Li Pei (laɪ peɪ)

Symbols: Sword and gavel above a book, occasionally sword and gavel within the pages of the book.
Physical Form Appearance: Her mount is a pristine white unicorn with a glittering silver horn, hooves and mane. It has been understood that no matter what she is wearing, whether it is robes of shimmering silver, full plate armor, or even leather it is completely immaculate without even a single thread or stitch out of place. She expects nothing less from her Peers and that others strive for this.
Personality/Demeanor: Always speaks deliberately, as if nothing is said without it being though through first. Her views of right and wrong are very defined and there is very little if any room for ambiguity. Her view on her followers is just as strict as it is with her most senior Peers.
History/Ascension: Born into the aristocracy of her homeland where her parents opted to have her trained as a squire for the local knighthood. These knights were the constabulary of her homeland and were highly revered as the standard to live by and to achieve for all those of her country. As she grew and perfected her skills with dedication and devotion to the rules and laws she was bound to, her desire grew with her to become a knight and uphold the laws of her homeland. But, as time moved forward she started to notice that the knights that she was bound to serve were becoming more and more like overbearing thugs. A law was passed in her homeland that any knight of the constabulary could demand not only tribute for that services before they are rendered; these were called investigative expenses and then an additional tribute; called tithing the success of knight, must be paid after their service has been concluded. This had caused several of the knights to perform services that were not asked of them or even wanted of them and at times for the knights to create situations so they could generate tribute, by hiring others or even disguising themselves to performing lawless deeds. Her parents were put to the sword for not paying the tribute and staunchly demanding an audience with the Grand High Magistrate. As it was the Magistrate that had created the laws and the requirement of tributes, they had no intention of having anyone question his authority or his knights, so they were made an example of. She ran from her homeland with the oath that she would return and right the wrongs that the Magistrate had created. Fifteen years later, and by now a full fledged knight of Dàgelin, with all that rage and anger of 15 years of pent up revenge and complete dedication to that end. She made a name for herself, following the precepts of her patron to the letter. No deviation, no leeway, no mercy, no chance for redemption for those opposed to her. Upon the return to her homeland the Magistrate was still in power and his reign had blighted the country and it's people lived in utter fear and loathing of the local constabulary. To the eyes of Li Pei they had given up being knights and were just thieves and brigands under the thinly veiled guise of the title. She not only bested the leading 'knight' of the Magistrate but brought him out of his compound, presented him to the masses, read the long litany of charges that he had committed and then threw him to the masses. She then methodically and systematically removed or eradicated the false knights, repeating the same means, bring the offender to the public square where they were presented with the charges, witnesses allowed to present their proof and judgment passed, if they were found and proven guilty; none were found innocent, then sentencing was swift and brutal. As the crimes were presented Li Pei would write down the crime and the punishment metered out by the masses. This was the beginning of her separation from Dàgelin, she felt that just simply killing in battle and sending those that were against her on to the next existence was not justifiable. She felt that people should be given the opportunity to live by laws and edicts that could justify their place in the order of things and to know that everything a person did had purpose and was for the greater good and that removing lawlessness and having written laws would guarantee that people would live harmoniously with the residing authority and there would be no question of punishment or the opportunity to be judged simply by word of one person.
Divine Powers:

Know Truth

she can tell immediately if someone is lying, even a 'white' lie is considered sacrilegious. “It is best to be silent than to utter an untruth”

Bestow Knighthood

she can instantly bestow full knighthood on any person she deems worth and fit for the position, no one not even her First Peer can bestow this. This will give the individual all of the powers and knowledge of a 19th level Paladin with just enough experience points be right below level 20. To become an Honored Peer, they must still earn these titles. This does not mean that she can't elevate someone to a higher status, it is just that she chooses for them to truly earn any higher prestige. There have been only five individuals that have been brought to any higher status and these were the first 5 Honored Peers of her order.

Know Written Law

there is no law that has been written that she does not know about that has had the request of her blessing. This also means that laws that have not been written down or are verbal she will not know. This is why her Peers spend the time learning new laws of locations, and teaching others to read and write so they can document their laws.

Priests:

• Duties
• Defend and uphold all local and regional laws
• Ensure local and regional laws are followed
• marriages
• legal counsel
• capture/return outlaws
• teach reading/writing

Requirements

• Ability Score(s) 2-3 ≥17 5%/4 ≥17=10%
• Strength – 12
• Constitution – 9
• Wisdom – 13
• Charisma – 17

Alignment – LG/LN
Bonus Proficiencies

• Read/Write
• Local Law

Bonus/Bestowed Abilities

• Bonded mount

Restrictions

• Armor
• Weapon
• no weapons allowed for first four levels as initiate – must use hand to hand. Upon completion of first 'enemy' they must take war hammer as their first weapon and specialization

• Sphere(s) (M=major / m = minor)

All	M	Protection	M	Healing	m
Creation		Astral		Sun
Plant		Elemental		Necromatic
Animal		Summoning		Weather
Divination	M	Charm
Guardian	m	Combat	m

Turning:

Skeleton	D+2d4t	Ghast	D+2d4t	Ghost	T
Zombie	D+2d4t	Wraith	D+2d4t	Lich	4
Ghoul	D+2d4t	Mummy	D	Special	7
Shadow	D+2d4t	Specter	D
Wight	D+2d4t	Vampire	T

Omens: .A turtle righting itself(G) A shooting star streaking though the constellation of Li Pei (G)
Followers alignment: (Any) Lawful
Notes & Remarks: There are no 'priests' in the truest sense of Li Pei, the priests are all paladins. There are however structured ranks that are identified by the term 'peer'. The term is used to signify that all ranks are bond to work for the common goal and good of all people in accordance with local laws and those of Li Pei. Being a Paladin of Li Pei is rigorous, difficult, and challenging at best, at it's worst it is rigid and unmoving in it's ideals. The 1st Peer Paladin is appointed to this position from the ranks of Second and Third Peers that quest to obtain the touch of a unicorn as these creature are believed to only allow the pure of heart and mind to approach them. They all venture to a location where these creatures are known to inhabit and then pray and meditate in full view of the others until the event happens. Upon which they pledge their oath of fealty to Li Pei and the appointment of a new 1st Peer. That is, the unicorn must touch them and not the paladin reaching out to touch the unicorn.
Breaking any of the Major Laws as a Paladin of this faith is punishable by excommunication, rank stripping (loss of one or more levels), and in some cases execution; if the offender is of the order of First or Second Peer, it is rumored that they are dealt with directly by Li Pei or one of her servants. The identified Major Laws are: stealing, lying, murder, rape, gluttony, laziness, rage, hubris, and cowardice. All of this is done in a court where the highest-ranking order Peer is the residing judge, and the offended person(s) are allowed to have no more than 10 non-paladins on the jury and no more than 5 Third Peers. It is also law that there must an odd number of total jurors and that both the offender and the offended are allowed to select their own lawyer or if they feel so inclined they may represent themselves. A lower-ranking peer may not also be a judge of a higher-ranking peer. In the event that no other higher ranking Peers are available, a one week delay will be afforded to allow for 'any' Peers to answer the call of Law. This is accomplished through the rule that at least one more peer of lower rank must reside as a judge than the accused offender's rank. As an example, if a Fourth Peer Paladin is accused of stealing and there are no Third Peer Paladins able to reside as judges, then five Fifth or lower Peer Paladins will be judges. If the area is severely remote, it is not uncommon for a summary judgment to be made by the local magistrate or law enforcement official(s). All Paladins are subject to the local laws of their location, so it is best that they learn, memorize, and fully understand the laws they are upholding. Much like the Druidic orders, there are a finite number of individuals within these top tiers of authority.

• 1 – First Honored Peer (Level 25)
• 2 – Second Honored Peers (Level 24)
• 6 – Third Honored Peers (Level 23)
• 12 – Forth Honored Peers (Level 22)
• 24 – Fifth Honored Peers (Level 21)
• 50 – Sixth Honored Peers (Level 20)

The process of obtaining higher ranks is rigidly observed and is highly structured with requirement ranging from memorized verse and prose, to stating facts a laws according to the teachings of Li Pei and local laws and statutes. This is also to include combat demonstration and non-lethal combat. As part of the introduction to being a paladin of Li Pei, one must first learn what it means to be the 'underdog' and this is done through weapon restrictions and for their first four levels young initiates are not told the laws of their station, they are taught by making mistakes and by their own interpretation of the laws that they do think they know. If they break a law of the order they are given relatively minor punishments or tasks to accomplish, after which they are then schooled by a higher peer on the lesson to be learned and exact law. This is to demonstrate what it feels like to be lacking in the knowledge of the laws and to be accused of something that one did not know was a law. This is the only time the are allowed some leeway with minor infractions of the laws. The initiates are not told this but it is expected of them to not break the Major Laws, however if they break any of the these they are subject to punishment and penalties of the local laws. And any one being brought in for breaking the law by a Paladin of Li Pei, will very likely see the full extent of the punishment to be dispensed and in most instances by the Paladin themselves.
During their time as an initiate, they have not been allowed to carry a weapon and must learn to defend themselves bare handed. This guarantees that initiates choose their words, surrounding and bearing very carefully. Upon reaching 4th level, initiates are given the option to either devote their lives to Li Pei or walk away never being allowed into the ranks of the Peers again. This is not an uncommon occurrence, when the final choice comes, most willingly turn away from this type of hard and rigid lifestyle, and it is not frowned upon by the ranking Peer but accepted but not without every effort made of the Peer to get the initiate to join the ranks. If they still decline, they are given free rein to leave but are expected to uphold and live by the lessons they have learned up to that point. Once the pledge of fealty is recited to the ranking Peer the newly identified Peer, is expected to defeat a Peer that is wielding a bludgeoning weapon. If they do not defeat them, they can come back in two weeks time and try again and can continue to come back every two weeks until they do defeat them. Once the challenge has been accepted it is the Peer's first official duty to defeat their 'enemy' as they have pledged fealty to continue this first challenge and are not allowed to walk way or quit from the challenge, until they do so they gain no further experience points. Should they be foolish enough to attempt to quit, or run away from the challenge they will be held accountable to the laws and punishment of Li Pei for cowardice. Once they defeat their first 'enemy', they are required to specialize in Paladin's first weapon, the double-headed hammer.
Leveling for Paladins of Li Pei.

• Initiate - Level 1 – 4
• Peer – Order of Fealty – Level 1 – 4 (leveling starts again)
• Peer – Order of Devotion– Level 5 – 10
• Peer – Order of Law – Level 11 – 15
• Peer – Order of Li Pei – Level 16 – 19

The Order is a kritarchy and this is no more prevalent than in the city of Somal in Zamarrid. It is also not uncommon for villages, towns, and cities that hold Li Pei in patronage to have some form of strict caste system. If not a caste system, the location will be segregated for different social statuses.
Li Pei, is reported to have created a chalice that is rumored to make the imbiber of its contents for 2d4 days to tell the truth to any question asked them. There is no saving throw for this and only those who may have some form of primal protection may be able to counter its effects. This does not mean the imbiber will just blurt out any truth that comes to mind, but if they are asked a direct question. But it’s not truly known if just handling the chalice or if actually drinking its contents. This, however, is also used as an intimidation tactic as everyone from the Third Honored Peer and above has an Ever Truthful Chalice of Li Pei and no one is going to question the authority of those Honored Peers. This level of intimidation can also be used on those that are not followers or Li Pei whereas the contents are a mixture of wine and a strong infusion of Olus Veritis (see PenGen Pt. 4 – Herbs)
Li Pei has been portrayed as holding a small stack of very thin bound books of stone slabs, measuring 2 hands wide and 5 hands tall. Speculation about this ‘stone book’ ranges from it being the laws and edicts of Li Pei, to the first commands given from Aria to Li Pei. Regardless, all 4th Peer priests and up, are required to have created one of these books by hand and in it are the laws of their respective position and the laws that are to be followed by those of lesser ranks. The following is a list of the Laws of Li Pei that must be included in every book and memorized by every paladin, priest and follower of the faith

1. Followers of the faith will not steal
2. Followers will not permit others to steal
3. Followers will not lie even if the truth means death
4. Followers will not allow others to lie
5. Followers will not murder or kill in any capacity other than to defend themselves or their property
6. Followers will not allow others to murder or kill unless they are defending their life or property
7. Followers will not under any circumstances rape, pillage or plunder
8. Followers will not allow others to rape, pillage, or plunder
9. Followers will not be gluttonous or be in the company of anyone who is
10. Followers will not be lazy or slothful or be in the company of anyone who is
11. Followers are not allowed to give into rage regardless of the taunt or affront
12. Followers are not allowed to possess or demonstrate hubris
13. Followers are not allowed to demonstrate cowardice at any time

Divine Domains

Law and Order

Artifacts

The armor of Li Pei was created by a combined effort of Gel’n’ven and Pelbon and each piece has the ability to bestow on it’s wearer the following skills.

Helm

Detect lie, this will not disclose the truth but the wearer will know if the person they are talking to is lying

Breast Plate

Know Intent – allows the wearer to know what the intention is of a specific action e.g. Sees a person scanning the room (made perception check) and will know that they are looking for an easy mark to pick pocket. If they confront the person they will then know they are looking for a specific gem.

Greaves

-3 to anyone trying to use knockback or knockdown on wearer

Gauntlets

+2 to all healing (herbal and/or magical)/+4 if they are a follower of Li Pei

Shield

+4 AC versus evil alignment

Any one of these pieces can be worn by a person of lawful good alignment however the further away from that alignment the wearer over a period of hours to days start to develop a form of schizophrania where they start to hear voices that are contantly telling them they are not worthy to wear the armor as they wear it. This effect is cumulative over time to the point where eventually this voice is all they can hear.  This can be reversed with a remove curse spell but only from a paladin of Li Pei. If the entire ensemble is worn, the times are cut in half for the malady to manifest. 

• LN – 7 days
• LE – 3 days
• NG – 1 day
• N – 12 hrs
• NE – 9 hours
• CG – 5 hours
• CN – 3 hours
• CE – 1 hour

Divine Symbols & Sigils

Social

Contacts & Relations

Captain Vahgnre

Greater Goddess of Law & Order

Divine Classification

Greater Goddess

Religions

• Pandorian Religion

Church/Cult

Pandorian Religion

Presentation

Androgynous

Related Historical Events

• 582 AA
  Li Pei's Ascension

Locations dedicated to the teachings of her are ruled by a kritarchy.