Hounds and Falcons of Trithereon
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The most recent addition to the Yeoman pantheon is the god Trithereon (CG liberty, individuality, retribution). The following of Trithereon, although new, is a widespread phenomenon throughout the Sheldomar Valley. The Yeoman national character has proven extremely fertile ground for this faith - though the Yeomen create Lawful institutions, many of them are Chaotic in their hearts and prefer to cling to such free-spirited gods. With his emphasis on freedom and individuality, the faith of Trithereon was almost custom-made to the democratic Yeomen, particularly the young. However, this chaotic slant often puts Trithereon worshippers at conflict with the Yeoman authorities, making them "roguish" in the eyes of many Yeomen.
Active worshippers of Trithereon in the Yeomanry (often referred to has his "Hounds") pride themselves on their community service and their attachment to Yeoman patriotism. Those who are actually granted divine spells by Trithereon (referred to as his "Falcons"), feel the need for even greater commitment to his cause.
Worshippers of Trithereon are not required to become Hounds or Falcons. However, more passive worshippers do not gain any of the benefits below.
Background and Description
As a "new-fangled" religion, worship of Trithereon is viewed with some suspicion by both the hierarchy and lay members of the long-established Church of Seven Faiths. However, this very newness makes it attractive to those dissatisfied with the status quo of religion in the Yeomanry.
Within the Yeomanry, the fall of the Hold of the Sea Princes to the Scarlet Brotherhood has been a strong impetus for the growth of the faith. While the established Church of Seven Faiths seems content to ignore the suffering of the Hold's inhabitants and the plight of refugees from that tortured land, the followers of The Summoner have been very active in trying to help. The have established the "Trail of Trithereon", a semi-clandestine refugee movement and settlement program, which moves refugees from the southern borders of the Yeomanry all the way across Keoland to the lands north of Greyhawk for resettlement. Given the chaotic nature of the Faithful, the Trail is not centrally organized. Rather, it consists of many alternate routes and possible way stations, each representing an individual Hound or Falcon doing his or her part to help. This activist nature of Trithereon's Faithful has made this religion very appealing to the more adventurous among the Yeomen.
Another ideal of Trithereon's followers is to promote the instruction of all persons in the use of weapons and self-defense. As such, they are ardent supporters of the Yeoman militia (with some few exception), seeing it both as a vehicle for teaching many people the use of arms and as a bulwark against what they would refer to as the "tyranny" of a standing army. While not usually known for their respect for authority, the Trithereonites do respect the militia chain of command, since it is selected by the free vote of the soldiers themselves. The Hounds and Falcons work hard to improve their own skills as warriors and have picked up several useful techniques from escaped slaves and former gladiators whom they spirited away from the Hold via Trithereon's Trail (see the list of available classes and feats). In their own fashion, the Followers of Trithereon are some of the best informed and most cosmopolitan people in the Yeomanry.
Relations between the Followers of Trithereon and the other religions in the Yeomanry are generally characterized by indifference bordering on contempt. The typical Falcon regards most of the clergy of the Seven Faiths as stodgy, hidebound, and interested only in maintaining their own position in Yeoman society. Clerics of Heironeous are seen as promoting tyranny, while those of Zilchus are seen as more interested in wealth than principle. This does not mean that Hounds or Falcons would go out of their way to start quarrels with members of these or other faiths. Like any new, minority faith, most believers in Trithereon are quite zealous; they think they have found the right answer and want everyone to know it. For their part, most clergy of the Seven Faiths do their best to ignore the Trithereonites totally, though privately some worry about the gains the dynamic new faith is making in some areas. The Hounds and Falcons are seen by many Church of Seven Faiths clergy as "dangerous hot-heads, eager to involve the Yeomanry in other people's wars" and "always stirring up the common folk with talk against the legitimate government and its officials." What the clerics of Heironeous say is usually unprintable. No violent incidents have occurred, though there have been sporadic reports of harassment of Trithereonites in some areas, usually associated with officials' efforts to curtail the movement of Holder refugees through the Yeomanry. So far, at least, both sides appear to be wary of any direct and open confrontations over the issue. Future events could change this, of course.
Prerequisites
The PC wishing to become a Hound or Falcon must be an active worshipper of Trithereon - it must say as much on the PC's character sheet.
Falcons of Trithereon must be able to cast divine spells of at least 1st level, and must have spent a minimum of one calendar year as a Hound.
Characters must have the Yeomanry as their home region. Switching regions from the Yeomanry results in expulsion from the group and all the benefits that come with it. Characters must also spend one calendar year as a Hound before becoming a Falcon.
Requirements
Hounds and Falcons must put up a 100gp initiation fee, showing their seriousness and dedication to the cause by staking some of their own fortune in it.
Hounds must spend 4 TUs per calendar year, which reflects a PC's active participation in supporting the Faith in manners such as teaching weapon skills to commoners, escorting refugees from the Hold of the Sea Princes, assisting in the conversion of others to the Faith, and so forth. Falcons have an even greater commitment, requiring them to spend 6 TUs. This TU expenditure must be noted on an AR and signed by a LG judge or Triad member. Failure to spend or track these TUs by the end of a given calendar year leads to suspension from the Faith until atoned for.
Hounds and Falcons may be "activated" during regional scenarios and be expected to perform the adventure without any form of paid compensation (other than booty gained during the adventure) if the mission is of great importance to the furthering of the Faith. Adventures falling into this category will specifically say as much.
Falcons only are expected to pay a tithe of their earnings to support the organization. All Falcons are expected to pay in at least 5% of their earnings, though they may pay more and Hounds are encouraged to contribute as well.
Benefits
Hounds receive the direct blessing of Summoner, and clerics of Trithereon will perform marriages, funerals, blessings, and other sacraments for the PC. In addition, the DC for determining if a desired divine spell is available to a PC is reduced by 2, and the gp cost of such spells is reduced by 10%. Note that this is ONLY available to Hounds and Falcons, and the donating spellcaster must also be an active worshipper of Trithereon. Furthermore, due to the decentralized nature of the Faith and its newness in the Yeomanry, there is a 20% chance that no Falcon of the required level is available to cast the spell. The Hound must then pay the full cost. As a Falcon in good standing, the DC for determining if a desired spell is available to the PC is reduced by 4, and the gp cost is reduced by 20%, but there is the same 20% chance that no Falcon of the required level is available to cast the spell.
Due to the emphasis placed on the breeding of dogs by the worshippers of Trithereon, Hounds and Falcons can have the ability to purchase Yeoman Fellhounds, a hardy tracking and hunting dog native to the Yeomanry. These dogs are identical to riding dogs (see Monster Manual, page 196) save they have an extra +1 hit point per die (or 2d8+6 hp) due to their increased Constitution (17 instead of 15). These dogs cost 125gp, and the Fellhound's upkeep costs 5gp above and beyond the character's normal lifestyle cost.
Hounds of Trithereon have access to the following feats, provided they meet all other requirements:
- Expert Tactician (S&F)
- Power Lunge (S&F)
- Divine Might (DotF)
- Heightened Turning (DotF)
Hounds of Trithereon have access to the following Prestige Class, provided they meet all other requirements:
- Vigilante (S&S)
- Holy Liberator (DotF)
- Knight of the Chase (Dragon 297)
Hounds of Trithereon gain access to the following magic item:
- Gauntlets of Ogre Power
- Belt of Giant Strength +4
- Phylactery of Faithfulness
- Ring of Protection +2
- Dispel Magic
- Divine Power
- Freedom of Movement
- Neutralize Poison
- Tongues