The Shielding Hand is a knightly order led by a Latham Lumberlander.
Tenets
The Tenets of the Order originated from Latham's youth in Goliath society and have evolved as he has grown.
- The Key Tenet — Protect those who cannot protect themselves.
- Accept all religions, races, and abilities so long as the individual yearns to restore justice and goodness to the realm.
- Be kind to friend and foe alike. Even when violence seems inevitable, remember that some battles can be won without bloodshed.
- Maintain your honor. Whether in battle or in competition, act honorably and betray the thought of underhanded acts.
- The Order is made of equals. The structure of The Order is based on talent and merit, but we are all treated equal and the opinions of new recruits are as valid as the opinion of the Shield Commander.
- The worthy shall lead. If someone proves more worthy of leadership, they may be voted in by their peers.
Ranks
Shield Commander
The Shield Commander, Latham Lumberlander, is the leader of The Shielding Hand. The position can be voted on by members of the Hand and Protectorates. Their rule is as a symbol of peace, and he holds powers of promotion. Their word is worth as much as a Protectorate or Hand as everyone in the order is considered equals.
Hand of the Shield
A position held by capable and trusted knights that believe in the cause and Latham's vision. They are allowed to recruit members into the order.
Bern Brassback
The dragonborn paladin of Helm was the first and most important recruit. His joining the cause signified that quarrels between the gods were less important than the plight of the people. Latham met him in the temple House Invincible in Silverymoon. Bern was skeptical of a child of Lathander, but saw the truth when Latham defeated brigands raiding farms without lifting a weapon, then and convincing both them and the farmers to let the brigands change their ways and become farmhands.
Davos Seafarer
The human smuggler turned monk of Ilmater. Earlier in his life Davos was a very troubled man, at one time working as a smuggler, slave trader, and pirate. Even becoming the captain of a pirate ship until one day, a mutiny over a young tortle cabinboy saw him thrown overboard. For two days Davos floated at sea, waiting to die but never giving in to death. Luckily a merchant ship spotted and rescued him. On the brink of death, fever dreams over took Davos and he saw the pain and torment of all those he had scorned. His recovery was relatively quick, but it felt like lifetimes as he relived the lives of his victims. The merchants left him in Calimshan at the Church of Ilmater, and as the monks helped restore him he vowed to help save those he harmed, and those like them. Unlike Bern, Davos found Latham in his travels by chance. They both ended up trying to free the same slaves from a caravan of slave traders. Davos mystified Latham with his skill in battle. As he fought off the slavers, Latham freed the slaves to bolster their forces. This was a pivotal moment in Latham's learning about true battle. Some called this coincidence, others called it divine providence.
Torm Thunderkeg
Lastly, the dwarf cleric of Torm. He was one of the few but increasing dwarven members of Torm. He was tasked with looking into a Goliath Charlatan whose village claimed he was a child of Lathander. Tracking him to Silverymoon, he noticed a budding vegetable farm with what seemed to be three new fields and plenty of hands. Upon inquiring he heard Lathams name for the first time, chalking it up to smooth-talkery he continued following his leads of a golden eyed Goliath in the direction of Calimshan. (Very few people knew of this Goliath, only those that had directly met him and a few priests of Helm that directed Tormus' quest, tt was mostly rumor and hearsay that he followed, and even then it was extremely sparse). On the road he met Davos, and the recently freed slaves. Talking to the monk of Ilmater, he became intrigued with Latham and returned to his clergy with news that this may be less of a Charlatan and more budding hero. He was directed with the task of joining Latham's band to find out for himself and the church. Currently he is convinced and is recruiting for the band, as well as keeping an eye for the worshippers of Torm.
Protectorates of the Shield
The title of Protectorate is reserved for regular members of the order.
Shielding Base
Name of new recruits and initiates still required to prove themselves to the cause. This position is held by squires, and those that have not been proven just by a Hand of the Shield or the Shield Commander.