An Elf may serve the temple in two capacities: through priesthood or through paladinship. Both give their life to the Valar, being the spiritual guides, the champions and the heralds to the Elves. Yet, they are oriented toward different areas of the spiritual.
Paladinship
As the path of the Temple, Paladinship follows closely the road that the Valar have carved for the Elves. The Paladin is considered the champion of the Valar; the Holy Warrior who fights for Honor and Justice in the name of our Creators. The undying faith in the Valar gives the Paladin strength to overcome any obstacle and defeat any foe. Those on the path of Paladinship divide their time between training their fighting skills and offering prayer and grace to the Valar. On the field, the strength and the skill of the Paladin is unmatched, for the Paladin considers himself (or herself) the Blade of Justice in the hands of the Valar. The Paladin gives his mind, spirit and body to the Divine Forces and draws courage from the knowledge that he (or she) was chosen among many to serve and honor the Holy Temple.
The path of Paladinship is considered to be of great challenge. Not only must the Paladin give over their being to the Valar, and be the vessel for their justice, they must also be the defenders of the Elven homes as the Varar' en' Eldador. The Paladin does not only conduct hunts to thwart danger residing in dungeons and caves, but they rush to the battlefield whenever they hear the call of their fellow Elves. The personality of the Paladin, then, resounds with courage and valor. The Paladin also has absolute faith in the Valar, honoring the blessings that they are bestowed upon in battle. Discipline and patience are the greatest of the Paladin virtues, for it is only through them that they learn their role as the Blade of Justice. Unlike some warriors, the Paladin is not arrogant, foolhardy or lacking intelligence. The Paladin approaches life with calmness and faith, believing that great hatred and anger only falter their focus and make them less efficient in battle.
An excerpt from the Chronicles of the Path :
Iavain slid her blade from its sheath and bent her knees. Her opponent chuckled.
"What's such a little lady doing with a big sword like that? Hoping to poke me with the tip? Or perhaps you're hoping that you will succeed where so many of your companions have failed ..."
Iavain closed her eyes. The blatant insults of the vile being facing her made her blood boil, but she would not allow herself to make the same mistake as others have. She whispered her mantra once, then focused on clearing her mind. The laughter of her arrogant opponent no longer reached her, though she was certain he interpreted her stillness as hesitation or fear. Once all thoughts left her mind, she called out to the Valar:
"Manwė, Ulmo, Aulė, Oromė, Nįmo, Tulkas, Irmo ... This being has dishonored your memory. Help me see through his deception and lies. Varda, Yavanna, Nienna, Estė, Vairė, Vįna, Nessa ... This being has hurt your children. Help me overcome my anger and hatred for him.
Eru ... This being has broken the laws you have set us to live by. Help me find the strength to defeat him.
Valar!
The time has come!
Let me be your champion of Honor!
Let me be your Blade of Justice!
Use my being as a vessel for your Holy Word. Use my being as a vessel for your Judgement."
Iavain awoke at the edge of the forest. Her body was bruised and deep cuts bled across her stomach. With a smile, she looked over to the clearing and saw a corpse lying still on the ground. She had defeated the daemon, though he had tried to deceive her.
She remembered nothing of the battle, save the brief flash of fear in the eyes of the creature. Dressed in robes of the healer, he had tried to deceive her, as he had done with many. But with the faith and power of the Valar, Iavain defeated him. She offered a prayer of thanks to the Valar, then slowly made way home.
The ranks of the Malle' en' tel'Nim'Ohtarim
Varda'Ohtar (Exalted Paladin): Rank V:Strength of mind and heart are two of the many traits of the Varda'Ohtar. Those honored with this title have found peace of mind. They are the spiritual defenders of the temple and have grand-mastered the arts of war and prayer. Their connection with the temple allows them to call upon the valar in times of need. Varda'Ohtar are pillars in the community and their understandings of the virtues are looked to for the instruction of younger members of the path and the community. Valiant warriors and skilled leaders, the VardaOhtar can be found on the front lines of the Elven armies in times of war and ensuring the serenity of Eldamar in times of peace.
Promotional Guidelines: Must have hosted three major events which place emphasis on the virtues and combat training. Time in guild requirement is 1 year.
Nikerym-Nim'Ohtar (Paladin Captain): Rank IV:Bearing the title of Nikerym-Nim'Ohtar is one of the greatest honors any Elven Paladin may achieve. Nikerym-Nim'Ohtar is the model of faith, strength, ability, and the virtues that all Paladins uphold. Mastering prayer as well as the art of wielding weapons, the Elf with this title is unwavering in their quest to keep the lands of Eldador safe. Nikerym-Nim'Ohtar has begun to partake in the leadership training of the Paladins; both through lessons they teach to younger Elves and through examples of excellence and virtue. Their role consists of protecting the citizen Elves from harm, escorting in family hunts, as well as being a source of strength on the battlefield against any Elven enemies. Nikerym-Nim'Ohtar is a strong presence among the Elves and strives to uphold and teach the virtues that the Valar have bestowed upon us.
Promotional Guidelines: Host small guild events on a regular basis, host a large guild event with smoothness, understanding and teaching of weapons training as well as virtues, inspiring younger members and aid them in events, being active and involved in the guild-related activities.
Nim'Ohtar (Paladin Lieutenant): Rank IIILong hours of training have forged the Shaalth-Nim'Ohtar into a reliable protector for the Elves, and a fierce threat for the Elven enemies. Familiar with the prayers to the Valar, the Elf with this title draws their strength from the Holy Words that bring the love of the Valar to their side. Though a portion of their time is spent training their body to the perfection of virtue and power, Shaalth-Nim'Ohtar is beginning to teach younger Paladins about the virtue and the importance of faith in battle. Called upon to aid in battle or in protecting the Elven citizens, the Elf with this title is an important presence in the great Elven family.
Promotional Guidelines: Successful holding of small guild events, aiding in holding of larger events, beginning understanding and teaching of virtues and Elven religion, active in attending and helping with events.
Nim'Ohtar (Paladin Champion): Rank II Experience has forged the Arato-Nim'Ohtar into a warrior feared by the Elven enemies. Though there is still much to learn concerning their path, the Elf with this title has begun memorizing the prayers of strength and power. Much of the Arato-Nim'Othar's time is spent training and mastering their weapon-wielding skills, helping them learn infinite patience and determination. Arato-Nim'Ohtar is called upon to lend their strength in eradicating the creatures of darkness that prowl dungeons and caverns of Sosaria. The Elf with this title may often be found participating and aiding in Temple ceremonies, thus learning more about the Elven religion.
Promotional Guidelines: Aiding in small guild events, having chosen a patron Valar, actively learning about Elven religion, asking questions and practicing their skills, active in attending events.
Nim'Ohtar (Paladin) : Rank INim'Ohtar, or Holy Warrior, has taken the first steps on the path of Paladinship. Though Nim'Ohtar is young, their knowledge of the virtues and Elven religion is greater than that of an average being. Having learned about the wisdom and love that the Valar bestow upon us, the Elf with this title sets out to choose their patron Valar and aids in protecting Elven citizens from harm. Nim'Ohtar enters the service of the temple through holy ceremonies and swears their blade as well as the hands that wield it to the service of the Valar. Having already had the opportunity to learn of the Elven virtues, Nim'Ohtar is beginning to understand which virtue (or virtues) they embody, thus understanding their own strengths and weaknesses.
Path Medals
Hard working Priests are eligible for certain class medals
during the course of their studies.
Shield of Aulė
(Given when Rank II is achieved)
Sword of Manwė
(Given when Rank IV is achieved)
