiful maiden to go
to war in the far east. Their marriage was never consummated and he failed
to return in the year and a day customary to annul such weddings. But as
his wife and without heir, the Maiden claimed his lands and title and swore
a vow to hold them till his return. Many years passed and the loyal soldiers
of the missing lord protected his lands and his maiden wife's claim to
them. It came that many suitors then came to court the Maiden but she would
see none of them. Finally she stated to all the suitors that they should
pledge
themselves to worship and follow the ways of Hesneen and then give their
oath that they would seek out her husband or his remains. Once she knew
he was dead she would then allow herself to be courted. 12 of the suitors
so made oath and traveled all over the world trying to find her husband
or some proof of his demise. But they all failed. Though in their travels
they became more devoted to their vow and the service of Hesneen than to
returning to lay claim to the Maiden and all finally returned as Paladin,
pledging themselves to Hesneen and the Maiden. She released them from their
oath to search for her husband and they all took new vows to seek out and
protect the innocent, destroy corruption and evil wherever they could find
it. Taking the name of the Knights of the Vigilant Virgin they all have
a painting of the Maiden on the inside of their shields.
Shrines founded
by the Knights of the Vigilant Virgin all portray Hesneen as a young and
extremely beautiful maiden standing tall and looking out to the horizon,
holding a long sword in her right hand pointed towards the ground. (The
idol is sometimes mistaken for one of Celenia or Tyre till the sword is
noticed. Most understand it is a maiden because of the garland of flowers
in the woman's hair and the exposed left breast.)
Knights of Duty - These Tuthian knights are all Paladins that serve Hesneen and the Emperor. They were formed just after the First Mage War began and took oath to the defeat of the Sythian forces, pursue the enemies of the Emperor and fight against the villains of the gods Ajoetis, Ballog and Syth. They strive towards the final extermination of the evil that they had brought to the world.
Orders within the Dutiful
Servants - There are many orders within
the church. These have built and maintain abbeys or convents where the
Loyalists to the church are educated. They function as lesser temples in
many ways but are closer to shrines with vacillates for teaching and housing
others. Many have a secondary function that deals with aiding the community
or the church. Most of these secondary functions are a means of making
money for the church such as dairies, breweries, vineyards, forges or other
functionary businesses that are economically sound for the region in which
they are situated. Typically built by or dedicated to some aspect or hero
of Hesneen the orders take on different names that give some idea as to
the main dogma they practice or on which they base their faith. Some examples
are the Brothers of Duty, the Sisters of the Good Mother, Knights of the
Obedient Heart, Sisters of the Perpetual Virgin, Order for the Acceptance
of Humility, Brothers of the Nesestian Faith (Nesist being a hero of Hesneen
of ancient tales), etc...
Church Errata:
Allies
Anthor ***- Honor and duty go well together. Though honor may allow for putting some in a place beneath others and at times take advantage of this, in general it does not allow for the mistreatment of them and never allows itself to be corrupted. Hesneen is the god of oaths and vows and Anthor the provider of honor that keeps people from breaking them. The close allegiance these two gods have allows for them to work side by side in almost every way. Hesneen is said to be the diligent follower and even the son of Anthor and it does seem that Hesneen at times takes a secondary role to Anthor in many orders in which the worshippers of both are involved.
Celenia - Sometimes thought of as the mother of Hesneen, Celenia is nothing but a good mother. Hesneen is in return the dutiful son. They agree that the health of the individual is important and that through the care of others most can find success in life. Though Celenia does not care at all for laws and only for the individual, Hesneen sees a larger view of how society can protect the rights of all and allow them to be healthy in society. As with all parents and children they may at times disagree and Hesneen may uphold order over personal individuality and so endanger the few for the benefit of the many, they are normally in accord and so allies.
Kreaon - The Creator is the greatest adherent to keeping vows. The physical laws that he put into place when setting forth creation have continued to be trustworthy since the dawn of time. Hesneen only wished he could have such ability to inspire things that never change or betray their original stand. Hesneen is more respectful and a friend to Kreaon than Kreaon is to him as, the Creator has little to do with Hesneen.
Mahacto - Since Mahacto is law and upholds contracts and enforcement, the church of Hesneen is allied with him. Unless the law forces the unwilling participation of the community in acts against society they never have any problems with each other. Working together in upholding and enforcing law and even punishment Mahacto and Hesneen followers make up the larger part of most authorized policing agencies in Kyranath.
Thr ***- Thr and Hesneen work many times hand in hand to uphold and protect society. They have many ideals in common though Thr is more free to do what is best for the community, Hesneen in general obeys the laws that the community strive to maintain and so they work together to keep society continuing through peace and order. The Temples of Hesneen are open to the followers of Thr. Many of the wandering clergy of Thr stay at a temple of Hesneen for a season and offer aid to the worshippers of both gods that come there.
Foes
Ajoetis ***- Beyond simple deceit is betrayal. As much as Hesneen fights against the ploys of Maldread, the liar's consort Ajoetis is even more his enemy. Betrayal and breaking of vows is her handiwork. She comes between all that have oaths and contracts and manipulates their emotions in order to break them apart, destroy order and cause chaos. Ajoetis is almost the complete opposite in the divine spectrum form Hesneen.
Ballog - The utter contempt for integrity of word and deed that is Ballog is the reason for these two god's enmity. Ballog would tear down and lay low anything that contains order. Promises, oaths and the like are only to be broken and used to manipulate those that take them seriously. Hesneen will not enforce these as to allow them to be taken advantage of by those with no sense of honor or loyalty, but still the agents of Ballog use such things to belittle the integrity of Hesnians.
Elanar - Hesnians do not like to leave things to chance. The world needs to be properly ordered and people to keep to their promises without allowing for chance to give them a means of going back on them. If the world were left to randomness and each person just waited for things to happen then nothing much would get done. Hesnians would rather go out and do things themselves and see to their completion. Elanar allows for too many to relegate success to chance instead or dutiful service.
Maldread - Keeping one's word and trust are so implicit in the teachings of Hesneen that deceit and lying are almost foreign to him. Maldread the lord of lies uses the trust and hardworking ways of Hesneen to deceive and manipulate his followers. though they are not stupid and so not gullible or easily fooled any more than the next person, if they give their word the Hesnian will come through. This cannot be said of the followers of Maldread. Hesneen is at a never ending battle against the fraud of the Deceiver.
Syth ***- The god of Tyranny and Hesneen do have some things in common, each enforces obedience of their followers and complete loyalty, but the main difference is that Syth would compel and force it through fear and punishment while Hesneen only asks for it willingly through respect and a sense of duty and integrity. The enforcement of others to do that which they are not willingly choosing to do causes Hesneen to fight Syth in almost every way.
*** denotes
a major factor
Appendix 1: Classes of Hesneen
The clergy of Hesneen gain 'Thardferrian Religion" as a bonus non weapon proficiency.
Clerics of Hesneen
| Requirement: | Constitution 9, Wisdom 9 |
| Prime Requisites: | Wisdom |
| Major Spheres: | All, Combat, Divination, Guardian, Healing, Protection and Sun. |
| Minor Spheres: | Charm, Creation, Elemental and Necromantic. |
| Spell notes: | None. |
Special Abilities:
| Races Allowed: | Dwarf and Human. |
| Requirements: | Con 12, Wis 14, and Cha 11 |
| Prime Requisites: | Constitution and Wisdom |
| Alignment: | LG, LN |
| Weapons: | Type B weapons, short bow, dagger, broad sword, long sword, bastard sword, all lances and spear. |
| Armor: | Any |
| Magic Items: | As for clerics. |
| Required Proficiencies: | One of the following: Armorer*, Blind-fighting*, Endurance*, Running* or Survival* |
| Bonus Proficiencies: | Religion, plus Heraldry and Etiquette. |
The Armiger falls into a special class
of nobility. They may not own land or have any wealth above that which
they can carry upon their person, their mount and one pack animal, but
they are considered socially to be part of nobility and may have their
own Achievement, Coat of Arms and Family Crest as well as become knighted.
Each serves a patron, either an order within the Dutiful
Servants or some other noble and titled individual of the realm
in which they first found their calling to Hesneen. For as long as they
serve this personage, they can have no title greater than their patron
or hold any titles to land. Many Armiger may have been a squire to their
patron lord before having been called to the service of Hesneen and once
a vow of loyalty has been made, an Armiger will never willingly relinquish
it. They serve first their god, then their patron lord, folowed by any
charges they have taken and lastly themselves.
Upon reaching 7th level the Armiger
may be freed of their vow to their patron by their patrons largess and
then allowed to hold their own title and lands if these are granted, purchase
or earned. If they choose to build a fortified stronghold as the seat of
their own family achievement, others will be attracted to the Armiger and
swear loyalty to them. These followers are normal warriors, 0-level soldiers,
ready to fight for the Armiger's cause. The Armiger attracts 20 to 200
of these followers; they arrive over a period of several weeks. After the
initial followers assemble, no new followers will trickle in to fill the
ranks of those who have fallen in service. The DM decides the exact number
and types of followers attracted by the Armiger, though it is almost always
worshippers of Hesneen. The Armiger can hire others as needed, but these
are not as loyal as his followers.
At 9th level, the Armiger free of
the vow to their patron lord may receive official approval to establish
a religious stronghold, be it a fortified abbey or a secluded convent.
Obviously, the stronghold must contain all the trappings of a place of
worship to Hesneen and must be dedicated to the service of the Armiger's
cause. However, the construction cost of the stronghold is half the normal
price, since the work has official sanction and much of the labor and resources
needed are donated.
Special Granted Powers:
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Increase |
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Appendix 2: Specialty Priest
Spell List
| 1st level | 2nd level | 3rd level | 4th level |
| Bless | Aid | Create Food & Water | Cloak of Bravery* |
| Combine | Augury | Cure Disease* | Cure Serious Wounds* |
| Command | Chant | Dispel Magic | Divination |
| Create Water | Detect Charm* | Hold Animal | Imbue with Spell Ability |
| Cure Light Wounds* | Hold Person | Magical Vestment | Protection from Evil, 10' r. |
| Detect Evil | Slow Poison | Prayer | Spell Immunity |
| Detect Magic | Speak With Animals | Remove Curse* | |
| Endure Heat/Endure Cold | Spiritual Hammer | Remove Paralysis | |
| Protection from Evil | |||
| Remove Fear* | |||
| Sanctuary | |||
| 5th level | 6th level | 7th level | |
| Atonement | Aerial Servant | Holy Word* | |
| Dispel Evil | Heal | Regenerate* | |
| Quest | Heroes' Feast | Restoration* | |
| True Seeing* | Word of Recall | Symbol | |
Appendix 3: Outer Realm of Hesneen
Vendrigalis
The feeling
one gets on arrival in Vendrigalis is one of returning home. The realm
is a community built around extended families. Each family may or may not
be those known in life but the feeling and emotion is the same. Each person
that finds their way into Vendrigalis is met by those that on some level
shared the same style of living and society that the soul did in life.
Everyone is accepted and trusted, the traditions and customs are known
and comfortable. Only those who have shown their undying duty to another
and given complete loyalty to a person or cause will find such peace and
so their way to Vendrigalis by their Road to Justification.
Vendrigalis
is a wide hilly realm with villages to be found just over each ridge. Well
kept and easily traveled roads connect these villages though most
people travel very little within the realm once they find their place here.
Every person is accepted into one of the families and is loved and trusted
as one of them. The rest of eternity is spent living in complete trust
of those around you, providing for each other, no one lording over the
other and each as important to the overall community as the next.
Those that find
their way to Vendrigalis do not end their service to Hesneen or others
even here. They now have a completely peaceful, loving and secure home
with no wants, but others do not. The souls that make their way to the
realm of Hesneen are those used to providing service and dedication and
have learned how to persist and finish a task. This allows them to make
their way along the Road to Justification rather easily but there are many
others that are totally lost and cannot find their way. Hesneen asks of
her followers to leave Vendrigalis and wander the Abyss looking for these
lost souls, those that were simple but loyal in life, and bring them home
with them. Hesneen is not trying to capture souls and so if a lost souls
is found by one of his followers that is better suited to another godly
realm, as long as it is not one that would be worse than wandering the
Abyss, then they will take them there.