Witnesses, Pilgrims, and Chaplains
While there are many who devote their lives to the Sovereign, very few can claim to have seen him. Certainly, none remain alive who were around during his reign, however there are those who claim to have been visited by the Sovereign himself in visions. Always the story is the same, a figure cloaked in silver armour, emerges from a forest of dense green trees to deliver a message of unity. The Witness is then visited by other Witnesses, called to their location to welcome them into the fold and send them out to follow The Sovereign's Path (a metaphorical and literal journey for the Witness to travel the land giving aid wherever the Sovereign points).
Witnesses, technically a volunteer force, operate alone or in groups of two or three. They usually have the support of the Church but maintain a distance as allies, never taking orders from church officials. As such, it is rare but not uncommon for disagreements to occur between them and Priests of the Sovereign.
Witnesses train in various forms of melee combat, many choosing to emulate the Sovereign's own style using a large two handed blade. Witnesses pulled from a lifestyle that did not include a combative upbringing often have other Witnesses take them under their wing until such a time as they can competently defend themselves and others.
Aside from their martial skills, Witnesses are all powerful orators. They call it the Voice of the Sovereign and consider it a blessing. There is many a story of a meek person, or even those unable to speak, suddenly gathering all attention with their speeches after becoming a Witness. Indeed, the Voice of the Sovereign is so powerful that, even though the Witnesses rarely travel in large numbers, they are known for having dozens and even hundreds of followers at times. On more than one occasion, Witnesses have been able to whip common citizens into a zealous fervor to successfully defend their homes and cities from invaders and even Demonic Forces.
People love to follow Witnesses. The most devoted of these, who follow the Witnesses everywhere they go, call themselves Pilgrims. Pilgrims are regular folk who have abandoned their lives to support one or more Witnesses while they travel The Sovereign's Path. Often this involves gathering supplies, aiding in religious ceremonies, connecting with various people in town to secure monetary assets or even simply just a place to sleep. In extreme cases, hundreds of Pilgrims can be found following a single Witness, though this is usually only found near the southern borders in war-torn territories.
Chaplains are the self appointed bodyguards of a Witness. Unlike the regular citizenry who follow as Pilgrims, Chaplains are competent warriorsÂ