ALVATIA: Religion - Saint Rhys

Saint Rhys

The order 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 order 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. Thus most all priests of Saint Rhys support themselves in other professions and hold services in barns or other common halls.

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.