The Hearthkeepers

The Hearthkeepers are an order of the most ancient religions in Etharis. Hailing from Abenland, this organization consisted of clerics of the Godess Aurelia, Goddess of Protection. Their influence spread as the worshipers of Aurelia began to grow in number. It is said that Aurelia herself granted one of the forebears, Amara, first priestess of Aurelia, the power to overthrow the tyrannical ruler of her former tribe. Legend has it that Aurelia instructed Amara to strike the arid ground at her feet with her spear. From what was once dust and thistles verdant life sprung forth. The site of that spring became Lake Osea. The open, fertile plains of Abenland facilitated the establishment of many farms and plantations, feeding its growing population.
In the Age of Emperor Indorious, the Hearthkeepers military strength grew considerably during the glorious Era of Expansion. The Hearthkeepers, seeking to maintain the favor of Aurelia, instituted the Edict of Eternal Blood. According to this law, only one of the emperor's direct descendants could be raised to the throne of the Burach Empire. Cousins and sometimes siblings were led to marry in order to maintain the "purity" of Indorious' bloodline. Many seers and prophets warned against this practice, but their prognostications went unheeded. For centuries this practice continued to keep the Imperial family in power. The Edict of Eternal Blood however, would eventually prove to be the undoing of Etharis. With the birth of Emperor Leopold I, the Golden Age of the Burach Empire ended, his madness corrupting even the gods themselves.
After the events of the Godsend, the Hearthkeepers have set to work reasserting the military dominance of the Burach empire, as well as mollifying the population, assuring them that they still had the favor of the Gods. They now are lead by Pope Roland Murrich. He acts as the surrogate father of the newly crowned Emperor Aratron II, a 12 year old boy. His influence over the child emperor making him the defacto leader of the Burach Empire.

Type

Religious, Holy Order