Canonfire! - Gods of the Flanaess: Heironeous

HEIRONEOUS

Domains: Chivalry, Justice, Honor, War, Daring, Valor

Home Plane: The Seven Heavens

Alignment: Lawful and good

Alignment of Clergy: Lawful and good, or lawful and neutral

Alignment of Worshippers: Lawful and good, lawful and neutral, neutral and good, true neutral. Heironeous is primarily worshipped by humans.

History and Relationships: Although Heironeous was not among the gods who acted to bring the Dark Lord to heel in the Age of Night, he was born with all honor in the Age of Legends afterwards, along with his younger brother Hextor. Favored by his parents and all the Oeridian gods, Heironeous was gifted with the meersalm, a liquid that protected him from most forms of physical harm. His status as the golden child of war made his brother Hextor jealous, leading the two to clash frequently, although Heironeous usually emerged triumphant in their battles, aided by the allies and succor he received from many other deities.

Heironeous would go on to slay many of the horrific creatures vomited up by the Dark Lord before the Imprisoning, thus establishing a clergy and followers among the Oeridians long before the Great Migrations. A staunch defender of both right and good, and the established order, Heironeous often acted quickly and forcefully against his foes, seeing himself as a protector and steward of the mortals of Oerth, his church following in his footsteps.

Today, Heironeous’s major allies include Moradin, Clangeddon Silverbeard, Pelor, Rao, Corellon Larethian, and Gaerdal Ironhand, all for espousing the need for vigilance against evil and protection of the innocent. His major enemies include Hextor, St. Cuthbert, Trithereon, Incabulos, Pholtus, Erythnul, Iuz, Kord, Vecna, Olidamarra and Pyremius, either because they emphasize evil and suffering, espouse rival versions of law and good, or forment dissent, chaos and challenges to the status quo.

Teachings: Heironeous’s clergy teaches that those in power have a duty to protect those weaker and less able than they, especially women, children and the elderly. These people, in turn, are to obey their social betters and conform to whatever societal norms are in place.

The virtues of vigilance, protection, loyalty, kindness and sacrifice to ensure the safety and health of the weak and helpless are looked on favorably by the god. Negligence, sloth and cowardice are viewed as sins, as is refusing an order given by a superior or showing mercy to certain proscribed enemies of the faith, which may vary from place to place (orcs and goblins, Aerdi citizens, followers of the gods who are Heironeous’ enemies, etc.)

It is often also taught that Heironeous frowns on those who put glory in battle before the protection of the weak and innocent, or who refuse to exploit tactical advantages for the sake of abstract “honor” or chivalry when dealing with creatures such as orcs, goblins or evil dragons. Having the cleverness and wisdom to ambush the orcish horde during the day, allowing the enemy to retreat to save the life of an innocent, and using clever deceptive tactics to play on an enemy’s fears in a time of war are all great deeds, or so say many branches of the Hieronean faith.

Interaction with Outsiders: The faith of Heironeous is commonly involved with the governments of Furyondy, the Shield Lands and Nyrond, and these are the countries where the faith is strongest and has the most favor. They often minister to the national armies, provide counsel and service to military families of all social classes, and otherwise perform blessings, baptisms, weddings and other spiritual duties to people in the military and those associated with it.

The faith is respected in Sterich, Irongate, the Gran March, Veluna, and Keoland, although its influence is much less as it does not enjoy governmental favor and must compete for influence and followers with many other religions and interest groups, such as the Knights of the Watch in Gran March. The faith was formerly strong in Bissel, but with the near-total collapse of Bissel during the Greyhawk Wars and the mass conversion of Bisselites to Baklunish religions, its activity has dwindled to almost nothing in the region.

Heironeous’s worship is banned in Ratik, Ahlissa, North Kingdom, Rel Astra, the old Great Kingdom of Aerdy, Blackmoor, Medegia, and Iuz. In most other states, from Greyhawk to Idee to Geoff, Heironeous’s faith enjoys neither great prominence nor great influence, as it does not minister to the armed forces of many of these states and its teachings do not enjoy widespread support among the populace.

Heironeous’s greatest temples in the Flanaess are based in Chendl, Grabford, Rel Mord, Womtham, Hendren Halgood, Irongate, Veluna City, and Hookhill.

Hieroneans are not generally inclined to preach in the streets and harangue the masses. They are more likely to be found serving with mercenary companies who will accept them, fighting the forces of evil and protecting villagers and peasants against marauding orcs and bandits. Few people outside the military have much interaction with them, except when the Hieroneans act to protect them. The average baker or blacksmith, were he to pass them in the street, would likely get no more than a casual glance.

Most Hieroneans believe that actions speak louder than words, and thus do not aggressively seek converts, instead counting on their brave deeds to attract support and followers from like-minded people who share their goals. They will deal with and support adventurers who follow their god, and will not usually require any services from those crippled in war or who are poor and sick, freely providing shelter, healing and food as needed. However, they do not normally heal and bless strong, able-bodied people not of the faith who are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves, unless these people agree to a conversion or service for the church.

Variant Sects: Some sects place particular emphasis on the need for strict obedience in a rigid hierarchy, and view dissent of any kind as a sin. Their ideas of noblesse oblige match well with the thoughts and ideas of many Keoish and Sterish philosophers, and it is in these regions that the Hieroneans who espouse these beliefs are most commonly found. They commonly preach and act against large-scale dissent and disobedience among folk of lower station or those who do not recognize the laws the Hieroneans try to uphold, such as wandering Flan, rebellious peasants, or demihumans and foreigners who live within or near the borders of their country.

Some dissenting sects spurn the idea that Heironeous frowns on those who ignore the potential for glory to the advantage of simple service. They argue that seeking glory in battle drives a warrior to excel, and thus common people will be better protected if the desire for status and recognition motivates a knight. They see no contradiction between battling the forces of evil for personal status and advancement, and defending the weak and those oppressed by evil who cannot fend for themselves.

Tensions between national branches of the Hieronean faith can be very intense, such as between the priesthoods of Nyrond, Furyondy and the Shield Lands. The rivalries for glory and honor are very strong when these groups compete, and on those occasions when Furyondy has gone to war against the Shield Lands, or the Shield Lands has warred with Nyrond, the Hieroneans are all too willing to fight one another to protect their own people from the ravages of the invaders or to bring glory to their god and their kings and lords.

One fact that all sects of Heironeous agree on is that their god does not favor the long sword along with the battle-axe; such is the misinformation of fools and charlatans. Clerics of Heironeous may use any blunt and bludgeoning weapon, as well as the battleaxe, and may wear any type of armor needed, in battle.

Adventuring Clergy: Heironeous’s clergy can adventure freely, and younger clerics are often sent out to adventure and better understand the world and their place in it, and also gain practical experience in battle and put the teachings of their god into practice. Heironeous’ martial character appeals to many adventuring bands, particularly those of a more moral and goodly bent, who actively fight evil and seek to protect the weak and innocent. They may associate with demihumans and the citizens of most nations freely, although there will inevitably be tension between a Hieronean and the followers of any god his deity is a rival or enemy to. Hieroneans may travel wherever they must in the service of good, whether it be to the underground lands beneath the Hellfurnaces, to the fell lands of the Great Kingdom, or the distant Sable Wood in the lands of the Ice Barbarians to serve the cause of good and light.

Heironeous’s clerics are not expected to actively give sermons or seek out converts, but rather to inspire people and spread devotion and thanks to their god by living up to the principles Heironeous teaches in their words and deeds. Clerics must tithe thirty percent of the treasure they acquire to Heironeous, and Heironeous smiles on those of his followers who donate money to the needy and poor who suffer at the hands of evil, uphold the status quo, use clever tactics in battle, or fight for and gain glory and renown, depending on the beliefs of the sect that the cleric belongs to.

Heironeous’s clergy can adventure freely, and younger clerics are often sent out to adventure and better understand the world and their place in it, and also gain practical experience in battle and put the teachings of their god into practice. Heironeous’ martial character appeals to many adventuring bands, particularly those of a more moral and goodly bent, who actively fight evil and seek to protect the weak and innocent. They may associate with demihumans and the citizens of most nations freely, although there will inevitably be tension between a Hieronean and the followers of any god his deity is a rival or enemy to. Hieroneans may travel wherever they must in the service of good, whether it be to the underground lands beneath the Hellfurnaces, to the fell lands of the Great Kingdom, or the distant Sable Wood in the lands of the Ice Barbarians to serve the cause of good and light.

Some sects place particular emphasis on the need for strict obedience in a rigid hierarchy, and view dissent of any kind as a sin. Their ideas of match well with the thoughts and ideas of many Keoish and Sterish philosophers, and it is in these regions that the Hieroneans who espouse these beliefs are most commonly found. They commonly preach and act against large-scale dissent and disobedience among folk of lower station or those who do not recognize the laws the Hieroneans try to uphold, such as wandering Flan, rebellious peasants, or demihumans and foreigners who live within or near the borders of their country.

The faith of Heironeous is commonly involved with the governments of Furyondy, the Shield Lands and Nyrond, and these are the countries where the faith is strongest and has the most favor. They often minister to the national armies, provide counsel and service to military families of all social classes, and otherwise perform blessings, baptisms, weddings and other spiritual duties to people in the military and those associated with it.

Heironeous’s clergy teaches that those in power have a duty to protect those weaker and less able than they, especially women, children and the elderly. These people, in turn, are to obey their social betters and conform to whatever societal norms are in place.

Although Heironeous was not among the gods who acted to bring the Dark Lord to heel in the Age of Night, he was born with all honor in the Age of Legends afterwards, along with his younger brother Hextor. Favored by his parents and all the Oeridian gods, Heironeous was gifted with the a liquid that protected him from most forms of physical harm. His status as the golden child of war made his brother Hextor jealous, leading the two to clash frequently, although Heironeous usually emerged triumphant in their battles, aided by the allies and succor he received from many other deities.

Lawful and good, lawful and neutral, neutral and good, true neutral. Heironeous is primarily worshipped by humans. Although Heironeous was not among the gods who acted to bring the Dark Lord to heel in the Age of Night, he was born with all honor in the Age of Legends afterwards, along with his younger brother Hextor. Favored by his parents and all the Oeridian gods, Heironeous was gifted with the a liquid that protected him from most forms of physical harm. His status as the golden child of war made his brother Hextor jealous, leading the two to clash frequently, although Heironeous usually emerged triumphant in their battles, aided by the allies and succor he received from many other deities.

Lawful and good, or lawful and neutralLawful and good, lawful and neutral, neutral and good, true neutral. Heironeous is primarily worshipped by humans. Although Heironeous was not among the gods who acted to bring the Dark Lord to heel in the Age of Night, he was born with all honor in the Age of Legends afterwards, along with his younger brother Hextor. Favored by his parents and all the Oeridian gods, Heironeous was gifted with the a liquid that protected him from most forms of physical harm. His status as the golden child of war made his brother Hextor jealous, leading the two to clash frequently, although Heironeous usually emerged triumphant in their battles, aided by the allies and succor he received from many other deities.