Church of Shaundakul

The church of Shaundakul, also known as the Priests of the Helping Hand, was the collection of faithful of Shaundakul, the god of journeys and expeditions.

"Ride the wind and let it take you wherever it blows. Aid those in need and trust in the Helping Hand."

- Excerpt of the charge given to Shaundakun novices.

Organization
While there was no formal structure or hierarchy to Shaundakul's church, certain priests were held in higher esteem.

Titles
A loosely-structured ranking of titles were used within the Shaundakun church. These included: Seeker of the Wind, Scout, Trailblazer, Explorer, Guide of the Hidden Ways, Rider of the West Wind, Rider of the South Wind, Rider of the East Wind, Rider of the North Wind, and Lord High Windhand.

Activities
Priests of Shaundakul did not promote their faith by preaching to non-believed, but rather through providing aid and protection to others. Shaundakuns forged bonds between their church and travelers, traders, and those that explored the lands less-traveled. They accomplished this by serving as scouts, guards, and guides, traveling alongside pilgrims and caravaneers as they reestablished shrines to the Rider.

Rituals
Members of the clergy performed simple prayers and ceremonies throughout their travels. They spoke a prayer to Shaundakul every instance the wind shifted suddenly, and erected a new shrines upon discovering uncharted landmarks or natural wonders.

Celebrations
The 15 of Tarsakh marked the Windride, a collective opportunity for each Shaundakun to assume the form of wind itself for the entire day. Shaundakul bolstered the magical ability of his priests so they could accomplish this feat.

Regions
The faith of Shaundakul was closely tied to the city of Myth Drannor in the Cormanthor forest. By the 14 century DR it was prominent throughout the Stonelands and the Moonsea North, vast open wastelands through which travel was extremely perilous.

Places of Worship
Due to the restlessness of his faithful, there were few permanent houses of worship dedicated to the Shaundakul found throughout the Realms. Smaller shrines―often formed stone daises surrounded by several stone pillars―were however much more common.

The most prominent temple was Shaundakul's Throne, the fortified temple found in the city of Myth Drannor. It was a site of pilgrimage for Shaundakun priests, and was said to be watched over by the avatar of the god himself.

Notable shrines to Shaundakul included Lanthalas's Requiem near the Stonebolt Trail, and the The Wind-Rider's Way in Calimport.

Equipment, Spells & Relics
A lodestone special originating from a church of Shaundakul could be found at tavern in the caravan town of Trailstone in Cormyr.

Dress
Shaundakun priests wore simple cloths for both ceremonies and during travel. They were accented by a flowing cloak and a dark-purple or black gauntlet on their dominant hand, bearing Shaundakul's holy symbol.

Weapons & Arms
They dressed in leather, studded leather, or chain mail armor, and preferred wielding greatswords and bows in combat.

Spells
Spells unique to the Shaundakun clergy included Favor of Shaundakul, shadow sword, gauntlet of winds, and dead magic shield.

Orders
The Knights of the Shadow Sword was an order of Shaundakun rangers and warriors that worked to cleanse the ruins of Myth Drannor from its evil denizens for centuries following the city's collapse.

A group of noble mercenaries known as the Riders of the West Wind traveled the Realms protecting caravans from bandits, raiders, or more malevolent organizations such as the Zhentarim. The Fellowship of the Next Mountain was an order that performed similar services for the people of the Moonsea North and Sword Coast North.

Classes
The church attracted many rangers and crusaders within its ranks. Specialty priests of Shaundakul were known as windrunners.

Relationships
Priests occasionally quested alongside windghosts, bizarre-looking but docile aberrations that were dispatched by Shaundakul himself. Together they carried out missions important to the Rider and his faith.

History
The faith of Shaundakul dated back at least a century before Dale Reckoning, when the Rus people dwelled in the lands later known as Rashemen. It reached the apex of its influence during the time of ancient Myth Drannor which fell during the 8 century DR.

The Time of Troubles, which occurred in the, was a transformative time for the Shaundakun faith. By the time the gods were restored to their homes in the cosmos, there remained only a half dozen priests of Shaundakul, each of whom had taken on the mantle as 'windwalkers'. A number of Waukeen's priests joined the church Shaundakul following their goddess' death.

Notable Members

 * Juxril Thammarcast, a Waterdhavian priest that held service within the Plinth.
 * Maurith Slindaeryl, a young woman that lived in Elventree during the mid–14 century DR.
 * Phelos Mistarn, the noted scholar of Dragonreach lore and history who lived in Hillsfar.