Rath

The blade has many forms, but none so deadly as the keen and sharpened mind that guides them.

Rath is the major god of warfare and swordplay, and the ward of chivalry. Recently risen to take the place of Richter who was judged by his own mother and destroyed, Rath was once the immortal saint of swordplay, and before that, was a gloriously talented swordsman who earned sainthood through skill and focus. As such, those who were once followers of Rath as a saint have joined with those uncorrupted clergy and paladins who survived the destruction of Richter to form the Temple of Rath.

He is depicted as he appeared in life, a human man of powerful build, though his blonde hair has long since faded to white with the divine power flowing through him, and his features have grown impossibly perfect.

Rath is still known as the Sword Saint, but has already earned many more monikers in the brief ten years since his apotheosis: the Risen, Death of the Undying, the Taker of Eyes, and Blade of the Grey.

Dogma

Rath cares little for prying into the lives of mortal beings and does not preach. If people wish to learn from those who follow him of their own accord, he teaches. Those who desire to serve more directly find themselves visited by dreams of training, and bolstered by spells to serve this. To those who choose to follow, Rath expects to stand and fight as needed. To those protected, Rath asks only that this kindness be paid forward. To those who would prey on the weak and the innocent, Rath asks only their death.

Followers

The followers of Rath come in two general flavors: those who have chosen to make combat a way of life, and those who cleave to chivalry. Both are welcome, and as time goes on, the two groups begin to take traits from one another and grow closer. The most famous of Rath's followers are the dreaded Sword Saints, whose skill with the blade has grown genuinely supernatural. Though many use a sword of some type, Sword Saints have appeared using other weapons; such as spears, daggers, and even chakram. Kensai monks also venerate Rath. Of those who cleave to chivalry, there is a small but dedicated membership of clerics and paladins.

Temples of Rath are simple, defensible buildings with room for training, forges for creating weapons and armor, and comfortable-but-simple living quarters for those clergy and paladins who serve their local community. Such temples are commonly open throughout the night, and well defended at all times. It is not uncommon for training to be occurring at all hours, which has given Temples of Rath a reputation for being quite dangerous for bandits to get close to. As not only are there defenders awake, but it takes them very little time to mount up and ride out after such brigands.

Bloodletters

Those whose faith is most closely bound up in the protection of innocents are given a choice to enter into the order of Bloodletters. Clerics of the Bloodletters (and only Clerics of Rath who take the Vow of Bloody Defense) may choose the Grave domain, and Paladins who take the Vow of Bloody Defense may freely select the Oath of Vengeance without repercussion. Members of the Bloodletters are set the nigh impossible task of protecting the innocent from the never-ending Blood War that rages between the Hells and the Abyss.

Major God

Symbol

Upright Sword on a Blue Field

Portfolio

Swordplay; Chivalry; Warfare

Alignment

Lawful Good

Home Plane

Saludare

Favored Weapon

Sword (any)

Cleric Alignments

• Lawful Good
• Lawful Neutral
• Neutral Good

Cleric Domain Selection

• Grave (Bloodletters only)
• Order
• War