Black Friars

The Black Friars, a name derived from their tradition of wearing black cassocks and cloaks over their white tunics, are known throughout Europa and feared by many. They are most famous for their relentless - many would say ruthless - pursuit of dark magics (malefictum), heresy, hidden evil, and other potential threats to the Holy Church. However this is not the limit to their activities. Black Friars travel the known world as missionaries, explorers, and diplomats. They are renowned theologians and philosophers, holding "chairs" at many universities. Like their fellow friars, some also perform the traditional mendicant activities of working with the poor and outcast, though always keeping a sharp eye open for heretical acts and ideas.
Only the most dedicated members of the Holy Church are capable of joining this order and then only if they show both proper aptitude and unbending faith.
Has mendicants of the Holy Church, male Black Friars are associated with a priory, a sort of monastery, but are encouraged to travel, spreading and enforcing the holy word. Women join a related order of nuns, and live in convents. The Black Friars possessions nominally belong to the order, from which they can in turn expect a commensurate amount of support. They cannot marry, and in general must maintain a life that is oriented to the spiritual, not the worldly. Most of the time they given a fair amount of autonomy in furthering the interests of the Holy Church, as informed by the teachings of the Order, of course. However they are subordinate to higher ranking friars and may be called upon to perform certain tasks.

Public Agenda

Practitioners of dark magics and the heresy they represent must be stopped by any means necessary

Knowledge and understanding of the teachings of the Holy Church are the most effective tool against heresy and evil

Type

Religious, Monastic Order

Alternative Names

Order of Contemplative Discovery