The Order of the Silver Hand

The Order of the Silver Hand is a prominent and controversial sect of the Dominion Church, primarily operating within the Barony of Redmond in Rivermond for the past two decades. The Order has garnered both reverence and suspicion due to its unique interpretations of faith and doctrine. Led by the enigmatic and deeply respected Letina Heiden, the Mother Superior of Tytan Cathedral in the town of Moorn, the Order is dedicated to the service of the Silver Prince—the divine figure of the Dominion Church. However, they diverge from traditional teachings in a profound way: the Order believes that the Silver Prince has abandoned his mortal worshippers, as he has not walked among them for over 900 years. They claim that this isolation of the Silver Prince is a sign that mortals has not yet earned his full favor and must strive toward true righteousness before they can regain his blessing.

Origin

The Order of the Silver Hand was founded almost two decades ago when Letina Heiden, at a young age, began questioning the core practices of the Dominion Church. In her eyes, the Church’s focus had become more about institutional power and dogma than true faith and virtue. She led a breakaway faction within the Church, advocating for a return to personal responsibility and empathy in service to the Silver Prince. This began within the Tytan Cathedral, a church in the town of Moorn, which became the center of the Order’s activities. The people of Redmond, who felt neglected by the larger Dominion Church, rallied around Letina and her teachings, giving rise to a growing movement.

Dogma

At the heart of the Order’s belief is the idea that the Silver Prince, though all-powerful, has distanced himself from his followers. The Order teaches that this is not a punishment but a challenge: mortals has not yet earned the Silver Prince's true love and must strive for moral excellence and genuine compassion to do so. They reject the notion that mere obedience to Church law will secure salvation, instead focusing on active good deeds, personal betterment, and the defense of the innocent. They stress that only the Silver Prince has the right to judge their actions, not the hierarchical leaders of the Dominion Church. As such, the Order values individual responsibility, empathy, and a proactive pursuit of justice.

Organization

The Order of the Silver Hand is structured around a tight-knit leadership with Mother Superior Letina Heiden at the helm. She is supported by templars—both male and female paladins adorned in silver and black armor—who protect her and the faith. These templars are responsible for defending the Order, leading charitable efforts, and keeping the peace in Redmond. While the templars serve as the Order’s protectors, there are also lay members and clergy who assist in the Order's everyday activities such as spiritual guidance, healing, and teaching.

Leadership

Letina Heiden is an iconic figure within the Order and the greater Barony of Redmond. Her wisdom, youthful zeal, and deep connection to the spiritual realm have made her a leader whose influence extends beyond the Order itself. The Lords and even the Baron of Redmond frequently seek her counsel on matters both spiritual and political, making her a significant figure in local governance. Her compassionate leadership style unites her followers under a shared sense of purpose and fosters loyalty to the Order’s principles of righteousness.

Activities

The Order of the Silver Hand is highly active in the Barony of Redmond, where they focus on serving the spiritual and physical needs of the local population. Their activities range from charitable work, such as feeding and sheltering the poor, to healing the sick and injured. Beyond their humanitarian efforts, the Order’s templars are trained as skilled warriors and defenders, often protecting the people from bandits, corrupt officials, and outside threats. They frequently provide spiritual guidance that differs from the traditional Dominion teachings, placing an emphasis on empathy, redemption, and the personal journey to earn the love of the Silver Prince.

Controversy

The Order’s divergence from mainstream Dominion doctrine has brought them into frequent conflict with the official church authorities. The Dominion Church sees Letina Heiden’s teachings as heretical, with the potential to undermine the faith. Despite repeated attempts by the Church to send emissaries to sway the Order back into the fold, they have failed to convert Letina and her followers. In some cases, there have been rumors of covert attempts by the Dominion Church to undermine or even disband the Order, but the people of Redmond’s loyalty to the Order has made such efforts difficult.

Symbols & Signs

The primary symbol of the Order is a silver cross before a black star, representing the Order’s belief in the distant yet still-reachable divine light of the Silver Prince, even amid the darkness of human failings. This symbol is prominently displayed on the banners within the Tytan Cathedral and worn as an emblem by the templars. Another common sign associated with the Order is an open palm, symbolizing both the act of giving and the openness to receive the Silver Prince's eventual judgment and blessing.

Beliefs & Goals

The primary belief of the Order of the Silver Hand is that the Silver Prince’s absence is a test of humanity’s worthiness. Their mission is to help humanity prove that they are deserving of the Silver Prince's love by living lives of virtue and empathy. They emphasize protecting the vulnerable and ensuring justice is done in all things. Ultimately, the Order seeks not only to protect the people of Redmond but to serve as a beacon of righteousness that will one day draw the Silver Prince out from his seclusion and back into the world. Their ultimate goal is to be deemed worthy to stand beside their deity after death, gaining eternal rest in his presence.

Rules

The Order follows a strict set of rules:

Empathy over Doctrine: Followers are encouraged to use empathy and understanding rather than blindly following Church law.
Protect the Innocent: The protection of the weak and vulnerable is considered a holy act.
Earn the Silver Prince’s Love: No one is guaranteed the favor of the Silver Prince. It must be earned through deeds.
Question Power: Followers are taught not to trust authority without question, especially when it conflicts with the virtues of the Silver Prince.

Through these tenets, the Order of the Silver Hand maintains its position as a vital yet controversial force within Redmond, striving to uphold their vision of faith in the face of adversity.

1. Prayer of Aspiration
"O Silver Prince, whose light is distant but undimmed, grant me the strength to carry your warmth within. May my heart find purpose in each kind deed, and may my hands serve as vessels of compassion, that in your distant gaze I might earn your love and your trust."

2. The Silver Oath
"We are the keepers of our own hearts, not for the sake of rule but for the sake of love. By our deeds and our choices, we shall strive to reflect your distant light. May our lives be worthy not by the word of law, but by the weight of kindness given."

3. Words of Humility
"The Prince watches not for those who obey blindly, but for those who walk with wisdom and compassion in his name. For in service to others, we find the truest path to his embrace."

4. The Compassionate Pledge
"To serve is to shine; to defend is to honor. We guard the innocent, lift the weary, and guide the lost, knowing that love in action brings us closer to our Prince’s heart."

5. A Prayer for Judgment
"O Silver Prince, you alone know the true depths of our hearts. Let not the judgments of mortals taint our purpose. May we be ever true to the light you have left within us, guided by your watchful eye from afar."

6. Proverb of the Order
"Light is not given to those who merely seek it; it is earned by those who share it."

7. The Creed of the Just
"Let mercy temper my wrath, let kindness guide my strength. I shall be a vessel of love, a guardian of peace, for I know that my deeds, not my words, will be weighed by my Prince’s distant gaze."

8. Reflection on the Prince’s Distance
"The Prince's distance is not a wall, but a path. It is the bridge we build with every act of grace, every word of kindness, every soul we lift. To be worthy is to walk this path unbidden, knowing he watches still."