Order of Rydequelyn
Order of Rydequelyn is one of the three clerical Orders of the Church of Save-K'nor and the most widely known as it includes artists, entertainers, bards, jugglers, minstrels, and actors.
This is a cover; their true mission is to spy, monitor current affairs, bring social pressures to undermine incompetent or poor leaders, shape civilized society, undermine dangerous ideas, and collect dangerous knowledge. Some court jesters belong to this Order, offering service and advice to their lords. Some are adventurers and tomb raiders recovering ancient documents and artifacts for the Save K'Nor Orders.
Structure
The Order of Rydequelyn has a loose organizational structure. Often those who hold important positions in a temple are relatively low ranked priests as most of the senior clerics consider the pursuit of knowledge or interfering with society more valuable use of their time.
Temple Ranks
The Manidar (Acolytes)
Save K'Nor accepts only highly intelligent worshipers. The Manidar perform menial functions in the temple and educate themselves by attending studying and attending lectures and seminars held by temple experts. At least once yearly they are tested by Loremasters on a topic of their choice. Once they have passed examinations on four separate subjects, demonstrated literacy in at least two foreign languages, they are examined by the Maecor (Father Visitor) who decides which Order of Save K'Nor the Acolyte is assigned to.
If the acolyte has interest and talents in the arts, subterfuge, and drama they will usually be transferred to the Order Rydequelyn. Then they have to pass at least 2 more exams, this time in the performance arts, before receiving the rank of Priest. As a mark of rank, the Haliki receive a hexagonal tattoo usually on the back of their left hand.
The Haliki (Priests/Priestesses)
The Rydequelyn Haliki organize their own educations study freely in the temple archives, attending lectures and seminars given by the Loremasters in their own and other temples. Additionally, the Rydequelyn Haliki, under the direction of the Rowanti (Loremaster) or the members of the Order of Shea-Al-Aecor, undertake their true mission of collecting and undermining dangerous knowledge and shaping civilized society. They have considerable freedom in pursuing these activities.
The Rowanti (Loremasters)
These are the venerated masters of the temple and have great leeway in their activities. The Rowanti have mastered at least one field of learning and completed thirty-six Labors of Reverence. The only official functions of the Rowanti are to teach and to examine, accept or reject the labors of reverence of the Haliki. The unofficial function is to direct the Haliki on their missions.
The Tryahlar (Council of Electors)
The six most senior Rowanti form a council called the Tryahlar, whose function is to elect priests (or Loremasters) to fill administrative offices and review their performance.
Temple Offices
The Ibarti (High Deacon)
The temple's chief administrator serving for 6 years.
The Serinti (Keeper of the Holy Lore)
The officer responsible for the sacred artifacts and scriptures.
The Deronti (Archivist)
This officer is responsible for the care, preservation and, copying of non-sacred temple archives.
The Falorin (Counselor)
The acolytes advocate, usually a fairly junior priest, responsible for assisting and helping the acolytes.
The Olunar (Seneschal)
This officer is responsible for the day-to-day running of the temple. Not a popular position.
The Maecor (Father Visitor)
The Maecor is appointed by the primate to advise the Council of Electors and administrative officers. The Maecor also examines the acolytes and priests with a view to transferring them to other orders.
Public Agenda
The majority of the population believe the Order of Rydequelyn are entertainers, bards, jugglers, minstrels, and actors.
Assets
Many cities and towns host a temple of Rydequelyn, some are attached to theaters or centers of the arts.
Tenets of Faith
The Labors of Reverence
At least once yearly, a Haliki (priest) submits "Labors of Reverence" to the Loremasters. These can works of art, translations of old manuscripts, intellectual works, recovery of artifacts or secret knowledge and proof of modifying society in a positive and meaningful.
When thirty-six labors have been accepted by the masters (some labors may be counted as several) the Haliki is elevated to the rank of Rowanti (Loremaster).
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Order of Rydequelyn follows the direction of the Order of Shea-Al-Aecor (Order of The Sage). This senior order contains the churches most intelligent and knowledgeable members using its accumulated wisdom covertly for the betterment of human society.
They work closely with the Order of Hyn-Aelori (Order of the Lost Guide) collecting and preserving secret or restricted knowledge. This knowledge is guarded by the Hyn-Aelori in their great libraries.
D&D 5E Rules
Character Classes
Rydequelyn's are Tickery Priests or Bards of Lore, Glamour or Whisperers. Multiclassing is an option.
Alignment
Although Save K'Nor priests are usually LG or LN, Rydequelyn's are much more flexible being any non-evil.
Forbidden Knowledge.
Rydequelyn's has access to many holy books and documents from most known religions. They can learn spells from almost any source except those from the god Morgath.
A spell can be learned after studying a holy text or spell scroll by making a DC 10 + Spell level + Deity Modifier * religion check. Such a spell must be of a spell level at least 1 below that known by the priest. The maximum number of such spells known is 2 per cleric level + Intelligence bonus.
If casting a spell from the god Agrik or Naveh the priest must make a Wisdom saving throw of DC 5 + Deity Modifier*. If they fail three such rolls within a 3 month period their alignment will move 1 step towards Evil. If they become evil they will lose the ability to cast any spells until they have undertaken suitable atonement.
* +2 if Siem, Larani or Peoni, +3 if Ilivir or Halea, +5 if Agrik or Sarajin and +7 if Naveh.
Rydequelyn Cards
The Order manufactures Rydequelyn Cards available to adherents and priests when undertaking important missions.
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