Faithful Sons
The faithful sons of Morwyn are the gentlest of all holy warriors. They strive to resolve disputes rather than raise blades in anger. They are peacemakers and diplomats, careful men who are always on the lookout for danger, and seek to defuse volatile situations. This is because their primary role is to protect the matriarchs, who are constantly going into the gravest dangers—battlefields, plague-ridden settlements, evil lands—in their efforts to do Morwyn’s works.
The faithful sons see themselves as men striving to make the world safer for goodness, starting with the deeply good women they are sworn to protect. They are unafraid to fight if they must, but they always try to avoid conflict with a person of the five mortal races, if possible. Most faithful sons come off as profoundly wise, happy, resolute, and cautious. Less civilized folks think them cowardly for their unceasing efforts to avoid violence.
Faithful sons are assigned to the protection of matriarchs for most of their lives; it is considered a disaster if one of them allows his charge to be killed. Essentially, it is assumed faithful sons will die to protect their matriarchs, and it is hard to imagine how one could still live if his charge was killed. A faithful son returning to a healing hall after the death of his charge must go through years of atonement and contemplation before being assigned the protection of another matriarch. If the matriarch died because he was negligent, or did not wish to risk his own life to protect her, the order casts him out. Atonement for such men is quite difficult, but Morwyn is the goddess of mercy, so it is possible.
Other than their unwavering devotion to their matriarchs, the faithful sons are dedicated to the protection of the innocent and the preservation of the ideals of Morwyn. They do not attack people without provocation. They do not steal, take vengeance, or act out of pettiness. They show mercy and compassion in all things. They are charitable and kind, thoughtful and peaceful.
Because they are so tied to the matriarchs, faithful sons usually associate with whoever their charge finds appropriate, though they object strenuously to traveling with obviously evil companions. The Morwynites believe all mortals are redeemable, though, so a faithful son might find himself with unsavory companions in hopes of turning them to the good path. He never participates in or abides the commission of evil, however, so if his companions start behaving in an evil manner, he will oppose them.
Brother
A new faithful son is called a brother, and is addressed and introduced by that title. He is usually assigned to a sister of beneficence for her protection for when she travels outside the healing halls. These relationships are complex, with the two adventuring together for years. Love sometimes blossoms between a faithful son and a matriarch, and marriages born of such relationships are considered quite fortuitous. While it is rare for a brother to be given a task that does not involve accompanying a matriarch, it does happen from time to time.Master
After adventuring far and wide, and keeping his assigned matriarch (or matriarchs) alive and healthy, an experience brother is sent on his own, to do some great deed for goodness and the Morwynite faith. His superiors within the order of the faithful sons give him this task. When he returns from the quest, he is named a master, and begins to oversee the training and command of the brothers of the order. He is addressed and introduced as “master.”Father
A master eventually makes a pilgrimage to see the Supreme Matriarch of the healing halls. When he reaches her, she asks him the same four questions that all high matriarchs are asked at their elevation. After the questions are answered, the master is dressed in white robes and anointed with holy ointments. He is presented with the shield of the fathers, which bears a snow-white field with the argent tear of Morwyn at its center. The carriers of these shields are called the fathers of the faithful sons, and are addressed and introduced as “father.” They are the greatest and wisest men of the Morwynite faith. Many fathers serve the Supreme Matriarch directly, but even more reside in healing halls on the borders of dangerous areas, where they might ride forth, do the greatest good, and accompany matriarchs doing likewise. Fathers are considered to have no superiors in their order, and can only be given orders by the Supreme Matriarch herself.
Joining the Faithful Sons
Men who become faithful sons receive the call when they are young. They go to a healing hall, where they receive training that usually takes three to four years. Sometimes, though, an established adventurer will suddenly receive the call to become a faithful son; such men are considered blessed additions to the order and are welcomed with open arms. Faithful sons are all lawful good paladins. When it comes time to swear their sacred oath, most swear the Oath of Mercy, though some might swear the Oath of Devotion.
Type
Religious, Holy Order
Parent Organization
Location
Related Myths
