“The world is a dangerous place, where those who fight for justice and protect the innocent, face a never-ending crusade.” - Uth-Gart, priest of the Host
Heironeous, the Invincible, the Archpaladin, epitomizes the virtues of rightful combat and chivalrous deeds. As the patron of honor, justice, and the establishment of fair order, his presence resonates among those who seek to uphold righteousness in the world. Once revered solely by officers, leaders, and paladins, Heironeous has extended his benevolent embrace to encompass all who take up arms in the name of goodness and justice. From the common soldier to the seasoned warrior, he stands as their guiding light, a beacon of courage and virtue in the face of darkness.
The Origin
Far beyond the imperium empire, in the western end of the continent of Oerik, lay the ancient birth lands of the Oeridian people. In those lands once existed a large kingdom, with a king whose sons had not survived adulthood. He had married a succession of the daughters of his chiefs, hoping each might be fertile enough to bear him a son strong enough to pass his crown to, but alas, none did. Finally, in the winter of his years he took his last wife, the young daughter of a minor chief. She bore him only one child, a daughter who they named 'Alia'. She was special and was known as the 'Shield Maiden' and due to being dour and serious, earned the nickname of 'Stern'. Unbeknownst to Stern Alia, she was actually born from a Union between her mother the queen and the Sky god Velnius. Stern Alia, so the legends tell us was a demi goddess who used to be worshipped by the Old Oerdians but is currently no longer worshipped in the Flanaess.
Although most stories agree on the origin of the shield maiden and that she birthed Heironeous, there are many versions on him having Hextor and Stratis as either brothers or half-brothers. However, just as Stern Alia was a complex woman, so was her son, especially because he did not have a mortal father. A myth floats in a few ancient books, hidden in personal libraries of theologist, kept safe from mortal eyes and ears. This myth talks about the hardship of Heironeous's personal life and emotional state. That Hextor, Heironeous, and Stratis were not rival brothers at all but are the different personalities he shifted through. Throughout the centuries his followers became divided and, in the end, only the Hextorian faith and the Heironian Faith existed, polar opposites of each other but in fact one faith that had a schism.
Appearance
In his most common portrayal, Heironeous appears as a tall and muscular man, radiating strength and confidence with metallic coppery skin, auburn hair, and amber eyes. He is dressed in fine chainmail, forged of unknown material from the Seven Heavens which gives it a shine. His face bears the noble visage of one born out of divinity, with piercing eyes that burn with righteous fury, ablaze with the fervor of unwavering resolve.
At birth, his skin was imbued with a magical substance called Meersalm, making him invulnerable to all but the most powerful weapons and giving his skin an unusual coloration. In his hand, Heironeous bears a mighty battle axe of ethereal craftsmanship that strikes fear into the hearts of darkness, cleaving through the shadows that seek to engulf the world in despair.
Surrounding the war god is an aura of crackling energy, reminiscent of lightning and thunder.
His voice echoes across the heavens like the peal of a silver trumpet, calling upon the hearts of mortals to rise up against the forces of darkness and tyranny.
Relations with other core religions
Heironeous’s attitude toward other faiths is simple: those that fight for the side of good are his allies, while those who promote evil, or suffering are his enemies. However, the following deities need highlighting:
Pelor, the god of the sun and healing, is a deity with whom Heironeous maintains a harmonious relationship. Pelor's benevolent nature and emphasis on compassion align well with Heironeous's ideals of protection and guardianship. The two deities often work together to bring hope and healing to the world, particularly in times of strife and darkness.
Heironeous shares a close relationship with Cuthbert, the god of wisdom and common sense. Both deities uphold principles of law and order, although their approaches may differ. Cuthbert's emphasis on discipline and pragmatism complements Heironeous's focus on valour and righteousness. Together, they often collaborate to combat evil and uphold justice in the world.
Perhaps the most significant rival to Heironeous is Hextor, the god of tyranny and discord and his half-brother. Hextor embodies the antithesis of Heironeous's ideals, promoting oppression and cruelty instead of justice and valor. The conflict is longstanding, starting when Hextor betrayed their brotherly bond, and their followers are engaged in perpetual struggle against each other that often escalates tearing down kingdoms.
Teachings
Heironeous exemplifies all the best knightly qualities - chivalry, justice, honour, daring, and valour. Although originally an Oeridian god, his worship has spread beyond those people to all who believe in bravery, 0rder, and the right to act against evil.
Justice and Chivalry
He teaches that the faithful must uphold the virtues of justice and chivalry and strike down those who pervert and destroy these ideals. They face danger with certainty and calm so as to set an example for others. For the Archpaladin's chosen, glory is the reward for defeating evil and virtue comes from upholding the tenets of the faith. He prefers daring and aggressive tactics but understands the need for conservative strategies, especially when greatly outnumbered or limited in resources. His chivalrous code requires a soldier to accept an enemy’s surrender, although any treachery on the part of prisoners is justification for a swift execution. Likewise, he teaches that harming civilians, is always evil and unjust.
Protection
The world is a dangerous place, full of evil things waiting for the opportunity to strike. Those with the strength to stand up to evil are honour-bound to do so. Although primarily a god of aggressive action, he teaches virtues of vigilance, protection, loyalty, kindness and sacrifice to ensure the safety and health of the weak and helpless. Heironeous teaches that those in power have a duty to protect those weaker and less able than they. These people, in turn, are to obey their social betters and conform to whatever societal norms are in place.
Heironeous frowns on those who put glory in battle before the protection of the weak and innocent, or who refuse to exploit tactical advantages for the sake of abstract “honour” or chivalry when dealing with evil creatures. For example, having the cleverness and wisdom to ambush the orcish horde during the day, allowing the enemy to retreat to save the life of an innocent, and using clever deceptive tactics to play on an enemy’s fears in a time of war are all great deeds, or so say many branches of the Hieronean faith.
Vigilance
Vigilance is important, but not to the extent that it causes good to mistakenly turn on its own in suspicion. One must act honourably at all times, as the ends do not justify the means, but honour does not dictate foolishness - a lone knight against a powerful demon is not barred from using stealth to find the best position from which to attack. Trickery and outright deception, though, is always unacceptable.
Symbol
At its core, the symbol of Heironeous is simple yet striking: a clenched fist grasping a lightning bolt. This iconic image represents strength, determination, and the swift justice that Heironeous brings to those who champion righteousness.
The clenched fist symbolizes the unwavering resolve of Heironeous's followers in the face of adversity. It speaks of their commitment to uphold justice and defend the innocent, even in the darkest of times. The fist is a symbol of solidarity and unity, signifying the bond shared by all who align themselves with the ideals of Heironeous.
Entwined with the fist is a lightning bolt, a potent symbol of divine power and righteous wrath. It represents the swift and decisive action taken by Heironeous to smite evil and bring about justice. The lightning bolt serves as a reminder of Heironeous's role as a beacon of hope and a force for good in the world.
Places of worship
As you approach, the grandeur of the temple becomes apparent. Its architecture reflects the values and virtues associated with Heironeous, embodying strength, righteousness, and order. Temples stand tall and imposing, its walls constructed of sturdy stone, adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes of heroism and triumph. The entrance is often marked by a pair of massive bronze doors, each intricately decorated with symbols of Heironeous – a clenched fist holding a lightning bolt, a radiant sunburst, and a sword or axe raised high. They are fortresses disguised under beautiful architecture.
As you step inside, you're greeted by the sight of a vast interior, filled with light streaming in from high stained-glass windows. The colours of the windows depict scenes from the tales of Heironeous – battles against evil, acts of bravery, and moments of divine intervention. the colours of blue and silver are always prominent. At the far end of the temple stands an altar, and behind it stands a copper statue of the god in silver mail with seven silver bolts radiating from behind his head.
As you explore further, you discover chambers dedicated to training and meditation, where followers of Heironeous hone their physical skills and cultivate their inner strength. These chambers serve as a testament to the disciplined and rigorous path embraced by the faithful of Heironeous. Temples usually have a well-stocked armoury.
His church is the favoured state religion of Nyrond and the Shield Lands, and his faith is also strong in Bissel, the northern half of Furyondy, Gran March, the Free City of Irongate, Keoland, Sterich, and the County of Urnst.
Divine Intercession
Anathema
Abandon a companion in need
Dishonour yourself (Negligence, sloth and cowardice)
Refusing an order given by a superior
Refuse a challenge from an equal
Refuse to fight evil and oppression (pacifism is a luxury bought with the blood of the valorous)
Beliefs
As a god of chivalry and patron of paladins, Heironeous has a chivalric code, perhaps even the earliest example of its kind. The Heironean Code consists of three sets of duties.
Duty to the People
This pertains to mercy, courage, valour, justice, protection of the weak, and fidelity to church superiors and officers of just law. Included in this part of the code is the willingness to give your life to save another, whether for a poor peasant, a knight, or a king. This is the aspect of the code that most lay-folk and members of other faiths are familiar with, and many paladin orders exemplify the concepts of this duty quite literally.
Duty to the Host
This pertains to obedience to Heironeous, devotion to the church, championing good against evil, generosity, and obeying the needs of the faith and church above that of mortals. This part of the code allows a cleric to disobey an order (regardless of the source) if it conflicts with the teachings of his faith or the church. In particular, it means that direct missives from Heironeous or his agents supersede any church law, which prevents corruption in church officials.
Duty to a Lady
This pertains to courtly love, devotion to a particular lady and after her all other ladies, with a general respect toward all women. Officially the code retains this male-oriented language (from older times when the clergy was entirely male) and has no equivalent for female clerics to devote themselves to a particular lord, but in practice women in the church are held to the same standard as men in. There are many examples of chaste female clerics oath-binding themselves to just nobles.
Goals
Work as strategists, military instructors, or judges
Free the shield lands
Travel the world on church orders to seek out and destroy evil
Aphorisms
The everyday saying and adages of Heironeous’s faithful tell a great deal about their beliefs and morals. The samples here represent those aphorisms that are most commonly used by today’s clergy.
A used blade never dulls:
The phrase serves as a reminder to keep one’s body ready and one’s mind sharp, as challenges can rise at any moment.
By the Archpaladin’s Skin.
This oath refers to Heironeous’ magically-hardened copper skin, meaning the person swearing the oath considers his word unbreakable and everlasting.
For Honor and Valor!
This battle cry states two of the ideals of Heironeous, reaffirming their role in the mind of the faithful Because it is assumed that a follower of Heironeous is acting in the name of justice and chivalry, calling out those ideals is not necessary. In effect, it is a request or pledge that the followers’ actions earns him honour and demonstrates his valour. It is often used instead of the Invincible’s name or title when turning undead or as a closing in a letter.
May the Axe Grow Great.
Coined by the Knights of Holy Shielding, it refers to Heironeous’s size-changing axe and is used to express the hope that good thrives and grows, that the faithful reclaim the Shield Lands, and that better times will come. In recent months it has been used as a battle cry, implying that evil is on the loose and Heironeous is ready to smite it.
Right Makes Might.
This expression Is a counter to “might makes right”, an argument used by many tyrants through the ages, Heironeans believe that their dedication to the principles of chivalry, justice, and honour gives them the might to topple evil, right wrongs, and face incredible horrors without flinching. Their faith is the white lightning that keeps their spine stiff and breaks the backs of oppressors.
Divine relics
Not surprisingly, almost all of the relics cherished by Heironeous’s faithful are tools for battle.
The Invulnerable Coat of Arnd:
This fine chain shirt was either owned by or created by the legendary Oeridian hero Arnd of Tdon, who lived ages ago, before the Great Migrations. "A humble priest from the south," he is famed for establishing the first paladins of Heironeous among the Oeridian tribes. Legends talk about him wearing it while leading a rebellion against the wizard Virtos. It is said to provide greater protection to the wearer and resistance to the elements and most magic. Various legends equate other minor powers with it, although the sources conflict each other, and that Arnd's spirit still inhabits the armor that bears his name. The item is famous outside of the church and many do not know its associations with Heironeous, but his worshipers consider it a sacred artifact of the faith.
Meersalm:
This is a magical substance unique to the church of Heironeous—a portion of the same coppery liquid the Invincible’s mother, Stern Alia, embalmed him in to make him invulnerable to weapons. The creation of the church's version of Meersalm is a carefully protected secret of the church. A Higher placed member of the church who wishes to be embalmed with it must prove his worthiness and pay for it to be manufactured in sufficient quantity for the ritual. Meersalm gives the recipient damage reduction and if a weapons damage is completely absorbed the weapon might even break.
Red Thunderbolt:
This holy battle axe was forged and consequently wielded by the paladin Azkava Mor two centuries ago, she used it to battle mighty devil servants of Hextor. She even travelled into the Nine Hells to reclaim a magical coffer containing the souls of seven righteous priests. When she fell to a trio of pit fiends the axe vanished, she was spirited away by an angel of Heironeous. It is made of magically hardened copper and inscribed with Heironeous’ symbol. Unsurprisingly, this great relic is attributed with various powers and visions of the battle axe sometimes guide young paladins to a great destiny.
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