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Ginger Soda
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On the subject of Paladins, Paladins are knights from royal families who have been trained from childhood to become master warriors, diplomats and priests. They are separated early in life from their families. Others are orphans, selected through grueling challenges and trials. Regardless, the training results in mighty warriors who are wholly and totally devoted to the Church.
Considering the vast array of skills they are expected to know, Paladins are relatively few. They are usually assigned to four roles: Errantry, where the Paladin travels from place to place depending upon orders and the like. He rarely stays in one place. Monastic, where a Paladin is stationed in a single diocese and becomes responsible for everything within. Militant is a Paladin who has been permanently attached to a Saint James regiment of soldiers. Paladin Sentinels are diplomats and bodyguards.
Working in conjunction with an Inquisitor, essentially a detective and secret agent, Paladins act as the public mailed fist of the Church.
Special to Paladins is the concept of the "Blessed", Liberi who have gone to the Church early enough in their life to have not become 'wicked'. They are raised to believe that God will forgive them of their mortal sin of accepting a Foci in exchange for performing miracles on behalf of the Church.
This is particularly dangerous, as only a small percentage of Liberi that willingly go to the Church are actually 'adopted'. Most are executed for whatever perceived moral faults Inquisitors can find.
A Blessed then chooses a Paladin and the pair will work together to hunt down other rogue Liberi and deal with threats too dangerous for simply a Paladin.
The relationship between a Blessed and a Paladin is considered to be sacred, and though it varies from couple to couple, for the most part they are very close.
In addition to the Blessed, there are the Broken. The Broken are Liberi who are too dangerous to kill outright and had to be captured by using the mystical powers of the Warden. The Broken is then brought to a Cathedral and laid within the Frozen Hells in a catatonic state.
Occasionally, one of these Broken are chosen, in which case they are brainwashed using drugs and psychological torture until they are more or less obedient. They are then bonded to a Paladin, who is then responsible for the Broken's well being. Broken are generally psychologically unstable and wholly reliant upon the handler to survive and operate.
Broken are a secret kept from even most Paladins; those who are given a Broken generally have no idea what went on with the girl and are told that their behavior is a side-effect of the demon.
Thus, an explanation of Paladins and how a Liberi could possibly attain the friendship and safety of one, although probability gives a Liberi 1 in 700,000 chance, probably less.
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