The Church of Alissa

After Alissa was slain during the last stand of the Vampires at Isgrin's Wall, her loss was mourned by almost everyone. Word began to spread throughout the Kingdom of a faith of sorts, men in hoods and robes professing that Alissa was alive and well, not in physical form but within the hearts of her people. Such was Alissa respected that the faith soon caught on, it spoke of the Champion's greatest virtues, mercy and compassion, bravery and courage, love and respect. Vassalward was the first to build a building for the Faith and to this day it remains the biggest of all the Cathedral of Alissa is a huge building next to the Royal Keep that stands over the rest of the city, huge stained glass windows depict the miracles and life of Alissa and her Paragons. Those who devoted themselves entirely to the faith found they had awoken a power that they could draw from, with the virtues of Alissa they found they could heal the sick, protect those in need and provide aid and counsel.

Members of the clergy and those who are most zealous often tailor their clothes and have their armour painted red and black to reflect the armour that Alissa wore when she led her final charge against the Vampires. While red and black is the official colour of clothing, the architecture and colour of the churches (especially in Vassalward) is much different, white marble is often used or a similar substitute to represent the purity of Alissa.

Today the Church is one of the most powerful and influential forces in The Gauntlet, It's leader is accorded the highest respect and attends all of the King's small council meetings and clerics of Alissa are viewed as being truly caring and devoted individuals by all members of society from Noble to smallfolk. The Church also contains many subsections, some smaller churches are devoted to a particular Paragon, for example in Belthwys the church is devoted to Naveen, The Wayfarer due to her role in sea travel. The Church also trains its own Scholars who study for a time at the Cathedral in Vassalward before going on to join The Citadel. Also rumoured to exist are Alissa's Chosen, Vampire Hunters trained from a young age armed with crossbows and a deadly drive to eradicate evil, however, to the public not much is known about these mysterious figures in long black coats.

The Priests of the faith follow five tenets:
 * 1) I shall not kill those who strive for peace
 * 2) I shall not steal
 * 3) I shall protect those who ask for protection
 * 4) I shall spread the word of Alissa and give hope to those who need it
 * 5) I shall put others before myself.