Cadoc of the Cowl

Saint Cadoc is the patron of the Cymbrian Kingdoms. Unswerving in his devotion to the Light of Amon, he is protector of the common good and an inveterate foe of brigands, pillagers, and foreign invaders. Among his followers are farmers, shepherds, craftsmen, and all who rely on collective action and the good will of others.

Divine Domains

Protection, Faith, Community

Tenets of Faith

The most oft-heard phrase from the followers of Saint Cadoc is, "Take up the cowl and follow!" But other popular aphorisms include the following:

• The sword edge is ever turned by the shield of light
• No battle can be won if the kingdom has been lost
• The craftsman is the champion of the warrior
• The righteous arm is only as strong as its neighbor
• The greatest darkness is defeated by the smallest light

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Saint Cadoc sometimes appears as a fresh and rosy cheeked youth, and other times as a vigorous and mature man.  In either form, he has broad shoulders, powerful arms, and sturdy legs.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Saint Cadoc was once a mortal man, son of Woolos the Warrior (himself a robber chieftain and son of Glywys the Brenin of Glywysing) and Gwladys, a princess from the royal house of Brycheiniog. Woolos, whose deeds were celebrated by the Cymbrian bards, was soon to be overshadowed by the miraculous deeds of his son. When Tathyw, Abbot of the Great Monastery at Caerwent in Gwent, went to Woolos court to demand the return of a number of cattle that had been taken from the abbey in a raid, Woolos was so impressed with the cleric that he sent his son to be educated by him. From Tathyw, Cadoc the ways of Illtyd the Wise, but above all he loved the Light of Amon and sought to serve more directly. He personally defeated the hag Uggwyld in the marshy glooms of the Wildwood, which at that time extended almost to the Saffron Sea. With the aid of his followers, the swamps were drained, monsters defeated, and to aid the breaking of the new ground, two stags came from the wood to pull the plough. There Cadoc founded the Church of the Two Stags, and established a school and a hospital there as well.
During this time, Cadoc founded many other churches in Glywysing, Gwent, and Brycheiniog, including the famous monastic center and school on the summit of Ysgyrrid Fawr near Caer Gafenny. Soon he began to travel more widely, to Eriu, Dalriada, and even further north into the wilds of Caledonia, where the creatures of Iuz dwelt in darkness. It is said that Cadoc went himself into the ruined fortress of Ironguard, there to confront the Archmage Khai'nzirr, greatest of Iuz's servants. The bards say that Cadoc broke the power of the wicked Archmage, casting him down into the darkness, and pursued his enemies to the very edge of the Nether Pits, where he is said to have grappled with the dark lord Incabulos himself. His followers claim that for these deeds of greatness he was taken into the Heavens by Amon and granted divine status, to better serve the Light.
He is called the Bearer of Hope, who brings comfort to all who dwell in darkness. He works mostly through his churches and his priesthood, but his followers say that his zeal to be on the front lines sometimes impels him to act in person. When he does, he always appears in humble guise but always in a form that embodies his power, which he cannot hide--as a robust farmer, a simple woodsman, or a vigorous craftsman or merchant.

Morality & Philosophy

Saint Cadoc is first and foremost a protector. Although he is committed to overthrowing the forces of darkness, he holds that the victory over evil is nothing without the safety of the community. Evil for followers of Saint Cadoc is not simply the violence of the wicked, whether human or divine, but the numerous evils that erode a community--hunger, disease, and poverty certainly, but also hopelessness, selfishness, and isolation. For that reason, although he is himself a founder of monasteries, Saint Cadoc expects followers to be actively engaged in the world.

Divine Classification

Lesser God

Religions

• Church Structure
• The Kingdom of Gwent-Glywising

Alignment

Lawful Good

Church/Cult

The Order of Saint Cadoc

Quotes & Catchphrases

Saint Cadoc's most famous teachings often take the form of aphorisms:

The sword edge is ever turned by the shield of light.

No battle can be won if the kingdom has been lost.

The craftsman is the champion of the warrior.

The righteous arm is only as strong as its neighbor.

The greatest darkness is defeated by the smallest light.

Take up the cowl and follow!