The White Doves
For hundreds of years, followers of the Ametrian religion have taken pilgrimages to sacred sites all across Serrus. In any given year, thousands of individuals will leave their homes and travel to these places. Most, if not all of these pilgrims have no formal training in any sword of martial skill and most don’t even carry a weapon. This has always led to unscrupulous bandits and brigands to prey upon these people as they travel. People do what they can to avoid the bandits.
In addition to the brigands, the other major problem facing pilgrims is actually passing through many civilized areas. Many villages, towns, and cities charge absorbent taxes to pilgrims traveling through their lands during times of heavy pilgrimages. Some even outright refuse to let the pilgrims stay for a day or two in their settlements to resupply and rest. Times can be tough for the pilgrims.
The White Doves is an all female Holy Order that protects most of the known pilgrimage routes all over Serrus. They have also spread their influence to traveling the continent helping those in need, fighting for the oppressed and those in need of mercy.
A White Dove can be identified by their white uniforms and armor with gilded belts as well as utilizing dual short swords or other blades. The order is recognized in all parts of Serrus and they are given great respect and reverence.
Structure
Their order is open to any woman who shows the heart and devotion to join. Candidates are put through a rigorous set of physical and mental tests and are then brought to their head abbey in Roadsmeet, River Haven. There they will spend two years training and learning how to be a member of their order. Initiates must show aptitude in martial prowess as well as having a sharp mind and a gift for diplomacy and mercy. If an initiate is thought to possess these qualities after the two years they are admitted as full-fledged members.
Members are required to serve at least two months out of every year patrolling the pilgrimage routes. In the interim, they are to travel Serrus doing what they can to help those in need, reporting to their many abbeys all across Serrus with their deeds. Members are also required to tithe 10% of whatever they earn to the order to fund new equipment and uniforms.
The order itself does not have a complicated hierarchy. A single High Mercybringer oversees the order from Roadsmeet Abbey. This position is appointed by the conclave of Ametrian Bishops and is a position for life. In turn, under the High Mercybringer are various Abbesses who oversee their individual abbeys. The majority of the White Doves are the sisters.
The Current High Mercybringer is Mother Gwendolen Farhaven. She is the youngest Dove to be High Mercybringer in the order’s history at age 29. She was an orphan left on the steps of Roadsmeet abbey and raised as a White Dove. She quickly became one of the most talented members of her order and some even said she embodied Saint Abegail perfectly. When the previous High Mercybringer Ellen Westerlan passed away, the Bishops unanimously elected Gwendolen into the position. Mother Gwendolen is an inspiration to her order and she has brought quite a bit of prestige to the order since her promotion three years ago.
Public Agenda
The White Doves agenda is clear: To protect in any way possible those that are downtrodden and abused, notably while making pilgrimages.
History
In 1022 AC a priestess of Saint Abegail by the name of Sister Beatrice Owen became increasingly troubled over the years seeing the hardships of the pilgrims passing through their Abbey in Roadsmeet, River Haven. She began suggesting to her fellow sisters that they, being dedicated to the Saint of Mercy, should help these pilgrims with their troubled passage. She preached that their skills in diplomacy and mediation could help with the pilgrim’s problems. She even suggested learning some martial skills to help fend off the bandits. Most of her order thought the scope of her plan was too great and she needed to stay at the abbey and do what she could from there. Not satisfied with most of her sister’s resignation of the situation, she gathered a handful of sisters that believed in her ideals and they left.
After months of training in rudimentary martial skills, the sisters led by Beatrice began showing up in large congregations of pilgrims on their routes. They talked with the rulers of settlements and gave the pilgrims respite from the taxes and burdens brought on by these rulers. They fought off the unorganized groups of bandits that plagued their travels. Over the course of six years, the sisters had become almost legendary.
One fateful day in 1028 AC, they would become what they are known by today: the White Doves. The king of Kingsland at the time, Gregory II, was a pious individual and frequently took pilgrimages himself, setting aside his wealth and traveling among the other pilgrims with no bodyguards. This of course worried his queen and advisers, and for good reason. During his latest pilgrimage, his group was beset on all sides by a stronger than usual group of brigands. The leader of the brigands recognized the king for who he was and attempted to take him for ransom.
At dusk, seemingly out of nowhere, Beatrice and her sisters appeared and fought off the brigands saving the king. The king had heard of the sisters, but had never encountered them. He was taken by their grace and skill with arms. He thanked Beatrice and later had the church sanction their own order calling them the White Doves after their skill with arms as well as diplomacy and their great mercy. Since then their order has grown and flourished.
I would advise you to lay down your arms and let these peaceful people by. There will not be a second chance at redemption today, nor will there be quarter if you refuse.
Type
Religious, Holy Order
Parent Organization
