History

The Impregnable Heart of Haelyn (IHH), also known as the Heart, is one of the newer Orders of Haelyn as it predates Roesone's creation by only a few centuries. Although worship of Haelyn has been present in most provinces along the southern coast of Anuire since the Battle at Mount Deismaar, it was not until the year 305 MR that a large group of worshippers from the Orthodox Temple of Haelyn left the Diemed city of Aerele, and travelled to the Free City of Ilien just as it came under the control of the fair and just Lehoene Aglondier, the first wizard regent of Ilien. He granted the Haelyn newcomers part of the land in the expanding Common Ward of the city, and in 307 MR the first shrine to Haelyn was built soon to be followed by shrines and temples throughout the thinly populated provinces of eastern Diemed, the lands now known as Roesone. The people there accepted the encouraging faith gladly after several years of fighting, including the wars against both Ghoere and Aerenwe in 96-270 MR, and the emerging goblin host in 299 MR. Eastern Diemed's desolation was dark indeed, but eventually the proud people here carved out a life of their own, and founded a scattering of villages, freeholds, and bands of outlaws.

In Ilien, however, the Heart was forced to fight the Orthodox Temple of Haelyn, based in western Diemed, as they attempted to hamper the expansion of the new, small order, and despite the financial aid offered by the regent of Ilien to the Heart, it couldn't free itself from the iron grip of the Orthodoxs.

But in eastern Diemed the Heart prospered. Even today, priests of the IHH boast stories of how they helped the citizens of eastern Diemed wipe out the goblins, and later throw off the yoke of Diemed rule assisting the bandit lord Daen Roesone and his descendents. This was a golden age for the temple as they, with the blessings of the Black Barons who ruled the land, gained a firm hold on Roesone's spiritual life. The IHH's success in Roesone culminated when Teried Roesone in 546 MR officially declared the Impregnable Heart of Haelyn the state faith in the barony.

I Ilien the Orthodoxs tight grip on the Heart was weakening as the faith of Rournil crept into the provinces now known as Medoere, and effectively removing the Orthodox Temple from central Diemed. The Heart quickly destroyed all holdings left by the Orthodoxs in both Ilien and Roesone. The temple flourished in Ilien in the coming years, culminating when the order in 544 MR single-handedly cured a terrible plague harrassing the Free City, and the wizard regent Moeran Aglondier granted the Heart a place in the Castle Ward, where a great cathedral was built in honor of Haelyn the Lawmaker.

In recent years, the order has expanded into Osoerde wishing to help the citizens there throw off the evil and unrightful ruler Duke Jaison Raenech just as the temple once helped Baron Daen Roesone carve out his kingdom from Diemed.

Enemies and allies

Because of the IHH's expansion in the recent decades, the temple has gained many enemies as well as several strong allies. The Heart holds emnity towards the Orthodox Temple of Diemed for it's continued attempts to control or destroy the temple's holdings in Ilien and western Roesone.

Not too long ago, Rournil's Celestial Spell (RCS) expanded into Caercas, angering the Haelyn priests residing there. However, as the High Priest of Medoere had grown strong over the years, the IHH decided not to retaliate as this might lead to a devastating holy war. The Heart is definitely not happy with RCS's presence in Proudglaive though, and plans a counterattack to reclaim the lost holdings as soon as the High Priest of Rournil shows any kind of weakness. The Heart respects RCS, however, in helping the Diemed of Old's central and eastern lands be freed from the Orthodoxs.

The last enemy of the IHH is the Eastern Temple of Neserie (ETN), who was allowed to established temple holdings in Ilien because of the advisor, and later regent, Rogr Aglondier's family relationship with one of the orders leading members. The Heart is pressing the ETN hard as it considers Ilien its territory and therefore want to control all province holdings there. No direct attacks on the ETN has been reported as of late, partly because the Heart must respect Neserie as the wife of Haelyn, and that she therefore should be allowed to stand at his side. Not all priests in the IHH agree with this, however, and rumor has it that the current High Prefect is planning a Holy Crusade against the ETN's main temple holdings in Aerenwe.

The Impregnable Heart maintains good relations with the regents of the surrounding areas, esspecially the Black Baron of Roesone and the High Imperator Wincae Raebech of the Church of Storm's Height in Osoerde. The latter ally might come as a surprise as Wincae Raebech is the younger brother of the much hated Jaison Raenech. To the Heart, however, the High Imperator seems to share only his brother's courage and longing for battle, and not his cruel and unjust ways.

Titles

As the Impregnable Heart of Haelyn has grown in size, it has become neccessary to develop a formel structured priestly hierarchy. It is was invented by the High Prefect Solodin in the year 462 MR.

Prefect, High (unique, level 10+)
Prefect, Sword (unique, level 9+)
Prefect, Shield (unique, level 8+)
Prefect, Radiant (level 7+)
Prefect, Sun (level 6)
Prefect, Wind (level 5)
Prefect (level 3-4)
Frior (level 1-2)
Holy Assistent (level 0)

A noble priest is preceeded by Lord, e.g. Lord Prefect.

Placements

Priests of Haelyn are placed thoughout the IHH temple holdings. Their main task is to evaluate how the local lord is doing. The priests are responsible for (1) the welfare of the people and (2) to report any events of significance to the High Prefect.

A province regent (ruler of a domain) is mirrored by a priest of a level approx. equal to the number of holdings the IHH controls in the domain, i.e. the Baron of Roesone is mirrored by a priest of 7th level as the IHH controls 7 holdings in Roesone. Inside the IHH, this post earns the priest the same title as the regent preceeded by Holy, e.g. Holy Baron.

A count (ruler of a province) is mirrored by a priest whose level approx. equals the IHH temple holding level in the province level. This post earns the priest the title of Holy Count.

A mayor is mirrored by a priest whose level depends on the size of the city as follows:

< 100 citizens => level 0 human
< 500 citizens => level 1 priest
< 2000 citizens => level 2 priest
< 5000 citizens => level 3 priest
< 10000 citizens => level 4 priest
> 10000 citizens => level 5+ priest.

This post earns the priest the title of Holy Mayor.

Each shrine is maintained by a level 0 human. This earns him, or her, the title of Shrine Keeper.

Medals

To congratulate, and encourgage, deeds and services in the name of Haelyn, the Heart has copied, and slightly changed, the medal system of the Orthodox Temple of Haelyn in Diemed.

Medal of War

Attainable by: Soldiers in the service of the IHH.
What to-do: Survive a war.
Benefits: None, but two of these medals may advance the soldier to sergeant status.
Given by: A soldier of sergeant or higher status.

Medal of Bravery

Attainable by: Soldiers in the service of the IHH.
What to-do: Individual bravery feat.
Benefits: None, but respect.
Given by: An IHH lieutenant or the High Prefect.

Medal of Knighthood

Attainable by: Soldiers in the service of the IHH.
What to-do: Aquire a War and a Bravery medal
Benefits: Higher salary, a house upon retirement.
Given by: An IHH lieutenant or the High Prefect.

Medal of Haelyn

Attainable by: Everybody can earn this medal, but typically priests or paladins.
What to-do: Helping the IHH in some special way.
Benefits: Payed living expenses for five years (max 1000 gp).
Given by: An IHH lieutenant or the High Prefect.

Medal of Honor

Attainable by: Everybody can earn this medal.
What to-do: Helping the IHH in some special way.
Benefits: A title depending on the deed.
Given by: An IHH lieutenant or the High Prefect.

Medal of Justice

Attainable by: Knights and paladins.
What to-do: Knights must accomplish something special. Paladins gain this medal automatically.
Benefits: Judge and execute justice as seen fit (to non-titled individuals only).
Given by: The High Prefect or an owner of the High Justice medal.

Medal of High Justice

Attainable by: Paladins and priests.
What to-do: Be a very special person to the High Prefect.
Benefits: Judge and execute justice as seen fit (to everybody).
Given by: The High Prefect.

Tongues of Haelyn:

The Tongues of Haelyn is a secret spy order with the purpose of spreading and gathering rumors. Although the order's members are allowed and encouraged to travel throughout Cerilia, most of their activity is concentrated in southern Anuire.

Current High Prefect:

The current High Prefect is Hubaere Armiendin, the man who made the IHH the great and proud order of Haelyn that it is today. He has accomplished much for the order, including signing the pact with the Black Baron in 544 MR declaring the IHH the official faith in the barony, organized the cure against the terrible plague that ravaged Ilien in 546 MR, constructor of the Great Cathedral of Haelyn in Ilien, and chief commander of the recent push of the Heart into Osoerde.

Hubaere Armiendin is a strongly blooded noble of the Armiendin family of Ilien. He was born into the IHH by family tradition, and at an early age, after a long and happy youth chasing young good-looking female priest assistants, his father decided to put an end to all this goofing around by sending his son to the very tightly disciplined Abbey of the True Heart in Edlin, Roesone. His younger brother and sister were soon too follow. In his many years at the Abbey, Hubaere learned of the harshness of the world, and of the power of Haelyn, the Ruler of the Gods. He quickly rose in ranks, and in 523 MR, at an age of only 23, he become one of the stern monks himself.

On a diplomatic trip to Ilien in 529 MR, however, he fell hopelessly in love with a local merchant's daughter and, regardless of his father urging him toward a promising career in the Abbey, he decided to stay in Ilien with his newfound love. Hubaere left the Order of the Abbey and applied for a job as teacher at the IHH headquaters in Ilien, and although he did get the job, he was surprised by the undisciplined apparatus of the High Prefect. Surrounded by incompetence he quickly advanced until the High Prefect, perhaps fearful of this young upstart, demanded he be spent to faraway Bellam, and do some teaching there.

Although quite upset, Hubaere obediently did as he was told and moved with his wife and young child to a small shrine in Bellam. Through his great rhetoric abilities he managed to convert the bellams fully to the IHH, and he continued into Osoerde in his quest for the enlightenment of the Anuirans to the true teachings of Haelyn. In the Osoerde province of Ghalliere his wife bore yet another child.

Armiendin grew much in power during the years of conquest in northeastern Roesone and western Osoerde, and, as by favor of Haelyn, the current High Prefect suddenly retired because of illness leaving Armiendin and three other leading priests of the IHH as the main candidates for the High Prefect title. The three rival priests planned for the "accidentel" death of Armiendin, but the chief assassin died in agony as he was struck by a suddenly appearing massive column of fire. Armiendin headed for Ilien, and as he rightfully demanded the right for regency be decided by personal combat, the three rival priests immediately withdrew their claims on the precious title. In 538 MR Armiendin assumed the title of High Prefect of the IHH, and began his long quest towards putting an end to the corruption in the order, the regaining of it's lost honor, and the temple's further expansion.

High Prefect Armiendin himself is a large and, although stern, quite friendly, keen to expand his temple's holdings throughout Anuire. He believes the Anuireans in the neighbouring nations have been mislead by either non-Anuirean gods, or wrongful teachings of Haelyn. He is firmly convinced the people of these lands will, as they have so far, convert to the IHH when shown the just and wise rule of its leader.

Hubaere Armiendin, High Prefect of the Impregnable Heart of Haelyn

MA; Pr11, Haelyn; An, major, 27; LG
Str 14, Dex 11, Con 11, Int 16, Wis 17, Cha 15 (born 500 MR, age: 51)

Blood abilities:

Battlewise (major)
Courage (major)
Resistance (minor)

Non-weapon proficiencies (11th level priest: 7) + (int16: 5): 12

Administration General 1 slot Int-2 note: A. is an effective regent
Diplomacy Priest 1 slot Wis-1 note: A. is well-spoken
Intrigue Rogue 2 slots Wis note: A. is shrewd
Law General 2 slots Int-1 note: Haelyn's teachings
Leadership General 1 slot Cha-1 note: Haelyn's teachings
Siegecraft Warrior 3 slots Int note: Haelyn's teachings
Strategy Warrior 2 slots Int-2 note: Haelyn's teachings

Strategy:

Unlike many of Haelyn's other temples, the IHH has stayed fairly moderate, acknowledging the need for other faiths. Countering this attitude is this temple's need to expand. The High Prefect will probably use the expansions of Rournil's Celestial Spell (RCS) and the Eastern Temple of Neserie (ETN) into IHH territory as an excuse for a Holy War against these "peace-breaking" orders.

Below are some proposed suggestions as of the IHH's main objectives:

Wipe RCS out of Caercas and fortify all temple holdings near the Medoere border.

Drive the ETN out of Ilien, and encourage Baron Roesone to a Holy War against Aerenwe (pulling this off definitely requires some good intrigue and diplomacy by the High Prefect but the objective is not, or should not be, impossible).

Ally strongly with the High Imperator of the Church of Storm's Height in Osoerde against Aerenwe at first, then the religious orders in Ghoere.

Wreck as much havoc as possible in the Orthodox Temple of Haelyn in Diemed.

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