Bartemius Alder came to join the Faith of the Distant Star when he was but a boy. He was always a well-liked lad, with a skill for understanding others, but it was really his vast capacity for learning that caught the attention of Father Curran, the preacher in Bart's small town. His recommendation propelled Bart to Stellholm, the Faith's fortified enclave, where he learned in depth about religion, not just the Faith and its practice but also of a wide variety of other religions and practices, many of which were largely detailed so Faith Inquisitors would know what to look for when they were destroying the heathen worshipers. When Bart became old enough to become a preacher himself, he left to care for his own flock in the town of Roughbarrel, on the border of safe lands. Though things seemed to be going well there at first, a monster attack in the night massacred the town. With only a handful of people left, they were forced to return from the hinterlands to known territory, though they left behind Bart's innocent trust in the Faith. Without that to guide him, he fell on his knowledge and his people skills, traveling with a group of mercenaries as a man of faith. They taught him his fighting skills, though he still stood by a personal belief not to kill unless necessary . The step from mercenaries to monster hunters was a very small one, and one Bart was glad to make, if only to prove that the Faith he had so believed could do much more than they had.

Contact: Percival Marton, a soldier older than his years who now leads a mercenary company that Bart traveled with in his later days. Bart grew to know all the mercenaries well in his short time there, and they appreciated the counsel he offered them. Though they are not monster hunters themselves, they have certainly faced a few in their time and are willing to step in in they find someone in need. Mainly, he and his group are often a great source of good company, food and drink, and information when they're met on the road or in town. Percival in particular sees Bart as another son, and often gives him fatherly advice when he can.

The Faith of the Distant Star, or The Faith as they are sometimes called for short, are a religious faction that, though small compared to others, has gained a great deal of traction in the wilderness due to their promises of protection from the monsters. Outward appearances would suggest that they to protect those who would ask it from the dangers of the wilds and the monsters that traverse the lands, but in reality what they mainly seek is power among their religious rivals. To that end, while their sect of Inquisitors exist to investigate monster attacks and determine the best method to prevent repeats, often their services are instead used to undermine other religious leaders or collect blackmail on them. They maintain a stronghold in Stellholm, a walled city in which they train disciples to preach to others. Their main tenants are of kindness, trust, and belief in the Distant Star, a power which watches over the land at night and provides guidance and protection in the dark. Their main practices include confession of sins to prevent buildup of taint. The many texts written for the faith often leave specific ideas up to interpretation of whichever Cardinals happen to determine their meaning at the time, but the basics of the faith always remain true.