ALVATIA: Religion - Saint Rhys

Saint Rhys

The cult of Saint Rhys is a recent one, preaching self-sufficiency and self-defence. Rhys was a simple farmer who took up arms against tyranny, and after defeat of his enemies returned back to his farm. Followers of Rhys teach a curious combination of philosophy and common sense. They also practice hand-to-hand fighting, common arms (such as the club, staff, bow, or knife), and wilderness survival.

The cult of Saint Rhys is not particularly popular with the nobility, in spite of the stories of his return to the farm. They still hold that he had no right to bear arms against his lord, and deny his sainthood. There is not an out-and-out ban of services in his name, however, there are no churches or shrines in his name other then a remote monastery in the mountains calle St. Rhys Peace. There are very few priests of Saint Rhys, and teachers of his way support themselves in other professions and hold services in barns or other common halls, and are known as Rhysmen.

In spite of this discouragement, in many rural areas the followers Saint Rhys are on the rise, in particular in villages or towns dominated by the harsher discipline of Saint Carmund.

Also notable is that the order of Saint Rhys is a relatively egalitarian one in regards to women. It doesn't officially condone the training of women in the martial arts, however, in most places women are welcome to join martial practices and learn self-defence.

Rhysman Deacons in FANGS

Players may not start as full priests of Saint Rhys, however, the leaders of the cult of Saint Rhys are more typically deacons.

Being in Rhysman deacon (as opposed to being a follower or simple initiate) in FANGS is a package deal consisting of the following advantages and disadvantages:

• You are a considered to be a consecrated deacon of Saint Rhys: Advantage +25 character points
  • You can do the following ceremonies:
    • Pray (restore spells)
    • Vigil (restore spells)
    • Bestow Follower (accept the sacrifice of a new follower)
    • Sanctify Space (bless one pace in radius for +2 for followers, -2 evil, for a day)
  • You can do all the spells of circles 1 through 3
    • Detect Evil (sense opposed Presences)
    • Augury (chance to get hints of the future or about St. Rhys will)
    • Lay on Hands (healing others HP 1d4, and twice the result to SP)
    • Bless Other (temporary +1 to all skills)
    • Protection Other from Evil (chant for +2 to PCs vs evil, -2 to evil)
    • Light (1 torch power, 1 hour)
    • Remove Fear (chant to remove fear)
  • You may "call" on Saint Rhys for a miracle at PW-7 success.
  • You are not a full priest, thus may not witness vows, dedicate initiates, or perform any spells of the 4th circle or higher.
  • You have taken a vow donate at least 20% of your income and at least 20% of your time to the cult
• You have taken a minor vow of chivalry: "defend the defenceless": Disadvantage -5 character points
• You are watched by distrustful local authorities: Disadvantage -5 character points
• Total: +15 character points

As a Rhysman, you follow the tenants of St. Rhys, which include self-sufficiency and self-defence. As an initiate of St. Rhys you both learn and teach a combination of philosophy and common sense. You must practice hand-to-hand fighting, common arms (such as the club, staff, bow, or knife), every week, and learn wilderness survival (starting skill IN/5).

Saint Rhys weapon of choice is a club (cudgel to be precise) - I recommend you start training in that as soon as you can.

You may optionally accept a "Sense of Duty" to St. Rhys and other Rhysmen as a disadvantage of -15 points, however, you may not take it as part of the package deal (i.e. you are still limited to four advantages and disadvanges.)

Remember, your vows are enforced by the ghods, and in combination with your work as a Rhysmen it can (and will) make life difficult, and the penalty of failure can be great.