Temples, Organization, and Teachings

Hest
   "Resolute in war. Defiant in defeat. Magnanimous in victory." Winston 
   Churchill's historic view on how war should be waged brings all that Hest
   expects of his followers to a short, practicle, and explicit point. Those who
   take up the part of the warrior-priest are expected to not be mere chanters
   and cloistered hermits, but active participants in the world around them. To
   this end, all priests of Hest are assigned to serve with a city militia, 
   national army, or as simple caravan guards for no less than three years out of
   five. The only exception to this rule is when Hest himself gives a priest a
   quest to fulfill.

   There are currently three temples dedicated to the god of war. The primary
   temple is in the Dwarven city of Thanabor-Kraah, with the other two being in 
   Menden and Edhelbar, respectively. In most other cities and regions, one can
   usually find an abbey (called Encvlaves) where intitiates are tested and trained
   for the priesthood. Where a town or village is too small for an Enclave, a
   shrine or chapel can usually be found in the local militia barracks with at
   least one priest in attendance. All Temples, Enclaves, shrines, and chapels will
   have a distinct military appearance air to them and bear Hest's emblem, a 
   bleeding hand holding an upraised sword surrounded by olive branches. The emblem 
   is representative of Hests three primary tenets.
   1. Through Blood, Freedom.
   2. Through Strength, Pece.
   3. Through Wisdom, Mercy.

   There are three primary types of priests who serve Hest. These are War Priests,
   Battle Angels, and Visionaries. When an acolyte graduates to full priesthood, he
   must choose to become either a War Priest or a Battle Angel and will devote his
   career to that path. Only those to whom Hest has given a Quest may become 
   Visionaries.
   The War Priest is one who serves as a full fledged warrior, fighting alongside
   other soldiers who may or may not be devotees of Hest. To the War Priest, this
   is not a concern. So long as the cause is just, and the foe unyielding, the
   War Priest will lend his sacriments and strength to his ally. The emblem of the
   War Priest is a small shield over the blade of Hest's symbol.
   The Battle Angel, while a trained warrior, is primarily a healer. Capable of
   holding a frontline position in almost any battle, it is the Battle Angel's duty
   to render medical aid and healing to wounded soldiers. Most never do more in a
   battle than act as an extra shield so that they can be better prepared to 
   exercize their calling and get a hurt soldier back into the fight. The Battle
   Angel's emblem is a serpent wrapped around the blade of the sword of Hest's
   symbol.
   The Visionary is a man apart. He serves no army and answers to no authority but
   Hest. The Visionary may be from either branches of Hest's priesthood but will
   always be free of the restrictions usually set upon those beholden to the 
   rules and regulations of an Enclave or Temple. It is the Visionary that will 
   most often be found in the company of a band of adventurers or alone seeking a
   goal known only to him and his god. While on his Quest, the only requirement a
   Visionary must fulfill is to pay his respects at the shrine, chapel, or Enclave
   of any village, town, or city he enters. In all other regards, the Visionary is
   free to go about his quest as he determines best. The Visionary's emblem is an
   eye under the bleeding hand of Hest's symbol. Anyone found carrying this emblem
   who is not a Visionary will attract Hest's attention and be harshly dealt with,
   as only Hest bestows it and knows who and how many Visionaries there are at any 
   given time.

Priest Ranks:
   Acolyte - trainee, not a full priest. No marking.
   Battle Stripe - Full priest, trains Acolytes, may oversee a Shrine or Chapel. 
      Mark is a single red stripe on the left shoulder. Serves as a corporal in a
      miltia or army.
   War Sripe - Full priest, trains Acolytes, lead Battle Stripes, and/or oversee
      a Shrine or Chapel. Serves as a sergeant in a militia or army. Marking is a
      pair of red stripes on the left shoulder.
   Battle Mark - Full priest, may oversee a Shrine, Chapel, or hold a position of
      authority in an Enclave. Serves as a lieutenant in a militia or army. Marking
      is a red diamond on the left shoulder.
   War Mark - Senior priest, oversees an Enclave. Serves as a captain in a militia
      or army. Marking is a red circle on the left shoulder.
   Battle Wright - Senior priest, oversees the Shrines, Chapels, and Enclaves in a
      specified region from a Temple. Serves as a general in a militia or army, may 
      act as a military advisor to a regional government. Marking is a red sunburst 
      on the left shoulder. 
   War Wright - A special position of authority appointed by Hest during a time of
      dire threat or war. Has no administrative authority other than the leadership
      of Hest's followers in combat. Marking is a red eagle on the left shoulder.