Mother's Helping Hand/School/Religions/The One/Shield
Order of the Shield
The Order of the Shield is the religious order dedicated to the physical protection of the church and it's flock. Being a military Order it has the highest percentage of male members of the five Orders. Its membership consists of Squires, Knights, Paladins and Saints.
Religious Herarchy
Squires: Squires are the grunts and common soldiers in the Order, considered to be the elite of the elite, every Squire is the equivalent of an officer when mixed with a standing army. It is the starting rank in the Order. Their duties consist primarily of, taking care of the day to day needs of the Order, processing requisitionns, taking care of Orders animals and equipment and generally ensuring things run smoothly and with military precision. Secondary to that is their training for progression within the Order.
Knights: Knights are the elite guard of the Church, responsible for a particular Church, Convent or other religons structure, the Knights responsibility is to protect the Priesthood and any sacred relics in the care of that church. During combat situations the head Knight is the ultimate rule and authority for church matters in their area of governance. Their authority supersedes that of the priesthood, until the danger is removed. They are also responsible for caring out judgment for military crimes among the clergy and any military forces in their care.
Lamptons currently has one Knight assigned to protecting it's church, the priestess has requested for one to three more night, but none have been forthcoming. Larange currently has Ten Knights assigned to various buildings aowned by the church.
Paladins: Paladins are the Military Govorner responsible organization and care of all military assets in a given area. They hold sway over multiple locations and in some cases multiple cities and fortified defensive strongholds.
During combat situations the local Paladin is the ultimate rule and authority for church matters in their area of governance. Their authority supersedes that of the priesthood, until the danger is removed.
Lamptons and Larange are oversean by one Paladin, while the rest of the outskirts is oversean by another.
Saints: Saints oversea the governance of all military matters of a given area controled by multiple Paladins.
During combat situations the local Saint is the ultimate rule and authority for church matters in their area of governance. Their authority supersedes that of the priesthood, until the danger is removed.
The entirety of the outskirts to include Lamptons and Larange is under the authority of one Saint.
There is one Saint who is considered the head of The Order of the Shield. This is an appointed position by the Patriarch/Matriarch and is a lifetime appointment.