Kampf-Priester of Aesterwald
"Per voluntatem Dei, et gratia, et ad divinitatem victoria invenimus."
A role of self sacrifice and duty, the deployed and reserve clerical figures of Aesterwald that are attached to encampments and units are some of the most important. While not formally soldiers, these men of God ride into battle alongside their brothers. Few in rank, it is a dirty job not meant for glory or prestige.
The Kampf-Priester (or Battle-Priest) was first organized in the Order of Saint Lucien by Konrad I, an in-law to the Rovins and known affectionately by the Lucienists as "Uncle Konrad" who died for God's glory.
The Kampf-Priester (Battle-Priest) was deemed nesescary in order to tend to the spiritual needs of the soldier when the war zone was too hostile for a priest or bishop. These zealous men are selected from a young age and given formal training in the works of the Church alongside professional military training. The combination of the two is similar to a squires training but for a different purpose.
From holding a mass, hearing a confession, or inspiring a broken regiment to win for God, the Kampf-Priester (Battle-Priest) does all of these. They garb themselves in the same type of armor a knight wears but with a flair of a bishops own robe to it, as to be identifies by comrades.
The hierarchy of the Kampf-Priester is nowhere near as lengthy or diverse as the Aesterkorps as they themselves are more of an unofficial division of the Aesterkorps. The head of the Order is, as one may expect, a veteran as well as an expert in the echlesiarchal studies.
Each Kampf-Priester and Knappe is provided food, bedding and purpose as well as equipment. Usually a senior Kampf-Priester will obtain a small office.
Großkampf-Priester
The de facto leader of the Order, he is responsible for the dispatch of Kampf-Priesters to encampments and units, assigning of Knappes to Kampf-Priesters, overseeing and maintaining the piety and purity of the Order, updating the Kö*** on the Orders news, activities etc, elevation of Knappes to Kampf-Priester, maintaining proper tactics of inspiration. He is nominated from the majority of the Kampf-Priesters and confirmed or denied by the Kö***.
Kampf-Priester
A well educated and experienced warrior. The Kampf-Priester is the soul of the soldiers. He tends to their aching souls and pious needs, granting advice and spurning the doubtful onward to battle. They inspire the nearby soldiers to a zealous fervor and let loose a burning desire to purge God's foes. They are often assigned a Knappe to educated with script and sword equally, and make a man out of them.
Knappe
Often young boys, the Knappe resembles a squire but where a squire waits on a Knight, the Knappe is too busy studying or training. They have a short time to learn their trade before duty calls. From studying scripture to wielding weapons in armor, the Knappe must learn quickly. They are sometimes alternated between Kampf-Priesters to avoid a disruption in their humors and too closely imitating the flaws a certain Kampf-Priester might have. They are usually recruited at the age of Six to Eight, and end training at Sixteen. Education of numbers, math, and advanced literature is also provided.
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