God of Chivalry, Honour and Social Hierarchy
   Domination, Guardian, Law, Nobility, Protection, War. The Light Lance. Adamant Items.
   Erich is a deceptively honest diety, for though he stands proudly amidst the ranks of the Pantheon of Light, he is at his core as evil as any horror spawned by the Sorcery Wars. Erich's most commonly preached teachings include moral rigor and honesty in war -- he is the patron of knights, and demands support of one's nation unto death, absolute obedience to one's liege, the defense of the innocent from creatures of darkness and the exposure of any and all hidden sins to the light of day. Yet, his theology also demands unquestioning obedience to authority, the willingness to commit the blackest acts in service to a higher power and the advancement of nobility, militarism and commerce at the expense of the common man -- essentially, Erich is the god of fascism.
   All men are not born equal in Erich's eyes -- one's social station is determined at birth, and attempting to question that order is among the greatest crime one can commit. Peasants exist to perform manual labour and die on the fields of war, and any attempt to transcend that station must be punished with a painful death. For a priest of Erich to even speak to a commoner, let alone support them, is viewed by the church as a sin. Erich's theology calls the Good-Evil alignment axis the 'peasant morals', and is based almost entirely upon the Law-Chaos axis. A disturbing number of paladins revere Erich, at least until their theology comes into conflict with their alignment requirement and they must choose between Erich and Good.
   Erich's holy symbol is a stylized iron scepter. He is Lawful Evil, though neither he nor his priests fully comprehend this fact. His clerics may be of any Lawful alignment -- many are Good, emphasizing the honesty, chivalry and nobility aspects of his portfolio. His weapon of choice is the light lance, and his Domains are Domination, Guardian, Law, Nobility, Protection and War. He appreuciates the offerings of the bodies of ignoble enemies (chaotic thinking beings or unnatural beasts) slain in fair combat. Followers of Erich can always claim the right of hospitality, sleeping in a castle or lordly manor, resting the night without cost. Erich is a demanding and inflexible god, but has been known to reward his most honourable followers lavishly, even lending out powerful magical weapons and armour.
   Worship: Erich accepts the sacrifice of dragons, beasts, chaotic demihumans and evil outsiders (which must be live-sacrified, since they do not leave corpses). He is gravely offended by the sacrifice of goblinoids, since he considers them to be vermin; their extermination is a chore, not an accomplishment worthy of chivalrous accord. Cowing enemies earns favour with him, however; he considers it part of the enforcement of the natural order of the world.
   He places a very strict code of conduct upon his followers: they must not be craven (by being afraid, or by skulking in the shadows), nor may they use poison, utilize base trickery such as distractions or fast-talking or surrender -- especially not to base creatures. They may not enlist the aid of non-demihumans, especially not goblinoids, chaotics or evil outsiders, nor may they attempt to resolve their differences peacefully with such creatures. Finally, unlawful acts in general offend Erich, and his followers must always follow the code of chivalry, even when unmounted and unarmoured.
   Goblinoids are not considered people in Erich's theology, and thus certain strictures are lifted when fighting them: they may be attacked while fleeing, poisoned or defeated with base trickery. In Erich's cosmology, the ideals of chivalry and law apply only to humans, demihumans and similarly refined creatures. Note that Erich's worldview does not influence a worshipper's objective alignment, only their standing with Erich.
   Blessings: Erich will heal, ease hunger or smite enemies for any follower. More loyal servants find that he will (in order of increasing favour) purify the body, remove fatigue, identify weapons, armour and shields, lift curses, replace lost spellbooks, replenish mana and even raise the dead.
   Erich's more permanent blessings include courage and protection from treacherous attacks, skill at horsemanship, landkeeping and cowing the peasantry, the ability to conjure a phantom steed and a fearsome warcry.

Domains: Domination, Guardian, Law, Nobility, Protection, War