Temple of the Silver Bind
Their silver plate armour gleaming in the fire light, the Silver Binds held the line against the bandit onslaught. The small settlement of Mistcreek had been victims to the raiders since it's founding, with brigands appearing at the riverbanks in the night to loot and pillage as they pleased. When a pair of Links of the Silver Bind happened across the village in the aftermath of one such raid, they coordinated with the village leader to confront the raiders during their next attack, while the commoners remained safe in their homes.
This confrontation forced the bandits to regroup and return with greater numbers, but the two Links remained unyielding in the settlement's defense, the clattering of chains rising above the din of combat as more and more ruffians stormed the small village.
But their word was their bond, and it would be over their silver adorned corpses that these villains would continue their selfish acts. The chain would remain unbroken. Mistcreek would hold.
Structure
The Temple of the Silver Bind is led by it's Grand Sentry (under the guidance of Breitheamha the Lawbinder, of course) in all matters of faith, from the actual original temple that the Monumental herself once ran in the days before it was a religious institution.
In religious buildings outside of Greenbelt, the will of the Grand Sentry is brought to the masses via it's Silver Priests. Armed attendants and guards are common sites at these structures (sometimes including low-ranking paladins and clerics), and these servants of the Lawbinder are referred to by common-folk as Links (in the Unbreakable Chain).
Public Agenda
The Temple of the Silver Bind are intent on spreading the virtues of law, and most importantly order, to the far reaches of Wildehart. Even the continent's reputation as an untamed wilderness has been seen as an affront to some leaders of the temple, who have then proceeded to lead ill-advised crusades to push back the ever encroaching wilderness (to little effect). Something must be working, however, as the Silver Binds have established temples in a number of large settlements across the continent.
Assets
Donations that the temple amasses (as part of an unspoken agreement that keeps Links of the Silver Bind present in associated settlements to bolster security) are brought to the Temple in Greenbelt, wherein they are protected, and used to supply members with suitable weapons and armour.
History
The temple wasn't always a religious institution, once existing as The Silver Bind Militia, an armed group of enthusiastic warriors who were intent on two things: the pursuit of order, and the protection of those that adhere to it. After Breitheamha the Lawbinder's death at the age of 98, and her ascension to the status of Monumental decades later, the barracks were modified to include space for prayer and worship, as well as plenty of monuments to the Unbreakable Chain herself, resplendent in elaborate armour and drapery (not quite as she appeared in life, but fitting for a monumental).
Mythology & Lore
Tales tell of Breitheamha the Lawbinder, a mortal woman who rose from a simple protector of settlements in the central wildlands of Wildehart to become the greatest champion of Order and defender of the law and those who abide it. Though she certainly did live among mortals, many of her actual accomplishments have been surpassed in popularity by taller tales.
One such tale tells of how Breitheamha stood against a scourge of hyenas and gnolls as they rampaged through the countryside, and turned them back single-handedly, all to keep her word to the villagers she swore to protect.
Other tales tell of her beating back the forest itself to protect the bastions of civilization that risk being swallowed whole by the deep woods.
These tales often posit that strength or body and will are the key to keeping order, and that our our word, as law-abiding beings, should be unbreakable. The teachings also posit that order is the natural state of most beings, humans in particular, though that's not necessarily true.
Divine Origins
The Temple of the Silver Bind trace their origins to the Silver Bind Militia, of which Breitheamha herself was the founder. The militia was founded under the pretense that chaos could erupt from anywhere, and sturdy souls would be needed to keep it in check, an ideology that was triggered thanks to the Fey Displacement and the ensuing confusion and violence.
Cosmological Views
According to the Temple of the Silver Bind, the world is a dangerous creation, but it's inhabitants are orderly by nature. The chaotic wilderness was given as a gift, so as to be tamed by those with a strong enough will.
Tenets of Faith
Maintain the peace.
Protect those who abide the law.
Punish those who shun the law.
Your word is your personal law. Keep to it.
Death before submission to chaos.
Ethics
Silver Bind followers are to respect and adhere to the rule of law, and are taught that their word is their bond, and to break an oath is to forfeit their lives. Non-members of the clergy aren't held to these standards of course, but swearing your life to the Unbreakable Chain is a commitment not so easily set aside.
Of non-clergy followers, the Silver Bind expects deference to the law, and those who seek to uphold it, little more.
Worship
Beyond prayer at one of the various temples and shrines, many homes in towns with a strong Silver Bind presence lock their doors at night and drape a small silver chain over the threshold as a charm to ensure their security.
Marriage, surprisingly, is one of the many ceremonies that are officiated by Silver Priests. After all, it is the ultimate commitment to another. During the ceremony, the pair to be wed have a silver chain draped lightly around their hands.
Those who commit their lives to the Silver Bind do so for life, their oath burned into their left arms with a heated chain wrapped around it, just as Breitheamha once had.
Priesthood
The faithful of the Silver Bind are guided by the Grand Sentry, situated in the temple at Greenbelt, and their will is respectively carried out by the Silver Priests stationed at temples in the larger settlements. The Grand Sentry is identified by brilliant blue vestments draped around extensively inscribed plate armour, and even in times of relative peace they're rarely seen without their ceremonial maul of flawless silver.
The silver priests are similarly outfitted for combat during most waking hours, with meticulously maintained chainmail under their dark blue vestments.
Everyday clerics and paladins of the faith often incorporate actual chains into their armour. Some have chains draped across their shoulders, while others wrap them around their arm sections, serving as actual armour to some degree.
Granted Divine Powers
By channeling the divine power of the Lawbinder, certain faithful are able to command those around them, charming them almost, in an effort to keep order and peace. The followers that find themselves in strife are also able to drive their allies to push the attack, inspired by the Cleric sheer divine might, via spellcasting.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The temple is ingrained in many Wildehart settlements, providing protection and law enforcement for cooperative villages, as well as those too small to decline the aid. As such, despite being one of the newer faiths in Wildehart, it has it's supporters and reach regardless.
Duty, Order, Resolve: Unbroken.
Founding Date
3/3/480UE
Type
Religious, Temple
Alternative Names
The Chain of the Deiwild, The Silver Bind Militia
Demonym
Links (A term used to refer to Paladins, Clerics and martial members of the Silver Binds)
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