St. Cuthbert (kuhth · brt)
Saint Cuthbert is characterized as a staunch opponent of evil, a zealous and driven saint who values discipline, honesty, zeal, and pragmatism, all tempered by common sense. He is rough, hot-tempered, and staunch in his convictions. He is also a bit of a dick.
Sainthood
Cuthbert is a saint and patron of Pelor. For all his rough edges, Saint Cuthbert is a practical saint who does care intensely for the people who follow him. As a saint of common sense, he values judgment and individuality; the letter of the law should be strict, but the people should be flexible in applying it, not just follow the law blindly. Punish thievery, yes, but a man who stole a loaf of bread to feed his starving family should just get a flogging and a scolding for not asking for help first, you shouldn't just cut his handoff.Holy Prayers
St. Cuthbert’s religious teachings are passed on in the form of commandments, all of which begin “Thou shalt” or “Thou shalt not.” In general, clerics of St. Cuthbert are more likely than most to pepper their speech with “thee,” “thine,” and other archaic pronouns.Holy Rites
All of St. Cuthbert’s ceremonies include a brief but fiery sermon from a member of the clergy, who exhorts the listeners to turn from their chaotic ways and adhere more closely to the laws of St. Cuthbert.Clergy
Clerical Training
St. Cuthbert teaches new clerics with specially recruited mentors that have drill-sergeant attitudes and stern demeanors. Day and night his acolytes pray, train, and fi ght, until they can recite entire books of St. Cuthbert’s scripture from memory.Temples
Solid, imposing buildings are favored by the architects of St. Cuthbert’s temples. Many feature engraved quotations such as “Chaos and evil prevail where good folk do nothing” or “Obstinacy brings lumps to the heads of the unfaithful.” The clergy there offer healing and protective magic, but they’re careful to make sure that those they help are worthy of St. Cuthbert’s favor.Artifacts
Ajira's Rod
Ajira's Rod is a relic of a legendary paladin called Ajira. Some of his bones were placed in the hilt of his mace, becoming the relic. It glows, removes disease, and regenerates its wielder.Cuthbert's Crudgle (a.k.a. The Crudgle That Never Forgets)
This mace has been known to be handed out to various champions from time to time. While not a powerful item, it is a good tool in the fight against evil.Cuthbert's Morningstar
This Morningstar has been handed out by Cuthbert to his favorite champion of the time. It is a powerful artifact (starting with a +5 bonus to hit), that has been seen only a handful of times since Cuthbert's sanctification.The Shards of the Sun
The Shards of the Sun are described in Pelorian holy texts as "Pelor’s gift, which I carry into darkness—a sun that never sets." It is said that many of these shards exist in lost temples of Pelor still waiting to be found by the faithful.Tabard of the Great Crusade
Holy Books & Codes
The Gospel of Saint Cuthbert
The Gospel of Saint Cuthbert, also known as the Sunhurst Script or the Saint Cuthbert Gospel of Saint Rao, is an early (c.4000 Medieval Era) pocket gospel book, written in Latin. With a page size of only 138 by 92 millimeters (5.4 in × 3.6 in), the St Cuthbert Gospel is one of the smallest holy texts in the Prime Pantheon manuscripts. This book is mostly a retelling of the events of the Light of Pelor but in simpler terms and has been regarded as a model of simplicity.Tenets of Faith
Dogma
Pelorians believe that the life-giving sun is the best cure for all of Asyur's ills. Justice and freedom are brought about through charity, modesty, perseverance, and self-sacrifice. Pelor's priests teach that the truly strong don't need to prove their power. Pelorians strive to perform so many good acts that evil has no room in which to exist, though they will fight if necessary. Pelor is wrathful against the forces of evil and is especially opposed to the undead. However, Pelor urges his followers to remember that excessive attention to things of evil can blind one to the truly important things: compassion and goodness. These are what must be emphasized above all. Pelorian dogma has it that the energy and power of life originate in the sun.Scriptures
Saint Cuthbert and Common Sense.
This short book, normally no more than thirty pages long, uses simple language to explain the tenets of Saint Cuthbert's faith. Some personal interpretation is permitted, but the essentials (obey the law, be good, and use common sense) remain the same. Those who fail at living up to the Saint's virtues are advised to turn to their communities for advice and support and to pray to Saint Cuthbert to clear up their confusion. Copies of Saint Cuthbert and Common Sense are normally written by hand in easy-to-read letters, sometimes with simple drawings. Gilded illuminations and elaborate calligraphy are not in harmony with the Cuthbertine aesthetic.Tales of the Vulgar Fool.
This book is considered foul heresy in the eyes of Cuthbertines, particularly the Order of the Stars, who try to suppress it whenever it is encountered. It takes the traditional Cuthbertine parables of the Wise Fool and twists them so that instead of overcoming his problems with common sense, he indulges in thievery and lechery. Non-Cuthbertines see these stories as humorous parodies of uptight Cuthbertine homilies, but the church does not approve. A small minority of the faithful take the Tales of the Vulgar Fool to heart and incorporate their "advice" into their lives, and this is the sort of thing the Order of the Stars tries to stamp out.Holidays
Saint Cuthbert's Day (4th day, 6th month)
Saint Cuthbert's Day. It involves locals and pilgrims gathering at a city's gate at dawn and parading and singing along a major road until they reach the local shrine or temple. Children swipe at everyone within reach with switches in a custom known as "the cleansing" - but the marchers are guarded by members of the Billets, who swiftly crackdown on non-Cuthbertines who seek to take advantage of this to vent some anti-Cuthbertine sentiment. At their destination, a cleric brings out a replica of the Mace of Cuthbert and there is a great feast from noon until dusk, and then a bonfire from sundown until midnight that the faithful believe can remove curses and misfortune.Breadgiving Day (4th day, 4th month)
Breadgiving Day. This is a new event that began only after the Dalepact, originally as a charitable event for refugees. Subsequently, it has become a day dedicated to feeding the hungry in general. Cuthbertines take the opportunity to preach and gain converts and provide security for the event. All the faiths of Pelor also participate, and try to keep the Cuthbertines from getting too sanctimonious or aggressively preachy.Divine Goals & Aspirations
Like St. Heironeous, Cuthbert urges his followers to undertake quests that uphold the chivalric ideal. But more of the Cudgel’s quests involve righting a wrong or avenging a fallen hero. Tracking down the bandits that stole the viscount’s tax collections, imprisoning the blackguard who slew Sir Cyrrus the Bold, and liberating a province conquered by demon armies are all crusades that a follower of St. Cuthbert would lend his sword to.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Cuthbert is still alive, a feat not many other saints can claim. This does not mean however that he is an easy man to track down. On the contrary, most of his clergy and followers will hold secret meetings on special holy days in attempts to open small viewing windows to Cuthbert, to either send him aid or to chronicle his story. Because Chutberthians mostly live in the Lowlands, it is no surprise that the oldest Cuthberthian church in the lowlands would hold the most information on their patron saint. This church is the First Church of St. Cuthbert in Hommlet and it has become a site of pilgrimage.
Title(s)
The Loyal Earl
The Crudgle That Never Forgets Symbol
A wooden club or crudgle
Portfolio
Retribution, wisdom, zeal, discipline
Worshipers
Church of St. Cuthbert of the Cudgel Solem Ecclesia
Adventuring clerics and paladins, healers, war-priests
The Loyal Earl
The Crudgle That Never Forgets Symbol
A wooden club or crudgle
Portfolio
Retribution, wisdom, zeal, discipline
Worshipers
Church of St. Cuthbert of the Cudgel Solem Ecclesia
Adventuring clerics and paladins, healers, war-priests
Divine Classification
Demigod
Religions
Alignment
Lawful Neutral (with Lawful Good tendencies)
Current Status
On a mission to kill the demonesses Lolth and Zuggtmoy
Current Location
Currently Boarded Vehicle
Species
Ethnicity
Realm
Church/Cult
Year of Birth
3973
162 Years old
Circumstances of Birth
Born under a Solar Eclipse
Birthplace
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Hazel
Hair
Shoulder length, shaggy, brown
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
White, tanned
Height
6'3"
Weight
250 lbs
Belief/Deity
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Comments