Maranist Order
The Maranists are priests of the Maranonic Faith in Colo that have taken vows to defend the faithful of the country of Colo from danger, hardship and threats to life and property as part of their priestly duties. The Maranist Order has emerged over the course of the last 25 years because of the near constant threat of attacks and raids by Imessian ruffians and brigands. These priests take vows to teach, nurture and assist the defenseless and threatened residents of homes and villages near the border with Imesse. Some teach villages how to build strong defenses from locally available materials, others teach hand-to-hand fighting tactics while others provide physical and spiritual support and comfort to those who have recently suffered attacks.
All member priests are mendicants, meaning they have no possessions or holdings of their own and live by the charity and goodwill of the communities and families they encounter. All offer reflective readings and teachings from the Maranonic scriptures known as the Song of Life and some have come to have significant followings of the faithful. Several of the Maranists that travel through the Torn River region have preached to gatherings of as many as several thousand listeners.
The Maranist currently number about 200 avowed members, but they do not have a dedicated location that they work from. Instead, they travel the Colian countryside in twos or threes and stop to offer advice, council or support whenever they encounter a town, village, homestead or tuath that will accept them.
Structure
No actual administrative structure exists for the Maranists. One Maranist, and at least one witness, can take the vows of any ordained priest of the faith and bring that priest into the order. Members usually travel in pairs across the countryside to preach and offer support or aide to those in need.
Public Agenda
To provide support, aid and education in the defense and protection of the innocent from threats of violence by non-believers.
Tenets of Faith
That safety and protection are blessings promised by Maranon to his believers and that those dedicated to serving Maranon must also serve and protect his faithful.
Priesthood
Anointed priests of the Faith take vows of poverty and service superseding all other promises and commitments and work to protect, defend and support the faithful for th rest of their lives. Typically, Maranists shave their heads and faces as often as they can and wear robes that display the colors of Maranon's divine fire: red, yellow and orange. Their Maranist vows forbid them from keeping or using edged weapons, even to defend the faithful, so all train to become masters of hand-to-hand fighting and in the use of non-edged weapons such as the quarterstaff, mace and slings. Their vows make allowance only for a single small knife that can be used to eat with, shave with or carve new wooden idols of Maranon with, should the need present.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Maranists are seen as a great boon by most Colians, but there are many members of the ruling elite that see the movement as a real and measurable threat. The Maranists base much of their Order's divine purpose on the Song of Life scriptures, and within those scriptures are literally hundreds of stanzas and verses clearly stating that good deeds are rewarded and evil deeds are punished, both in this life and in the next life. This is the foundation of the Order's purpose in openly advocating and actively participating in the defense of the Colian people from attack. It has also had the ancillary effect of bring about renewed criticism of Colo's continued use of institutional chattel slavery by every Clan in the country. This institution is a huge source of revenue for some of the most powerful and influential members of Colo's ruling elite, and many of them rabidly oppose any opposition to the institution from any source... even from Maranon himself.
A painting of a Maranist in summer robes with all his earthly possessions
A very stylized painting of a Maranist from Rotrishold
