The Organization of Hurd
The half-orc Hurd had valiantly and loyally served in the army of the Principality of Flemsh for many years during the reigns of Prince Gentim and Prince Shormet. But when the evil Prince Flarb ascended the throne, it was not long before Hurd realized that the purpose of the army, which had once been to protect the weak, was now to subjugate. After lengthy meditation and prayer to his god Heironeous, Hurd, now one of the highest-ranking officers and most experienced fighters in the realm, quit the army to form a new band dedicated to the defense of the innocent and the protection of the threatened. He quickly recruited his friends, the human wizard Jormeli, the halfling ranger Torbin, the human monk Wom, and the elven paladin Thrilar, all highly skilled and experienced in their respective classes Together the five of them formed a secretive pact to resist oppression and help the needy in any way their respective talents allowed.
This activity often put them in opposition to the prince's authority, and within a year Hurd was denounced as a traitor, captured and executed. Jormeli, Torbin, Wom and Thrilar vowed to continue his work, naming their league after him. It has grown, recruiting younger adventurers, while Hurdian veterans have gone on to establish new chapters in neighbouring lands. It has a rigid hierarchy, as members progress through orders (corresponding approximately to PC levels). Each chapter has a governing council of 3-5 members of the highest order represented in that chapter; these range from 11th order for some of the smaller and newer chapters to 26th order. A new member's initiation into the 1st order, or any member's promotion to a higher order, can only be certified by a mentor at least 4 orders higher. If there is nobody in the chapter of high enough level to certify, the governing council of a nearby chapter will do the job.
In some lands the chapters function openly; although only members have access to its crypt, the identities of its leaders are well-known, and citizens in need of the services of a hero know where to find it. In those countries Hurdians will collaborate with the City Watch in stopping a crime or with the army in defending against a threat. In other lands, where evil rules and Hurdian activities are often subversive, it operates underground. All chapters have secrets, and only accept members whom they trust to be true to the Organization's objectives and to keep its trust. Once inititated, a member who moves to another location is automatically admitted to the chapter there, if there is one.
For many adventurers of good alignment, joining the Organization of Hurd is a sound career move. The Organization is famous
for its mentoring; initiates are assigned to higher-order members of the same class who help train them. Moreover, every chapter keeps a supply of valuable magical items which are lent to the member whose current mission is considered by the governing council to have the greatest need and greatest use for them. But these benefits come with a price. All Hurdians agree to submit to the authority of higher-ranking members, and to put aside any other activity when assigned to a mission. Often these missions are helping peasant families in crisis with no prospect of financial benefit; when a mission does bring treasure, one-third of the profit is tithed to the Organization, more if the Organization's magical supplies have been used. Often these tithes are given in the form of magic items, which will then be used by other adventurers.
Alignment: LG, NG
Deity: Heironeous is the most commonly worshipped, although devotees of all the good gods are found
Size: 21 chapters, ranging from 25-500 members each
Next: the Defenders of the Sacred Pass