Lawbringer's Cult
Structure
Lawbringer's Cult exault's Saint Drakson the Lawbringer as chief of the deities. As followers of his cult are often attempting to bend the laws to their benefit the cult is secretive of it's adherants and broken up into cells. Those cells are in turn led by a cultist/priest who takes the title High Authority.
History
When the God of Law was overthrown by a mere mortal there was an upheaval as the former deity's clerics and priests all felt their connection to their deity vanish. Some said the God had come to the mortal realm because of a challenge, others say the mortal reached the God's realm and when he returned he had become a saint, regardless the former god had been deposed of his divine domain and a new deity took his place. Some followed out of habit but many fled the faith as Drakson held no illusion that the world was harsh and unforgiving. Still this understanding of the law and how to exploit it gathered some to worship publicly though most gathered secret creating the first cult.
As followers learned of tactics, manipulation, and the rule of law many of Darkson's followers became rich and powerful as their understanding of the law positioned themselves in key positions that could influence others and draw in greater profits. While their power was great as each follower grew so too did conflicts between each supplicant, to prevent outright war the first High Authority came to power and began spreading the Lawbringer's followers across the country and the world establishing a franchises in cities and remote border towns, these became the seeds of the larger cult, some growing into powerful cults themselves while others were destroyed either by their own hubris or from an angry mob.
Today the cult is established across much of Gedic and a few other continents. The cult has infiltrated many of the merchant and craftsmens guilds and boasts people of all ages, genders, and rank. Due to the secretive nature of the cult many are unaware of who are followers save those who the followers recruit and the one whom recruited them. Instead plans and machinations are discussed with the local High Authority who manages their individual cell to the benefit of both themselves and their cell.
Mythology & Lore
There are a great many myths as to how Drakson came to power each differing in the telling from one region to another. Most speak of Drakson as a mortal who, dissatisfied that the law was held to impossible ideals utilized his cunning to manipulate the priest's of the God of Law. Upon reaching a rank respective to meet one of the angel's of the God, Drakson manipulated the angel into taking the man to see the deity. From there Drakson challenged the God and won taking from the diety their divine domain of law.
Most myths are not of Drakson himself but of famous followers of the Lawbringer's Cult who managed to obtain greath wealth and or power through their cunning and working within the cult. The most famous was the story of Niccolo, the magistrate, and the nine pieces of silver. Niccolo was once a guardsman who languished in squalor while others grew fat off the spoils of the city. It was only thanks to the captain of the guard's generosity that Niccolo was initiated into Lawbringer's Cult for a chance at changing his fate. Once he became a member he was shown all the ways one could bend the rules to earn an extra coin. But when the captain of the guard attempted to initiate the magistrate into Lawbringer's Cult, the lawman could not be turned and many of the cult's followers were imprisoned or executed.
When Niccolo was brought before the magistrate the guardsman was asked under a spell of truth to speak whom he owed his loyalty to?
"I have but five silver to give to those whom I owe my loyalty to." Niccolo replied.The magistrate was angered and asked why he betrayed his country but Niccolo interrupted the man and said.
"I take home five silver a day guarding this gate, the first of which I owe to the country that protects me, the second goes to the farmer who grows my food, the third I pay to the tailor who cloths me and keeps me warm, the fourth silver I owe to my landlord who gives me a roof beneath which to sleep, the fifth is owed to me for if I am not loyal to myself then I am but a fool"So taken aback by these words the magistrate left Niccolo free and from actions he was able to save others within the cult. When at last the magistrate had gone thinking the cult expunged from the city the High Authority asked Niccolo how he had lied to a man who see his every lie to which Niccolo said:
"I have but five silver to give to those whom I owe my loyalty to. But if I am to look the other way or use the law to my advantage I expect to be paid in gold."And to this day the Lawbringer's Cult recognize each other by those who pay their loyalty in silver, while keeping their riches in gold thus taking the nickname Silvers.
Tenets of Faith
Takes what you want within the limits of your code of conduct without regard for whom it hurts.
Care for tradition, loyalty, and order but not about freedom, dignity, or life.
Play by the rules but without mercy or compassion.
Follow the letter of the law but break the spirit of the law where you can benefit.
Care for tradition, loyalty, and order but not about freedom, dignity, or life.
Play by the rules but without mercy or compassion.
Follow the letter of the law but break the spirit of the law where you can benefit.
Ethics
Lawbringer's Cult will bend the rules to line their pockets and grow their powerbase but each franchise has limits depending on what line the the High Authority draws. Those who cross said line will find themselves outside the Lawbringer's Cult and often a target of their vengeance.
Priesthood
The High Authority is often the singular member of faith among their flock though most will have an apprentice among them who watches, learns, and assists in their master's work. While there is rumor of a Highest Authority that organizes each cult none have existed since the cult first franchised itself across the country. There have been times when a cult has grow so powerful it has had to split it's members apart to prevent infighting but those that are sent away become their own High Authority and while they may recognize the one who guided them vary rarely will they deal with the previous cult.
Sects
Often each sect of Lawbringer's Cult is confined to a single city though there are the exceptions for a larger metropolis where the High Authority will establish separate cells depending on district, guild, or profession. In rare instances a Lawbringer's Cult will find itself in conflict with another of the Lawbringer's Cult, neither will be aware of the other cult and will work against each other to find the superior cult. This is encouraged by Drakson as power without trial can often lead to slothfulness.
Type
Religious, Cult
Alternative Names
Drakson's Brood, Dark Watchmen, and Silvers
Deities
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