The Enchespalus

The Enchespalus (pronounced 'En-ses-PAHL-us) is an order of Ares-worshipping Paladins dedicated to fighting Fiends and can be found in small numbers right across the Merebian Empire.

This group might seem to be an odd addition to those who typically invoke Ares name in the undertaking of their duties (such as the Oxys of Ares). One might reasonable expect that Athena would be the deity most involved in the fight against Fiends (and she definitely is), but the Enchespalus seek to drive back the hordes of the Abyss and the Nine Hells by matching them for savagery.

Whereas the Paladins of Athena are planners and methodically act to defeat all Fiends with as little 'collateral' damage as possible, the Enchespalus deal with with specific threats and eliminate those one-by-one. The Enchespalus are nearly all 'Neutral' as opposed to 'Good' or 'Evil' due to their focused dedication to a singular task - they rarely consider the 'bigger picture' as Paladins of Athena would. The Enchespalus are usually more 'Chaotic' than 'Lawful' although some members have a strict personal code that they won't violate in the pursuit of their target.

The Enchespalus are typically spear-wielders (the Greek word 'Enkhespalos' literally meaning 'spear-brandishing') but will use any polearm that gets the job done. They eschew the use of shields except where absolutely necessary (eg against archers).

Entry

New recruits to the Enchespalus are expected to spend a number of years in training. This is primarily religious training as would be expected of any acoloyte of the Twelve but is supplemented with extensive martial training with a wide variety of weapons, armour training up to and including plate armour, horse riding, and some minor spellcraft.

Once recruits, who are typically called "hunters", are ready they are assigned (randomly) a specific type of fiend to hunt down and kill. Upon completion of this task - which can sometimes take years to complete - and the "hunter" has returned with the requisite proof - they are ceremonially inducted into the full membership of the Enchespalus and are hence entitled to the full benefits that such membership brings.

Organisation

Members form a loose hierarchy where members are arranged into "tiers" based primarily on the number of confirmed "kills" (destruction) of fiends. Obviously some fiends are far more of a challenge than others and so the destruction of a small number of powerful fiends is a more worthy task than, say, killing a dozen imps.

Rules

The Enchespalus, as an organisation dedicated to Ares, is not overly rule-heavy but they do still require that members follow some agreed principles. This is done in order to ensure a base level of discipline.

The rules of the Enchespalus include, but are not solely limited to, the following:

• All recruits who complete their 'graduation hunt' must provide a suitable witness that they were either the sole cause of the fiend's demise or were a significant contributor to such. Where a recruit is not solely responsible for the destruction of the subject of their 'graduation hunt', the recruit must submit to questioning by high-ranking members of the Enchespalus. Where, after questioning, there still exists some doubt as to the extent of the recruit's involvement in the demise of the fiend then a vote is taken to admit full membership.
• The summoning of fiends onto the Prime Material Plane for any reason (including, but not limited to, for the purpose of completing a recruit's 'graduation hunt') is cause for immediate and permanent expulsion. In extreme cases such action may also result in imprisonment or a charge of treason against the Empire, and hence carry with it the death penalty.
• All members of the Enchespalus must show proper deference and respect for their fellow Paladins. Taking up arms against a fellow member of the Enchespalus, without prior and express agreement from the leadership, is cause for immediate and permanent expulsion
• Many extra-planar beings exist which are not fiends and all members must take care to not harm any who are of the 'Celestial' type. Other extra-planar creatures might also be protected by the Enchespalus on a case-by-case basis.
• Where the requirements of the Enchespalus is in conflict with the law of the Empire, the will of the Enchespalus must take precedence. No mortal authority shall be an impediment of a Paladin from completing their duty.
• Should a Paladin wish to specialise in the equine arts, the Enchespalus expects that the Paladin is solely responsible for the raising, care, training and upkeep of their mount.

Benefits of Membership

There are relatively few benefits of full membership of the Enchespalus, other than prestige, but the most notable are:

• Free lodgings and board at any of the Enchesphalus training camps throughout the Empire.
• Free healing services at any of the Enchespalus training camps throughout the Empire, up to, and including, resurrection - assuming that death was a direct result of the member executing their sworn duty.
• Being able to call upon the assistance of the Enchespalus in the execution of one's duties. Such assistance can be in terms of manpower, the loan of specialised equipment or access to information (usually via the Enchespalus' links to the Chancery).

Expected Commitments

In exchange for the benefits detailed above, all members of the Enchespalus are expected to fulfil the following commitments:

• Unswerving loyalty to the Enchespalus. The edicts of the Enchespalus, its motives and its methods are beyond the question of any member
• All Paladins of the Enchespalus, when not directly involved in the eradication of fiends, are expected to also seek out and destroy abominations to the natural order of Oberon; specifically these include aberrations and the undead.
• All Paladins of the Enchespalus are expected, upon request, to provide alms and sustenance to any worshipper of Ares without hesitation or question.