The Heldannic Order - Vaults of Pandius

HELDANNIC TEACHINGS AND THE SAGAS
“Who wills not war, let war his portion
be.”
Popular Heldannic proverb
The Order’s clergy conducts some
schooling in the urban areas of the
Heldannic Territories. What follows is a
representative sample of the information
imparted during this education (usually
ages 6 to 12).
On the Time before
the Knights
“The Heldannic Territories were once a
barbarous land, its peoples plagued by
foul creatures and superstitious beliefs.
Kin, and yet not kin, to the men of
Ostland and Vestland, they fought one
another as much as the threats around
them.
“So petty were their jealousies, that they
murdered their greatest hero, Heldann,
lest he be made king over them.”
Petrus von Schlossburg
Chronica Terra Heldannica, I, 2
The Freehold period was a time of
anarchy. The Haldis clan controlled the
town of Haldisvall, but little else. Blood
feuds were – and still remain in some
quarters – very common. At any given
time, as much as a quarter of all males
were living as outlaws.
On the Establishment
of Freiburg
“Seven hundred brethren from the
Church of Vanya with the guidance of its
priests built a fort in the Heldann
Freeholds beside a sacred oak tree.
“It is said at first they had to fight a vast
horde of barbarians, beyond numbers,
but as time passed they dispatched their
foes so that none remained who would
not bow his neck in respect; this with the
help of Our Lady of Vanya who is blessed
for ever and ever. Selah.”
Petrus von Schlossburg
Chronica Terra Heldannica, III, 3
The Knights invaded the river town
Haldisvall which they renamed Freiburg
– the city freed of its past. The ruling
clan was thought to have perished in
combat (the natives say executed), and
numerous counter-attacks were repelled
with ease.
On the Honor of Service
“...such are they whom Vanya chooses
for herself and gathers from the furthest
ends of this world, servants from among
the bravest in Hattias to guard watchfully
and faithfully her Sepulchre and the
Temple of Our Lady, sword in hand,
ready for battle.”
Bernhardt von Klarwald
Historiae Heldanicae Scriptores Exteria
To be a Knight or priest of the Order is
the highest calling one may have. It is
not the path for all of those faithful to
Vanya, but those who aspire to glory in
the Territories would be well advised to
consider joining. Comradiery,
equipment, housing, and education are all
available to those who join.
On the Glory of Victory
and the Lure of Carnage
“To avoid confusing our warriors with
that soldiery which belongs to Death
rather than Our Patron we will now
speak briefly of the life these Knights of
Vanya lead on campaign or in the
Convent, what it is they prize, and why
soldiers of Vanya are so different from
those of the world.”
Bernhardt von Klarwald
De Laude Novae Militiae, AC 979
Soldiers fight for one of three things:
money, glory, or bloodlust. On paper,
the Knights are centered on glory as
measured by the expansion of the Order’s
authority over the temporal world and the
defeat of those who dwell in the chaos.
Unfortunately, a not insignificant
minority of Knights have fallen for the
last motivation. The so-called death-
1
worshippers are afflicted with vile
sadism. Be warned. These Knights have
lost the light of Vanya and are considered
heretics, though bringing charges is
rarely done.
On Other Faiths
“They prattle to stones and cart trollops
about to renew the fields. What more
needs be said?”
Wilhelm Hockstein
Veritas Heldanicas, Chapter 5
Officially, native and foreign non-
Vanya faiths are permitted to exist in the
Territories, but they are hassled except in
Freiburg’s diplomatic quarter. The
practices of native Heldanners is
considered offensive to the more
urbanized Knights, who do not
comprehend the favor of so many fertility
patrons. Freyja stands alone as an
outlawed figured, and her wise women
are to be arrested on sight.
On Matters Arcane
“Though wondrous and horrid things I
will see, I shall not veer from my faith.
The Grey Lady shall guide me and
protect me, and she shall lead me up to
strike the conjurer of evil and smite the
wickedness of his works.”
Pslam of Rectitude
Magic use raises eyebrows among the
Order. If the arcane is approached as a
scientific, learned endeavor, the Knights
tolerate it and even retain the services of
a few faithful mages in the large towns.
Those who place their faith in wizardry
as a substitute for piety (as do the
Alphatians) are seen as the greatest
enemies to vanquish.
A Final Admonition
“Take this sword: its brightness stands
for Faith, its point for Glory, its guard
for the Law. Use it wisely...”
Heldannic Rite of Profession