Once a little-known extremist sect of Abadar, the Vault and Chain has existed in Zimar for many years, but only now has it come to prominence. The Vault and Chain espouses a particularly vile interpretation of the teachings of Abadar that seems to support the idea of “purity” as an ideal to strive for. The Vault and Chain believe in four pillars of a strong and prosperous society: purity of form, purity of purpose, purity of thought, and purity of faith.
While manifestly abhorrent to mainstream Abadarians, the Vault and Chain have been attractive to those in Zimar who are frustrated with the continued acceptance of Taldor’s enemies in the city. In the last few years, its membership has expanded until the church was forced to recognize its existence. After a few high-profile incidents where members were accosted by Qadiran-born assailants, the Vault and Chain formed a militant group of templars to protect the faithful. The Chief Enumerator of the House of Gold was concerned that these incidents were either blown out of proportion or entirely fabricated, and sought outside help from the church.
Before Inspector General Sveinbjorn Magnusson could arrive however, High Strategos Maxillar Pythareus and the leader of the Vault and Chain, Palo Iovinus, conspired to throw out the priests in the House of Gold. Palo was named Chief Enumerator, and he quickly replaced much of the staff with his own Vault and Chain adherents. The priests were arrested and taken to a secret prison somewhere nearby, charged with heresy and providing comfort to the enemy.
Now the Vault and Chain patrol the city streets, seeking those who would defy them. Their sermons are delivered from multiple places in the city, where nearly everybody is sure to be able to attend. These sermons are firey and filled with hateful rhetoric, calling on citizens to turn over those who are not pure in form, purpose, thought, or faith. A few have done so, usually as a way to remove rivals or get revenge, but what happens to those turned in is unknown.
