Sun Shields

A religious order dedicated to Tor-Elan. Mostly present in the Sea of Grass region, among followers of the Church of the Seasons.

Militant Protectors

The Sun Shields are a militant order. Priests and acolytes of the order are expected to be trained in weapons and armor, preferring heavier armor and martial weapons, specifically the sword (or hammer) and shield. In the communities of the faithful, they serve as militia commanders and trainers. Generally, there is a strong expectation that the faithful in those villages will turn out for militia drill once every week, training in marching, formation fighting, and general physical fitness.

Not all Sun Shields are priests, although all are dedicated. The Sun Shields maintain secular (but closely-tied) smithies and transport networks.

Organization

Pre-254 AC

The Sun Shields were commanded by a High Priest, who takes the name "the Fist of the Sun". He is also the commanding officer for the military of the Holy Kaelthian Republic. Other ranks use military names: General, Commander, Knight-Commander, and Lieutenant, with Sergeant, Quartermaster and Private being the "enlisted" (ie lay) ranks.

Time of Troubles

The Sun Shields have partially fractured into two wings--one within Kaelthia and one throughout the rest of the Sea of Grass and other wall-builder human-dominated regions.

The Kaelthian wing retains the military structure and official recognition--the Kaelthian Fist of the Sun is part of the national government of Kaelthia and his priesthood commands the regular patrol forces. The current Fist has denounced political enforcement of religious norms and is known to have been a (careful) opponent of the Prophet of Law Unveiled who managed to have not gotten exiled/killed during that regime.

The diaspora wing(s) are less-well-organized and have no official standing. Their main roles have been usurped by the much-more-militant but also more-respected Breath of the Sun; all that's left of the Sun Shields are local priests trying to organize and train their local militias, as well as a few roving clerics and devoted. Their current "headquarters", such as it is, is located in Lowbridge.