04/02/2025

Happy Wednesday and welcome back to Tabletop Thoughts!

Today, we continue to build on my Shadowdark Campaign setting, Shadows of the Sundered Throne. The last faction we covered was the wizards. This week, we look at the Priests with The Shieldbearers of Athena! (These Priests would be more like Paladins in D&D 5E.)

Motto: “With wisdom, we shield. With justice, we strike.”

Purpose and Mission

The Shieldbearers of Athena are an elite order of warrior-philosophers sworn to protect the faithful, uphold justice, and defend sacred knowledge. They are both defenders and scholars, seeing combat as a means to safeguard wisdom rather than an end in itself. Their presence is a beacon of hope for the faithful and a warning to those who would desecrate Athena’s temples and libraries.

Structure and Hierarchy

• High Shieldbearer – The supreme leader, chosen for their wisdom and battlefield experience.
• Shieldwardens – Commanders who oversee the training, strategy, and deployment of knights.
• Shieldmasters – Veteran knights who mentor younger members and specialize in warfare and philosophy.
• Sentinel Knights – The active fighting force, trained in both martial combat and scholarly pursuits.
• Shield Initiates – New recruits who undergo rigorous training in the ways of the Shieldbearers before earning their place.

Training and Initiation

Initiates must master both the sword and the scroll, proving their intellect and combat prowess before earning the title of Shieldbearer. They undertake a pilgrimage to a sacred temple of Athena, where they must solve a trial of wisdom and complete a task of valor.

Symbols and Attire

• Emblem: A silver shield engraved with an owl’s eye, representing protection and insight.
• Armor: Ornate bronze-and-silver breastplates, symbolizing Athena’s divine favor.
• Cloak Colors: Deep blue with golden trim, signifying wisdom and divine guidance.
• Weapons: The Spear of Judgment (a finely crafted spear) and the Aegis Shield, named in honor of Athena’s legendary protection. (I would replace the staff with a spear for allowed weapons if the player wanted to be a Shieldbearer)

Notable Traditions

• The Oath of the Aegis: Every Shieldbearer swears an oath before Athena’s altar, vowing to shield the innocent and uphold wisdom.
• The Trial of Insight and Steel: A rite of passage where initiates must prove both their strategic mind and combat prowess.
• The Guardian’s Vigil: A sacred duty where knights stand watch over temples and libraries to ensure knowledge remains protected.

Alliances and Relationships

1. Opposed by those who seek to corrupt or hoard knowledge, such as dark sorcerers and secretive cults.
2. Strong ties with the Eye of Athena, working together to recover lost knowledge and protect scholars.
3. Respected by Athendria’s rulers as both advisors and warriors.

Keep on gaming!