Thus I say to you: Did the Way not know and fulfill the Scriptures? For just as He rebuked evil, He told his disciples to rebuke it in the name of Candor. The Adversary knows the Scriptures, but you must know them in full so that you may rebuke him. Remain vigilant, brothers and sisters, for knowing the words of the Way shall protect you against all things.
- St. Lucian of Andagis, 147 AT
And so the Way said, "It shall be said to those which memorize the Scriptures, 'Recite, and be bathed in light.' For those that are holy should come to no harm, for they wield the light in the name of my Father. Therefore go and know the Scriptures, that you may cast out demons in my name. Those who hold my teachings in their heart always shall walk in the light of Candor all of their days." After doing such things, all the Way said came to pass.
-Revelation of Marcellus 4:21-25
Monastic life has only grown in prevalence in the time since the Second Fall. Monasteries and Nunneries can be found in cities and towns, as well as dotting the roads between settlements - beacons of light in the darkness for those brave enough to risk traveling between bastions of civilization. Most of the cloistered monastics here are the typical sort: quiet, unassuming, and devout. But a select few of these have truly dedicated themself to the study of the Scriptures, and have been able to harness their unique powers against all manner of evils. These are the Hieromonks*: forced to leave their cloisters in order to properly utilize the gifts Candor has given them. The Church and nobility alike have utilized these gifts in expeditions into the deep dark. Most of them go willingly.
Painting from Shrine at Mariazell, Artist Unknown (1512)
(A brief note on relevant terms: Mens is equivalent to Head in BONES. Vigour is analogous to Hit Points, Mercy is analogous to Ego, and Sanity is analogous to Sanity in the same).
Hieromonk
Starting Equipment: monk's robes, abridged book of scriptures, journal, ink + quill
Starting Skill: Religion. Also, roll on the monk table from MROS.
A: Monastic Vows, Literacy, Holy Light
B: Hegumen, Unyielding Memory
C: Archimandrite, Divine Guidance
D: Light of the Scriptures
Monastic Vows: All Hieromonks take the vows of monastic life. You are not permitted to use weapons of any kind. You are expected to follow the virtues of chastity, poverty, and obedience. Make up an additional 2 restrictions of your community.
Literacy: Unlike most, you are capable of reading and writing exceedingly well. Your letters allow you to make Mens checks at a distance. You may understand the themes of literature, holes or inconsistencies in a contract, and can follow the works of great thinkers.
Holy Light: You have a pool of Light Dice (LD) equal to your templates in this class. These are d6s and represent the divine power that you channel in pursuit of your priestly duties. When rolled, they return to your pool on a result of 1-3, and deplete on a result of 4+. Once per turn, you may invest any number of LD to take the following actions:
Rebuke Them: Your touch burns the unholy. Touch up to {dice} targets in arm's reach to deal {sum} total damage, divided as you please amongst them. You may choose to direct this damage to Vigour or Mercy. This may only be used against demons, undead, or those who have cast their lot in with them - the Light of Candor will spare the worthy.
Peace: The Light calms you. Remove {dice} stress and regain {sum} Sanity.
Holy Sight: You sense the presence of demons, the undead, and the possessed within {dice} * 20 feet for {sum} rounds.
By spending at least an hour reciting your memorized scriptures, you may restore all of your expended LD. If you break any of your Monastic Vows while you have at least 1 LD, invest all available LD and take {sum} damage to your Mercy. Deplete LD as normal. You may release your pool of LD as an action.
Hegumen: The Scriptures reveal deeper wisdoms to you than most. You may sense the presence of hidden passages and creatures within 60 feet during your recitations.
Archimandrite: You may learn the direction to an object of your choice during your recitations.
Unyielding Memory: The skills you have honed memorizing the scriptures continues to serve you. You have a perfect recall of everything you have read since gaining this ability.
Divine Guidance: Your knowledge of the Scriptures guides you. Once per rest, you may declare an attack that hits you misses instead.
Light of the Scriptures: The light of the Scriptures has illuminated you. Your eyes glow with a light as a torch. While blindfolded, you still 'see' with a radius of 40 feet. When you speak on holy matters, people are compelled to listen. You may invest LD twice in one turn.
* A note on gender and the Church: Hieromonks arise out of monasteries and nunneries alike. However, the Scriptures only speak of men as miracle workers**. The Church itself holds doctrines that only men can administer the rites of salvation. The Hieromonks, as enactors of holy grace, must be able to enact the Sacraments. Therefore, the presence of divine power implies that one is a man. Nuns who demonstrate the power of the Hieromonks will change their names and will live life as men. In the rare event that they do return to cloistered life, they will return to a monastery of their Ordo.
** A note on the Scriptures: The astute and well read among you may be aware of prophetesses and other women bearing power. The Church has much to say on this matter, but still contends that the priesthood, and all the powers conferred upon it, are only for men. Smaller settlements, further from the religious centers like Calidae, may have Hieromonks who still present as women, but this is unorthodox and strictly forbidden by the Church.
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