Champion

Champion is a Malthusian title that is widely used throughout the lands that once hosted the Malthusian Empire. A champion, traditionally, was the most powerful warrior in all of the lands of a First, who pledged his life and his weapon to the First and his safety. Later, the title was bestowed by Chamberlains to their chief enforcers or bodyguards, though in present days, several Chamberlains in Northward, without lands, use the title for trusted hirelings.

A Champion is the most prized freeman to an individual of status. Due to the resurgence of the old, druidic ways, the term can now also be bestowed on women. This individual acts as bodyguard, tactical adviser, and enforcer for their leader; they command great respect from both their peers and their lessors. Most secular Champions revere Kord, the god of valor and thunder, of storms and seas; Champions of Primates will generally be anchors of great martial prowess, and will worship Heironeous and the Sanctified Crushbeard the Cudgel. Several hireling Champions are war-chiefs from the hinterlands, and will already have a war band that they command, increasing the noble's martial might.

Noted Champions

Jesper Green-Hand is an anchor of Heironeous, and Champion to the Primate of Pelor, Lightbrand. Born a Moor-Men tribal, high in Mistveil Moor, Jesper spent his childhood protecting his hamlet from marauding orcs and the occasional gnoll. He became a Pelorite when his family went to the Stonefast Anchory, and moved to Lowcloud, where he joined the Heironeon Order of the Blade. His martial prowess was evident to all, and Lightbrand appointed him his Champion. When Jesper campaigns for Lightbrand, he often travels with his friend Tandy, a half-elf anchor of Pelor, gifted with the bow. He keeps his head shaved, sports a large, auburn mustache as his family custom dictates, and wears a black tabard with a large motif of a white longsword over his chain mail and habit.

Joppo White Hand is the Champion of Father Vexblade, the Chamberlain of Mirrorwater Hall. Joppo is a half-orc war-chief from the Farland Steppes, the son of a captive Mottland traveler and an orc. He is named for the skin condition that had him kicked out of his tribe, and the name has become the moniker of the war band he raised. Joppo was hired by Father Vexblade during a raid the White Hands were perpetrating on Wheatfield-on-Deeprun. White Hand's most powerful lieutenant is Iago, his Karkosan devilkin spymaster. White Hand wears no armor; his prowess, rage, and enormous build protects him in battle, but he carries a shield he daubs in blood, and a massive orcish axe called Halfmoon.