Heldannic Knights -- Medals and Decorations
by Bruce HeardMedals of the Order
There are five decorations that are awarded for exemplary service
in the Order. They can be awarded either to military or members of
the priesthood and can be worn with our without armour.
The Gorgerin: As the only decoration that can be awarded to an
indentured soldier, it rewards bravery in combat. Any single
chaplain or knight bachelor may request the award, which requires
an approval process by the offices of The Voice. The Gorgerin looks
like a crescent- shaped silver plate engraved with Heldannic
motives, and with a silver chain. It is worn around the neck, with
the plate resting on the chest. It symbolises the armour of the
warrior. Once a day, a gorgerin provides the effect of a bless
spell to the owner.
The Garter: Three Abbots of The Heart may award this decoration for
outstanding work supporting the faith of Vanya, usually achieving
some great feat of faith and devotion. The garter is a discreet,
black band worn on the right thigh, just above the knee,
symbolising humility in faith. The garter provides a +1 bonus to
any Wisdom-based saving throws and ability checks.
The Cord: Three Abbots of The Hammer may award this decoration,
usually for converting great numbers of followers to the ways of
Vanya, or protecting the Order against manifestations of heresy and
chaos. The cord is a simple, black and white braided rope worn as a
belt. The black and white braid symbolises law and order, and the
cord's knot, the undying loyalty to the brotherhood. Some theorise
it symbolises a spiritual umbilical cord, the priest being the
growing child and the Order the all- giving mother (presumably
Vanya). Once awarded, the cord must always be worn The cord
provides its owner a +1 to all saving throws against chaos magic
(spells cast by chaotic wizards).
The Hilt: Three Abbots of The Voice or Knight Bachelors may reward
with the hilt an act of great bravery in combat our outstanding
leadership. The hilt involves the alteration of the recipient's
weapon, including the addition of three lion head motives to its
hilt. The three decorations symbolise strength of heart, body, and
mind. They provide a +1 bonus to saving throws against fear and all
mind-control spells when the weapon is in hand (or simply held in
its scabbard).
The Eagle: It is the highest decoration awarded in the Order. In
most cases, it awarded posthumously by two of the three Primates.
So far, only a handful living members of the Order have received
the Eagle. It is a marshal's baton made of obsidian surmounted with
a small silver eagle spreading its wings. It symbolises glory above
all. When calling out Vanya's name, the baton turn into a
semi-corporeal melee weapon, the type that the owner normally
fights with. It is equivalent to a +1 magical weapon (to attacks
and damage). Against chaotic opponents of at least tenth level or
ten Hit Dice, however, it has additional effects equivalent to a
light belcher's "Holy Glaive" (see Artillery section).
Oak Leaves: Another form of decoration lies in the successive
awards of the same decorations. For example, a priest may be
awarded the cord three times. In this case, the priest would have
one cord and two oak leaves. They are small oak leaves made of
green enamel and gold which can be embedded in or attached to
either the garter, the cord, or the hilt (the Eagle can only be
awarded once in a lifetime). Each oak adds a +1 bonus to the effect
of the original decoration, up to a maximum of +4.