Order of Saint Henriet
Divine Origins
The Order of Saint Henriet is a small but unique knight order within the lands of fair Vebastonne. Their origins lie within the Crusade of Light, where a group of vestonian knights were cornered and abducted by a vampire from Clan Balaur known as Vanita the Bloody. She would subject these knights to cruel experiments rather then killing them, with the worst of all being a mutated strain of vampirism she wanted to test the effects of. This strain would become to be known as the Lazuri strain of vampirism, and would cause skin lesions and nerve damage and cause a forever nagging pain in their skin. Their skin would become terrifyingly scarred and withered, but these newly turned vampires would manage to break their shackles and tear Vanita to shreds. These knights would return discreetly to Vebastonne in shame, for they had been turned into monsters. It is said that their founder, Henriet, was going to throw himself upon a wall of spiked rocks nearby a cliff, but as he was about to jump, Lila would cry out for him to stop. She knew the pain and horror going through the knight, but it drove her to tears to see such a young knight throw his life away. This revelation would drive Henriet to tears, as he would vow to Lila that he would lead his order in her name, and that through the destruction of those who threaten Vebastonne, they do their penance for their monstrous forms. He would reveal to his fellow knights their true purpose, and from there these vampires would swear an oath to defend the weak and to use their powers for good.
Tenets of Faith
The tenants of The Order of Saint Henriet are the same as Lila's, however with some extra additions:
- Do not feed on the innocent, for we are their saviors
- Wear a helm or mask at all times, for we must spare others from gazing at our wretched form
- Know that every step you take you are cursed and doomed, only through penance and chivalric duty may your soul be saved
- Do not ever give another living being the curse of vampirism, for we suffer so that others may not need too.
Ethics
The Order of Saint Henriet is bound by the code of chivalry all vestonian knights swear and follow.
Worship
Worship is largely group prayers early in the morning, followed by a ritual in where they clean their bandages and redress their wounded skin and body, for they take great care in making sure this disease of their body and soul doesn't spread more or to others.
Priesthood
The order receives very few new recruits, for it is said one of Vanita's assistants rarely finds a specimen to infect with this vampiric strain, apparently this strain can allow vampires to see about experiments they can commit upon themselves. As such, most of the orders warriors are the same as from when it began, numbering just about 50. However their knightly training and vampiric powers allow them to be highly competent warriors. The order refers to themselves simply as "Leper Knights" and take donations of blood from willing peasantry. Their strange form of vampirism does not have the weakness to the sun, but does have the horrid side effect of their skins condition and while they feel less pain from outside forces, they feel a constant burning pain along their skin that they can never get used to.
Granted Divine Powers
Lilla grants these penitent knights her blessings in battle, so that they may one day atone for their monstrous forms.
Political Influence & Intrigue
Though they are vampires, many of the locals of Vebastonne understand that they are good hearted and caring in nature, and so are viewed more as tragic heroes then unholy spawns of the night. It is said when a knight of the order leaves a town, the townspeople will form a crowd around him and weep and mourn as he leaves, for this hero is doomed to live a cursed existence and sufferers unimaginable pain so that others may know peace.
Outside of Vebastonne, relations are more complicated. While the Church of the Flame does argue Lila is simply a regional aspect of their god The Flame, vampire's have always been on a kill on site basis with the church. This tests the good faith the church has with these vestoni knights, and so while they have not been added to a kill list, tense stand offs and arguments are not unknown.
"We are cursed, but by Lila's grace we are saved!"
Type
Religious, Holy Order
