Sarpedon

Sarpedon

God of Guardians

Descriptive Info

Gender: Male

Avatar: Heimdul, Saard

Consort(s): None

Allies: Abaris, Goddess of Magic; Aridnus, God of Judgment; Baelthor, God of Earth (paternal grandfather) Evander, God of Gates (father); Fides, God of Oaths (half-brother); Majestas, Goddess of Law (mother); Meliboea, Goddess of Justice (half-sister); Pavor, God of Travel; Thalia, Goddess of the Hearth; Vitulus, God of Cities; Vortumnus, God of Chivalry; Zelos, God of the State.

Foes: Britomaris, God of Thievery; Empusa, Goddess of Poison; Mormo, God of Deception; Themis, God of Mischief.

Spiritual Info

Rank: Intermediate

Nature: Harmonius

Ethos: Benign

Major Influence: Guardians

Minor Influence(s): Abjuration, Rangers, and Law Enforcement

Symbols

The symbol of Sarpedon is an open eye, often on a white field. Holy symbols rarely include the white field unless the individual is of rank within the Church. The ash tree is extremely significant to the worship of Sarpedon; ash is typically used as a backing for shields and its leaves are often seen embellishing Sarpedian architecture.

Dwelling Place

The Fortress of Steel

Servants

St. Antonidus the Brave, St. Hjergal of the Golden Sword, St. Graladar the Warder.

Doctrine

No information available on the doctrine of Sarpedon

Mission

No information available on the mission of Sarpedon

Geography

No geographic information available on Sarpedon

History of the Church

No historic information available on Sarpedon

Organization

No information available on the Organization of the Church of Sarpedon

Garments

Clergymen tend to wear colors according to their rank, modified by their station. Goodmen primarily wear brown, Squires wear a light tan, Warders wear green (with Master Warders typically wearing a dark, forest green), Decons wear bright red and Archdecons a dark burgundy. All of the uniforms of Sarpedon contain gray or silver linings, but only the Steward may wear only gray clothing.

Religious Practices

No information available on the religous practices of the Church of Sarpedon

Customs

The clergy of Sarpedon tend to be highly hierarchal, though there are a few priests who feel that they best serve their deity by disassociating themselves somewhat from the established clergy. It is most often these priests who become adventurers or advisors to lay organizations dedicated to Sarpedon. Even so, they obey a very strict chain-of-command within the Church.

The lowest grade within the Church is the Goodman or Goodwoman. Goodmen generally have the responsibility of handling the menial chores around the Temple, though particularly promising ones may be given a Task under the close supervision of a superior. Ranking above them are the Squires; these are the rank-and-file priests of the Church and are responsible for overseeing the Goodmen as well as patrolling the grounds of the Church and seeing to its defenses. Above them are the Warders, who are typically the highest ranking officials in most Temples. The Warders are responsible for leading units in wartime and oversight of various functions of the Temple. Each Temple has a Master Warder who is the ultimate authority in that temple, unless other clergymen of higher rank are in residence. The Decons are next in rank and typically have administrative authority over several Temples. There are five Archdecons, who have authority over several Deconrics, who report to the Steward of Sarpedon. Rank is gained through years of service, loyalty and performance and not on heredity or social position. The Steward of Sarpedon is raised from the Archdecons upon unanimous vote by the other four Archdecons.

Clergymen of the lowest and highest ranks tend to be the most restricted in their activities. Most clergymen not directly attached to a Temple are Squires or Warders. Very few Decons have responsibilities outside the Church, though a few act as the de facto leader of the town guard in the regions that they preside over.

Clergymen and lay parishioners of Sarpedon use a particular salute when greeting one another. The salute begins with the left hand brought across to the right side of the body, with the elbow at a 90-degree angle and the knuckles towards the person being greeted. The arm is then swept down and to the left side. The movement is to represent your guard being relaxed in the presence of a friend in faith.

Clergymen are often called upon to bolster the ranks of the local guard, particularly in times of war. Except in times of war or other emergency, the Church typically charges for the services rendered by their clergymen. The money is paid to the Church, as all clergymen of Sarpedon accept a vow of poverty when they are first confirmed. All necessaries, whether it be food, weaponry or even the shields on their backs is formally owned by the Church. Purchasing extravagant items or luxuries is frowned upon and may result in an investigation by Church leaders.

Despite being a martially-oriented faith, clergymen of Sarpedon consider the most honorable death to be in one’s own bed. Dead in the course of duty is considered honorable only when the clergyman’s charge is saved by his death. Death that results in the clergyman’s charge falling to an enemy is considered an undesirable death and may prevent the clergyman from reaching his place at the Fortress of Steel.