The Feats & Stories of Herm the Messenger

Dedication to Herm

A line drawing showing a dedication to Herm. A quarterstaff lays horizontally across a large leather travel bag. A sheathed shortsword lays vertically, handle up, upon the staff and bag. Two shallow metal saucers sit to either side of the bag, In front of the staff, with what appears to be cattail fluff in small mounds. The saucers likely contain oil, which is burning. Out from the left saucer sits an open scroll case containing several scrolls. Out from the right saucer sits a scroll, stylus, vial of ink, and a stick of sealing wax. Offerings of dried foodstuffs sit in front.
Below the drawing, a simple musical tune is written in ancient & modern forms.

Herm is the messenger of the House of Avereen. While he may simply convey the greetings of Kritchen to Summa, with a request that Summa come join her in a feast; it is just as likely that he walk into the court of Loris, bearing the sword Snajaller in one hand, and the head of Yiseri (grandson of Loris, and demi-brother of Herm) in the other.

Herm is commonly depicted as a traveler, wearing a travelers cloak, bearing a walking staff in one hand (although occasionally shown carrying a spear, and rarely a trident), and a short sword at his waist.

Herm is sometimes called the progenitor of the great roads, and his glyph is commonly seen along the Rose Road.

Herm is sometimes referred to as the Mighty Intersessor. It is somewhat common for those of low status (ie: serfs, the homeless and destitute, prisoners, etc) to ask that Herm interceed in their behalf, and carry their pleading unto one of the House of Avereen. In this fashion, it is believed, that a humble and sincere prayer may actually reach the ears of the Gods.

Herm disdains the direct use of spells, preferring to utilize mystical items, often of his own creation. His staff is one example. An excerpt from the Most Holy Tome, The History of the House of Avereen:

And he took several splits of bodark from a tree struck by lightning, crafted them smooth & straight, and sealed them together. To the ends of the stave, he afixed diamond-shaped studs of adamantine, mithral, and silver. The whole was finished with oils of flax, tung, & walnut; and polished to glass.

Herm is the father of Sparrow, the Watcher.

Devotants of Herm

While Herm does not have disciples or true adherents as do the children of the House of Avereen, various groups do pay homage to him, and can be said to be followers.

The Acursed: For those who are under a curse, or have some uncleaness that would prevent a god from hearing them, they seek an intercessor who could speak on their behalf.

The Couriers: The King of Ardrigh maintains a group of loyal subjects trained in the arts of diplomacy & espionage called the Cadre. Among those, one company of men and women are set apart as covert scouts, who travel the country to do those things the King needs done privately, or without ties back to the Crown. These are the Couriers. While operating openly, they will often wear a leather longcoat as a badge of office.

The Unworthy: These are people who feel their poverty or low status (peasants, slaves, convicts & criminals, etc) prevent their prayers of reaching the ears of the gods. They are those whose hope rests upon someone to intercede on their behalf, and to carry their request to onward.

Established Tabernacles

Several tabernacles exist throught the world dedicated to the Messenger of the Gods. Most of these shrines are located upon the High Roads, commonly where two Roads meet, but not within a city itself. While many are cairns, there are a few which are walled structures. These tabernacles are often administered by the clerics of Loris, Loquaith, or Paskeral, although not always.

South of Croshother, situated West of the White Road

Templar

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Herm is the grandson of Loquaith.