Holy Quests.
By Aaron Kavli
 

        Many of tales of the bravest knights involve them adventuring off to distant lands on a holy quest for the church or king.  This is often a favorite type of pilgrimage for the devout, and quite fashionable for members of the nobility.  Some common worshippers undertake such quests, but the expenses are quite high and usually the questers are rich nobility with little else to do.  Most commonly these gentle folk are the youngest sons who have little else to do and feel no compulsion to join the church.
        One of the most popular quests is to search for the castle of Alamire, the place where St. Ambrathas had his vision of Larani and established the first church.  Though there are several ruins about Trierzon that are fancied to be Alamire, none can be proven.  This does not keep these various sites from being popular pilgrimage destinations however.  For full details on Alamire, see the tale of Saint Ambrathas in Gods of Harn or HarnMaster Religion.
        The other most popular quest is the search for "Akadisha", a legendary sword which Larani gifted to one of her champions, see the tale of Magis of Tenpil (above).  There are a number of other holy relics that are the subjects of quests, such as the head of the Shattered Spear of Sorrow as well as smaller sundry talismans.
        Much like many other aspects of a pious Laranian, the manner of the doing is more important than accomplishing the deed.  This holds true for quests, especially since realistically most have no certain expectations of finding Alamire or Akadisha.  More mundane and immediate quests such as a rescue or other mission, are more functional with definitive goals.  Though the search for Alamire and Akadisha are lofty undertakings with noble ideals, these quests are largely a matter of a "fashionable" or respectable chore for otherwise unengaged nobility to go off adventuring.
        As such, a quester (referring to those after Alamire or Akadisha) will be expected to uphold the high standards of a proper chivalrous gentleman in all things along the quest.  All manner of brave deeds are to be done, and no request for assistance is to be denied.  The behavior of a quester (most notably and often knights) must fall within the highest standards of the goddess as he is on a holy quest.  Often these questers will style themselves Paladins.
        When a quester embarks on a holy quest they often have no true idea where to start, the mystery being part of the challenge of the quest.  He also expects his travels to take him to dangerous, exotic lands of fell beasts and foul enemies.  Also along the way, he will be tested by Larani to ascertain his worthiness.  Quandaries of valor, courage, honesty, and other knightly virtues shall need be passed before the godess will allow success.  Of course Larani would only gift victory to those worthy in her eyes.  The rest shall fail.
        The grim reality is of course much different than the romantic expectations held by most at the onset.  The grim truth of what lies ahead of those who undertake such quests often sends them home, finding little taste for true "adventure".  After starvation and fatigue set in, most find their "divine" inspiration washed away in waves of hunger.  And the adversaries these questers meet are often savage people who know little of knightly conduct and leave the quester dead in those far off lands.
        A very few however have found places of mystery and adventure (though they may not have found their goal), returning with stories of dread places and fell beasts they have overcome.  These few lucky folk generally gain great respect, and few things can elevate a knight's status in the eyes of his peers than a "successful" quest.  Those who return such gain not only prestige and honor, but sometimes with considerable wealth.  Sadly some of these worthies enjoy the taste of their success and undertake more quests.  Even fewer return a second time.  Most of these never get to enjoy their new found wealth and fame, and some have even broken their purses to finance more and more quests hoping to find another treasure hoard, ending up destitute.  Those who amass such wealth on a holy quest for Larani, should of course donate a hefty sum to the church.
        For it was Larani who gifted such goods to the quester, wasn't it?