PPI: Law SPI: Discipline, Judgment, Swordplay Areas: Arbitration, Blademasters, Contracts, Dueling  Aliases: Lawmaker, Lord of the Blade, Pillar of Order Allies: Anthor, Hesneen, Kreaon, Telk Foes: Aerie, Ballog, Elanar, Maldread, Sembral Symbol: An upward pointing sword, set over three silver circles linked to form an upward pointing triangle or pointing upward crossing the Eye of the Creator (the sun). Holy Book: Libram Legalis (The Book of Law) Outer Realm: Talinnilat Wor Alignment: LG, NG, N, LN and LE

Mahacto is the god of law, discipline and the sword. Through law there is order, by discipline the order is practiced and if needed by the sword it is enforced. Mahacto is a strict god and rarely shows mercy without due punishment or reparation.  But punishment is never given without due process, all are treated as equals in his eyes. Personal discipline and excellence is something Mahacto favors and tries to instill in the world. Through self control order is maintained. As the judge and enforcer of the laws of order, Mahacto is sometimes thought of as unforgiving and harsh, but he is a fair god that only asks of others what he would see all persons have, a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction in doing what is proper and lawful.

The Path of Law, The Church of Mahacto

CLERGY:	Clerics, Specialty Priest (Arbitrator / Justicar) and Paladins.
CLERGY ALIGN:	LG, LN, LE

    The Church of Mahacto is made up of districts, serviced by the clergy of a centralized temple. The clergy act as judges, arbitrators, lawyers, law enforcers and if need be, executioners, though the later is generally left to others. Temples in many towns double as the court house and provide for the storage of legal records, contracts and deeds as well as a place for people to receive a trial.

Dogma and Beliefs:

    Mahacto honors adherence to law above all things. Law is what binds together society into a coherent, productive community. Without keeping to the law, there would be only the downward spiral into chaos. Law brings order and dispels chaos. A chaotic society knows no stability, no productivity, no efficiency. Chaos is the greatest sin. Even an evil society is condoned by the church of Mahacto so long as it keeps law and order.
    But the law cannot simply exist to forge order; it must be wielded, it must be spoken, it must be applied. Judgment and arbitration are the speaking of the law. They are the vehicles by which people can witness the power of law over chaos. Judgment passed outside the law is heresy. Settlements without consideration of the law are contemptible beyond measure in Mahacto's eyes. Where there is confusion and dispute, the law must prevail and be the ultimate arbiter of who is right and who is wrong. There is no room for favors, grace or mercy outside of the law. All are equal under the law, social status, title, wealth mean nothing when it is time for law to come to its rightfull judgement.. The law is absolute. And without absolute law, chaos will reign.
    All devices that bind another to the law are viewed with favor by Mahacto. As law is the binding of a person to his society, so a contract is the binding of a person to his promise. Mahacto smiles upon the fulfillment of a contract and frowns on the breaking of one. When law or contract is broken, the breaker has proven that he has no control, least of all over himself, or else he would either have fulfilled the contract or never made it. Such a breaker is like a leaf caught in the wind. Without salvation, he will drift ever deeper and faster into a swirl of  confusion and undisciplined existance that chaos will bring.
    Order is not only important in society, but in the self as well. For even if there are laws to keep order in the world, who can follow them when he has no discipline. Discipline is restraint; the containment of personal desire and the ability to perservere and do what is accepted by society and law. When rigid discipline is kept, order prevails over chaos. Before one can rule a nation, a province, a town or even a family, one must first rule oneself. Skills which provide for a person to learn and practice discipline, that help one to be able to achieve success are highly prized by Mahacto.
    Order is good, but cannot be maintained without law. Law is the weapon to defeat chaos... the best weapon. And Mahacto so embodies the fight against chaos that he has given physical form to law as a weapon... the sword. The sword is strong and hard and as unbending and yet just flexible enough to be resistant to pertrubations as the law. It cuts sharply and true as does law through the webs of chaos. But law like the sword is not a power unto itself. It is a tool that must be wielded with skill and prowess to fdefeat the foe, beat back the forces of disorder. Skill with the sword symbolizes the personal endeavor of the worshiper to embody the law.
    Although swordplay is an extension of the struggle against chaos, it is also a beautiful art. If ever there were a pleasure acceptable to the god of discipline, it lies in the dance of single combat, one on one, two skilled combatants trying to best eachother in a duel. The way of discipline that Mahacto walks allows few pleasures, but all things good may be found in two masters dueling. Rather than avoiding discipline and giving in to the gushing of desires, the art of the duel requires strict control of the self. Death found in a duel is a good death.

The Mahactan Code of Law

• Thou shall pray to Mahacto once each day after ye have eaten and before the sun sets.
• Thou shall pray over the body of those ye have slain.
• Thou shall wear a symbol of Mahacto on thy person at all times.
• Thou shall use and take great care of thine bladed weapon.
• Thou shall bring order to chaos.
• Thou shall show respect and obedience to thine leaders.
• Thou shalt not murder.
• Thou shalt not commit suicide.
• Thou shalt not eat the meat nor drink the blood of any sentient being.
• Thou shalt not steal.
• Thou shalt not commit carnal perversion.
• Thou shalt not bare false witness.
• Thou shalt not renege on a promise.
• Thou shalt hold no prejudiced towards another.

    Mahacto has always appeared as a strong but graceful swordsman, typically only wearing ornate leather armor and weilding a shining sword. He has been reported as being clean shaven and having long, light colored hair tied back into a tail and with blue or bluegreen eyes.

Alters and Idols:

    The alter of Mahacto is a dias with a carved, upright standing stone circle. The circle generally has a foot thick circumference and is four feet or more across. The center of the circle is open and within it is balanced a sword of great quality. Around the circle are engraved the Mahactan Code of Law.

Major Centers of Worship:

    Mahacto has temples in Riveringtown, Fairingtown Branch and Mountainsoniatown. His major temple is in Coopersville Forge.
    The Temples of Mahacto are usually orderly and simple structures. They are built for function over decoration. More than providing a place for worshippers to come and pray to their god, they also provide a place to seek out contracts, reparations, legal matters and a place to find arbitration over these things. Every temple will have a chamber to hold arguments and trials. In most cases this is a room for discussion and the presentation of evidence and the questioning of witnesses but also an area is provided to settle things in a more personal and intimate manner. Duels and contests of skill are given equal measure in many cases to decide the end of a legal matter when it is appropriate. For this reason either a large room or court yard is always included in the Temple design.
    Shrines are typically a court chamber including an alter with a few anterooms, one of which is large enough to allow for what is needed to decide any legal matters and a courtyard for dueling.

Worshipers:

    Mahacto is a god of many faces. Among warriors and soldiers, he is honored as the "Lord of the Blade". Men and women praise his name in the hopes of receiving his blessing of skill with the sword or luck in a duel. Among generals and lords, Mahacto is revered as the "Pillar of Order". Hierarchy is absolute and moving an inch outside of it is shameful treason. Leaders follow his ways by absolutely accepting the commands of their superiors and demanding the same of their lessers. Each keeps his place and in doing so, allows the greater body to function smoothly. Among governors of realms and temple Lawbinders, Mahacto is worshiped as the "Lawmaker". Magistrates keep strict adherence to the laws of the land and ensure that others do as well, through their judgements. These followers enjoy the order and stability that flow from strict adherence to the law.
    Every follower of Mahacto will wear his symbol on their person at all times. They will also carry or wear a bladed weapon. This weapon need not be more than a ceremonial knife but the better quality the blade the more respected the worshipper is thought of by others. In all cases the blade is well maintained, polished and cleaned after every use and is generally used as a focus in prayers. The most favored of blades are those made by the Bladeforgers in training, before their time is given only to forging the swords presented to blademasters.

The Clergy:

      There are two main branches of Mahacto's clergy; The Path of the Word and the Path of the Sword. Each will be described separately.

Path of the Word

    The followers of the Path of the Word emphasize each of Mahacto's concerns relatively equally, but connect them all in the importance of the law. They believe that theirs is the battle between order and chaos. Law is their greatest weapon. Judgment is the means of applying law. Discipline is needed to adhere to the law. Skill in swordplay is a showing of personal devotion to Mahacto's battle against chaos and disorder.
    The majority of Mahactans (80%-90%) follow this Path as it has always been considered the main concern of Mahacto. A great majority of nobles and well-to-do who follow Mahacto follow the Path of the Word. This Path is far more prestigious and widely accepted than the Path of the Sword though both have their place. In general, the day to day concerns of the Path of the Word make it more useful to society.
    Followers of this Path tend to look down on followers of the Path of the Sword. And while temples of this Path accept and welcome members of either Path, followers of the Path of the Word maintain that they are the true faith and their mission is of paramount importance. There is no animosity between the Paths, but there is some distance. Despite this, blademasters have been known to enter the service of temples following the Path of the Word as well as some Bladeforgers and the two Paths have worked together numerous times in the past.

Path of the Word Hierarchy:

      "There can be no judgment without law." – Crather Masting, Lawkeeper of the Temple at Fairingtown Branch (705 - 752)

     Hierarchy among the Path of the Word is fairly strict. Superiors are generally to be obeyed without question by those of lesser position. New positions and appointments to higher levels in the church are always decided by merit and not seniority.

Legates - These entry level clergy work as aids to the Litigators and Lawkeepers. Their duties are generally never seen or appreciated by any other than those they are specifically aiding, though a skillful legate may be well respected and aksed for by his superiors. Most are scribes, copyist, illuminators, record keepers, linguists and other usefully skilled persons that are needed for the keeping and recording of the law and case judgment. It is uncommon for them to be able to call on any divine favor greater than Mahacto's blessing (cast greater than 1st-level spells) if they can actually cast spells at all.

Litigators - These are the typical clergy of Mahacto. They act as lawyers, contractual managers, record keepers and do other mid managerial business within the church. Most can be found serving in small courts or shrines throughout Kyranath as lawyers and clerks. In some cases they may be sent out on criminal investigations or other missions to access reports of unlawfulness. The Litigator has found such divine favor of Mahacto that he may summon a divine blade of flame (cast 2nd-level spells) to use in metting out order.

Arbitrators- The specially blessed priests of Mahacto may be given any position in the church but even at their out start, when the divine energies are gained by them, they are awarded a station above the lower functionary positions in the church. Arbitrators are always given their say in court and their point of view respected if they speak based on the authority of evidence. Their word is never questioned. The Arbitrator is sought for the defense or prosecutor station in a trial because they are known to always be fair and unbiased and above reproach. They will not take a case and defend it where they know of the subject's guilt.

Lawkeepers - The Lawkeepers are able to divine the answers to the puzzling questions of the law and discern the truth of those they question (cast 4th-level spells). These clergy generally follow the Path of the Sword and travel the world providing legal help and to enforce the law but some are found in the Path of the Word serving the same function only relegated to a certain district or for a specific temple or shrine.

Lawbinder - The head of each temple is a Lawbinder but not all Lawbinders have a temple. Some serve by wandering the lands, converting those they can and acting as circuit judges for the masses. Others serve specific missions of a different nature. As such, the identity of all the Lawbinders is rarely known by more than a select few. The Lawbinders are able to seek atonement of those that have ran afoul of the law through Mahacto (cast 5th-level spells).

The Lawgiver- The Lawgiver directs and oversees the actions of all the clergy in a region. It is said that the Lawgiver hears Mahacto's voice at all times and can speak his words of law (cast 7th-level spells). He has the ultimate power of promoting, demoting and casting out any clergy member. The Lawgiver has the power of the purse as well, with great control over the central treasury of the Church of Mahacto. A Lawgiver controls various regions of Kyranath by use of Lawkeepers and those temples that follow the Path of the Word. A Lawgiver can appoint Lawkeepers to districts to act as circuit judges or send them on special missions.

Path of the Word Ceremonies and Holy Days:

Amnesty Day (The first day of each year.)
To celebrate the passing of a new year, the first day of each new year is a day of amnesty. Any person who has petitioned the church for mercy may be granted amnesty. The process is to present yourself to the church, confess your crime(s) and make your best attempt at redemption and reparation. If this is done and the church accepts your petition, your punishment is put aside for as little as one year but up to as many as seven years. If in the time assigned the person  remains within the law, then on the new years day after the assigned time has passed, they are forgiven their crimes and the punishment canceled. It has become a tradition to forgive any small debts or lesser crimes in Amnesty Day. At this time many jails or prisons are emptied of lesser offenders and debts are ignored. It is also on this day that a man or woman may annul their wedding if they have cause.

Path of the Word Priestly Vestments:

     All clergy must prominently wear medallions bearing Mahacto's symbol. In addition, clergy that follow the Path of the Word typically wear light blue robes. When traveling or wearing other garb, including armor, they wear a light blue cloak, cape or tabard. It is common for the clergy to carry a staff with the symbol of the church mounted on its end. Some of these symbols are very ornate, created in three dimensions so as to look the same from any vantage point. Lawkeepers will in almost all cases wear a bladed weapon even if it is only a ceremonial knife. Lawbinders wear a light blue, torso draping hood with a badge depicting Mahacto's symbol on each shoulder where it may be easily seen. None but a Lawkeeper may wear such a hood.

Affiliated Orders, Societies and Guilds to the Path of the Word:

Order of Lawsealers -  This group authenticates contracts marking them to insure their authenticity according to law. Both parties inthe agreement are bound to fulfill their end of the recordedand sealed bargain. The Order keeps a copy of every contract they authenticate. They keep track of the progress of the involved parties to ensure that the contract is being kept. When the contract is fulfilled, a 'donation' is then made to the Order. If a contract is broken by one party, the Order exacts compensation from them and awards it to the other party in the matter, taking only a small percentage for themselves. The Order always operates within the law. It is headed by a single Lawkeeper who, of course, reports to the Lawgiver.

The Order of the Sword - See the guild, The Order of the Sword.
 

    The main focuses of this Path are on discipline and swordplay as ends in themselves. Although followers recognize the greater battle against chaos, they are more concerned about mastering the virtues of discipline and the beauties of swordplay.
    Fewer Mahacto's follow this Path. It is not very popular because the demands of discipline so often deny the pleasures that most like to enjoy. Clergy are often required to undergo rituals of discipline such as fasting, going without sleep for days and engaging in strenuously physical activities at every waking hour. Followers also undergo such rituals, but to a lesser degree.
    This is the Path that includes the Blademaster; those who have trained themselves so singularly in the ways of swordplay and discipline that they are unable to channel the magic of Mahacto as other priests are able. Blademasters make up a small minority of this Path, but they are honored and revered by others of the Path for having taken the ideology to such an extreme... and survived.
    Swordplay is a highly respected pastime for members of  the Path of the Sword. Temples of the Path sponsor tournaments fairly often. Some believe that these tournaments must be fought to the death while others believe that the greatest skill belongs to those who can score a hit without killing. Actual rules concerning duels vary widely. Duels must be sponsored by a third party to ensure that the contest is free of foul play.

Path of the Sword Hierarchy:

 "The world is a place of Lawlessness. It is through the disciplines of Mahacto and our swords that we few will make it less so." – Dalinariau , Lawkeeper (757 - )

     The political hierarchy of this Path is virtually nonexistent. There are those who are given more respect than others, but this is usually handed out in accordance with one's skill with the sword as well as experience and wisdom. Honor and respect are also accorded to those who demonstrate a great degree of discipline. Instead of a coordinated effort to affect other political bodies, followers of this path tend towards individual pursuits. Still there is many monastaries that train and house the devout of this Path.
    Despite the smaller number of followers and virtually nonexistent political structure, there are a few temples devoted to this Path. Each is run free from the general church's central structure and keeps it's own treasury. It is at these temples that special ceremonies, including the raising of a blademaster and the making of his sword, usually take place.

Langraleers- Setting out on the Path of the Sword is not easy. Many travel with another that is of greater stature and skill in order to learn from them. These are known as Langraleers. It does not have to be another of the Mahacto clergy, many travel with Blademasters or other lawful warriors or even paladins. As long as they serve the law, the Langraleer will travel with them and hone his skill with the blade as well as gain wisdom from his experiences to make him a better servant of Mahacto.

Bladesmith - Those specially gifted priests of Mahacto that have chosen to learn the discipline that teaches them to make the special swords used by the blademaster are given this title. While on this path they must learn to use the weapon and at times seek out certain materials for the forging of their weapons. With the ability to forge blades, but just not the special blademaster swords as of yet, they are given a great deal of respect by blademasters and clergy of Mahacto. Though they are almost completely exclusive to the Path of the Sword there are a few that will work within the greater authority of the church and follow the Path of the Word. The blades they create while training to be a Bladeforger are highly prized by the worshippers of Mahacto.

Justicars - The Justicar is a divinely blessed priests of Mahacto that has chosen the Path of the Sword. They act as divine arbiters of judgement, traveling the world dispensing it at need. They trust in their faith and wisdom to serve the law and make the correct decisions. Their word is never questioned though the larger church authority sometimes  looks down on the quick resolution to unlawfulness that they find. It is rare for a Justicar to ever take any permanent position in any temple or other place dedicated to worship. They are on a never ending mission to judge chaos in the world and by the sword execute the sentence agasint it that they pass. But they do not seek out petty criminality and those that break minor contracts in order to met out judgement, though they will not ignore it if it occurrs right in front of their face. But their mission is greater than this and their purpose and divinely granted gifts given them for greater things..

Lawkeepers - The Lawkeepers are able to divine the answers to the puzzling questions of the law and discern the truth of those they question (cast 4th-level spells) These clergy who follow the Path of the Sword travel the world to enforce the law and provide justice but many are found in the Path of the Word serving the same function only in a certain district or for a temple or shrine. Those that follow the Path of the Sword do not tie themselves to one place but seek out the chaotic impurities in creation and destor them.

Justice of the Law - The head of each temple that follows the Path of the Sword is a Justice of the Law but not all Justices have a temple. Many serve by wandering the lands, teaching the law and acting as circuit judges for the masses. Others serve specific missions investigating lawlessness and seeking an end to it. As such, the identity of all the Justices may not be known by more than a select few. The Justices are able to seek atonement of those that have ran afoul of the law through Mahacto (cast 5th-level spells). To be made a Justice of the Church of Mahacto, the priest must be appointed by the Lawgiver of the region in which they serve.

Bladeforgers - These are the makers of the special swords given to blademasters. Almost every Bladeforger follows the Path of the Sword, but there are a few that are part of the more organized church and provide for the needs of those blademasters that may follow the Path of the Word, as rare as those may be. The Bladeforger is recognized and respected throughout any temple they do their work. Through the long discipline and experience they must achieve to be able to learn the process of forging a blademaster's weapon they are always able to plead to Mahacto for the atonement of a wayward blademaster if needed (can cast 5th-level spells). The Master Bladeforger, those that can  forge the great swords able to be used by a blademaster, are said to be able to call forth a great wall of blades to protect and attack others (can cast 6th-level spells.)

Path of the Sword Ceremonies and Holy Days:

The Naming of the Blade (At the presentation of a sword to its first owner.)
A special ceremony is performed anytime a newly constructed sword is presented to a blademaster. The ceremony entails wetting the blade with the blademaster's blood followed by oaths made to Mahacto and the care of the blade. After this is done the presenter of the blade gives the sword a name. The blood will at this time etch into the blade the given name and that of the blademaster forever bonding them to each other.
    This ceremony is used for others though the blood will not etch the names into the blade. The engraving is done by the craftsman after the ceremony instead.

Path of the Sword Priestly Vestments:

     All clergy must prominently wear medallions bearing Mahacto's symbol at all times. They also must each own, carry and devoutly care for a bladed weapon. This need not be a sword (a ceremonial knife or dagger would do) but in almost every case is.  Aside from that, the clergy following the Path of the Sword have no formal uniforms or garb.

Affiliated Orders, Societies and Guilds to the Path of the Sword:

None - Outside of the few temples that follow this Path, there is no other organized groups that do.

Church Errata:

Allies

Anthor - With chaos there is a lack of honor since there is nothing to measure yourself against. Considered brothers by many Anthor provides honor necessary to live by them and Mahacto provides the laws. The law is a measure that the god Anthor can use to provide his worshippers a meanes to judge themselves and give them a goal to achieve. Honor and order go hand in hand and so Anthor is a good ally of Mahacto.

Hesneen - Hesneen is the servant of society and some think the nephew of Mahacto. Society is defined by its laws and Hesneen tiaches all to follow the law of society. So Mahacto sees Hesneen as the servant of his law. Though not his superior, Mahacto has a great appreciation of what Hesneen provides in creation and Hesneen uses the accepted law to bring peace to his follwers through their obeyance. Through his worshippers society is made stronger and order better provided and so Hesneen and Mahacto are good allies.

Kreaon ***- As the god of natural law and truth, Mahacto and the Creator have a good working alliance. Though the Creator has little care for the laws of society, the discipline Mahacto teaches leads to better care for the world. Mahacto greatly respects the Creator and the creation and its natural an immutable order.

Telk - Only in the discipline needed to create and construct something does Telk and Mahacto find allegiance. They share a love of fine craftsmanship, even though Mahacto's love is in the well crafted blade or the personal crafting of self awareness and discipline. But still these two find enough in common to become allies and share a bond.

Foes

Aerie - Freedom can be a good thing as long as people choose to live with the rules of a lawful society. But Aerie preaches freedom in any state, selfish abandon with care only for yourself. This lack of cohesion of thought causes strife between these two gods. Even though they are about as opposite as is possible in the gods of Kyranath, still Aerie does not mean harm and so they are only foes in a more idealistic way rather than a combative or hostile one.

Ballog ***- Chaos, the bane and opposition to order, this is what Ballog represents. The God of law fights a never ending battle with Ballog. These two are the perfect opposites in the cosmos, that which collides in every living thing forcing it to take sides. Mahacto tries to bring as many as possible to his side, providing structure, discipline and a grasp of the real and will fight rather than lose any to the grip of madness.

Elanar - Tricks and randmo thought and caring leads to stealing, perversion and the depriving of others their rights given under the law and promised in an orderly society. Elanar is the inspiration for many a criminal that threatens Mahacto's lawful world. Though Elanar is not an enemy of law, the random nature of all the god inspires leads her worshippers to unlawfulness. This is not abided by Mahacto.

Maldread***- As the deceiver and god of most criminality Maldread is the cause of most lawbreaking. Mahacto would like nothing better than to wipe the followers of Maldread form the face of creation and see the god destroyed.

Sembral - The god of conflict and war shares a love of martial skill with Mahacto and some tendencies to provide for order in the use of armies, but that is where the similarities end. The armies of Sembral, the fighters and even simple conflicts he inspires cause a great deal of chaos and lawlessness. Mahacto abhors the massive loss of order that is a byproduct of war and so finds a foe in Sembral.

*** denotes a major factor
 

Appendix 1: Classes of Mahacto

    Clergy of Mahacto tend to stay clear of undead when there is a choice. Mahactans aren't concerned greatly with the natural/unnatural or good/evil conflicts. The order/chaos conflict is most important to them and whether undead exist or not is not relevant to this battle. Thus, the  clerics of Mahacto may not Turn or Control Undead.
    All clergy of Mahacto receive Thardferrian Religion and Reading/Writing their home language as  free proficiencies.

Clerics of Mahacto
 

Requirement:	Strength 9, Desterity 9, Wisdom 9
Prime Requisites:	Wisdom
Major Spheres:	All, Charm, Combat, Divination, Guardian, Healing, Protection, Summoning and Sun
Minor Spheres:	Creation and Elemental
Spell notes:	None

Special Abilities:

• Clerics of Mahacto may use a knife, dagger or sword of medium size and smaller (excluding bastard sword).

Specialty priests (Arbitrator / Justicar)
 

Races Allowed:	Dwarf, Gnome, Goblin and Human.
Requirements:	Str 9, Int 11, Wis 13 and Char 11.
Prime Requisites:	Intelligence and Wisdom.
Alignment:	LN
Weapons:	All swords, knife, dagger and quarterstaff.
Armor:	Any / No shield.
Magic Items:	As for cleric and swords.
Required proficiencies:	Etiquette and one of the following: Artistic Ability- Scribing or Illumination, Dancing, Endurance*, Jumping*, Local History-Laws, Running*, Riding-any, Survival*, Swimming, Tumbling*, Weaving.
Bonus Proficiencies:	Religion, Reading/Writing plus one of the following: Ancient Histroy-Law, Artistic Ability- Scribing or Illumination, Dancing, Heraldry, Riding - any, Swimming, Weaving.

* These proficiencies may be gained without any crossover penalty.

    The difference in title between the Arbitrator and the Justicar is the personal path in which they serve Mahacto. The Arbitrator does so by the Path of the Word while the Justicar follows the Path of the Sword. Other then their personal choice of how to look upon the teachings or Mahacto, they are identical.

Special Abilities:

• Bladesmith - One responsability chosen by some of the specialty priests of Mahacto is the construction of the special blades presented to Blademasters. The Blademaster's sword has some magical properties tied to their experience and training, it is not magical in the normal sense but more divinely tuned and serve as conduits to help the blademaster channel his god's energy. It does not radiate magic and its special abilities will not function in the hands of anyone but the owner. As the blademaster increases in level, so too do the abilities of his sword. These swords can only be created by those that pursue this discipline through rigorous training and with a greater understanding of Mahacto. They can only be constructed under special circumstances through rituals and prayer as well as special forging processes known and only available in greater temples of Mahacto. (This ability cannot be learned during character creation but only by using NWP slots received through gaining levels.)
• At 3rd level, the SP can spend his NWP slot to begin learning the special process of creating the swords used by a blademaster. They treat this like the normal non weapon proficiency of weaponsmithing but can only make bladed weapons and thus become a bladesmith. At the first NWP slot, the SP can only help in the process of making the Blademaster's sword but has learned enough to make normal small size bladed weapons (knives, daggers, short swords...) and repair any other non magical bladed weapons. He also gains the skill to discern the quality of a blade. This gives him an Int -6 check to be able to discern the bonuses and any innate abilities of a blade that are based on its construction, forging or metallurgic properties but not magical abilities. They can also automatically discern that a weapon is a blademaster's blade.
• At 6th level if the SP continues to develop his bladesmithing skill, he then learns how to make medium size swords and can repair any non magical or blademaster swords. He may also be able to make quality small sized bladed weapons. He also gains a +2 to his discern blades skill.
• Bladeforger - At 9th level if the the SP uses his NWP slot to increase his bladesmithing skill, he can finally make any type of sword and also knows the special prayers and enchantments needed to prepare a blademaster's sword. This makes him a Bladeforger of the Church of Mahacto. The knowledge is not yet complete and so only small and medium sized special blademaster swords can be made. He may also be able to make quality medium bladed weapons and can always make a quality small sized bladed weapon with a successful skill check. He also gains a +4 to his discern blades skill and can automatically know any normal quality level bonuses of a blade.
• Master Bladeforger - At 12th level, the SP can reach the highest level of the Bladesmithing skill if he uses his NWP slot. At this level any size blademaster sword can be made. He may also be able to make quality large bladed weapons and can always make a quality small or medium sized bladed weapon with a successful skill check. He also gains +6 to his discern blades skill and automatic knowledge of any special properties based on the construction of any blades.

• Blade Mastery - At 4th level, the SP can spend his WP slot to gain added combat bonuses in a single sword of his choice. Each slot spent gains the SP a +1 either to hit, to initiative with that weapon or on damage dealt, but no bonus can be raised above +1. So effectively, only three WP slots can be spent in this manner. (Note that WP slots may not be held over from character creation, meaning that at best the SP spends a WP slot for his first bonus at 4th level and a WP slot at 8th level for the second bonus and the final bonus gained with the WP slot at 12th level.)
• Discern Truth - As arbiters of disputes, Arbitrators will often find themselves in need of the truth. To aid them in upholding the law, Mahacto grants his Arbitrators early access to the spell detect lie. For the purposes of access and memorization, Detect Lie is a 2nd level spell for an Arbitrator. However, use of the high-level spell is not perfect at lower levels and actually more potent at higher levels, granting targets the following bonuses to save vs the spell:
 

Level	Save Mod.
3rd - 4th	+3
5th - 6th	+1
7th - 9th	none
10th - 11th	-1
12th - 13th	-2
14th - 15th	-3
16th - 17th	-4
18th - 19th	-5
20th	-6

• Weighing of Evidence - In addition to the normal information gained through the use of the Detect Lie spell, the Arbitrator gains the ability to detect the absence of completeness to any case brought before him. This allows him to know if there is outstanding information or if evidence has been fabricated or is only circumstantial and so further investigation is needed before any proper judgment can be rendered. This ability only tells the Arbitrator that not enough evidence has yet been presented to bring about a fair judgment and thus allow punishment to be pronounced. The roll is based on a wisdom check rolled by the DM. A fumble will give a false impression making the Arbitrator believe the evidence is final and unquestionable and so the case closed.
• Edge of Law- Once a day, the SP can meditate/pray for a full round, after which his weapon will be imbued with Lawful magic. This magic resides for 1 round per level or until a Chaotic opponent is struck, whichever happens first. If a successful hit is scored against a Chaotic opponent within the duration of the power, the weapon inflicts normal damage and has the chance to hold the victim as per the "Hold Monster" spell, except with the following save bonuses for the opponent:
  1st -  2nd level: +4 to save.
  3rd -  5th level:  +2 to save.
  6th -  8th level:   no bonus.
  9th - 11th level:  -3 to save.
12th - 14th level:  -4 to save.
15th - 17th level:  -5 to save.
18th - 20th level:  -6 to save.

Appendix 2: Specialty Priest Spell List

1st level	2nd level	3rd level	4th level
Bless	Augury	Dispel Magic	Abjure
Command	Detect Charm*	Flame Walk	Cloak of Bravery
Cure Light Wounds	Detect Lie* 1.	Glyph of Warding	Divination
Detect Magic	Enthrall	Hold Animal	Hold Plant
Detect Poison	Flame Blade	Locate Object*	Imbue with Spell Ability
Endure Heat/Endure Cold	Hold Person	Prayer	Reflecting Pool
Light	Know Alignment*	Water Walk	Spell Immunity
Pass Without Trace	Slow Poison		Tongues*
Remove Fear	Withdraw
Sanctuary
5th level	6th level	7th level
Air Walk	Blade Barrier	Holy Word
Atonement	Find the Path*	Regenerate*
Commune	Forbiddance	Succor
Quest	Word of Recall

    Italicized spells are reversible.
    * denotes a spell that is normally reversible but is not reversible by the SP.
    1. This spell is normally a 4th level spell. See the Special powers above

Appendix 3: Outer Realm of Mahacto

Talinnilat

     The outer realm of Mahacto is a perfectly ordered city, protected by thick, high walls and well guarded gates. The streets are kept clean and the buildings maintained, each equally providing for each of Mahacto's worshipers based on their level of compliance to the law. THe city sits within a great plain that is the place of continual battle and warfare. Here all who are worthy of being saved by Mahacto but were not successful in living a lawful life are taken to battle eternally for a place inside the city. Mahacto gives these a chance to fight their way into the city by defeating the enemies of law that are sent to attack Talinnilat.
    The city is in the form of seven great circles one inside the other with each successive circle being wider than the one inside and protected by walls and gates.  Six large thoroughfares lead through each circle, equal distant from each other to the most inner circle. The outermost circle is for all worshipers that Mahacto is able to bring to his realm. Here all the needs of the worshippers can be found and each person has a duty to the city to help provide for each other's needs and the cities defense. Each inward circle is a bit more splendid and reserved for those that lived a more lawful life. The inner most circle is that of the palace of Mahacto himself. It is surrounded by fields and tournament grounds where any in the city are free to come and practice their disciplines of the body in the view of Mahacto.
 

Appendix 4: Book of Mahacto

Libram Legalis (The Book of Law)

     Within this book can be found the words of law. This is a codex of all the laws spoken by Mahacto through his Lawgivers. It is filled with many all encompassing laws, such as those used to make up the Code of Law, but it also has many small clarifications, lists of appropriate punishments, sentences, parole times and other rules for living an orderly life. It is rare for anyone to know let alone keep all of these laws. Luckily Mahacto does not damn you for not knowing them nor for breaking them as long as you make reparations and attempt to redeem yourself. Legates of the church generally know more of the book than anyone else as it is they that copy them and seek passages that may apply to a case for the judges at need.