Silver Stars (and The Hand)

The Order of Silver Stars is the premiere healing organization in the world. They possess powerful healing magics and tangible medical skills. For centuries, they have been healing the sick and injured. They are not attached to any deity, nor do they have an apparent agenda other than to relieve suffering in the world. They are here to make the world a better place.

The Silver Stars have a heraldic device accepted in most lands. It is an eight pointed star in silver on a field of light tan (on a circular field, if a field is required).

The Silver Stars wear what ever is appropriate for the weather and job. If they are in "uniform" is a light tan tunic, with similar color pants, with a silver star on each side of the tunic. A uniform that is more practical than symbolic. Most of their members do have a variety of clothes in these colors, their heraldic colors. If they are wearing other clothes, they will wear a sash of these colors with the eight pointed star of the Order.

An interesting side note: it is a death penalty in most civilized (and uncivilized) countries for being caught wearing a Silver Stars uniform or presenting yourself as one, if you are not one. Since they are given free access to many places without question, it would be the preferred disguise for assassins. The Stars simply punish the person by refusing to heal or save said person, ever.

Silver Stars come in all species, colors, and beliefs. The channeling of their healing powers, gives them all an "ancient" air. They look mature, yet they have the vim and vigor of a youth. It seems that the healing arts extend ones lifespan and grants physical prowess, but the healers just smile and say that they live a healthy way.

The Silver Stars are based near one of the major cities in the world. They have a large walled complex a ways outside the city. In the Campus, they train their healers. The Campus is very austere for the organizations seeming wealth. There are a number of buildings and a large park area. (In fact, many religions have taken to being less ostentatious... being shamed by the Stars).

The Silver Stars have "centers" in most cities and some town. They are buildings where they can heal patients and allow those excessively injured to rest. They are always simple affairs, as the practical healers see no point in excess. Other areas are visited by traveling healers or by a lone healer stationed there. They heal anyone who asks. The healed one only needs to pay what they can (the Stars have a sliding scale), or they can barter a future service (they are given a token with the service written on them).

Tokens are a Silver Star tradition. In lieu of payment (and only if money is offered and refused), the healers will often give a token (a special tan disk with a star on it) to the merchant. This can be redeemed as payment for a healing. They are often traded, as money, among people. Tokens are used as promises. People sign tokens and include a promise to the Stars, saying they will do something for the group. It is an honor system, but seems to work. After all, who wants to peeve off people who might save your life someday?

The Silver Stars do a variety of charitable works in addition to healing. This is not their main emphasis by any stretch of the imagination, but the general improvement of the populace is something they like to achieve.

There is no religious agenda. If a Silver Star waxes philosophical, they speak of the silver stars that make up each person's soul.

This is all commonly known about the Stars. Like any great organization, there are other things not known about it.

Many clerics have wondered how healing magic can be performed without a channel to a deity. The Silver Stars do not have a deity, per say, but they do have a source of power. Its name is Star. It is a crystal orb (with a tarnish tint to the crystal) and a silver star in the center. It is one of the great orbs created by Corvus. It is the Orb of Healing, one of many tools created by Corvus to make his life easier. It not only knows more about healing all species than anything else in the world, it also channels fractions of its powers into every Silver Star.

It was powerful before it became free to follow its own agenda. It has only grown in strength since then. It may be the most powerful orb in existence. The amusing part is that Star is on public display as an ornament in the rotunda of the main campus building.

The Star directs the council which runs the organization. They are willing to accept the wisdom of an ancient being. (They were also hand picked to follow its lead). The council handles all the day to day events. They also implement The Star's will.

Like many of the Orbs, The Star, has come to have its own purpose. Instead of just healing bodies... just to watch them be torn apart again by war or stupidity, the Orb wants to heal the body of civilization. The Star sees civilization as one body, which sometimes gets sick or injured. Some problems can be healed with time and effort, other illnesses require surgery. The Star has arranged for special tools. Many healers have training in breaking/ entering/ stealth/ and escape abilities. Their healing knowledge is turned to killing or stopping opponents. (Each of these members is fanatical, believing they can heal civilization. No one knows they are Silver Stars, in fact, most people think they are part of "The Hand" a group of ninja-esk assassin/ thieves. (The Hand are creatures of Legend on the world... seemingly magical unstoppable things). The Hand members are incredibly strong, fast, and durable. They apparently are unkillable, as any wound done to them is healed. The Star channels power into the Hands, so they can accomplish their missions. The missions seem strange in the short term, but The Star is immortal and takes the long view of things.