The Order of Brother Rudiger

Brother Rudiger was an early priest who venerated the goddess of agriculture, Corrise.  He was chiefly concerned, however, with the early communities of farmers that were beginning to spread out from the Baronial castles and their immediate protection, as Westroners spread throughout the northern part of the Valley in the 4th century after they migrated in from the West.  Eventually, in year 487, Rudiger died, and a group of his followers constructed a small chapel in a nondescript sheep hamlet (with no name) west of the Barony of Botts (but east of the Shadow Woods).

As farming communities grew, and villagers needed advice on building stronger stone buildings (to withstand years of the elements, and also attacks of the more dangerous denizens of the Valley) they would frequently consult members of the order, who would share the knowledge that Brother Rudiger developed in that regard (building and community design).  Soon the demand caused the small order to begin spreading, and building its hallmark small stone chapels across the land, in many small hamlets and thorpes.  A sub-order of itinerant monastics began as the Traveling Brothers, and then these spun a group of  nuns as the Traveling Sisters.  The small chapels are run by Community Vicars, and they will sometimes take up a vow of traveling over several years both to spread information about their own community, and to learn about other communities.  There is a somewhat military arm of the Order known as the Hearthguard which consists of fighters who have taken vows of service (always only for a few years) as well as the priests of the order the Guardians of the Hearth (most player character members of the order would be of this group).

One of the main things outstanding about the Order of Brother Rudiger is the fact that it sponsors an order of knighthood, consisting of both commanders of the Hearthguard and also Paladins known as the Knights of the Hearth.  These are covered elsewhere in the writeup on Paladins, but some words are worth covering here.  The Knights of the Hearth do not wear a specific livery of the order (with the exception of sometimes the symbol of a knotted golden rope on their shield or breast), but instead adopt simple two colored dress, and adorn their weapons, mount, and armor with favors.  These favors are collected at villages they visit in their pursuit of justice and chivalry.

Community Vicars, Traveling Brothers and Traveling Sisters (as well as Guardians of the Hearth) will appear in public only when dressed in their priestly raiment.  That consists of simple brown robes (sometimes hooded, or not, according to the clime) tied with a golden knotted rope.  Guardians of the Hearth may wear any armor, but it must be worn either under their robes, or with their robes still evident underneath the armor (so no full plate mail).  If they employ shields while questing or defending a village, it should be a plain design, of a single color, with a golden knot as the only charge.

Spells available to priests of the order can come from the spheres of All, Creation and Healing.  There is also minor access to the spheres of Combat and Protection.

Guardians of the Hearth are also taught techniques to incite fighters into a berserker rage (A willing warrior may be incited at most 1 time per day. It takes 1 round for the priest to incite the warrior. Then the warrior has +2 to hit and damage, and cannot leave the field of battle while foes still face him. Once he leaves, he chooses whether or not to emerge from the rage).

All priests can share a Soothing Word three times per day.  This can function either to remove the effects of a Fear spell or effect, or it can calm the reaction of animals or monsters, of hit dice up to twice the level of the Priest.

All priests also have the ability to turn undead creatures.

Priests of the order must have the NWP "Local History" of the community where they serve.

All sorts of armor and shields are available to Guardians of the Hearth.  Weapons include dagers, dirks, flails, and the morningstar. The last two are preferred.