Category:Church of the Vindicator

The Church of the Vindicator was a highly organized group of schools and temples dedicated to worshiping the Vindicator, a god of justice.

History
The church gained influence once it converted the son of Marquis Byron Avengene. Once a member, the son became an powerful leader in the church, and then as Reverend Evangeline Avengene spread the worship to his family and his father's domain. Afterwards, the church started trying to suppress the worship of other gods. They made a particular target of Mortaebius, describing the god of death and his followers as dark and evil.

There is some evidence that Evangeline actually founded the church -- Headmaster Bristol implied that Evangeline named the god: Evangeline should have named his god the deceiver, not the Vindicator.

The organized worship of the Vindicator showed clear signs of Triumphalism: "belief that ... a religion ... is superior to and should triumph over all others".

Orders
The church operated several orders.

Order of Righteous Wrath
Warriors trained to fight with righteous anger, and able to prevail against tremendous odds in battle. The order has a large proportion of gifted commoners.

Order of the Swift Steed
Warriors trained in tactics and switft movement (raiding?). Many of the members became generals.

Order of the Searing Light
A celibate order of warriors who have priestly powers in addition to weapon skills.

Titles and Ranks
Distinguished warriors of the church were called Paladins. The qualifications included knighthood as well as additional schooling, e.g. in Academy of Righteous Wrath, and a membership in one of the Paladin orders.

Ordained priests were called Reverend, e.g. Reverend Leland.

Lay priests were called Deacons, e.g. Deacon Brown.