Church of Andreia (Ahn-Dreh-Uh)

Andreia - The Arch-Paladin - LG

Chivalry, Justice, Valor

Tuavi - The Oath-Breaker - LE

Hate, Tyranny, Zeal

When the Inheritor fell, an event that sparked the Age of Omens, it is from the grace of this crusader that Lady Andreia, the Arch-Paladin, and patron saint of Rhella was born, raised from the prayers of the lost to give form and purpose. She is seen as the reincarnation and divine embodiment of the holy crusader, Alesaine Bhinnei by the people of Hekuda, and through her shining zeal the just rise up while the wicked be damned. It is through her guidance, and her herald that The Chosen were able to rise up and defeat Oblivion, and it is through her sword that those champions of valor take up arms to fight alongside her in the divine war.

Though this fight is not hers alone, while she is seen by many as the champion of justice, after her twin sister Tuavi's fall at the Seat of Oblivion, she has since taken on a more darker tone, passing on guidance not only to those champions of justice, but to any who would take up an oath. Many attribute this change in personality to Andreia having taken on the essence of her sister, gaining her power and memories so that she may never forget the once joyous sister that she held, but now, her sisters dark and twisted tendencies strike through Andreia like a dagger, bleeding the Oath-Breaker's hate and vengeance into the ideals of Andreia herself.

• Domains (Andreia): Loyalty, Order, Protection
• Domains (Tuavi): Destruction, Madness, Tyranny, War
• Oaths (Andreia): Conquest, Devotion, Glory, Redemption, the Crown, the Watchers
• Oaths (Tuavi): Conquest, Glory, Vengeance, Oathbreaker
• Sanctioned Orders (Andreia): Apostate, Marshal
• Sanctioned Orders (Tuavi): Apostate, Marshal

Symbols of Andreia

• Andreia's holy symbol is that of a sword shining radiantly before a golden sun, held aloft by a pair of divine wings.
• Tuavi's holy symbol is that of a shattered sword drenched in blood, back-lit by a fading sun.
• Andreia favors Eagles and views gryphons as sacred.

History

A character that has Lore (Andreia) reduces the DC of these checks by 5, this stacks with other DC reductions. A character that has Proficiency in History reduces the DC of these checks by 2, this stacks with other DC reductions. A character with lore (Rhella) reduces the DC of these checks by 5, this stacks with other DC reductions. A character can use passive knowledge to gauge their base knowledge of this deity, Passive Knowledge in this case would be a character's Intelligence (Religion) skill total + 5. Checks to learn about a deity are cumulative, should you achieve a DC 15 result, you would likewise receive the results of DC 10 and DC 5 respectively. Histories above DC 20 are located in the Secrets section of this deity.

• [Religion DC 5] - Andreia is the goddess of honor and justice.
• [Religion DC 10] - Andreia is the reincarnation and divine embodiment of the Holy Crusader, Alesaine Bhinnei. She had a sister named Tuavi, who fell at the Seat of Oblivion.
• [Religion DC 15] - Andreia was once mortal, graced by The Starstone, she ascended to divinity upon her death and subsequent saint-hood. She was taken by the Inheritor as her divine herald, but upon the Inheritor's fall, at the beginning of the Age of Omens, her church flourished, and those faithful that once prayed to the inheritor, though lost for a time, found comfort among the Arch-Paladins light.
• [Religion DC 20] - Andreia is a two-faced deity, dealing with not only her own personality, but that of her sister, Tuavi. Andreia's cheerful, yet measured countenance is countered by the grim, twisted, and insane outlook of Tuavi. Though most of the time, Andreia retains control, it is said during times of strife within her patron land of Rhella, that Tuavi's spirit has taken hold and her hate and madness seeps into the land itself. Still though, Andreia is said to love her sister, willing to sacrifice much to see her sister returned to the giggling girl that Andreia once knew when they were mortal children.

Dogma

Andreia understands that the world is a dark and dangerous place filed with threats both from within and without, but she does not allow this to cause her to lose hope. Nor does she let this acknowledgement of reality shake her belief in the goodness of mortal-kind. She believes that should a chance be had that evil may be redeemed that it is to be taken, no matter how hard the path may be that follows. She teaches her followers to fight for the weak and innocent, to speak only truths and follow just laws. Danger when you have the power to stop it, is to be faced head-on, with a cool and collected mind, and just determination to stop what must be stopped. Through all of this, it is through her guidance that many take up oaths, and it is her belief that these oaths must be upheld, loop-holes are tricks meant to shaken ones faith, while areas of gray are tests meant to strengthen ones resolve, but also to grant knowledge that sometimes there is no right answer. It is through these teachings that the Andreian Code has been marked, an example for many paladins of the oaths that they take and the ideals that they hold dear.

Home Plane

Though as a mortal native to Kaidryn, Andreia's realm as a divine being is known as The Halls of Redemption, located within plane of Vakasī also known as the Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia, this hall is her home, and the seat of her power as a divine being.

Appearance

Andreia is depicted as a tall human woman of bronze skin dressed in shining gold plated mail, adorned with fine silk cloth tied red with patterns of gold. She wears a mantle of wolves fur, said to be the pelt of the most terrible of wolf-kin, the Brachyurus. She has long silken black hair a warm and welcoming gaze, with eyes of a deep brown, though with a twisted grin her eyes dance with the maddening touch of her sister, a tinge of blue ringed throughout. She holds with her, the artifact Hallow's Edge--a mighty halberd of celestial bronze that is said to redeem the souls of those it claims.

Relationships

Andreia views the deities Dyn, Graund, Idunn, and Napalis as allies. She holds Idunn in great esteem, and heeds her advice above all others, this is especially true after the death of her sister, Tuavi. The church of Shai-Yu Sen and Andreia hold a somewhat friendly rivalry, the two orders vying for glory on the fields of battle, but also among other trials of skill, though some believe this rivalry goes just a tad too far. Andreia is distrusting of the god Kah'Dentu, while not necessarily a force of evil, Kah'Dentu's use of the undead is abhorrant in the eyes of Andreia. Narhethi and Unnyra she views with concern bleeding into distaste or even hate, finally Yndraskos she sees as a frightened animal trapped in a cage, fighting for freedom, and lashing out at any who would help it in fear of what it believes to be intentions of harm.

Temples and Shrines

The temples of Andreia act both as a place of worship, a hall for paladin orders, and a fortification in times of war, able to rest many would be refugees, but also acting as a staging ground for crusades into the irredeemable hells. Many of the old temples of the Inheritor have been converted into temples of Andreian worship. All temples often depict fantastical murals of battles and times of importance amongst the faithful, with the chapel itself holding a grand hall of raised columns, domed ceilings, and statues dedicated to Andreia's light.

Regions of Popular Worship

Andreia holds churches and cults throughout the lands of Kaidryn, but her faith is centralized within the realm of Rhella, and other realms within the continent of Hekuda. Though her focus on the eastern continent is true, the west and south are not without her touch. Cults can be found as far as the Free Marches of Leshulti. Though her religion is nowhere near as prominent or as potent as it is within its homeland.

Followers

Andreia's priests are composed of clerics and paladins, along with a few oracles dedicated to her service. Inquisitors are not unheard of serving under the Arch-Paladin, and it is said that a special sect of this order has been formed to do the tasks that others amongst the clergy are unable to due, lest they break the tenets of the faith. Those faithful spend every day at dawn in prayer, kneeling upon a special mat known as an Udom, this prayer consists of a deep kneel prayer, placing ones temple upon the Udom and chanting hymns from the holy texts of Andreia, for an hour before ones fast can break and the morning meal can begin. Additionally, many amongst the faithful spend time weekly helping the poor and needy, providing for those less fortunate or otherwise unable to defend themselves.
The formal attire of priests within the church includes a white cassock with gold or yellow trim. Often times this cassock is worn over some form of armor, especially in times of war. Those of higher rank amongst the clergy where a headdress known as a mitre, often decorated in symbols of the faithful. The faithful hold truth, justice, and honor above all others, and view personal hygiene as a sign of their devotion to their faith. Adventurer's who honor Andreia often wear garments of slim, yet fitted red, yellow, and white cloth, along with pelts of those beasts that they have vanquished, as a sign of peace being granted to a once maddened creature, and safety to those innocence that it killed.
The faith of Andreia, like her namesake would imply is a militaristic one, often launching crusades to fend off the forces of evil and championing causes of the just, to defend the weak and innocent from those that would threaten them. Because of this, many soldiers, guards, mercenaries, and others that make their living by the sword find themselves honoring the Arch-Paladin, along with those who seek to give back to their community, helping those who cannot help themselves.
Those followers of Andreia that travel are often out in the wider world on orders from their superiors to seek out and turn the tides of evil, to redeem those that can be redeemed, and to spread the word of the faithful, especially in lands where vice and sin have been given prominence. While many of the older priests within the faithful tend to stay on as a tacticians for lordly council, military instructors, judges, or divine guidance to smaller communities that would otherwise have none.
Novices amongst the faithful are known as Fideli. Full priests are given the title of Abbot, while those of ranking order the title of Pontiff. Those of the higher orders amongst the clergy hold the title of Saceri, finally, those of the highest order hold the title of Vicar. Amongst the holy orders of the knights templar, those devoted to their oaths, these titles are changed, but follow the order of the priests, and are as follows: Novitiate, Chaplain, Gallant, Templar, and Paragon respectively. These titles are separate from duty-titles such as pastor, minister, rector, monk, choir. In everyday use, senior priests are called Father or Mother, while lesser priests are known as Brother or Sister.

Tenets

• When danger threatens, I am not a fool. I seek first to make sure the weak and innocent are safe, and then quell the danger.
• You hold a duty, not only to the faithful, but the innocent, weak, and forgotten. You are to show courage, justice, and mercy in the face of adversity, and strength in the face of evil.
• You are to hold truth and devotion to the Lady as virtue. Speaking falsehoods are frowned upon, but sometimes necessary, though still distasteful.
• Generosity is faith, and faith is generosity, give when and what you can, keep only what you must.
• You are a champion of good against evil, hold back the tides of darkness, but strive always to redeem those that can still be saved, even if the path is long and arduous.

Sins

• Swear an oath and break it.
• Offer sanctuary and betray it.
• Slay an honorable opponent who has surrendered.
• Kill someone with vengeance in your heart.

Piety Progression

Piety is a measure of a character's devotion to their faith, it favors those that stay faithful, and curses those that break away from the faith, unless Atonement is given. Piety comes in 7 tiers, with each tier offering a boon or benefit to the character. All previous attained tiers of piety boons are retained. Piety Tiers are locked behind a character's Level, and Prestige, a character's level must meet or exceed the first number indicated in parenthesis () after the Piety tier to gain the benefit of that tier. Likewise, a character's prestige score must meet or exceed the second number indicated by parenthesis () after the Piety tier to gain the benefit of that tier. If a tier lists both Level and Prestige as a factor of attaining the boon, both must be attained to receive the indicated boon.

1. Tier I (1 / 0): No Boon.
2. Tier II (1 / 0): You gain proficiency in the Athletics skill. Should you already be proficient in this skill, you instead gain Proficiency in one skill, tool-kit, vehicle, or instrument of your choice.
3. Tier III (1 / 0): You gain a bonus on Prayer rolls towards this deity equal to your Tier in Piety.
4. Tier IV (4 / 0): You gain the ability to add a d4 Radiant damage to an attack that you have just made. This boon can be used a number of times equal to your Proficiency bonus; regaining spent uses after completing a long rest.
5. Tier V (8 / 0): You increase one ability score of your choice by 1, up to your ability score cap. This is treated as an ASI, and thus stacks with other enhancements to this ability score.
6. Tier VI (8 / 1): You gain the Divine Sense feature of the Paladin class. Should you already possess this feature, you instead double its range.
7. Tier VII (12 / 1): You gain the Blessing of Andreia. As an action, you can transform into the Crusader's Form, granting you greater battle prowess and skill for a time. This ability can be used once, regaining its use after you complete a long rest. Once active, for the next hour, or until combat ends, whichever comes first, you grow six glowing golden angelic wings that grant you a fly speed of 60 feet with the ability to hover, or enhance an already existing fly speed by 30 feet; in addition, you gain the benefits of the Bless spell for this duration and deal an additional 1d8 points of Radiant damage on all damaging attack rolls, this is doubled to 2d8 against Evil Outsiders. Your Piety bonus on prayer rolls while in this form is doubled.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Official Languages

• Celestial
• Common