Dedication
As Presented to Tristain Kurchin on Flamerule 10, 1493 by First Hammer Elhand Tyrannth upon promotion to the Rank of Paladin among the Justices of Tyr in the Knights of Holy Judgement.
From this day forth, so long as the afore named Knight remains in good standing with the Triad and High Council, so long as the Knight remains bound to the recorded Code of their respective deity, and so long as bodily able to perform the assigned tasks, this Knight is hereby considered a legal representative of the organization and thus able to accept and complete contracts across the Sword Coast and Silver Marches on behalf of the Knights of Holy Judgement.
As a Clergy of Tyr having achieved the rank of Paladin, you are hereby sworn to uphold the justice in all your efforts. Use this journal for constant reflection upon the important truths of our faith as well as for keeping record of your own rulings, deeds, and decisions. Thereby through these reminders and entries, your own errors and shortcomings may be measured and corrected, drawing you closer to Tyr’s perfect justice. Take note also of the laws of the lands as you travel so as to ensure you are always in proper standing with the local governments and can provide insights to fellow knights and clergy along the way.
No known injustice committed by a Tyrran shall go unbalanced. Should you fall short of the balanced scales of justice, seek forgiveness from our Just God, provide reparations to those you have wronged, and finally, seek forgiveness within yourself to continue your path, taking with you the lessons of the failure. In all these duties, may this Book of Lawgiving be a source of truth, wisdom, and guidance as you seek out Tyr’s will in the world before you.
The Code & Oaths
“We as Knights shall be measured by no less than the extent to which we exemplify the values inscribed in our codes and the oaths we’ve sworn.”
Code of Tyr
Always reveal the truth, punish the guilty,
right the wrong, and be true and just in your actions.
Keep a record of your own deeds and decisions,
for through this your errors can be corrected.
Be vigilant in your observations and anticipations,
so you may detect injustices before actions
threaten law and order.
Deliver vengeance to the guilty,
for those who cannot do it themselves
The Oath of the Order
Here I stand,
spirit and flesh in your divine light.
The marriage of protection, courage,
and justice is my bond.
I shall protect the sanctity of this domain,
and those who dwell in it.
Valor shall be my guide, and those who wish
to incite evil shall be brought to justice.
I do so in your name.
The Threefold Oath
I swear this day and all to follow,
To render justice, tempered by mercy,
To serve courageously, guided by wisdom,
To stand resolute, strengthened by righteousness.
The Three Tenets of the Triad
Faith is the greatest weapon against evil —
Faith in one’s god, one’s friends, and one’s self.
Battling evil is an extraordinary task,
one that requires extraordinary strength and bravery.
Punishing an evil act is just.
Punishing an evil thought is not.
Holy Days & Rituals
As Compiled by Tyrran Julietta Vovikt
“The Church of Tyr and all of her clergy honor the unique facets of our faith through three holy days to be observed as a series of monthly rituals. Every community, from chapel to cathedral, will make available the rites to all who seek to be reminded of Tyr’s justice, sacrifice, and humility. Tyrrans’s traveling should set aside time for the sacred prayers and reflection if unable to attend a service in their region.”
Seeing Justice
On the first day of each month, special services shall be held to invite Tyr’s justice forth into the days ahead and to celebrate the provision of the Even-Handed god’s guidance in the days since past. The clergy shall draw forth images of the glorious hammer of Tyr in golden hues of morning light. All those present shall reflect on Tyr’s strength and perfect justice as a means to inspire courage and wisdom in the month ahead.
The Maiming
On the thirteenth day of each month, those devoted to the Wounded God shall stand beneath an image of the sacrificed right hand as the blood drips down to cleanse us of any lingering cowardice in the face of self-sacrifice. Let the thundering songs retelling of Tyr’s great conquests surge in each heart and reignite the desire for justice bringing an end to evil throughout the lands.
The Blinding
On the twenty-second day of each month each community shall hold the Blinding. Those serving as leaders of the ceremony shall create the illusion of two eyes weeping flaming tears until they have entirely spilled away as a reminder of the physical vision lost by the Blind Overlord. Throughout the prayers and chants of the ceremony, the clergy shall remain blindfolded as a symbol of devotion.
The Four Rituals
Tyrrans are called to celebrate daily rituals of prayer to Tyr. Unless falling on a sacred day within the specific community, the typical form of these daily rituals entails a sung invocation, a series of prayers and responses led by a senior ranking clergy or knight, an instructive sermon or reading of wisdom from the Sacred Judgments of Tyr, and an inspiring closing anthem. Such rituals are celebrated every two hours, with the most prominent services taking place at dawn, highsun, evenfeast, and evening.
The dawn ritual, The Awakening, is a gentle, uplifting renewal of faith featuring quiet reflection and prayer for the day to come.
The noonday ritual, the Hammer at Highsun, is to be a stirring, exultant expression of the church’s vigilance and martial might featuring anthems and recollections of justice enacted in the community.
The evenfeast ritual, High Justice, is a contrastingly stern, proud celebration of Tyr’s commandments and the church’s long standing purpose.
The evening ritual, the Remembrance of the Just Fallen, is a somber reflection consisting of softly chanted litanies in reverence for those who have laid down their lives for justice, both inside and outside the faith in a ritual of quiet dignity.
Investiture
Investiture, the solemn ceremony wherein a novice prepares themselves for becoming a formal Tyrran through the Holy Vigil. It is the duty of every Tyrran priest or paladin within a day’s ride of the announcement to attend.
On the eve of the Holy Vigil, once the gathered guests have feasted in Tyr’s honor, the supplicant, wearing the traditional blue and gold robes and the stole signifying their local chapter, shall be brought into the temple and presented to the high priest of the local temple. The presiding priest shall then present the chosen relic of focus for the supplicant’s vigil. Typically this takes the form of a piece of armor, weapon, or holy symbol in the case of clerics and paladins or the new vestments for a priest or priestess.
At this time, the presiding priest recites a final prayer over the supplicant and blesses the focus causing it to glow in a radiant and magical sheen. All but the supplicant withdraw, processing out of the temple while singing a hymn of hope. Once the doors are shut and the supplicant is alone before the altar of Tyr, so begins the Holy Vigil.
The Holy Vigil
The Vigil is to be repeated each time an individual advances in rank within the priesthood or their respective order. For the entirety of the Vigil the supplicant shall remain vigilant and steadfast. As a symbol of their rising station, the supplicant wears the stole which represents their origins and days of training within the church while kneeling before the altar of Tyr before the sanctified object which represents their future. As disciples of Tyr, the supplicant is called to stand between the balance of their past and future, reflecting in prayer upon who they are, who they have been, and who they shall be as a more fully radiant and realized version of themselves in Tyr’s will. Should the supplicant give into fear or drowsiness or dwell upon doubts of their faith, the sanctified object shall lose its enchanted sheen and grow rusted and worn.
Should the object’s deterioration remain until morn, the Vigil is considered frowned upon by Tyr. In the case of a failed Vigil, the presiding priest shall seek the guidance of Tyr and follow the Wounded God’s command for the next step in the supplicant’s journey, typically sending them into the field on a quest of penance and re-dedication. Should the night pass and the presiding priest return to find the object still pristine, the object is offered and donned by the supplicant. The newly promoted Tyrran priest or paladin then concludes the Vigil and breaks their fast with a celebratory feast and reception by the visiting Tyrrans.
Ascension to the Hammers
To become a member of the Hammers of Grimjaws, chosen acolytes must receive a vision of Tyr’s Warhammer, permitting them favor and acceptance into the elite order. If instead a potential supplicant receives a vision of Tyr’s sword, this revelation indicates the individual must further prepare for this rite and often must complete an act of atonement before once again presenting themselves for judgement before Tyr.
Above nearly all other signs of Tyr’s favor, the resplendent vision of the Warhammer serves as a testament to the purity and power required to reach such an esteemed rank as the Hammers and thus is incredibly rare with only twelve members actively serving at any one time.
Excerpts From The History of Justice
As written by High Priest Theodoric Runewood
“Only with an understanding of Tyr’s eternal pursuit of justice can we more clearly see where the Just God is leading us in the days to come.“
Ancient History & Origins
Among the prominent major deities of the current pantheon, Tyr is one of the few to originate from a distant realm and come to us under his own willing submission to the Great Overlord Ao. Following his journey through Realmspace, Tyr first interacted with denizens of the Material Plane several millennia before the institution of Dalereckoning. During this time, Tyr made himself known to a great warrior, Belaros, and a group of individuals who would go on to be the first Tyrran priests of Faerun.
Following this chance encounter with the Just God, Belaros spent many years crafting a divinely inspired scale which would serve as a treasured relic, the Balance of Belaros, named after the master craftsman and noble warrior many consider to be the first Hammer of Grimjaw.
For much of the years between this chance meeting and the Procession of Justice, it is widely believed recognition of Tyr’s presence was not particularly widespread, or else the records of his prominence have been lost to history.
The Procession of Justice
Following the Year of Furious Waves, the remnants of the defeated Jhaamdath Empire descended further into lawlessness and banditry under the subliminal influence of a notably bloodthirsty Exarch, Thelasand IV. The Exarch rose to prominence as a trusted advisor to Emperor Dharien thanks to the influence of Valigan Thirdborn, a lesser deity of anarchy who claimed dominion over the entire coastal region.
The suffering of the innocent stretched on for years under these ever present dangers and the corrupt leadership of their failed emperor. On a particularly cold morning, a portal opened and brought Tyr to the still-devastated shores of the Vilhon Reach. There, the Grimjaw stood atop Beansidhe Hill and preached to the crestfallen and downtrodden, announcing the forthcoming end of injustice’s reign in their homeland.
As the last of those righteous words left the Just God’s lips, the portal once again burst forth with magnificent light as a host of ten score archons swept across the hills. The celestial army brought swift and long overdue justice on their march to the stronghold of Valigan himself. Tyr’s herald, Resounding Justice, was the first to reach Valigan and warn of his imminent defeat. As the archon army scoured the countryside searching for the coward Thelasand, who went into hiding at the outbreak of the conflict, Tyr slew Valigan, freeing the region from his unjust and evil influence. Though the campaign would continue through the Year of Fortunes Fair, Tyr’s attention soon turned to the greater world of Toril.
“I am the planetar Antonia of Hjördis,
known to mortals as Resounding Justice.
I bring good tidings to you,
Thelasand, fourth of that name.
Grimjaws is nigh!
In the name of Tyr, this land shall be cleansed,
of wickedness and anarchy.
The seed of Valigan Thirdborn shall be extinguished.
Those with evil in your hearts beware—
Tyr’s justice is both merciful and swift.”
— Resounding Justice, Year of the Striking Lance
The Test of Honor
As is well documented by more than a few of Tyr’s titles known throughout Faerun, the Just God lost his right hand to Kezef the Chaos Hound prior to the Time of Troubles in a test of his honor and strength of will. Though details differ on the finer points of the ban depending on the academic source, it is generally understood that the Circle of Greater Powers had previously banned all mortals and powers from any contact with Kezef, but the primordial was still free to consume souls. Despite several members holding a position on the Circle, a coalition of gods joined together to stop the Chaos Hound once and for all.
The gods pursued Kezef on his hunt to the Barrens of Doom and Despair, where they finally tracked him down and offered him a deal. Hoping to ensnare him eternally, the gods agreed to lift Kezef’s ban if the primordial could escape from chains forged uniquely for him by Gond. The Chaos Hound insisted that if this were truly a fair challenge, then Tyr should be willing to place his right hand into Kezef’s mouth during the test of the chains, to which Tyr agreed. Kezef was then bound, and the chain was anchored to the core of Pandemonium while Mystra cast a powerful enchantment to prevent the chain from ever being severed. Furious at his ensnarement, Kezef bit off Tyr’s hand in retribution. It is recorded that the Chaos Hound has feasted on the gods hand, drawing power from it, for centuries.
The Time of Troubles
At the onset of the era that came to be known as the Time of Troubles, the overlord Ao removed Tyr’s eyes in response to not only his failure to detect or deter the stealing of the Tablets of Fate, but for further challenging Ao’s decision to banish the gods to the Material Plane.
Though Tyr’s divine sense of judgement and justice has allowed him to continue in his domain without a physical sense of vision, these events in turn further strengthened the bond shared between members of the Triad as Helm and Torm both came alongside Tyr to aid him in the days as he learned to live with his new condition.
Little else is known for certain of Tyr’s days walking among mortals during the cataclysmic events of the fourteenth century. If Tyr’s future decisions are any indication, this scholar is generally in agreement with the consensus that the Just God’s time spent in Faerun likely included furthering his mission of defending the innocent and bringing justice to those who incited evil across the realms.
The Triad Forsaken
Just prior to the Year of Blue Flame and onset of the Spellplague, Tyr found himself in discord with the demipower of nobility and noble leadership, Siamorphe, over the justification for a brewing war between Tethyrian and Calishite forces. The dispute created such a rift between the two that Siamorphe departed the House of the Triad for Brightwater, the domain of Sune. Helm went to Sune on behalf of Tyr to explain the situation. Sune, true to her nature as the goddess of love, suggested the marital union of Tyr and Tymora as a means to restore balance to the Celestial Planes. Shortly thereafter, the Just God began the formal courting of Lady Fortune with Helm serving as a liaison for their correspondences.
Though this scholar must begrudgingly concede that there is no formal evidence to verify the long held belief of Cyric’s involvement in the fallout of the events which followed, it is worth noting no evidence to the contrary has been provided either.
The recorded history of the outcome of these developments are as follows. Tyr, for reasons not revealed in any known archives, accused Helm, the liaison between the Just God and Lady Fortune, of maintaining a secret affair with Tymora. Convinced (by Cyric’s deception, no doubt) that the only way to determine the truth was to challenge Helm to a duel, the long standing allies soon found themselves up in arms with Helm only trying to defend himself, his honor, and ultimately, and his innocence in the matter. Tyr eventually bested Helm, slaying the god of guardians and leading to even further strife across the Planes.
The Spellplague
Following the chaos created by the duel between Tyr and Helm, Cyric used the opportunity to slay his former ally during their mortal adventures, Mystra. Her death served as the catalyst for incalculable destruction and truly unprecedented catastrophe across the known realms and beyond. It was only these horrendous events which returned Tyr and Sune to the same side of a conflict and saw the Celestial Planes reunited against a common enemy, the murderous god of lies and madness.
Along with Lathander and a handful of other gods, Tyr and Sune tracked down Cyric, sentencing him to 1,000 years trapped in the Supreme Throne shackled by the Black Chains of Seven Locks, where he has remained since.
The Invasion of The House of The Triad
Among the devastation and unrest throughout the planes during this period, no threat hit closer to home for the devout followers of Tyr than the demonic invasion into the House of the Triad through a portal resulting from the planar damage of the Spellplague. Led by the balor lord Axithar, the demon hoards pressed the advantage of their ranks without end and threatened to overwhelm the shared stronghold of Celestia.
As this followed the tragic unfolding of events following the Year of Three Streams Blooded, Torm had since departed the stronghold in favor of Brightwater. Yet when Tyr called to his allies for aid, both Torm and Bahamut answered and fought back the abyssal invasion, sealing the portal created by Cyric’s mischief. Tyr and Torm’s renewed kinship, along with their ongoing alliance with the Platinum Dragon, would set the stage for the aforementioned defeat and imprisonment of Cyric.
Mortality & Death
The years that followed are, to the loss of our edification, poorly recorded due to the nature of the events, but are nevertheless crucial for understanding the Just God’s worthiness and current status among the greater pantheon. Following Cyric’s imprisonment, Tyr abdicated his portfolio to Bahamut, encouraging his former followers to turn to the dragonborn’s god of justice. Doing so greatly expanded Bahamut’s presence and prominence across Toril. During this time, Bahamut, Torm, and the resurrected Helm reforged the bonds of the Triad and restored the House of the Triad to its former glory.
As for Tyr, now mortal, the former deity wandered the Material plane taking on contracts in the name of righting wrongs and delivering justice while under the guise of a mercenary by the name of Tyren Grimjaw, among other aliases. Working primarily in the far north, the tales of the mortal Tyr have ultimately fallen the way of myth and legend and it is impossible to sift fact from far fetched as of the writing of these texts. What is inarguable, however, is the conclusion of this chapter of Tyr’s history. Some years later, the Just God in the mortal form eventually fell in battle in the lands of Impiltur while holding back an onslaught of demonic invaders in an act of final self-sacrifice.
Resurrection & Present Day
Not until the upheaval of what scholars are calling the Second Sundering did Ao, having seen Tyr’s faithful dedication to his willingly abdicated portfolio and sacrificial death, resurrect the Just God and restore him to his previous position among the Triad, at which point Bahamut returned to primarily serve his faithful dragonborn followers.
And here, at least for this scholar, is where the long and winding history of justice and the Just God’s journey turns from scholarly recordings towards personal reflections upon the present day and the unknown beyond.
Yet those missives shall likely be collected and gathered by those who will follow in this tome’s footsteps with their own retelling of these events and with what one can only hope is an even clearer perspective guided by thoughtful research and further insights provided by the Just God himself in his renewed position of prominence throughout Faerun.
A Brief History of the Knights of Holy Judgement
As written by Gerdoth Cragbow
“To be a Knight is to carry on the noble tradition of placing the Triad’s will before your own and serving communities as the embodiment of
Justice, Loyalty, and Resolve.”
The Triad Crusades & Elethlim Dynasty
The formal tradition of collective worship and recognition of the Triad dates back to The Year of Twisted Horn, 729 Dalereckoning, and the Triad Crusade. Two years later in the eastern lands of Impiltur, the paladin army marshalled by Sarshel Elethlim defeated the last demonic army, led by the balor Ndulu, at the Citadel of Conjurers, bringing the Fiend Wars and the Triad Crusade to an end.
For the next two centuries, a monarch of the Triad faith would govern the lands of Ilturel and continue to push back against the unremitting tides of demonic invasion and injustice. These efforts included the Battle of Moaning Gorge led against a returned Ndulu, the “Harrowing of Nord” that sought to ferret out fiendish worshipers, and King Beldred’s Scouring, a year-long campaign that hunted down pockets of demons which had survived the Triad Crusades.
With the remnants of the Fiend Wars finally defeated and pushed back into the Abyss, the region experienced several decades of relative peace before a plague swept across Impiltur and decimated much of the Elethlim lineage in the process.
The Great Pilgrimage
In the Year of Fearless Peasant, 926 Dalereckoning, the tragic death of the last living princess of Sarshel’s descendants brought a sudden collapse of the Elethlim dynasty and kicked off the tumultuous Kingless Years. The region descended into bitter rivalries between feuding city-states. As the once righteous kingdom fell further into lawlessness, Elzira Battlebraid, the general of the now splintering army, received a vision from Torm commanding her to travel west and establish the Triad’s presence throughout the continent.
Faithful to her vision, Elzira rode out that same morn with a small band of loyal knights, crossing the Dragon Reach into the lands of Sembia, traveling through the Dalelands to Cormyr, then traversing the mountains and moors to eventually reach the Sword Coast. Throughout her travels, Elzira preached the way of the Triad, offering the hope of a new life and a chance to enact and protect justice throughout the lands. Her forces swelled with each leg of the journey until the once small band of faithful knights became a venerable force traversing the continent in pursuit of justice to the glory of the Triad.
The Wandering Knights
After a brief respite in the region which would later become Waterdeep, Elzira and her new order of knights trekked further north, chasing the general’s increasingly frequent visions depicting a magnificent cathedral with lush green courtyards along a riverside with mountains rising in the western skies. For months, the knights wandered the Sword Coast and Silver March in search of the region depicted in Elzira’s visions. During this time, the order became colloquially known as the Knights with Nothing based on their growing reputation for completing jobs and after covering their necessary expenses, donating the proceeds that remained to those in need.
After traversing the region for nearly a year, the Knights with Nothing found their future home in the city center of what was then Citadel Sundabar. With the city in the midst of a massive surge in growth following the resettlement of the surface portion of the city, Elzira partnered with the local government, drafting an agreement that provided the order with the title for the envisioned land in
exchange for serving as contracted protection for the region.
With this new charge, the Knights dispersed once again from their new central location to begin raising funds for the founding of the temple Elzira envisioned in her dreams. By the end of 930, the initial cathedral to the Triad stood under construction.
The Old Ways
For the next several centuries, the Knights continued to construct new additions to their temple, consecrated as The Hall of Everlasting Justice, while traveling in bands of three knights completing contracts and quests on behalf of those seeking justice or requiring protection. It was during this time the Knights With Nothing formally became known across the region as the Knights of Holy Judgement. Their reputation for honor and upstanding work spread across the Silver Marches and Sword Coast alike.
Toward the end of this era, several distinct members of the Knights of Holy Judgement received visions to set themselves apart as a series of elite forces that included the Hammers of Grimjaw, the Gauntlets of the Righteous Fury, and the Shields of the Eternal Guard who each served in a single unit of twelve elite knights in honor of their primary deity of worship.
The Time of Troubles
The tumultuous events of the Time of Troubles are recorded in more detail in numerous other tomes, but in the context of the Knights of Holy Judgement, it is worth noting once more the organizational shifts the order underwent during this period. With chaos unfolding in the Celestial and Material Planes alike, General Lauressard, serving as the singular leader of the Knights of Holy Judgement, saw fit to overhaul the organization’s leadership structure, installing the High Council. The new leading body consisted of a series of elected positions representing both tiers of each branch of the Triad’s forces, as well as a single High Councilor who served as a neutral final verdict in the case of indecision. Such diffusing of power, Lauressard argued, would lead to more collective and unified leadership beyond the fallible perspective of a single General, even one whom history looks upon as favorably as Lauressard himself.
The High Council
Finding themselves in newly created positions of power in the middle of the Era of Upheaval, the newly appointed leaders quickly sought to validate the General’s assessment of the Council’s capabilities. Despite the death of not one but two gods of the Triad during the Spellplague and Second Sundering, the members of the High Council deftly navigated the unprecedented challenges and provided stability for an order of knights which might have otherwise fallen into disarray, if not utter collapse, had it not been for their diligent and decisive leadership.
During this time, the High Council codified many of the
processes now considered commonplace. In many ways, their transformative efforts formalized the Knights of Holy Judgement as a legitimate and wide-reaching organization capable of fulfilling a wide variety of contracts and serving in a myriad of roles, all of which brought the domains of the Triad into sharper focus across the continuously expanding regions they served.
The Modern Era
Over the last century and a quarter, the High Council has in many ways revolutionized the day to day operations of the Knights of Holy Judgement. The contract negotiating and judgement rendering processes have been standardized. Training and tutelage are provided at a level not previously feasible and to an extent that outpaces many orders of even grander size or scope. Further and most importantly, the Triad has seen renewed and expanding prominence in the two major regions of the Knight’s influence.
Indeed, the organization’s horizon is one filled with hope and promise for the first time in many years and the Knights of Holy Judgement stand ready to help usher in this new season of peace, prosperity, and justice for all.
Words of Wisdom
“We as Tyrrans hold these truths to be guiding principles in our internal alignment to Tyr as well as our external expression of his
Justice and Judgement.”
On The Many Names of Tyr
Spoken by Tyrran Yiao Zi
Through his many conquests and the multifaceted nature of justice, Tyr has gained many monikers and titles throughout history. Each represents a unique component of his personality, his story, or his role to play in the world and greater cosmos beyond.
In searching through tomes and texts, one may see a variety of these names used, but know they all speak true to the nature of Tyr. Across the Sword Coast, Tyr is known as the Even-Handed, the Grimjaw, the Maimed God, the Wounded One, the Blind Overlord, the Just God, and the One-Handed. In the southern lands of Calimshan, our Tyr is known to their people as Anachty.
Be wary of followers who focus too closely on only one aspect of Tyr, for just as our Lord goes by many names, so too does justice and righteousness wear many faces at times. All of these appellations honor Tyr and thus all are worthy of consideration and reflection in seeking his will.
“What separates one of the elite members of the Hammers,
Gauntlets, or Shields from other knights?
Perspective.
They understand that sometimes justice must be tempered by
mercy, courage must be weighted with wisdom, and resolve must give way to righteousness.”
Brithesk Numinzo
On Contracts & Justice
Spoken by Agent Zaleria
During my many years teaching and training squires, some of whom are in attendance today and proudly wearing their Knighthood regalia, which always brings me joy to see, I have been asked an unfathomably long list of questions of varying degrees of thoughtfulness or lack of self-awareness depending on the squire. Today I would like to bring forth one of the questions I found to be worth reflecting on further and discussing with this esteemed gathering present today.
“Agent Zaleria,” the student asked me, “why don’t the Knights tame baby wyverns and ride them instead of horses?”
Of course this isn’t the question I wish to discuss, mostly because I believe there is no need for further contemplation. We should be training wyverns to be our mounts and dispensing justice from the heavens. Stablemaster Thakein, I do think we’ll need to expand your base of operations for this endeavor, but I have no doubt you’ll be up to the task.
No, the question posited to me that I wish to bring forth and discuss is a rather simple one, but carries a great deal of implication.
“Why do we wait until a contract has been agreed upon to enact justice?”
Truth be told, I don’t recall the exact answer I gave at the time, though I would like to think it was a concise quip which reinforced the importance of following protocol and the process in place. But I believe the true answer is deeper and more important than these concerns.
Ultimately, contracts serve three purposes as Knights seek out ensuring justice is preserved. First, it sets a point of authority and a basis of truth from which to act. Second, it provides accountability that would otherwise be entirely absent and rob the contracted parties of their assurances of action. Finally, the contracting process serves as a measure of protection for all involved in several important manners.
Perhaps these reasons are self-evident. If so, well done to the scribes who have since replaced me in the tutelage sessions. But for those who are like me and did not see the initial deeper implications of these merits of our contract system, let us further expand on each briefly. And then, yes, we’ll wrap up and get the feast under way, but bear with me for just a moment longer, if you would indulge this retired teacher.
Justice requires an agreed upon point of authority. Without these proper channels in place, recompense and resolution quickly descends into revenge and retribution, neither of which bring the full measure of honor to the Triad. We are Knights, not vigilante mobs inciting our own brand of justice wherever we go. We are called to a higher pursuit, a more noble notion of justice which supersedes our own understanding. Contracts, and the process of writing and negotiating, ensures the protection of our goals through the very process itself.
Further, we cannot overlook the value our contracts provide to those who enter into the binding agreement with the Knights. For those individuals or communities, the contract is a measure of hope and assurance their respective wrongs will be righted and sets a window of time for such a resolution.
Any Knight who has served in the field long enough knows that many operations do not resolve themselves within a tenday, much as our communities wish they did. The contract serves to help set expectations, a protection for the Knight from cynical accusations as well as a reminder of patience and trust to those who seek our services. While this serves on a practical level, it is also, on a deeper level, a reminder of the importance of mutual understanding and accountability between both parties. In this way, the contract is designed to serve as a tangible example of justice and the greater social contract we seek to preserve with our fulfillment of the contract.
Finally, I think, perhaps the question asked of me, was really a means of asking, “Why do we make people wait for justice until the ink dries on the contract?” And hopefully through the insights discussed here, we can see why the relatively small lapse of time between the unjust event and the rendering of judgement benefits all involved. It protects the Knight from rushing in without the full measure of knowledge. It protects the community from someone recklessly reckoning with the events at hand and rendering a judgement too hastily. And yes, it even protects the potential wrongdoer who must be considered as always worthy of justice even if they are then to be found guilty and judged accordingly.
So, why do we require contracts? It is not for the payment alone, but it is because the contract itself reflects, upholds, and protects the nature of justice as we seek to bring forth a more perfect vision of the Triad’s will into the world each day for ourselves and the communities we serve.
With these thoughts in mind, I wish all of you a joyous Shieldmeet. Let the feast commence!
Excerpts from “Proverbs of the Just God”
Compiled by Hammer Samular Caradoon
“The river bends because it had no choice but to follow the lay of the land, where the law of gravity directs it. Just as the river, our path in life is guided by the great laws given to us by Tyr.”
“For the zeal of Tyr is revealed from the planes beyond against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
“Where there are many words,
falsehood lies in plain sight.”
“One should never place their hand in the maw,
lest they are willing to lose it for the greater good.”
On the Knights and the Triad
Spoken by Felaern Faran, Agent of Helm,
Scribe of the Scrolls of the Halls of Everlasting Justice
Much has been written about the relationships among the members of the Triad. The unique bond between Tyr and Torm, forged in the flames of righteous battle during the Procession of Justice ages ago. The fraternal closeness of Torm and Helm. And of course the long history of mutual respect and camaraderie shared by Tyr and Helm. This missive will instead focus on the Triad as a holistic and single force for good, and from there, specifically address a consideration for how the Knights of Holy Judgement should operate in light of such considerations.
Though none of the gods are alone in maintaining their aligned portfolios, Tyr is perhaps best considered the mind and heart of the Triad. Though blind, his sense of justice is unerring and is critical in the weighing of intents and actions across the realms. Yet Tyr’s wisdom does not right wrongs alone. No, at his right side is Torm, the Hand Resolute, who ensures swift justice rendered against the corruption of mortals. And on his left stands Helm, the Vigilant One who defends the helpless and protects the vulnerable with unsleeping eyes. Together, the three serve in harmony as the eyes, shield, and sword of justice necessary for maintaining balance and justice across Faerun and beyond.
Thus, I posit that, in many ways, our organization should work in the same manner. Before the days of the Halls of Everlasting Justice or any of our strongholds for that matter, the Triad was represented by three Knights, one of each sect, traveling together for mutual edification and working together for the betterment of civilization and the honoring of Tyr, Helm, and Torm. What many now consider to be the “Old Ways” served as a crucial crucible for the growth and development of Knights both individually and as a collective unit. By bringing together a trio of justice-minded individuals each dedicated to a specific portfolio, the Knights could leverage their unique strengths, proving more resolved and capable than independently possible. The world played witness to the incredible and immeasurable good which could be made manifest by the combined efforts of our orders.
Since this time, we and our communities both have undoubtedly benefited from the more organized and systematic procedures which have been put into place. Especially following the periods of turmoil and chaos which transpired in recent centuries, the Knights of Holy Judgement remained intact thanks in large part to the central seat of power in Sundabar. Yet I hearken back once again to the days of old in which our forebearers worked as simple traveling clergy and clerics, protecting the innocent, rendering judgements in the name of justice, and bringing safety to communities across the Sword Coast. Colleagues may consider me nostalgic, but I believe this manner of operation, derobed of its bureaucracy and reams of contractual legislation, may best serve the Knights in the days to come.
On the 500th Anniversary of the Founding of the Halls of Everlasting Justice
Written & Recited by Tyrran Ranvar Heartfallow
Let us never forget the great debts we owe,
For we stand today in Halls bright and pristine,
Built on the shoulders of titans of our oaths,
Those who molded legacy from visions and dreams.
For years the Knights wandered, giving all they possessed,
To the poor and downtrodden so they might be blessed.
Earning their keep by the sweat of their brow,
So we, their descendants, may stand here now.
For years the Knights trekked, the roads Long and High,
Bringing justice to the Coast and Marches alike.
Every copper given as payment for this keep,
So that it might stand as a symbol of peace.
On this day of dedication, we remember those,
Who held high the banner and upheld their oaths.
Devoting their lives to a cause they wouldn’t see,
Finished in their lifetime, yet blessed are we.
And if we should live a day in which we suffer defeat,
These Halls crushed to rubble, our strongholds crumbling,
When all we have left is faith and our creeds,
Will we ride once more as the Knights with Nothing?
Prayers & Meditations
“Disciples of Tyr are encouraged to reflect upon these prayers and petitions frequently. May they serve as inspiration for one’s own spiritual journey and expression of faith in the Just God.”
Morning Reflection
The glory of this day be to you, Almighty Tyr.
The weight of my worth to you, O Wounded Tyr.
The strength of my arms to you, Even-Handed Tyr.
Evening Reflection
Almighty Lord of Justice,
Receive the work and the prayers we have offered to you today; Grant us rest, renewing our zeal for the work of your will, To serve faithfully in the morning light of the days to come, So justice may always reign, in this land and in our hearts.
Before a Journey
In you, Tyr, I place my trust,
In your justice, I walk this path.
Be my rampart, my fortification;
For you are my strength and my refuge.
Petition For Strength
Hear us, O Great Balance, as we hear thee!
From our knees we cry to thee.
Grant us strength to rise and stand true
To see your noble justice through.
Petition For Enduring Spirit
O Lord Tyr, Justice Incarnate,
Now must I face loss to do that what is right,
But I ask not for your mercy,
To take this sacrifice from me.
For as you stood firm knowing you must suffer to gain,
So too will I endure for the sake of your justice.
So I ask only thus: keep my back straight,
My arm strong, my hand from trembling,
My voice from faltering, my words from vanishing,
My head up, and my resolve unyielding,
As I step into the arena unknown of the days to come.
Opening Prayer for Courts of Tyr
Hail to the One-Handed God!
Hail to Him whose name is Honor,
And whose Word is iron,
Whose reason is Lawful Necessity.
Judge’s Prayer for Courts of Tyr
Oh Lord of Judgement,
We lay before you the evidence of this court,
And beseech your wisdom upon those who consider it.
Guide their thoughts in the ways of your Justice,
Let them acknowledge Duty and Honor,
Temper their Knowledge of the Law,
With Compassion for those wronged.
Should they err in their Judgement,
Do instruct them so that Justice may prevail,
And that none may fear the Law,
Save those who have wronged it.
Temples to Tyr Throughout the Sword Coast & Beyond
Complied by Agent Rondeth Woodbrew
“Let the faithful in good standing with the Lord of Justice always find warm hearth and sincere welcome in the halls of the like minded in pursuit of the Even-Handed Tyr’s favor and guidance.”
Abbey of the Blinding Truth, Westgate
Constructed in 1372 DR, the formation of the abbey and its congregation began as a direct challenge to the Night Mask’s chokehold on power in the city. With the criminal organization running rampant throughout Westgate, the abbey’s community support surged quickly, with renovations and expansions beginning as soon as the original construction concluded. In the year after the abbey’s founding, the temple’s leaders regularly clashed with the criminal guild and greatly weakened their operations. In the century since, the Abbey of Blinding Truth has served as a beacon of justice and faith in Westgate and the surrounding region.
Hall of Everlasting Justice, Sundabar
What can be said of one’s own temple and home which is not to be mistaken for bias or to be accused of looking upon the halls through a golden hued lens? Located in the central square of the
surface city of Sundabar, The Hall of Everlasting Justice, also colloquially called the Triad Spires, is one of the most recognizable sights of the city. The cathedral’s spires provide a landmark for orientation no matter where one stands. Serving as the stronghold for the Knights of Holy Judgement, The Hall of Everlasting Justice plays home to some several hundred squires, knights, scholars, and the elite forces dedicated to Tyr, Helm, and Torm respectively. The structure itself is a massive fortress-like complex across from the Master’s Hall. Within the compound are barracks enough to house the entire community, meeting spaces and offices for the leaders of each sect of clerics, dedicated smithys and craftsmen whose entire operations serves the organization, as well as a dedicated chapel for each god and the central cathedral where multi-faith services are held honoring all three members of the Triad. To behold these Halls in the fading moments of sunset as Knights and faithful laypersons alike conclude their evening rituals is to see the world as it could be were we all to live in the will of the Triad more fully.
House of the Triad, Bryn Shander
The largest holy space among the Ten Towns region, the House of the Triad is to most other temples of its size a comparably unassuming but equally formidable structure originally designed and defended by the dwarves of Kelvin’s Cairn. Long has it served as a beacon in the harsh conditions of the far north, though it is rarely garrisoned by more than clergymen given the isolated nature of the region. Typically, the priests serving in the House of the Triad are traveling clergy who rotate seasons spent in the far north. Even with limited resources, the House of the Triad strives to be a safe haven for any in need of spiritual guidance, an injustice righted, or simply sustenance and supplies. ‘Tis a shame such a suitable stronghold lies so distant from the Knights’ other concerns else it would be a
suitable secondary bastion similar to the Hall of Everlasting Justice.
Hall of Justice, Neverwinter
Overlooking the Sea of Swords on the northern bank of the Neverwinter River, the Hall of Justice is truly a beautiful sight to behold. Gleaming white pillars of stone encircle lush gardens and courtyards where worshipers of Tyr can peacefully consider his unfailing Justice or clerics and paladins can train in the ways of protection. Built by Lord Nasher Alagondar, the first Lord of Neverwinter, the Hall of Justice’s construction began in 1329 DR, the same year Lord Nasher assumed his leadership of the city. Within the next half-century, the Hall of Justice became one of the most renowned temple complexes along the Sword Coast. In addition to serving as a temple to Tyr, the Hall of Justice has oft served as the government’s seat of power as well, serving both secular and religious purposes for much of recent history.
Halls of Justice, Waterdeep
Popular with many magistrates, Watch, Guard, and city bureaucrats, the Halls of Justice are a towering edifice in the Castle Ward of the City of Splendors dedicated primarily to Tyr, but hold services and rituals for the other members of the Triad regularly.
Led by Hammer Lord Hykros Allumen, the temple stronghold also serves as a headquarters for the Knights of the Merciful Sword. Given Allumen’s years of fighting alongside the Knights of Holy Judgement following his ascension, the Halls of Justice serves as a common ground for the two orders and sees their forces working in tandem with regularity.
Watchful Shield, Baldur’s Gate
Originally a shrine to Helm consisting of nothing more than a small chapel, the Watchful Shield has become a community for all those who are loyal to the Triad. Services are regularly attended by any and all who feel the weight of responsibility to protect others in the dangerous streets of Baldur’s Gate, along with a mixture of Helmite, Tormish, and Tyrran faithful. Helm’s clergy have served in maintaining the city walls and deterring those who would storm the gates, carrying out their duties impartially ever since the chapel’s founding. Similarly, the Tormish serve as the trustworthy alternative to Zhentarim mercenaries and the Tyrrans often find themselves rendering judgements and solving disputes in the Outer City. Healing services are provided on a donation basis, though the clergy are known to bypass this tradition for those gravely wounded in the course of defending others or justice itself.
Excerpts from Relics of the Righteous
As written by Thontoros, Sage of the Just Gods
“Just as an apprentice can learn a great deal about his master through careful examination of his tools, so too can the devout better understand the gods through a closer examination of the relics of their faith.”
Justiciar, Long Sword
Though more well recognized in his artistic depictions armed with a radiant warhammer, given the name of his elite forces and the relic provided by the Just God during a time of dire need, Tyr is historically known as wielding Justiciar, a long sword crafted by Gond and enchanted by Mystra herself, presented to Tyr by Ao himself in preparation for the Procession of Justice. In addition to being a perfectly balanced and masterfully crafted blade, Justiciar is thought to be able to determine the true character of those within its reach, to sense reality beyond illusions, and detect falsehoods spoken within its proximity.
After losing his hand to the Chaos Beast, Tyr trained himself to fight with the blade one-handed. Tyr fought with Justiciar at his side even through his days of mortality. Upon Tyr’s sacrificial death, Ilmater secured the blade from the greedy clutches of the Abyss and struck the sword in a white stone within his domain of Martyrdom in Celestia. Following Tyr’s resurrection, the Just God opted to leave Justiciar in its resting place, instead choosing to wield an otherwise unremarkable war hammer, perhaps as a reminder of the heavy weight of sound judgement and the necessary burden of justice itself, but as with many reflections upon the Just God’s mind, this is but speculation.
Hammer of Tyr
A seemingly ordinary steel hammer wielded by Tyr during his years of mortality, the war hammer would go on to be imbued with a divine spark of the Just God’s being upon his sacrificial death. When wielded by a follower of Tyr, it is said to illuminate with blue radiant light. The hammer is said to possess a number of magical powers including the ability to absorb magical attacks. Among other attributes, the hammer is believed to create light, turn lesser undead to dust and deter more formidable opponents, as well as provide the wielder access to powerful spells and return to their hand when thrown in combat. Records also suggest the hammer may have a capacity to cleanse corrupted areas, though the extent is unknown, as well as what other capabilities this powerful relic maintains. The Hammer, once carried by heroes of the faith throughout history, now rests as a relic in a chapel to Tyr in the holy city of Elturel.
Balance of Belaros
A magically free-floating and self-supporting set of bronze scales, the scales served as a means through which to provide offerings to Tyr. According to historic eyewitness accounts, the offerings would magically disappear from one pan of the scale while on the pan opposite, a blessing of equal measure would appear, often taking the form of a spell scroll or artifact whose ability would provide necessary against a future threat. It is believed Tyr accepted these offerings and then redistributed them throughout Faerun as needed to balance the scales of justice throughout the realm where he deemed most necessary. Unfortunately, the Balance has long been considered lost to time since its last known location of being in the possession of an Underdark merchant by the name of Luuthateel Dree sometime in the early 13th century.
Affiliated Orders Dedicated to Tyr
Complied by Agent Rondeth Woodbrew
“May the Knights of Holy Judgement always reach beyond the walls of our temples and keeps to lock arms with those who worship the members of the Triad. In doing so, we highlight the numerous facets of our faith and the world is more just for it.”
Order of the Gilded Eye
Similar to the Knights, the Order of the Gilded Eye welcomes worshipers of Helm, Torm, and Tyr into their ranks to serve as defenders and protectors of justice. The Order also honors Hoar, the god of Retribution alongside the traditional Triad, though this deity is not equally represented among their forces. Considered by some to be more proactive in their pursuit of justice than the Knights, the Order does not engage in the entering of contracts, but serves more akin to a police force within what they consider a divine jurisdiction.
Order of the Even-Handed
Based out of the House of Two Hands, a secluded villa on the slopes of Mount Waterdeep, these monks swear vows of impartiality and devotion to Tyr and teach the disciplines of self-reliance and self-mastery. Training in a mixture of unarmed two-handed combat mixed with divine magics from their prayers, the Order is a small, but dedicated force to the preservation of law so long as it is to the benefit of others. Each member is expected in their lifetime to embark on a grand Tyr-sanctioned quest beyond the walls of Waterdeep. Founded upon the Way of the Sacred Fists monastic teachings as founded by Hlam, the illustrious priest of Tyr serves technically as the Grand Master of the Order, though his involvement is minimal, preferring for the newer monks who have recently stepped forth into leadership positions to lead the Order without his intervention.
Knights of the Merciful Sword
Though considerably less prominent than even just the Tyrran portion of the Knights of Holy Judgement, the Knights of the Merciful Sword consists of mostly paladins who worship the Just God and focus primarily on the Good aspects of his justice and pursuit of truth. Highlighting the sacrifices Tyr has made in binding Kezef, abdicating his portfolio, and ultimately offering his life to defend the realms, these Knights seek to honor these principles of self-sacrifice and service to others preeminently in their worship and service to Tyr. Though rare given their smaller ranks, it is not unheard of for a Knight of the Merciful Sword to receive the vision of Tyr’s Warhammer and ascend to serve as one of the twelve Hammers of Grimjaw.
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