Sir Rexus de Legio Verbum of the Ordos Artem Verbum (Sir Rexus of the word legion of the "Order of the art of the word")
A templar, "Sir Rexus de Legio Verbum", was part of a secret order called the Ordos Artem de Verbum. These are paladins who specialize in warfare using faith in the concept of language itself. while, not using contemporary magic or sorcery, their power comes from a very zealous, religious faith in the spoken and written word. Word given power because of conviction. This is their pact. They are not like conventional paladins or sorcerers who gain power from a pact with a God or entity. Their faith in the power of written or spoken word is their "god" because it is believed that the spoken word predates gods themselves. These paladins are encouraged to study as many languages as possible, even the ones that use gestures and hand movements to convey meanings. They delve into all manner of holy scriptures that emphasize the power of the word, as well as poetry, mantras, affirmations, singing, calligraphy, and all manner of art that involves symbols, letters, and communication. They also meditate and practice visualizing words and symbols in their minds or strengthening their inner monologue. Their armor and weapons are forged by craftsman of the faith who speak to their creations as they work, believing that their spoken words can enhance their focus and whatever they make. The templars have words of power etched all over their armor and weapons, as well as jewelry. The intriguing aspect of this is that the weapons, armor, and trinkets have no power of their own, but it is the faith of the wielder when believing in the written word on the tools that allows for power to flow into them. This unique faith held by this order of paladins is unorthodox, looked down upon by rivals and mages alike, yet it has shown itself to be effective and held its ground over the centuries. It has proven that forming a pact with a concept has the same effect as with gods.
this templar, Sir Rexus, was sent on a mission to retrieve a relic. (a fossilized remnant of a very old saint buried in hostile lands long forgotten). legend claims the saint's faith in the word was so strong that as a final act of bravery he turned his own flesh into stone to stop some ancient enemy, but not much else is known. This templar was sent to retrieve the relic and bring it back for the order to study and perhaps recover ancient knowledge of what happened. The templar eventually found the relic but something was unsettling about it. there were signs of corruption, as if something alien had gained control of the flesh before death. even in its fossilized state something very dark and eerie, though subtle, lingered in that piece of ancient flesh. Sir Rexus resisted that subtle pull and decided that the Order must not have such a corrupted relic. The templar created a small fire, he sat there meditating, speaking holy words of power mixed with his faith. The flames grew slowly and morphed into a holy fire. he tossed the relic into the searing flames and instantly the relic began to scream in agony, as if something was very angry it had been tossed away.
Sir Rexus was successful in banishing this predatory relic, but he felt he was not alone. He turned around and noticed several of his fellow brothers had followed him. He greeted them at first but then noticed they had hostile intentions. He asked what they were doing, but they responded with vague apologies, and that they were just following orders from the commander.
"Sorry Brother, but we were given strict orders. if you had brought the relic with you, then you would have been spared. The order is changing, we are changing. You cling to your faith, but the world is evolving around us. Faith in unseen antics is dying, Rexus. Now, people rely more on the tangible and the real! People want an image to cling to, real meaning and power that can be felt and worshiped! We too crave this, but you stand in our way, we can't have you around us anymore.... we are forming a new order with a new pact.. a real pact" - They said.
The templar barely escaped with his life. But now, he is on the run. Seeking refuge wherever he can hide from those who wish to snuff him out, a lingering remnant of a once faithful order.
Sir Rexus on his travels encounters a lowly bandit mage. The mage doesn’t sense any magic flowing in his weapons or armor, and assumes he’s a non-magic knight. The lowly mage acts haughty even jesting: “well well, just a regular knight roaming around all alone, eh? What are you, crestfallen? This should be easy!”
Sir Rexus unsheathed his sword and holds it up in ritualistic manner, reciting words of power that slowly shifts the very atmosphere around them. “The word made itself into all, it both cuts and binds into everything, and with this blade, I shall cut into you with the raw power of the word.” - his sword begins to hum with an otherworldly vibration that seems as if it could cut through reality.
The bandit mage suddenly appeared frightened, never witnessing such abilities before. The mage deactivated their magic stave and ran away, quickly vanishing into the woods.
Sir Rexus de Legio Verbum of the Ordos Artem Verbum (Sir Rexus of the word legion of the "Order of the art of the word")
A templar, "Sir Rexus de Legio Verbum", was part of a secret order called the Ordos Artem de Verbum. These are paladins who specialize in warfare using faith in the concept of language itself. while, not using contemporary magic or sorcery, their power comes from a very zealous, religious faith in the spoken and written word. Word given power because of conviction. This is their pact. They are not like conventional paladins or sorcerers who gain power from a pact with a God or entity. Their faith in the power of written or spoken word is their "god" because it is believed that the spoken word predates gods themselves. These paladins are encouraged to study as many languages as possible, even the ones that use gestures and hand movements to convey meanings. They delve into all manner of holy scriptures that emphasize the power of the word, as well as poetry, mantras, affirmations, singing, calligraphy, and all manner of art that involves symbols, letters, and communication. They also meditate and practice visualizing words and symbols in their minds or strengthening their inner monologue. Their armor and weapons are forged by craftsman of the faith who speak to their creations as they work, believing that their spoken words can enhance their focus and whatever they make. The templars have words of power etched all over their armor and weapons, as well as jewelry. The intriguing aspect of this is that the weapons, armor, and trinkets have no power of their own, but it is the faith of the wielder when believing in the written word on the tools that allows for power to flow into them. This unique faith held by this order of paladins is unorthodox, looked down upon by rivals and mages alike, yet it has shown itself to be effective and held its ground over the centuries. It has proven that forming a pact with a concept has the same effect as with gods.
this templar, Sir Rexus, was sent on a mission to retrieve a relic. (a fossilized remnant of a very old saint buried in hostile lands long forgotten). legend claims the saint's faith in the word was so strong that as a final act of bravery he turned his own flesh into stone to stop some ancient enemy, but not much else is known. This templar was sent to retrieve the relic and bring it back for the order to study and perhaps recover ancient knowledge of what happened. The templar eventually found the relic but something was unsettling about it. there were signs of corruption, as if something alien had gained control of the flesh before death. even in its fossilized state something very dark and eerie, though subtle, lingered in that piece of ancient flesh. Sir Rexus resisted that subtle pull and decided that the Order must not have such a corrupted relic. The templar created a small fire, he sat there meditating, speaking holy words of power mixed with his faith. The flames grew slowly and morphed into a holy fire. he tossed the relic into the searing flames and instantly the relic began to scream in agony, as if something was very angry it had been tossed away.
Sir Rexus was successful in banishing this predatory relic, but he felt he was not alone. He turned around and noticed several of his fellow brothers had followed him. He greeted them at first but then noticed they had hostile intentions. He asked what they were doing, but they responded with vague apologies, and that they were just following orders from the commander.
"Sorry Brother, but we were given strict orders. if you had brought the relic with you, then you would have been spared. The order is changing, we are changing. You cling to your faith, but the world is evolving around us. Faith in unseen antics is dying, Rexus. Now, people rely more on the tangible and the real! People want an image to cling to, real meaning and power that can be felt and worshiped! We too crave this, but you stand in our way, we can't have you around us anymore.... we are forming a new order with a new pact.. a real pact" - They said.
The templar barely escaped with his life. But now, he is on the run. Seeking refuge wherever he can hide from those who wish to snuff him out, a lingering remnant of a once faithful order.
Example Encounter:
Sir Rexus on his travels encounters a lowly bandit mage. The mage doesn’t sense any magic flowing in his weapons or armor, and assumes he’s a non-magic knight. The lowly mage acts haughty even jesting: “well well, just a regular knight roaming around all alone, eh? What are you, crestfallen? This should be easy!”
Sir Rexus unsheathed his sword and holds it up in ritualistic manner, reciting words of power that slowly shifts the very atmosphere around them. “The word made itself into all, it both cuts and binds into everything, and with this blade, I shall cut into you with the raw power of the word.” - his sword begins to hum with an otherworldly vibration that seems as if it could cut through reality.
The bandit mage suddenly appeared frightened, never witnessing such abilities before. The mage deactivated their magic stave and ran away, quickly vanishing into the woods.