The Holy Order of Purifiers

[Ajax 335]

 

 

 

 

THE HOLY ORDER OF PURIFIERS

Wrath of the Father   

A painting depicting The Purifiers raid on a tainted coastal settlement. Circa; 1625.

                                                                                                                                                                                           

“I speak as Thoromir, no doubt a name unknown to many if not all. But through me, I spread the word of the Lord.”

~Book of Ramblings : Thoromir : 15 - 16

The Duties of the Order

          The Purifiers serve as the militant branch of the Red Faith. Hunting down apostates and heretics on behalf of the All Father and his Prelates. The Purifiers serve as the fist of the Faith, with the Lord Purifier at the helm. As the fist, the Order is charged with organizing and leading the various martial missions of the faith. Be it a holy crusade, the tracking of a tainted soul or the giving the Father’s Mercy. The Brothers of the Purifying Order devote their lives to pursuing the Unworthy, those with tainted souls who have turned their eyes away from the light. They are sent forth as hounds of war, doggedly pursuing the enemies of the Hearth and the Father.

 

          They interpret the Red Scrolls literally and serve the martial interests of the Red Faith. The duties of the Purifiers are primarily concerned with hunting down and purifying various unworthy creatures. Be it those unworthy of body, mind or soul. In addition to this the Purifiers serve as the primary defenders of the faith. In fulfillment of this duty the Purifiers serve as the garrisons of the various Temples of the All Father while also escorting Pilgrims and Heralds about their tasks. Though a very rare aspect of their order the Lord Purifier and his warriors are expected to organize and lead conquests of the faith. During the rare event of a crusade Purifiers are expected to serve as virtuous examples to the rest of the faithful both in their martial skill and vigor on the field of battle.

                                                                                                                                                                                           

“Tolerance is Cowardice. Suffer no Evil.”

~Book of Mission : The Code : 1

                                                                                                                                                                                           

RANKING

The hierarchy that binds all, and brings together order throughout the Purifiers.

 

Ranks of Ordermen

Lord Purifier

The Lord Purifier is one of the penultimate servants of the All Father. An ancient veteran, having spent a lifetime leading the battle against heresy, apostasy, daemons and the tainted. The martial burdens of the High Hearth rest entirely upon their broad shoulders. The Lord Purifier is answerable only to the High Chieftain of The Herald’s Blood and the Patriarch Himself. Executing the day to day administrations of the Faith Militant and ensuring any hints of rot, heresy or wytchcraft are stamped out immediately and without mercy.

 

Zealot

The Zealots of the Order are the revered band of Veterans. Grizzled and experienced warriors to a man who have survived the rigours of serving the  All Father. Their entirely lives consumed with a religious ecstasy and fervor, the veteran Zealots of the Order serve to lead their greener brothers in their daily affairs and into battle. It is also from the ranks of the Zealots that the specialists of the order are drawn. With the inquisitors, armorers, chroniclers, Chaplains and Torch Bearers being drawn from their venerable ranks.

 

Hearth-Brother / Sister

The Brothers and Sisters are those who have taken the leap of Faith and dedicated their entire lives to the service of the All Father’s Grand Purpose. Having engaged in endless hours of drilling, study and service as Neophytes the Brother is inducted into the Order proper. They shall take a holy oath permanently dedicating themselves to the All Father. Once they have done so they will be reappointed into the faith, born anew in the service of the All Father. One cannot take the holy oath until they have been released from all other Oaths with the exclusion of their marriage oath.

 

Neophyte

The Neophytes occupy the lowest rank in the Purifiers. They consist of the various assortments of Freemen, Oathed men and low Gentry seeking to join the Order. To be inducted into the Order as a Neophyte one must display a knowledge of the faith by publishing a series of written works about the Hearth and the Scriptures. Ones they have done so to a degree that Satisfies the Lord Purifier or the Keepers then an aspiring Purifier will be inducted as a Neophyte.

 

Ranks of Specialty

Zealot Inquisitor

To serve as an Inquisitor one must satisfy two criteria. Firstly, one must have no regard for their own lives, for they will almost certainly fall pursuing their duty. Secondly the Inquisitor must be well learned in matters of witchery and beastcraft. Only they are granted access to the most forbidden depths of the Order chronicles that they may learn how to go forth and cut out the rot of the mortal plane. Inquisitors thus pursue their special charge, hunting down apostates, heretics and rooting out any inklings of Demonry or Wytchcraft. Upon finding them if they are unable to purify the taint themselves they shall summon the full might of the Order. Lest the cancer be allowed to grow. Inquisitors are elite Veterans who have specialized their training to the end of hunting Wytches and Fighting Demons. They will often bear blades of slayer steel and arbalests tipped with the same, employing a variety of devilish tools to bring down their devil spawned prey.

 

Valkyrie

Wives of the All Father, these holy women dedicate themselves to the service of the All Father. They forgo children or husbands and dedicate their lives entirely to spreading the faith, healing wounded ordermen and fighting the Father’s battles. Along with their vows of eternal dedication they also take vows of chastity upon their initiation into the Order proper. Valkyrie are revered, having forgone the ultimate blessing of a family to serve the greater good of the All Father’s Grand Purpose.

 

Zealot Chaplain

Veterans of the Order who have dedicated their lives to the study of the prophets and the wisdom of the All Father. These venerated individuals wade into battle as properly ordained priests of the Hearth. They equip themselves in the full regalia of battle and forge their Flamebrands into great and terrifying weapons of war. Each is equipped with a great tome of scripture, bound in a cover of thick leather and iron. In the midst of battle the Zealot Chaplain will preach to his brethren igniting their religious fervor and raising them to even higher highs of ferocity.

 

Zealot Armorer

The exploits of the Purifiers require adequate arms and armours to properly carry out their tasks. Thus a Zealot is assigned to acquire and distribute the proper equipment to the various Ordermen. Ensuring that the Order always has an adequate stock of equipment and that it is kept to a proper standard of maintenance. While not as glamorous as the other specialized offices it is far more important in supporting the mission of the Order.

 

Torch Bearer

During large scale missions and pitched battles the Brotherhood will make their presence known by bearing the massive Holy Flamebrand of the Order into battle. An immense length of wood topped by a cage containing the Holy Hearth Fire of the Order. Thus is a high honour and a great burden to bear this responsibility. Generally the Torch Bearer is the strongest most adept warrior of the entire Order, as losing the Flamebrand would be a grievous sin in the eyes of the Faith and a great dishonour upon the Order proper.

 

Zealot Chronicler

Generally the Chronicler is the most elderly of the Order, perhaps bordering on infirmity. These elderly Ordermen fill their final years of service by collecting the histories of the faith, the Order and the Children of the All Father in general. They gather all the information they can acquire and file it in the grand library of the Order. But of their duties the most serious is compiling and safeguarding the forbidden lore of the Father’s enemies. Ensuring the Order will be adequately informed as to repulse and purify any such beings they may end up encountering again.

 

Zealot Paladin

Those few Brothers who join the Order, entering as Thanes or Nobles of their own right are rendered Zealot Paladins upon reaching the rank of Zealot. These renowned warriors of higher blood are the cream of the Order, having spent their entire childhoods being trained by their elders for their role in leading the fyrd into battle. The Zealot Paladin often wades into battle in the full plate vestments provided by their family. Repainted to display the regalia of the All Father. However it is tradition for the right pauldron of one’s equipment to retain the colours of one’s clan. That all may see how pious the clan is to send one of their greatest sons to serve the All Father. Eschewing the subterfuge of the Inquisitor the Paladin prefers to lead from the front, meeting their foes head on in a contest of skill and strength. Paladins may style themselves as Sir, bearing the same status as the secular thanes of the realm.

 

Badges of Acclaim

 

Mark of Bjorn

An award granted to those valiant individuals that go above and beyond the call of duty in the service of the All Father. Generally granted for extreme valor in the face of overwhelming odds. The acclaim would take the form of a small sword pin to be attached to the cape or forged onto the breastplate.

 

Sigil of Thoromir

An award generally given to those individuals who have repulsed a siege upon a Fatherist fortress or settlement. This acclaim takes the form of a small hammer pin which is to be attached to the cape or forged onto the breastplate.

 

Badge of Eirik

The Badge of Eirik is granted to a select few Zealots. The reasons behind it are entirely unknown. It takes the form of a small open eye wrought of iron. It serves as a cape brooch.

 

The Red Scar

The Red Scar is granted to those Ordermen who earn their scars in the service of the All Father. Granted to those individuals that sustain grievous wounds in the service of the All Father. The men of the Order bear this badge proudly upon their breast as a symbol of ultimate dedication to the Grand Purpose, willing to go to any lengths to serve the Grand Purpose. Those who have earned the Red Scar will add a single red teardrop to their cuirass. It is possible to earn multiple Red Scars at the discretion of the Lord Purifier.

 

The Crimson Fist

The Crimson Fist is a very rare and highly sought after honour amongst the Order. Granted only to the select few who have managed to slay a foul demon. Its presence is almost never seen amongst the ranks of the Order. But those who have earned it bear the Badge upon their breast proudly. The badge takes the form of a long Iron pidge with a flattened pommel taking the shape of a fist, painted in red.

 

The White Skull

The white skull is the only honour of the Order that can only be earned posthumously. When a Brother of the Order falls in battle, in glorious service of the All Father and the High Hearth. Only then are they conferred the revered honour of the White Skull. A badge carved from the salt bleached driftwood into the shape of a skull. This badge is placed upon the Funeral Pyre of the recipient prior to their cremation. That the Father may know that its bearer was an individual of the greatest valour.

 

The Purifiers Flame

An embellished badge of iron and flame to be pinned upon the breast. This badge is granted to those who have granted the Father’s Mercy to a Wytch, a Demon or an Apostate.

                                                                                                                                                                                           

“The Father comes as a light of salvation to those of us wandering blind in the dark.”

~Book of the Dawning : The Breaking Light : 1 - 2

                                                                                                                                                                                           

Provisions and Conduct of Ordermen

 

The Seven Tenets of the Purifier’s Code

TENET I

Ye shall keep faith with the Father

 

TENET II

Ye shall be a Bulwark to the Faithful

 

TENET III

Ye shall not steal

 

TENET IV

Ye shall spread the Father’s Flame

 

TENET V

Ye shall honour the Hearth and its servants

 

TENET VI

Ye shall hold the Father’s name sacred

 

TENET VII

Ye shall shun the heretic

                                                                                                                                                                                           

“His progress slowed by the foul demons of cold and wind. He cried out in despair, for his life was all but spent, and his people starved and cold gazed calmly at the gaping maw of death.”

~Book of Mission : TFSTT : 2 -3

                                                                                                                                                                                           

Traditions of the Faith Militant

    The Faith Militant of the All Father have a long and varied history. Their origins centuries ago retaining the brutal primitive roots of the Highland tribes. A time of vengeance and wrath where men were consumed with holy fire and purifying the world. Times have changed, centuries have past. Yet there are some traditions that remain strong amongst the many varieties of Fatherist holy orders and brotherhoods.

 

The Anointing

          Upon induction into the ranks of the Purifiers a Brother of the Order is born anew in the service of the All Father. In the days of yore aspirants were doused in the blood of a prime bull, alerting the Father of their entrance into his service. In respecting the traditions of old the inducting Keeper shall anoint the Neophytes with blessed oils before inducting them into the Father’s service with the witness of their Flamebrand. At this moment some particularly penitent aspirants will choose to take on an entirely new name to symbolize their new identity before the All Father. This anointing cuts all prior ties as one has dedicated themselves entirely to the All Father. However some particularly bonded clanfolk have been known to retain their extensive clan ties at no detriment to their service.

 

The Send Off

         Upon the expiration of an Orderman an elaborate ceremony is conducted to send the soul of the fallen to the arms of the All Father in full glory. The fallen brother is wrapped in a shroud and placed in a coffin. The coffin is carried to a grand pyre, decorated with the possessions and acclaims the fallen had earned during their life. The coffin is placed atop then the whole pyre is lit on fire. Each of the fallen’s friends say a brief farewell before leaving a gift. Once this has been completed a priest will send the man’s soul off to the beyond, beseech the Father to save the fallen’s soul from the Abyss.

                                                                                                                                                                                           

“A man without faith is as a ship with no sail, rocking aimlessly on a stormy sea as he fruitlessly attempts to navigate the treacherous waters of life.3 I cannot, for the life of me feel anything but pity for those poor souls so inflicted.4 Those that do not hold the light of faith within their hearts must surely live dark and horrid lives.”

The Fel : TTOTBM : 3 - 5

                                                                                                                                                                                           

[Narthok 10416]

Thoromir nods as he observes a patrol depart town

 

(( Formatting on lotc forums is an exercise in masochism

[LatzMomo 2088]

Keeper Delia smiles, clapping at the new forming of the purifiers. “It will be nice to have some men in red running around again.”

[Nathan_Barnett36 1564]

“Hold on a moment, I thought these norlanders swore to his Imperial Majesty that they would have a church in their city devoted to canonism. What is this madness” would shout Siegmund as he prepares for a crusade. 

[Helios_ 288]

“WHAT?!” screeches Antonious loudly from a top a rock.“THESE PEOPLE DONT BELIEVE IN WHAT I DO! CRUSADE!”

[Enlightenment 2300]

Marco says, “This doesn’t seem kosher, amico.”

[_pr0fit 3084]

5 hours ago, Nathan_Barnett36 said:

“Hold on a moment, I thought these norlanders swore to his Imperial Majesty that they would have a church in their city devoted to canonism. What is this madness” would shout Siegmund as he prepares for a crusade. 

 

Billy Blinks. “Oh no.”

[FashionBeard 268]

Bishop Braum eyes the post with a cracking smile, he says to himself, he’d say in a raspy voice hardly to be heard
”To give a man tools and able people is to see work done, to have him swear to his work is to bind him to it, These men have thrown down their tools and ushered in an unwelcome group lead by an oath breaker. What a poor train of actions..”
He clears his throat walking off whispering to himself
”May the all mighty GOD forgive you for your deeds”
Braum trails down the path leaving the sign as is.

[_pr0fit 3084]

On 10/19/2018 at 2:41 PM, Sir.Fancy said:

Bishop Braum eyes the post with a cracking smile, he says to himself, he’d say in a raspy voice hardly to be heard
”To give a man tools and able people is to see work done, to have him swear to his work is to bind him to it, These men have thrown down their tools and ushered in an unwelcome group lead by an oath breaker. What a poor train of actions..”
He clears his throat walking off whispering to himself
”May the all mighty GOD forgive you for your deeds”
Braum trails down the path leaving the sign as is.

 

(( these are not the osp kids, they are new characters....

[FashionBeard 268]

((Or so you’re told ?