Sunday Morning, Fireseek 2, 591 Common Year

The chapel is of blue veined white marble, with stain glass windows depicting Heironeous’ victories over his evil brother Hextor. They are set up so that the rising sun shines through them illuminating the room. The pews are full of clerics, paladins, and courtiers, including the Prince-Governor – Sir Jankin among them as well. The smell of frankincense pervades the air. The service consists of a lot of standing at attention and bowing and saluting, as if Heironeous were a divine general, and in many ways he is. After the service has begun, Fingol notices that Gar enters the room to observe.

The service naturally consists of prayers to Heironeous:

“Heironeous, Arch-paladin, defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the evil ones.
Rebuke them, we humbly pray;
Do Thou, O Valorous Knight -
By your divine power -
Cast back into Acheron, Hextor and his legions,
Who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of all.
Fall To!”

The precepts of Heironeous are cited:

“It is better to die standing up for justice, than to live groveling before injustice.”

“Glory is the reward for defeating evil, while virtue is the reward for upholding the tenets of Heironeous”

“When all other manner of redressing a wrong have failed; then it is a just and pious thing to draw one’s sword.”

There are vows and dedications to Heironeous:

“May we always work for peace, but never shirk from battle when the evil ones bring it upon us.

“May we always work to uphold a just order for the good of all and the glory of the Heavens, and cast back the chaos and evil that ever seeks to take back the world into the Abyss.

“May we never fight out of bitterness, fear, greed, hatred, or revenge, but only out of love and compassion for the weak and innocent.

“May our holy crusade never bring about worse harm, but always and everywhere prepare the way for a safer and better Oerth.

“May forbearance, kindness, and self-sacrifice win out, but if they cannot then may our courage and strength of sword-arm prevail in the end.”

And finally there are songs to Heironeous:

1. Onward, Heironean soldiers, marching off to war,
with the god of chivalry going on before.
O Valorous Knight who leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!

Refrain:
Onward, Heironean soldiers, marching off to war,
with the god of chivalry going on before.

2. At the sign of triumph Hextor’s host doth flee;
on then, Heironean soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
(Refrain)

3. Like a mighty army moves the church of god;
brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
(Refrain)

4. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the church of valor constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never against that church prevail;
we have the Invincible’s promise, and that cannot fail.
(Refrain)

5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto the Paladin King,
this through countless ages men and angels sing.
(Refrain)

And then there comes the final benediction as the head priest says to the congregants:

“Hear the command of Heironeous: take up your arms, go forth, and fight for the right! Fall To!”

To which the Prince-Governor, and all the assembled clerics, paladins, servants, and men-at-arms shout in response “Fall To!”

Lady Sedara seems to have been greatly moved and invigorated by that. She hastens with Fingol in tow over to Gar but the Prince-Governor arrives first. “Ah, Lady Sedara, I see you have found Fingol and brought him with you. Thank you.” He turns to Gar, “Good priest, thank you for attending our service. You are always welcome among us.” He turns back to Fingol, “As are you cousin Fingol.” The Prince-Governor steps back so he can speak to both of you, “I am very glad to see you both. I don’t know if Lady Sedara has had a chance to tell you, but I would like to speak to you both in private in my solar. It’s just this way.”