Libram of Hath's Stand

The Libram of Hath's Stand is a collection of writings and teachings written by the Order of Hath's Stand. Compiled by Abbot Darrell Roth after the Fall of Hath's Stand, the texts were made to serve the new generations protectors of Hath's Stand, vowed to return the holy grounds to the people of Talongrab, and to the Holy Light. The texts teachings are based heavily upon traditional scripture of the Church of the Holy Light, and the Order of the Silver Hand; as they serve to set the foundations of higher learning among the holy men of Alterac.

=Preface=

Hath was not known to be a holy man. He was a General, and a great one at that. His military prowess was admired even by his Stromic rival Trollbane. And while he was not a holy man, he was a man of honor. Having helped the Alliance of Lordaeron beat back the Horde in the Alterac Mountains after Aiden Perenolde’s treachery, he placed humanity as a whole before his own Kingdom to ensure we could live in a better world. For that, he deserves honor.

It was by that notion that Hath’s Stand was founded. Among us, Knights of the Silver Hand, and people of the cloth stood to honor the fallen of the Second War under the name of one of its greatest warriors. But not only was it a place to preserve the name of the fallen, it served as one respite in the Alterac Mountains for those who wished to find the Light’s call, and further its call through faith and fury. A beacon of hope for the future.

But as I write this, the good legacy of Hath’s Stand is in danger. The cemetery lay in ruins, and danger always lurks within the depths of the Winterwood. As the last original Knight of Hath’s Stand, this book is a plea to the future pioneers of Alterac to preserve this good legacy, and spread the Light’s wisdom in the name of honor for those who would have it. This book is for those who would answer the call.

=Background=

=Words of the Old Guard=

The Words of the Old Guard are a compilation of texts penned and distributed by the Order of Hath's Stand upon its founding after the fall of the Kingdom of Alterac after the Second War. It consists of sensationalized tales of past legend to serve as examples for future generations of holy men to live by, and recounts the core lessons founded by the original holy church.

On Mereldar's Revelation
Mereldar, Sister to the great General Lordain was visited by five brilliant figures. Each one represented a singular aspect of the Light's benevolent march.

First came Protection, the bulwark of the innocent. Then came Retribution, righteous vengeance to right the wrongs of the world. After came Justice, for Retribution must always beget Justice. And stood as balance between the great beings. Beside Justice stood Compassion. Good will towards all with a generous hand. Finally, came Holiness. Spreading the Light's good word for all.

And so with these visions, Mereldar spread their benevolent message to her people and founded true faith. And so it was good.

Protection
Mereldar awoke from her vision, the knowledge burning it's way into her mind. Five figures they had been, and five tenants they had given her. And yet, she did not understand. She cried out to them.

"Please, Benevolent, help me to understand!"

For nearly a month she rose and slept, hoping and praying for a vision to come to her. Praying for answers that never came. In her frustration, she fled her home to the countryside, unwilling to wait any longer to help her people.

On her journey, she came across a scene of violence. A family sat on a carriage, frightened and beset by three vicious Troll savages. Mereldar hid herself in a bush, wishing for strength and courage that did not seem to come. If she simply hid and waited, the Trolls would be gone. But the family would perish as well. To Mereldar, this prospect was simply unacceptable.

She rose from the brush, and approached the Trolls, who turned and laughed at what they saw. A small scrawny woman, who seemed to be shaking with fear. They stood and waited, whooping and jeering. When Mereldar got close, she extended a hand, and prayed for strength. A blinding Light emanated from her fingers, causing all to turn away. When Mereldar's vision returned, she stood before the body of one of the Trolls. The other two turned and fled, screaming in fear.

Mereldar looked to her hand, that vicious Light having diminished now into a gentle, humming spark. A word formed in her head. "Protection." She looked to the family, and gave a nod of confidence. "Now you are safe. Give thanks to the Light." They bowed their heads in thanks.

On Chivalry
Chivalry is the way of not only the Knight, but the Holy Man. It's a code of good conduct. A knight must treat themselves, and those they come into contact with, with courtesy and honor. Chivalry is a Knight having the courage to step up to defend the weak. It's a set of limitations which the strong and mighty place upon themselves with the realization that setting a good example sends a message which is far more powerful than any words on paper. It demonstrates how a Knight, a beacon of hope, should act. Chivalry is a choice. A choice to act righteously, for the right reasons, in the right moment.

Thou shalt remain ever faithful, and adhere to the teachings and guidance of the Holy Light. Keeping one’s faith strong, and unquestionable offers a Knight the motivation needed to guide them to act on good faith, and to only serve to protect the weak and innocent.

Thou shalt remain humble. Humility is knowing that you are better than no one, and no one is better than you under the guiding graces of the Holy Light. Acting in good faith is better than asserting you have been granted a title to act in good faith.

Thou shalt respect the Law. Law is the binding that keeps mortal beings civil, and acts as a means to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Respecting the law not only keeps others safe, but makes the Knights charge simpler; so long as the law is just.

Thou shalt maintain valor. Even in the face of adversity, a Knight must never back down or present fear against what might be considered insurmountable odds, or a perilous enemy. A Knight should not recoil against their foe, even in the face of defeat. As a bastion of hope for the common man, a Knight’s valor is paramount to his ability to protect others.

Thou shalt be generous to those less fortunate. While assured their actions are indeed compassionate, charity and generosity are key aspects of the benevolent Holy Light. As the Light provides for its supplicants, so shall the Knight unto those truly in need.

Thou shalt speak honestly. Lies sow the seeds of deceit and turmoil which blossom into chaos, and plunge great societies into darkness. Honesty is key in the Knights charge, as it maintains trust between a Knight, the people, and the Holy Light the Knight serves.

Thou shalt offer the utmost courtesy to others. In tandem with the virtue of respect, offering courtesy to others is critical in presenting oneself as a fair example of a member of the Silver Hand.

Thou shalt act in decorum. Along with being courteous to others, acting in good taste is critical to the presentation of a Knight of the Light. This means refraining from actions that can be considered unbecoming in a public setting. This includes, but is not limited to the following:
 * Inciting a brawl in public. No Knight may be permitted to invoke a public brawl unless bearing the purpose of protecting the weak and innocent.
 * Encouraging words that incite lawless action. As a peacekeeper in the Light’s name, a Knight shall not encourage or use any words that may provoke an illicit action.
 * Engage in acts of public indecency. Public indecency, or any sexually explicit actions in public are prohibited. An individual of good faith shall also not wear garments that do not hide their form in a modest fashion.
 * Public intoxication. Any state of drunkenness, or drug induced intoxication under the scope of the public eye is forbidden.
 * Lacking of integrity. A man or woman of good faith does not submit to bribery, blackmail, or threats when faced with them.

Thou shalt always champion the forces of the Light and Good against Darkness and Chaos. All warriors of the Light must stand with conviction against the forces that would do away with the Light, and attempt to bathe this universe in darkness.

Ceremony
=Words of the New Guard=

Uther the Lightbringer
His name brought Light to darkest Azeroth. His valor tore the walls of mis'ry down. The Silver Hand would ne'er do better more than give the world the knight who'd give himself.

His fame was not that which he sought to grow, nor was the lordship over his own kind. Instead he chose to fight for Lordaeron to hope his kin would have to fight no more.

The tragic tale of this most holy knight will never end with his unholy death. We honor him, and we shall give him thanks! Uther always shall know glory and Light!