Anwyns Holy Orders

Only one holy order of Anwyn remains: the manciples (MAN-suh-pull), clergy of the hearth. The religion suffered great losses in the past, and reorganized itself in the aftermath. Once, the holy warriors called hearthkeepers protected the faith. In its zeal, the Great Hearth dispatched these warriors across the world on missions to establish the faith in places consumed by evil. It was thought that once they were lifted out of lives of pain, the oppressed would rise against their dictators.
But these missions were, one and all, disasters. The hearthkeepers never returned, and the eldest of them died without training replacements. The Supreme Manciple admitted that his council had erred, and it was not Anwyn’s way to make war. Therefore, he disbanded the order, and declared that warrior-priests should serve the faith no more.
Once, a holy order called the goodwives shared the countless secrets of home, cooking, comfort and medicine and wisdom, as traveling missionaries and servants. When the hearthkeepers perished, the hearths found themselves lacking the numbers needed to perform their holy duties, so the Grand Hearth called them home, and integrated them into the order of manciples.
Only a few of the original goodwives remain, and they are greatly respected, but retired—they have no formal power in the faith. The structure of the manciples, the sole remaining order, is simple enough to understand. Located in an ancient, great city, the Great Hearth is the faith’s preeminent place of worship, where Anwyn’s feasting table and the cornucopia are kept. Here sits the Supreme Manciple, who oversees the church and order, which is divided into four levels of status: manciples, high manciples, elder manciples, and the Supreme Manciple. The high manciples control individual hearths, while the elder manciples and the Supreme Manciple himself reside at the Great Hearth.

Manciples of Anwyn

With the other orders destroyed or disbanded, the manciples now comprise the only remaining order of the Anwynite hearths. The manciples are a tightly organized order, devoted to the ethics of lawful alignments. Junior members obey superiors without question. Even among members of the same rank, the less experienced member defers to her elder. This ingrained obedience comes from the church’s dedication to humble service, and is what allows them to feed multitudes and manage hearths in great cities and distant hamlets. Anwynites can be of any of the following alignments: lawful good, lawful neutral, and neutral good. Most orthodox manciples are lawful good, as is most of the Halfling branch of the faith.
They believe fully in the Anwynite doctrine of service, and praise the lowest in the social order over nobles and the wealthy. They take great joy in serving their flock. Neutral good clergy are most interested in the community aspects of the Anwynite faith. They delight in sharing meals and tales with the congregation. They are often walking repositories of old family recipes and enjoy sharing such knowledge. Many Halfling clergy are neutral good. Lawful neutral manciples are usually human, and support the church as a way of maintaining the social order. Even the poorest people must be integrated into society.
To serve, they must be fed, clothed and given a sense of purpose. Lawful neutral clergy are least interested in the notion that servants are holier than their masters. This may be part of the doctrine, but such clergy believe masters also have a role to play, to bind many people to a common cause. Despite what some would call a dispassionate approach to Anwyn’s mission, lawful neutral manciples tend to rise quickly in the hearth’s hierarchy, though they prefer working within it, instead of talking to peasants themselves.
Certain alignment restrictions apply as a manciple rises in rank. The GM should consult sections marked, “For the GM” when advising her players. Otherwise, the manciples possess the following ranks:
Manciple After training and an interview to determine her suitability, a petitioner can become a manciple. She is addressed as “friend” and introduced as such. The word “manciple” means steward, servant, or even slave, and indeed, the role of the manciples is to serve their flock. They tend to the hearts, souls and small hurts of common people who come to the hearths to prepare meals or pray. They are taught to be caring, excellent listeners, and outwardly loving of even their basest congregants
High Manciple A high manciple oversees the entire hearth, and all its operations. This rank is reserved for hearths of a certain size, or those in major settlements. Small, remote hearths are not permitted the rank—instead, all manciples work in a common council. Furthermore, the order only chooses those with a talent for organization, and certain capabilities known only to the elders, to hold the post, so even a revered priest might never attain the rank. A high manciple is addressed as “goodfather” or “goodmother,” which used to be the address for senior goodwives. When that order was disbanded, the
Supreme Manciple gave their titles to the high manciples to preserve the lost order’s traditions. High manciples are introduced by their full titles.
In halfling hearths, a high manciple can be named by the unanimous consent of three other high manciples. Once a halfling is so named, he can found a new hearth, take over an existing one, or wander as he sees fit. There is no higher authority among the halflings than a high manciple, so such clerics are masters of their own fate.
Elder Manciple Experienced high manciples may be called by the Supreme Manciple to come to the Great Hearth and join its council, as elder manciples. The great feasting table there has room for hundreds, but has never come close to being filled, for it is rare for the clergy to rise to such heights. Therefore, there is no upper limit on the number of elder manciples; one can be named to such a position at the behest of the Supreme Manciple, and need not wait for a vacancy. Elder manciples are addressed as “beloved master” or “beloved mistress” and introduced by their full titles.
Supreme Manciple Upon the death of the Supreme Manciple, the order’s elders cloister themselves and through a secret ritual, select one of their own to replace him. The Supreme Manciple is addressed as “hallowed lord,” or “hallowed lady,” and introduced by his or her full title.
Joining the Manciples Anyone can become a manciple. It requires a little training, oaths of obedience to the hearths, and a knack for listening. Upon completing their training, acolytes become clerics with the Fire domain . Most carry quarterstaffs, for Anwyn carries a staff shod with iron, and uses it to prod the embers of the hearth, move its logs, and give its kindling room to breathe.

Type

Religious, Holy Order