Legacy of the Mailed Fist
"Thy body is thy most perfect weapon, my child. Lay down thy weapon and first master that which I have given onto thee." -- Drogan Steelarm, founder of the Legacy of the Mailed Fist's recounting of Vorax's words, taken from the Book of Sundered Blades.
This is by far the smallest and most unusual of the three Legacies. Legend holds that in around the year of 225, Drogan Steelarm, the night before a big battle after much consumption of a heavy stout ale was visited by Vorax while passed out under a bar room table. Vorax spoke to him, bidding him to lay down his weapons and to instead rely upon the greatest weapon that is gifted to all dwarves, their body.
The following morning, Drogan left behind his great axe and instead took to the field of battle armed only with the will of Vorax. Much blood was spilled and in the end Drogan had found the true meaning of battle, facing an enemy as Vorax must always have intended, in brute unarmed combat.
Drogan wasn't the first one to have this revelation from Vorax though, as several centuries earlier, around -125 the monastic order of the Brothers of Battle had been founded by Thergrim Stonefist.
Drogan continued his study of unarmed combat with the Brothers and was soon called ‘The Mailed Fist', as he continued to wear his chainmail. Since then, other paladins who hear Vorax' call to lay down their weapons and make their body the perfect weapon have been called Mailed Fist.
To enter into the Legacy of the Mailed Fist, a paladin must show his superiors that he understands the meaning of valour, upon deciding to try out for the Mailed Fist, his superiors often set him a task such as fight a foe unarmed or some incredible feat of endurance. If successful he is free to join the Mailed Fist as one of their own, if not after a year of further training he is able to once again try out for the Legacy.
Notes: Once a Paladin joins the Legacy of the Mailed Fist, he is no longer able to wield any weapon or use any shield. This means that most crafts will be off limits to you. That is part of the rituals undertaken to strengthen the body and mind. A small CDQ is required to join the Legacy of the Mailed Fist, that being the trial or task mentioned above. Often a test of strength or endurance, it is rarely the same thing for two different applicants. If the applicant passes the task, from that point on they are able to freely multiclass between paladin and sacred fist. Joining the Mailed Fist is a one way choice, there is no going back. The restriction of weapon and shield is permanent. Be warned.
