The Hearth-Hands of Divine Nourishment

Known colloquially as 'the Hearthands', the Hearth-Hands of Divine Nourishment are a charitable organisation of volunteers based in the Empire of Malvarron and aligned with the Order of Dagda.   The organisation is devoted to easing the struggles of the poor, including feeding the hungry and treating the maladies of the destitute who are unable to afford a physicker or treatment at the Leech-Houses.  

Purpose

  The Hearthands believe that every act of care, whether it's providing a nutritional meal or a bandage, is a gift from Dagda and that the order is simply an intermediary between the Goddess and those in need.   Each new initiate to the order is required to swear an oath of benevolent service to the less fortunate. No formal qualifications are required, just a devotion to selflessness, with all knowledge gained through mentorship and experience.   The Hearthands specialise in two fields, cooking & food distribution, and minor healing & medical care.   The volunteers distribute food from local kitchens known as Hearths of Plenty (also known as Hop Houses), where cooks and assistants serve large batches of warm and nutritious food, such as stews and soups, from vast cauldrons. Despite having 'Plenty' in the name, however, these kitchens are known to run out of food regularly, often causing trouble amongst the masses who often resort to violence.   The Hearthands also act as healers, due to their vast understanding of herbalism. They are trained to treat minor wounds, injuries and ailments, but they can only do so much with their limited resources. To this day, the organisation still relies on donations from the church and a few virtuous citizens who champion their worthy cause. They do not have enough to help everyone.   The organisation keeps good relations with the local Leech-Houses, where they consult about matters concerning public health. Experienced Hearthand healers often share their time between the Hop kitchens and the medical clinics which treat the poor.  

History

  The organisation was founded during the Age of Unbearable Sorrow by two women from reasonably affluent backgrounds, Daphne Yevinet, a young physicker's assistant, and Rosa Bardel, the daughter of a Dagdarian priestess. The women were good friends and generous souls native to Revaelor. Deeply troubled by the suffering of the starving poor during the Long Draught, they set up a makeshift kitchen at the Dockyard Markets in the Wallows, offering portions of stew and heels of bread free to anyone who needed it.   The women were overwhelmed by the popularity of the venture, and the cauldron soon ran dry.   Those who had waited in line only to be unsuccessful in getting what they so desperately needed were quick to anger, and a mass brawl erupted with many sustaining injuries before the Duke's city guard could intervene.   Though having sustained wounds themselves, the women were undeterred. They called for volunteers of a similar mind and pious creed to assist with cooking and distribution.   Over the years, the organisation has become more formalised, a notable presence in the poorer districts of the capital, Bridgeport and Greyspire.  

Relationship with the Empire

  Relations between the Hearthands and the empire are strained, to say the least, and the order is often threatened with enforced dissolution.   The empire prefers to keep the masses downtrodden and controllable, but the Hearthands offer hope to the needy, whilst seeming to expect nothing in return.   Empire officials are increasingly suspicious of the group's motives, with some even associating the order with underground illicit activity such as smuggling and aiding illegal magi.   Regular inspections are carried out by the Black Cloaks without notice, and there have even been several instances of intimidation and threats of violence from the authorities.