Sovereign

The Church of Valra

Devoted to following the teachings and guidance of the Archangel Valra, the Church of Valra established itself in the aftermath of the Zycharian Rebellion as the world’s largest and most influential religion. The Church exerts authority to varying extent over virtually every major nation. Its mission is to provide wisdom, protection, and charity to the people of Samond.

The Archangel Valra and her Angels are a rare but tangible presence within Samond. There is absolutely no question of their existence, they have physically appeared and intervened in historical events. Valra and her Angels - while incredibly powerful, are not omnipotent nor domineering, they involve humanity as necessary partners in the project of the Church.

The faith of Valra is a present one. It does not deal in apocalyptic prophecy or promises of an afterlife, nor does it concern itself with creation stories of a world long past. The mission of the Church is now: the morale guidance of humanity towards maturity, benevolence, and wisdom. The foundation of this morale instruction begins with observance of the Wise Laws of Valra’s Church:

Murder is forbidden.

Heinous acts of cruelty or perversion are forbidden.

Theft and forgery are forbidden.

Speak the truth, and do not commit perjury.

Keep no slaves, nor debtors in perpetuity.

Honor your lords and subjects alike.

Forsake the old weapons.

Seek not the rift.

Serve the people of Valra.

Astalore, Salvatoria, Stormbreak and the Vefali Sultanate all pledge faithfulness to the Church of Valra. While the Church remains neutral in most political affairs, its word carries tremendous weight. The Church of Valra often acts as a judicial force, primarily concerned with the most grievous offenses, dark magics, heresy, and riftspawn. The Church of Valra relentlessly hunts Riftspawn, and strictly prohibits any dealings with their kind, citing the dangers of associating with such violent and unpredictable beings. The Church enforces these restrictions with its Paladin and Inquisitor Orders.

In times of crises, the Church may invoke ancient treaties to declare a Crusade. A Crusade requires all pledged nations to respond immediately with military support. This has occurred three times in history. The first, during the nominal crusade during the Zycharian rebellion. The second, when the Shackler walked Samond. Lastly, The Third Crusade was declared to combat the necromancer Sarkian. This third crusade remains highly controversial, as it was not declared with Valra’s blessing, and many consider the threat was not severe enough to warrant such extreme measures.

The Church of Valra is organized into three orders, each with distinct duties to the Church and lay people.

Priesthood - Elders, leaders and readers of scripture. The Priesthood teaches the wisdom of Valra’s guidance, and provides charity to those who seek it. On principle, Priests of Valra almost always outrank any member of the Paladin or Inqusition Order. Among the Priesthood of Valra are some of the most powerful divine spell casters in the world. A Priest of Valra usually oversees a local parish once ordained, and progresses to larger and more influential stations throughout their career. Priests of Valra are ranked by responsibility, from pastors who lead small communities (often interchangeably referred to simply as a priest, bishops which overee a diocese, to cardinals who manage many bishops and weigh in on matters of church policy.

Paladin Order - Sanctified warriors in service of the Church, the Paladin of Valra’s church uphold the Church’s missions and values, and comprise the leadership of her forces should a Crusade be declared. They are the martial arm of the Church, and are held to rigorous standards of training and integrity. They often possess great autonomy, and hold the authority to deputize laymen as Church militia and guards. Paladins are responsible for leading, training, or dismissing any militia under their command. Paladins are accountable to strict vows and the wisdom of the priesthood. They are trained warriors and often capable divine casters, but are strictly forbidden from practicing arcane or druidic magic.

Among the mightiest of warriors in Samond, the Judiciars (or Judicators) stand nearly uncontested. This elite few are outfitted with anointed arms and serve as the pinnacle of the Paladin order, they boast both a mastery of martial combat and an arsenal of powerful rituals. They serve as Samond’s foremost guard against supernatural threats.

Inquisitor Order - The Inquisitors are investigators in service to the church. They are the judicial arm of the Church and are tasked with rooting out dark magics, riftspawn and heretics. The inquisitors are also sworn to uphold the integrity and laws of the Church. They often work side by side with Paladins to accomplish their mission. Inquisitors are also called upon to investigate any corruption or crime that occurs within the Church.

Archangel Valra

The Archangel Valra is the patron of her titular church and is celebrated as the liberator and defender of humanity. Valra first appeared during the Zycharian rebellion and proved to be the turning point in the war, smashing the loyalist forces. While Valra does not actively seek worship, she does not turn away those willing to heed her guidance. Valra is a real, physical presence on Samond, but while she is extraordinarily strong, and seemingly immortal, she is not a supreme being, and relies as much on her Paladin Order as her own power to defend her faithful. Valra has taken three long absences from the world, the latest of these from which she has yet to return.

Valra is known to wield two mighty weapons: the great sword Retterbrand and the spiked hammer Blitzmund. While enormous by human standards, Valra possesses the strength to wield either in a single hand. While Blitzmund is enshrined in the Vefali capital, Retterbrand is housed on Antora in the holy city of Servadova.

Retterbrand, the Praetor, and the Keeper

Retterbrand is the personal weapons of Archangel Valra. Those who revere the Primordials claim the weapon was forged from a great primordial of magma in the churning heart of the world - a story the Church fervently denies. Whatever the truth, Retterbrand is an artifact of tremendous power, a greatsword capable of leaving searing burns with each strike, and reducing even mighty Riftspawn to cinders.

Retterbrand is openly displayed in it's sanctuary - it has no need of protection. Retterbrand can only be wielded by Valra or a chosen champion of her Church, those who attempt to wield the weapon without this blessing suffer horrific burns. When a champion is named by the Church to wield the weapon, they are known as the "Praetor." The Church also employs a priestess to care for Retterbrand in absence of a Praetor, this priestess is known as the "Keeper." Both the Praetor and Keeper are afforded a respect and reverence second only to Valra. It is not known whether there is any other way to wield Retterbrand.

The current of the Keeper of Retterbrand is Keeper Hannah Y'kaal. There is no Praetor at this time.