Good Walder - Revision history

Hailmur at 14:55, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T14:55:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:55, 26 February 2026
Line 13:		Line 13:
	All the stories have common elements.		All the stories have common elements.

	The stories agree that Good Walder was an itinerant Marcher with a profound connection to the virtue of [[Prosperity]] - even before the virtue was recognised by the formation of the [[Synod]]. Accounts vary as to the nature of this bluff, good natured traveller. In some stories he is a ~~traveling~~ merchant or ~~peddler~~, in others he is a pilgrim seeking spiritual truth, in yet others he is simply a restless man prone to hearing the siren call of the road and the horizon.		The stories agree that Good Walder was an itinerant Marcher with a profound connection to the virtue of [[Prosperity]] - even before the virtue was recognised by the formation of the [[Synod]]. Accounts vary as to the nature of this bluff, good-natured traveller. In some stories he is a travelling merchant or pedlar, in others he is a pilgrim seeking spiritual truth, in yet others he is simply a restless man prone to hearing the siren call of the road and the horizon.

	Most stories follow a similar pattern. Good Walder comes upon a village - usually either during the early Spring planting, or in Autumn before the harvest is due to be gathered - and speaks to the residents. Sometimes he comes in the guise of a traveling labourer, looking for work. If he judges these people to be good and virtuous, their fields flourish, their labours succeed and they know health and happiness. If he finds them small-hearted and miserly, a misfortune befalls them that exposes their laziness or greed, often at the hands of Good Walder himself - and his oaken club.		Most stories follow a similar pattern. Good Walder comes upon a village - usually either during the early Spring planting, or in Autumn before the harvest is due to be gathered - and speaks to the residents. Sometimes he comes in the guise of a traveling labourer, looking for work. If he judges these people to be good and virtuous, their fields flourish, their labours succeed and they know health and happiness. If he finds them small-hearted and miserly, a misfortune befalls them that exposes their laziness or greed, often at the hands of Good Walder himself - and his oaken club.

	In earlier tales especially, Walder presents himself to a village as a stranger, usually a mendicant or ~~peddler~~ looking to exchange labour for food and a night's lodgings. If he finds folk who are willing to offer work and share their prosperity with an outsider, he leaves behind gifts when he departs. Later stories can be identified as those in which the village folk already know of the legend of Good Walder and are therefore encouraged to demonstrate their virtue either for virtue's sake or for fear or the consequences.		In earlier tales, especially, Walder presents himself to a village as a stranger, usually a mendicant or pedlar looking to exchange labour for food and a night's lodgings. If he finds folk who are willing to offer work and share their prosperity with an outsider, he leaves behind gifts when he departs. Later stories can be identified as those in which the village folk already know of the legend of Good Walder and are therefore encouraged to demonstrate their virtue either for virtue's sake or for fear or the consequences.

	There is almost always one character in each of these stories who mistreats the stranger either by demonstrating miserliness or meanness of character, by tricking Walder, by trying to steal from him. Worst are those who take advantage of his hard work and then refusing to feed and lodge him - denying him the reward earned by his hard work. In most tales, Good Walder takes the matter into his own hands and the unvirtuous are thoroughly beaten with Walder's oaken club. Despite his apparently innocuous appearance, he is described as having supernatural strength and paranormal prowess with his cudgel, arising as a result of his virtuous commitment to Prosperity.		There is almost always one character in each of these stories who mistreats the stranger either by demonstrating miserliness or meanness of character, by tricking Walder, by trying to steal from him. Worst are those who take advantage of his hard work and then refusing to feed and lodge him - denying him the reward earned by his hard work. In most tales, Good Walder takes the matter into his own hands and the unvirtuous are thoroughly beaten with Walder's oaken club. Despite his apparently innocuous appearance, he is described as having supernatural strength and paranormal prowess with his cudgel, arising as a result of his virtuous commitment to Prosperity.

Twiggy at 14:42, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T14:42:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:42, 26 February 2026
Line 13:		Line 13:
	All the stories have common elements.		All the stories have common elements.

	The stories agree that Good Walder was an itinerant Marcher with a profound connection to the virtue of [[Prosperity]] - even before the virtue was recognised by the formation of the [[Synod]]. Accounts vary as to the nature of this bluff, good natured traveller. In some stories he is a traveling merchant or ~~peddlar~~, in others he is a pilgrim seeking spiritual truth, in yet others he is simply a restless man prone to hearing the siren call of the road and the horizon.		The stories agree that Good Walder was an itinerant Marcher with a profound connection to the virtue of [[Prosperity]] - even before the virtue was recognised by the formation of the [[Synod]]. Accounts vary as to the nature of this bluff, good natured traveller. In some stories he is a traveling merchant or peddler, in others he is a pilgrim seeking spiritual truth, in yet others he is simply a restless man prone to hearing the siren call of the road and the horizon.

	Most stories follow a similar pattern. Good Walder comes upon a village - usually either during the early Spring planting, or in Autumn before the harvest is due to be gathered - and speaks to the residents. Sometimes he comes in the guise of a traveling labourer, looking for work. If he judges these people to be good and virtuous, their fields flourish, their labours succeed and they know health and happiness. If he finds them small-hearted and miserly, a misfortune befalls them that exposes their laziness or greed, often at the hands of Good Walder himself - and his oaken club.		Most stories follow a similar pattern. Good Walder comes upon a village - usually either during the early Spring planting, or in Autumn before the harvest is due to be gathered - and speaks to the residents. Sometimes he comes in the guise of a traveling labourer, looking for work. If he judges these people to be good and virtuous, their fields flourish, their labours succeed and they know health and happiness. If he finds them small-hearted and miserly, a misfortune befalls them that exposes their laziness or greed, often at the hands of Good Walder himself - and his oaken club.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Synod" to "[[Synod"

2026-01-15T12:50:55Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Synod" to "[[Synod"

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:50, 15 January 2026
Line 13:		Line 13:
	All the stories have common elements.		All the stories have common elements.

	The stories agree that Good Walder was an itinerant Marcher with a profound connection to the virtue of [[Prosperity]] - even before the virtue was recognised by the formation of the [[~~Imperial~~ Synod]]. Accounts vary as to the nature of this bluff, good natured traveller. In some stories he is a traveling merchant or peddlar, in others he is a pilgrim seeking spiritual truth, in yet others he is simply a restless man prone to hearing the siren call of the road and the horizon.		The stories agree that Good Walder was an itinerant Marcher with a profound connection to the virtue of [[Prosperity]] - even before the virtue was recognised by the formation of the [[Synod]]. Accounts vary as to the nature of this bluff, good natured traveller. In some stories he is a traveling merchant or peddlar, in others he is a pilgrim seeking spiritual truth, in yet others he is simply a restless man prone to hearing the siren call of the road and the horizon.

	Most stories follow a similar pattern. Good Walder comes upon a village - usually either during the early Spring planting, or in Autumn before the harvest is due to be gathered - and speaks to the residents. Sometimes he comes in the guise of a traveling labourer, looking for work. If he judges these people to be good and virtuous, their fields flourish, their labours succeed and they know health and happiness. If he finds them small-hearted and miserly, a misfortune befalls them that exposes their laziness or greed, often at the hands of Good Walder himself - and his oaken club.		Most stories follow a similar pattern. Good Walder comes upon a village - usually either during the early Spring planting, or in Autumn before the harvest is due to be gathered - and speaks to the residents. Sometimes he comes in the guise of a traveling labourer, looking for work. If he judges these people to be good and virtuous, their fields flourish, their labours succeed and they know health and happiness. If he finds them small-hearted and miserly, a misfortune befalls them that exposes their laziness or greed, often at the hands of Good Walder himself - and his oaken club.

Twiggy at 21:09, 12 July 2025

2025-07-12T21:09:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:09, 12 July 2025
Line 13:		Line 13:
	All the stories have common elements.		All the stories have common elements.

	The stories agree that Good Walder was an itinerant Marcher with a profound connection to the virtue of [[Prosperity]] - even before the virtue was recognised by the formation of the [[Imperial Synod]]. Accounts vary as to the nature of this bluff, good natured ~~traveler~~. In some stories he is a traveling merchant or peddlar, in others he is a pilgrim seeking spiritual truth, in yet others he is simply a restless man prone to hearing the siren call of the road and the horizon.		The stories agree that Good Walder was an itinerant Marcher with a profound connection to the virtue of [[Prosperity]] - even before the virtue was recognised by the formation of the [[Imperial Synod]]. Accounts vary as to the nature of this bluff, good natured traveller. In some stories he is a traveling merchant or peddlar, in others he is a pilgrim seeking spiritual truth, in yet others he is simply a restless man prone to hearing the siren call of the road and the horizon.

	Most stories follow a similar pattern. Good Walder comes upon a village - usually either during the early Spring planting, or in Autumn before the harvest is due to be gathered - and speaks to the residents. Sometimes he comes in the guise of a traveling labourer, looking for work. If he judges these people to be good and virtuous, their fields flourish, their labours succeed and they know health and happiness. If he finds them small-hearted and miserly, a misfortune befalls them that exposes their laziness or greed, often at the hands of Good Walder himself - and his oaken club.		Most stories follow a similar pattern. Good Walder comes upon a village - usually either during the early Spring planting, or in Autumn before the harvest is due to be gathered - and speaks to the residents. Sometimes he comes in the guise of a traveling labourer, looking for work. If he judges these people to be good and virtuous, their fields flourish, their labours succeed and they know health and happiness. If he finds them small-hearted and miserly, a misfortune befalls them that exposes their laziness or greed, often at the hands of Good Walder himself - and his oaken club.

Emmanovi: inclusive language

2023-05-26T22:48:18Z

inclusive language

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:48, 26 May 2023
Line 21:		Line 21:
	There is almost always one character in each of these stories who mistreats the stranger either by demonstrating miserliness or meanness of character, by tricking Walder, by trying to steal from him. Worst are those who take advantage of his hard work and then refusing to feed and lodge him - denying him the reward earned by his hard work. In most tales, Good Walder takes the matter into his own hands and the unvirtuous are thoroughly beaten with Walder's oaken club. Despite his apparently innocuous appearance, he is described as having supernatural strength and paranormal prowess with his cudgel, arising as a result of his virtuous commitment to Prosperity.		There is almost always one character in each of these stories who mistreats the stranger either by demonstrating miserliness or meanness of character, by tricking Walder, by trying to steal from him. Worst are those who take advantage of his hard work and then refusing to feed and lodge him - denying him the reward earned by his hard work. In most tales, Good Walder takes the matter into his own hands and the unvirtuous are thoroughly beaten with Walder's oaken club. Despite his apparently innocuous appearance, he is described as having supernatural strength and paranormal prowess with his cudgel, arising as a result of his virtuous commitment to Prosperity.

	Some variants often have these characters suffer mishaps which lead to their penury and ruin and place them at the mercy of the virtuous among their fellows, rather than being punished directly by Good Walder. These later stories fall in and out of favour - they are sometimes criticized for suggesting that some nebulous concept of Virtue or universal fairness, rather than the actions of ~~men and women~~, punish the wicked and exalt the virtuous. Others point out that the bounteous harvests that reward those who recognise hard work and the importance of rewards being shared by all who have earned them (and the misfortunes suffered by the wicked), are ''miraculous'' rather than heretical.		Some variants often have these characters suffer mishaps which lead to their penury and ruin and place them at the mercy of the virtuous among their fellows, rather than being punished directly by Good Walder. These later stories fall in and out of favour - they are sometimes criticized for suggesting that some nebulous concept of Virtue or universal fairness, rather than the actions of folk, punish the wicked and exalt the virtuous. Others point out that the bounteous harvests that reward those who recognise hard work and the importance of rewards being shared by all who have earned them (and the misfortunes suffered by the wicked), are ''miraculous'' rather than heretical.

	There are also a few darkly comedic tales in which Good Walder chastises those who try to offer him charity. He rarely uses his club to do so, and the most common (especially popular in the Brass Coast and League) revolve around a disguised Good Walder accepting the charity and then refusing to move on, becoming increasingly indolent and demanding until the charitable soul sees the folly of giving unearned rewards to the undeserving.		There are also a few darkly comedic tales in which Good Walder chastises those who try to offer him charity. He rarely uses his club to do so, and the most common (especially popular in the Brass Coast and League) revolve around a disguised Good Walder accepting the charity and then refusing to move on, becoming increasingly indolent and demanding until the charitable soul sees the folly of giving unearned rewards to the undeserving.

Rafferty at 15:54, 3 May 2023

2023-05-03T15:54:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:54, 3 May 2023
Line 84:		Line 84:

	While Good Walder is most popular in the Marches he is known and respected throughout the Empire. It is common to hear a story with obvious Marcher roots re-imagined to make it more relevant to people of another nation. Some of these stories focus less on the importance of rewarding hard work, and more on the importance of concepts of hospitality - especially in Wintermark, Varushka, and [[the Brass Coast]]. The latter often involve the itinerant Good Walder earning a place at a family table with hard work, during which he provides a valuable piece of gossip or wisdom that leads to profit for the family who has welcomed him.		While Good Walder is most popular in the Marches he is known and respected throughout the Empire. It is common to hear a story with obvious Marcher roots re-imagined to make it more relevant to people of another nation. Some of these stories focus less on the importance of rewarding hard work, and more on the importance of concepts of hospitality - especially in Wintermark, Varushka, and [[the Brass Coast]]. The latter often involve the itinerant Good Walder earning a place at a family table with hard work, during which he provides a valuable piece of gossip or wisdom that leads to profit for the family who has welcomed him.
			===Good Walder's Orchard===
			In the [[Mitwold#Golden_Downs\|Golden Downs]], just south of the town of [[Mitwold#Hay\|Hay]] in Mitwold, near the Mourn border, there's an [[Keeper of the Orchard#Good Walder's Orchard\|old stand of trees]], mostly apples. There's been a local legend, an old story, an old [[The_Marches_magical_traditions#Mummers\|mummers']] tale, that maybe the biggest and oldest apple tree of the lot of them marks the grave of Good Walder. Certainly the local [[The_Marches_religious_beliefs#Monks_and_Friars\|friars]], have always claimed it was though to be fair dozens of villages across the Marches have a stand of trees that allegedly marks the grave of the paragon. The [[Keeper of the Orchard]] is responsible for overseeing and protecting this important site of pilgrimage.
			===Orders===
	Three significant orders have been dedicated to the legacy of Good Walder in the course of Imperial History. [[Imperial_sodality\|Sodalities]] that take Good Walder as a patron generally cooperate with one another, focusing their attention on encouraging Prosperity, hard work, and recognition of deserved rewards rather than on rivalry with each other. They tend to have very loose organisation, even for religious sodalities, and these orders lack any complex hierarchies - one becomes a member by taking part in the behaviour promoted by the sodality and eventually being recognised by other members.		Three significant orders have been dedicated to the legacy of Good Walder in the course of Imperial History. [[Imperial_sodality\|Sodalities]] that take Good Walder as a patron generally cooperate with one another, focusing their attention on encouraging Prosperity, hard work, and recognition of deserved rewards rather than on rivalry with each other. They tend to have very loose organisation, even for religious sodalities, and these orders lack any complex hierarchies - one becomes a member by taking part in the behaviour promoted by the sodality and eventually being recognised by other members.

Line 91:		Line 93:
	The '''Order of the Sack''' by contrast see a sacred responsibility in ensuring the good deeds of the virtuous are recognised and rewarded. They use skills such as [[Testimony]], [[Hallow]], [[Anointing]], and [[Consecration]], though use of the Synod power of [[Rewarding]] is also popular for obvious reasons. Another method of recognition and reward - especially popular among [[Wintermark]] and [[Dawn\|Dawnish]] adherents - is the creation and performance of songs or stories that praise prosperous deeds. Some members are also magicians - they may supplement either or both of these methods with ritual [[enchantment\|enchantments]]. Their common symbol is a sack overflowing with fruit, vegetables, and coins.		The '''Order of the Sack''' by contrast see a sacred responsibility in ensuring the good deeds of the virtuous are recognised and rewarded. They use skills such as [[Testimony]], [[Hallow]], [[Anointing]], and [[Consecration]], though use of the Synod power of [[Rewarding]] is also popular for obvious reasons. Another method of recognition and reward - especially popular among [[Wintermark]] and [[Dawn\|Dawnish]] adherents - is the creation and performance of songs or stories that praise prosperous deeds. Some members are also magicians - they may supplement either or both of these methods with ritual [[enchantment\|enchantments]]. Their common symbol is a sack overflowing with fruit, vegetables, and coins.

	The '''Virtuous List''' tended to be more scholarly and are fewer in number than the other two sodalities. These dedicated priests are primarily responsible for testing the faithful to determine their virtue through observation, gathering evidence, and guile. Of the three guile is the most popular - turning up in a village as a stranger and seeing how one is treated, much as Good Walder once did. The Virtuous Lists were vastly reduced in number in the years following the reign of [[Emperor Nicovar]] and have never really recovered - some point to opposition from the Vigilance assembly as a key factor in the decline of the Virtuous List. <br>		The '''Virtuous List''' tended to be more scholarly and are fewer in number than the other two sodalities. These dedicated priests are primarily responsible for testing the faithful to determine their virtue through observation, gathering evidence, and guile. Of the three guile is the most popular - turning up in a village as a stranger and seeing how one is treated, much as Good Walder once did. The Virtuous Lists were vastly reduced in number in the years following the reign of [[Emperor Nicovar]] and have never really recovered - some point to opposition from the Vigilance assembly as a key factor in the decline of the Virtuous List.
			===Further Reading===
			* [[Keeper of the Orchard]]
			<br>
	<small>Highborn poem by Oliver Godby</small>		<small>Highborn poem by Oliver Godby</small>
	[[Category:Religion]]		[[Category:Religion]]
	[[Category:Inspirations]]		[[Category:Inspirations]]
	[[Category:The Marches]]		[[Category:The Marches]]

Matt at 01:19, 31 August 2018

2018-08-31T01:19:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:19, 31 August 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
	<quote by="Good Walder and ~~Miser Jack~~, traditional">He raises up his gnarled old hand		<quote by="Good Walder and the Bandit, traditional">He raises up his gnarled old hand
	And blesses all the friendly fields		And blesses all the friendly fields

	Then raises up his gnarled old club		Then raises up his gnarled old club
	And beats the ~~miser~~ 'til he yields.</quote>		And beats the robber 'til he yields.</quote>

	==Virtue==		==Virtue==

Dre at 16:14, 8 August 2018

2018-08-08T16:14:19Z

Rafferty at 15:34, 8 August 2018

2018-08-08T15:34:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:34, 8 August 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
	<quote by="Good Walder and Miser Jack, ~~''trad''~~">He raises up his gnarled old hand		<quote by="Good Walder and Miser Jack, traditional">He raises up his gnarled old hand
	And blesses all the friendly fields		And blesses all the friendly fields

Rafferty at 15:34, 8 August 2018

2018-08-08T15:34:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:34, 8 August 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
	<quote by="Good Walder and Jack ~~the Miser~~,'' trad'"'>He raises up his gnarled old hand		<quote by="Good Walder and Miser Jack, ''trad''">He raises up his gnarled old hand
	And blesses all the friendly fields		And blesses all the friendly fields

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:14, 8 August 2018
Line 73:		Line 73:
	The Assembly of Prosperity cited the following signs as proof that Good Walder was a paragon.		The Assembly of Prosperity cited the following signs as proof that Good Walder was a paragon.
	* There is no doubt that Good Walder is a virtuous '''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Inspiration\|Inspiration]]'''. He teaches that hard work deserves reward, and that all those who take part in the work deserve a share of the rewards. Likewise, he demonstrates that the lazy and the greedy merit punishment, and these two tenets are seen as central parts of the Imperial understanding of Prosperity underlining both "''The Prosperous are not selfish; all that is worthwhile is shared with those who deserve it.''" and "''Despise ... those who take without giving.''"		* There is no doubt that Good Walder is a virtuous '''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Inspiration\|Inspiration]]'''. He teaches that hard work deserves reward, and that all those who take part in the work deserve a share of the rewards. Likewise, he demonstrates that the lazy and the greedy merit punishment, and these two tenets are seen as central parts of the Imperial understanding of Prosperity underlining both "''The Prosperous are not selfish; all that is worthwhile is shared with those who deserve it.''" and "''Despise ... those who take without giving.''"
	* The travels of Good Walder from village to village, rewarding the virtuous and punishing the wicked, are held as a spiritual ''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Pilgrimage\|Pilgrimage]]''' of Prosperity that culminates in his visit to [[Bastion]] - although there are few reliable reports of Good Walder's activities outside the Marches they do exist.		* The travels of Good Walder from village to village, rewarding the virtuous and punishing the wicked, are held as a spiritual '''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Pilgrimage\|Pilgrimage]]''' of Prosperity that culminates in his visit to [[Bastion]] - although there are few reliable reports of Good Walder's activities outside the Marches they do exist.
	* Both the encouragement to share rewards equally with all who have worked for them, and the swelling of harvests which accompany Walder's visits to the virtuous, are a recognised sign of the Paragon's ''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Benevolence\|Benevolence]]'''.		* Both the encouragement to share rewards equally with all who have worked for them, and the swelling of harvests which accompany Walder's visits to the virtuous, are a recognised sign of the Paragon's '''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Benevolence\|Benevolence]]'''.
	* Walder's punishment of those who thieve and hoard often result in those people seeing the error of their ways (after a deserved and thorough beating) and thus they provide ''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Salvation\|Salvation]]''' to those unvirtuous individuals.		* Walder's punishment of those who thieve and hoard often result in those people seeing the error of their ways (after a deserved and thorough beating) and thus they provide '''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Salvation\|Salvation]]''' to those unvirtuous individuals.
	* Several priests of Prosperity to carry an oaken club, in recognition of the weapon associated with Good Walder that is his ''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Legacy\|Legacy]]'''. What was believed to be his original club - a stout shillelagh that delivered punishing blows to the undeserving and the greedy - is currently unaccounted for; it disappeared in 142YE along with Naeve Farwatcher, the Navarr Cardinal of Prosperity at the time, who is believed to have lost her life to brigands somewhere in southern [[Kallavesa]].		* Several priests of Prosperity to carry an oaken club, in recognition of the weapon associated with Good Walder that is his '''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Legacy\|Legacy]]'''. What was believed to be his original club - a stout shillelagh that delivered punishing blows to the undeserving and the greedy - is currently unaccounted for; it disappeared in 142YE along with Naeve Farwatcher, the Navarr Cardinal of Prosperity at the time, who is believed to have lost her life to brigands somewhere in southern [[Kallavesa]].
	* Good Walder's presence swells harvests for the virtuous, and brings misfortune to the wicked in a fashion widely held to be ''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Miracles\|Miraculous]]'''. There are also stories of other supernatural rewards bestowed by Good Walder - in some tales he also cures an illness or debilitation for those who treat him fairly.		* Good Walder's presence swells harvests for the virtuous, and brings misfortune to the wicked in a fashion widely held to be '''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Miracles\|Miraculous]]'''. There are also stories of other supernatural rewards bestowed by Good Walder - in some tales he also cures an illness or debilitation for those who treat him fairly.
	* There have been no recorded visions of Walder's life through his own eyes. Several stories end with a suggestion that after a particularly important lesson, Good Walder takes a secret road "out of the world, where he walks still" which seems to be a metaphor for some sort of bodily ascension. Either way, the sign of ''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Liberation\|Liberation]]''' is assigned to him,		* There have been no recorded visions of Walder's life through his own eyes. Several stories end with a suggestion that after a particularly important lesson, Good Walder takes a secret road "out of the world, where he walks still" which seems to be a metaphor for some sort of bodily ascension. Either way, the sign of '''[[Signs_of_the_paragon_and_exemplar#Liberation\|Liberation]]''' is assigned to him,

	==Good Walder in Play==		==Good Walder in Play==
	At his core, Good Walder teaches the importance of hard work, but also the importance of ensuring the deserving receive the rewards for that hard work. Stories of Good Walder sometimes have a scurrilous undercurrent - they include suspicion of "bosses" who employ others and do not give them fair wages. There are several more modern stories that are thinly veiled ~~criticiques~~ of [[the League]] and [[Dawn]] where a privileged few can sometimes be seen as exploiting those who work for, rather than alongside, their leaders. As such his stories are told less often in these nations - and in [[Urizen]] where the basic concepts of agricultural labour for fair payment are somewhat alien to the national mentality.		At his core, Good Walder teaches the importance of hard work, but also the importance of ensuring the deserving receive the rewards for that hard work. Stories of Good Walder sometimes have a scurrilous undercurrent - they include suspicion of "bosses" who employ others and do not give them fair wages. There are several more modern stories that are thinly veiled critiques of [[the League]] and [[Dawn]] where a privileged few can sometimes be seen as exploiting those who work for, rather than alongside, their leaders. As such his stories are told less often in these nations - and in [[Urizen]] where the basic concepts of agricultural labour for fair payment are somewhat alien to the national mentality.

	While Good Walder is most popular in the Marches he is known and respected throughout the Empire. It is common to hear a story with obvious Marcher roots re-imagined to make it more relevant to people of another nation. Some of these stories focus less on the importance of rewarding hard work, and more on the importance of concepts of hospitality - especially in Wintermark, Varushka, and [[the Brass Coast]]. The latter often involve the itinerant Good Walder earning a place at a family table with hard work, during which he provides a valuable piece of gossip or wisdom that leads to profit for the family who has welcomed him.		While Good Walder is most popular in the Marches he is known and respected throughout the Empire. It is common to hear a story with obvious Marcher roots re-imagined to make it more relevant to people of another nation. Some of these stories focus less on the importance of rewarding hard work, and more on the importance of concepts of hospitality - especially in Wintermark, Varushka, and [[the Brass Coast]]. The latter often involve the itinerant Good Walder earning a place at a family table with hard work, during which he provides a valuable piece of gossip or wisdom that leads to profit for the family who has welcomed him.
Line 89:		Line 89:
	The '''Fellows of the Stout Stick''' focus principally on dishing out punishments - direct or otherwise - to those who are deemed undeserving. [[Testimony]], and the occasional [[Excommunication]], are seen as valuable tools in their arsenal. They are also quick to employ traditional Marcher practices of [[The_Marches_culture_and_customs#Rough_music\|rough music]] and [[The_Marches_culture_and_customs#Shunning\|shunning]], and the Imperial Synod power of [[Condemnation]] to expose the lazy, the miserly, and those who steal the hard work of others. Their common symbol is a stout cudgel.		The '''Fellows of the Stout Stick''' focus principally on dishing out punishments - direct or otherwise - to those who are deemed undeserving. [[Testimony]], and the occasional [[Excommunication]], are seen as valuable tools in their arsenal. They are also quick to employ traditional Marcher practices of [[The_Marches_culture_and_customs#Rough_music\|rough music]] and [[The_Marches_culture_and_customs#Shunning\|shunning]], and the Imperial Synod power of [[Condemnation]] to expose the lazy, the miserly, and those who steal the hard work of others. Their common symbol is a stout cudgel.

	The '''Order of the Sack''' by contrast see a sacred responsibility in ensuring the good deeds of the virtuous are recognised and rewarded. They use skills such as [[Testimony]], [[Hallow]], [[Anointing]], and [[Consecration]], though use of the Synod power of [[Rewarding]] is also ~~opopular~~ for obvious reasons. Another method of recognition and reward - especially popular among [[Wintermark]] and [[Dawn\|Dawnish]] adherents - is the creation and performance of songs or stories that praise prosperous deeds. Some members are also magicians - they may supplement either or both of these methods with ritual [[enchantment\|enchantments]]. Their common symbol is a sack overflowing with fruit, vegetables, and coins.		The '''Order of the Sack''' by contrast see a sacred responsibility in ensuring the good deeds of the virtuous are recognised and rewarded. They use skills such as [[Testimony]], [[Hallow]], [[Anointing]], and [[Consecration]], though use of the Synod power of [[Rewarding]] is also popular for obvious reasons. Another method of recognition and reward - especially popular among [[Wintermark]] and [[Dawn\|Dawnish]] adherents - is the creation and performance of songs or stories that praise prosperous deeds. Some members are also magicians - they may supplement either or both of these methods with ritual [[enchantment\|enchantments]]. Their common symbol is a sack overflowing with fruit, vegetables, and coins.

	The '''Virtuous List''' tended to be more scholarly and are fewer in number than the other two sodalities. These dedicated priests are primarily responsible for testing the faithful to determine their virtue through observation, gathering evidence, and guile. Of the three guile is the most popular - turning up in a village as a stranger and seeing how one is treated, much as Good Walder once did. The Virtuous Lists were vastly reduced in number in the years following the reign of [[Emperor Nicovar]] and have never really recovered - some point to opposition from the Vigilance assembly as a key factor in the decline of the Virtuous List. <br>		The '''Virtuous List''' tended to be more scholarly and are fewer in number than the other two sodalities. These dedicated priests are primarily responsible for testing the faithful to determine their virtue through observation, gathering evidence, and guile. Of the three guile is the most popular - turning up in a village as a stranger and seeing how one is treated, much as Good Walder once did. The Virtuous Lists were vastly reduced in number in the years following the reign of [[Emperor Nicovar]] and have never really recovered - some point to opposition from the Vigilance assembly as a key factor in the decline of the Virtuous List. <br>