Fist of the Divine

"They are the finest champions of Eidos. Bastions of courage. Stalwarts that know no pain, and allow for none. Woe betide any who meet them; for one does not meet the Fist by chance..."

The Fist of the Divine is the chosen personal guard of the Divine. Each is a master of their craft, essential to the Divine's organisation of The Chantry. They all swore holy vows of fealty to the Divine and The Maker; they were each supposed to be pinnacles of dedication to the Chantry's name, and as such were expected to forgo all the usual trappings of mortal men - land, family, and ambition. Their only purpose, once chosen and induced into the order, was to service the Divine and her holy cause. To break the vow would be considered amongst the highest possible treason; and to date, only two members of the order ever have broken this vow. Both were excommunicated and declared utter heretics.

History

Whilst the Fist as it currently stands did not form until sometime after the Rune Wars, its early beginnings can be traced back to the blacksmith whose spirit was later interred within Skyguard. He was the first of the Divine's close apostles, and as a result was the first Hand of the Divine. Later, once the relative peace from the conclusion of the Rune Wars had begun to dissolve, Justinia The First formed a proper honour guard to follow her into dangerous locales and to provide services necessary for the governance of the continent. They were hand-picked from amongst the most expert of the Chantry's peoples, and each was a legend in their own right. Of course, they would, in time, die of old age; and just as the Divine would change, so too would the older members of the Fist of the Divine. Those fit enough still to serve would partially fill a mentorship role not only for the newer members of the Fist, but for the Divine herself. Beyond that, the Fist remains an essential part of the Divine's toolset - useful for maintaining order on the battlefield, in the political courts at home, and in the hearts and minds of the common people.

Composition

Manpower

The Fist of the Divine was construed of six major people:

The Hand of the Divine

"Flexible. Reliable. Committed. The Hand was so named for they are the finest of the Divine's tools."

The de facto leader of this formation (in matters assigned by the Divine, at any rate), the Hand was a formidable individual, having coverage in most of the areas his peers did. Though not a specialist in any one field, his dedication to learning, commitment to the Divine, and generally years of experience in leadership and organisational roles made him a fit agent for the Divine where one of our Fingers might not cut it. Hands might be sent to parley on behalf of the Chantry with other factions; represent the Divine's intent with the First Enchanter of the Circle; or be her deferred supreme commander of the military should she not be fit to lead war efforts herself. The Hand was her most trusted aide, and most Hands were made a saint at one time or another for their duty to the Chantry.

The Fingers

The remaining five members of the Fist were known as the Fingers, and each served a major role for the Divine's governance of the realm. Some were purely martial; others served a more practical purpose.

Master-At-Arms

"There is no finer angel of death than one anchored in zealous fury."

The Master-At-Arms was the foremost martial expert of the Chantry. Rumoured to be practically unbeatable in one-on-one combat, the Master-At-Arms at training in almost every weapon. He was responsible for the training of his peers to reach their pinnacle of combat excellence, as well as tutoring the Divine herself on martial prowess. Whilst he was often more militarily minded than the Hand, who was expected to have a modicum of political know-how in order to act in the Divine's stead, the Master-At-Arms was nevertheless a respected warrior whose very presence would move whole rooms to silence at his uttering. He was a veteran of countless battles, and alongside the Divine, would surely see countless more.

Grand Cleric

"Truly, the Grand Cleric represents the unification of human intellect and pious devotion."

Firmly bound in spirit to the Chantry and the Maker, the Grand Cleric is said to be only one below the Divine on the holy pillars of faith. Their devotion to the Maker is utterly unshakeable, and they have spent a lifetime preaching His name and wishes. So convincing is a Grand Cleric that even sceptics may be converted to the Chantry's name, should they hear his pious barking; and those who follow the Chantry feel their very spirit uplifted in the Grand Cleric's presence. They are the spiritual leader of the Chantry; a representation of truly giving your entire life to the Maker's service. When the Divine has to contend with issues of faith - her own, or that of others - it is to the Grand Cleric she turns to reaffirm the one true word of the Chantry.

Miracle Worker

"No fortune can be ill enough, no wound severe enough, to deter the Miracle Worker from acting his craft."

A supreme medical mastermind, the Miracle Worker is an apothecary like no other. His knowledge of medicine extends into all relevant fields, even into healing of an arcane nature; and whilst not a martial individual, their timing on the battlefield for bringing soldiers back from death's door cannot be understated. The Miracle Worker earns their title by surviving, again and again, and ensuring the survival of others no matter how dire the circumstance. As a Divine ages into senility, it is the Miracle Worker's sacred duty to see her through to the Maker in her final days; to preserve her will as best as possible; and to see to it her body is properly embalmed and treated on her death. Miracle Workers are uncommonly long living; and there is ample reason why.

Archmage

"Fury and the very fabric of the world is made manifest within magical veins."

The Archmage is regularly regarded as the most powerful spellcaster on the continent. Whilst the First Enchanter is consigned to political duties as much to arcane ones, the Archmage is free to fully explore the depth of magic and its potential in the blood of mortals. Experienced in more spellcraft and with more knowledge of the arcane than perhaps any other living sage, the Archmage is a formidable spellcaster who can outpace and outduel all but the most fearsome of otherworldly foes. What demons they cannot banish with words alone will be put to death by fire, explosion, and frostbite; and any fool that stands in the way of an Archmage will be firmly smote. There are few in the Chantry permitted to actively research matters of the occult; but the Archmage is one of them.

Spymistress

"What others cannot find, she will always will. What others cannot see, only her eyes may pierce."

The Spymistress is the most shadowy of the Divine's tools, but an essential part of the Chantry machine. Selected from the Silent Sisters (and thus bound to silence herself), she may speak only to the Divine in the following of her sacred duty. She organises the secretive and deadly order of assassins utilised by the Chantry, alongside her work as the Divine's personal scout, messenger, and judicator. If a virulent heretic's fate is forfeit, or a foreign monarch too big for their boots, it may well be the Spymistress who is dispatched to claim their head. They might operate alone, under a false identity for months, allowing themselves to return successful or not at all. Whilst responsible for the threats without, she mainly maintains vigilance of the threats within. She knows where corrupt seeds may grow, and when and who to excise them entirely.

Logistics

Recruitment

Most members of the Fist are chosen from the appropriate branches of the Chantry or Spellbreakers. The Master-At-Arms, for example, may occasionally be sampled from the Generals that enforce the Chantry's will throughout the land; and an Archmage is most likely elected with the First Enchanter's own recommendation. However, greatness and service to the Chantry can start from without, and those whom the Divine foresees as being truly a pinnacle of mortal men may still be extended an invitation. Amongst previous Master-At-Arms was a dwarf; and rumour has it there was once a Dragonborn Miracle Worker, whose skill and precision with needle and suture belied his immense frame. All who meet the standards of the Divine's expectations of faith, loyalty, and aptitude are valid contenders for becoming part of the Fist.

Type

Escort

Founding

Pre-dates 1 and the resolution of the Rune Wars

Overall training Level

Elite

Assumed Veterancy

Decorated/Honored

Used by

• The Chantry