The Order of the Red Maple

The Order of the Red Maple is a knightly order under the banner of the demigod of martyrdom, repentant scoundrels, rural townships and environmental stewardship, the "River Man" Frances Heronseye. Chapters are found primarily across the Middish Provinces of the Broken Empire, though a few are based out of Æthermark and Frances Sanjo's home nation of the Allesans. Their primary heraldry is a red maple leaf on white, sometimes with other Frankish symbols like wetland birds and reeds.

Modus Operandi

The Red Maple's particular focus, alongside standard roles of charity and defence of innocents, is balance with nature: they are protectors of important ecosystems that contribute to the overall good health of Waking Materia. They are not only skilled men & women at arms, they are also experts on the flora & fauna of their chosen homes. In addition to combatting poachers and defending ecologically sensitive regions, they also teach methods of agriculture that work with, rather than against, the local wildlife: one example is the cultivation of crops that are both useful to humanoids while encouraging the normal activities of native species, like pollinators. For plants of all functions -- from food to ornament to shade -- alternatives to invasive species are taught. Many Red Maple churches also act as extensive seed repositories, which may be donated in times of need or instruction.

In Society

As the Heron's Eye was himself a worshipper of Ajora Dawnbringer in mortal life (who was herself a mortal worshipper of the Starmother Aios), the Order is unfailingly cooperative with both churches.

They are often considered a nuisance in larger cities whose resource hunger threatens the health of surrounding ecosystems; in these places one may find Knights of the Red Maple spreading petitions and harrassing local governers. Given the relative popularity of Frankish churches in most societies, it is not good optics for these politicians (or ruling royalty) to ignore them. The Duchess Amand X of Calagon made that exact mistake with a mortal Saint Frances Heronseye...

The Order of the Red Maple

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Type

Military, Knightly Order

Deity
Saint Frances Heronseye, Saint Ajora Dawnbringer

Favoured Classes
Paladin, Cleric, Druid

Alignment
Generally NG or LG

Purviews
Protection
Environmental stewardship
Rural townships

Banner: Frances Heronseye (Centre). Knights of the Red Maple from the Allesans (Left) and the Midlands (Right).