Vagrants of the River

Overview

The Vagrants of the River are an order of priests that predate the Calamity of Blindness and believe in the divine nature of rivers. They work to stop the corruption or destruction of existing rivers, including the harm dealt to rivers by over exploiting them. Vagrant priests travel to various settlements and work as advisers, whether wanted or not, to riverside settlers on how to live alongside the river without harming it. While some people take their words as holy, others merely scoff at them and work around the peaceful priests.

Purpose

Since their conception, the order has worked to fix any damage that might befall a river where they work, such as poisoned or being over fished. Priests often plant new trees or other fauna to bring back balance to the river's ecosystem. Many shrines and small shelters have been set up near the rivers of Aevir, offering reprieve and faith to weary travelers.
Many priests will direct guided meditation at a Vagrant shrine and happily offer their knowledge to amateur scholars or adventurers. The priests say that those who meditate and pray with them will be blessed with guidance on their travels along the river.

Beliefs

Priests of this order believe that clarity of mind and calmness are given directly from the spirit of the river. Destruction of the river, and thus its spirit, will fracture the mind of the individual and lead to an unhappy and chaotic life. To them, the only permissible violence in the world is that which is caused by nature itself. Peace and restoration are their fundamental values and breaking them will result in expulsion from their order or, in the case of non-members, denial of assistance.

Reach

Most Vagrants of the River are located west of the Major Dawn Sea though a couple individuals have traveled elsewhere to spread their knowledge. In settlements that value their work they stay and help the settlement with coexistence alongside their river. They share their knowledge of constructing aqueducts and of the native plants that allow the river to flourish.
The most notable group of vagrants are within various parts of Bloodhaven and act as holy advisers. These special priests serve as the primary decision makers in their villages for resolving disputes or where to place new buildings. Additionally, they lead all local holy services and ceremonies.
Vagrants are known to stay in settlements that reject their advice in hopes of eventually convincing the place to accept the balance and divinity of the river. Some have even dedicated their lives in pursuit of converting a particular town no matter how much they are sneered at or even threatened.
Because of the dangers that prowl the lands between towns, many vagrants will request to travel with adventurers for safety. Though some vagrants have picked up the ability to fight in case they must defend themselves. Regardless, many vagrants are known to never return after setting out for a new town to aid.

History

When they first formed, the order went by the proper elven name for them, Aeviri Vaghastas. Their goals were no different than they are now, their only desire to save the slowly dying rivers from the corruption of the Elven Empire. Largely the Empire ignored them, not caring for their sweet talk of an unseen spirit that watched over their towns and forts. When the first priests ramped up their efforts, they were threatened with arrest and the elven citizens were warned not to interact with them.
With the fall of the Empire, the order was seen in a new light as they worked tirelessly to keep the drought ridden land from being permanently destroyed. Their acts led them to high holy positions in a few parts of the Aevir, particularly the parts that suffered the most under elven rule.

Type

Religious, Monastic Order