The Dreadnoughts
Tenets of Faith
Fear is a two-edged sword.
It is acceptable to experience fear, but it is a sin to let fear dictate your actions. All soldiers feel fear, but only cowards surrender to its siren call. More importantly, however, Dreadnought teaches his followers to use fear as a weapon, wielding it with skill and accuracy. Fear is a fundamental mortal emotion – all creatures experience it, whether they admit to it or not. The canny warrior or general conquers his fear while at the same time exploiting the fear of his enemies. Following this tenet, most Dreadnought-worshiping leaders and commanders rule, to some extent, through fear. They teach their men to fear them more than they fear the enemy.
Law and order are sacrosanct.
The rule of law must command all actions and consequences. There is no room for mercy, exceptions to the rule, or leniency. When an individual disobeys an order or the law, he must receive a strict and swift punishment. If you must disobey an order or break the law, you must succeed in your goal or face the deserved punishment for failure.
Victory is only achieved through strength.
The majority of the beliefs of the Dreadnought faith revolve around combat, tactics, and strategies. His clerics apply these lessons to all aspects of their life, both violent and non-violent. A Dreadnought approaches every problem as if it were an adversary to be defeated (and, if possible, humiliated).
Soldiers throughout Caelestra have adopted The Dreadnought’s tenets. Regardless of what people may think of The Dreadnought’s tendencies, the Iron General’s teachings have proven invaluable over time.
Victory proves worth.
If you conquer someone and take their land and treasure, you have proven your superiority and your right to those possessions. Success is the final arbiter of “right” and “wrong.” Nothing demonstrates better that you were right than winning a battle or overcoming an opponent.
If you fail, you have only proven your weakness for all to see, and you deserve your final fate. In The Dreadnought’s view, there are no prizes for second place or runner-up. Mercy is a weakness to be exploited, not encouraged.
Worship
Traditional Worshipers:
Barbarians, Fighters, Cavaliers, Gunslingers, Magus’s, Bloodragers, Brawlers, Skald, Slayers, Swashbucklers
Priesthood
The Dreadnought’s church is organized along strict hierarchical lines within any given community. Although Dreadnought’s church (like all other churches in Caelestra) does not have an overarching global structure, individual regions operate within a rigid command structure, with each diocese within the region answering to its “Father Temple.” Every Dreadnoughts cleric knows his place, his role, and his duties. Clerics unable to observe the chain of command and follow orders are subject to harsh punishment and censure.
Many Dreadnought clerics serve within armies, as part of mercenary companies, or as advisers to local rulers. They educate others in tactics, strategy, and logistics. They also train other warriors how to fight with proper tactics, rather than simple brute strength (although certainly there are times when sheer force is not only useful, but both efficacious and enjoyable).
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