Omne Datum Optimum: Every Perfect Gift

[Zhulik 3559]

 

Omne Datum Optimum

Every Perfect Gift

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On the Horizon of Adelsburg a green and yellow cart jittered back and forth, its wooden wheels bumping upon the coarse and semi-unpaved road. The cargo which it hauled was in no way valuable to the common individual, yet, at the same time, it had the potential to become so.

 

Aboard were four men. A qalasheen, a warrior, a singer, and, oddly, a monk. The four had entered the cart as an entourage, self-entitled “the Coven of Bob” due to the monk's name. The monk had baptized this motley crew in the lake before Metz not a saint’s day prior, making them both fresh in the faith and eager to worship.

The cart halted, and the men departed from its rugged confines. Brother Robert, the monk, chuckles to his compatriots as he waddled up the steps of the Orenian Capital. Once within the mighty city, the entourage with accompanying priest made its way to the Cathedral of St. Humbert, and, subsequently, his Holiness, the High Pontiff, himself.

 

Brother Robert motioned to his devout to stay at the doorway whilst he slowly entered the cathedral. His brown robes dragged upon the floor, mopping up the filth of the world. His Holiness was before him, clad in pristine white garments and the ecclesiastical colors of the Church of Canon. Thus, the two men remained drastically contrast in appearance, yet united in faith.

Robert knelt before his Holiness, only to be motioned upward via Everard’s protruding Pontifical ring, the Monk being obliged to kiss it as a show of respect. He did so.

 

Everard inquired as to the business of Robert, and why he had returned to the capital. After all, it was Robert’s duty to wander the world spreading the faith as a Canonist monk, and not to cycle between the cities of men.

 

Robert, after taking a moment to collect his thoughts, replied to the simple inquiry.

 

“I have returned to our great Cathedral to report to thee of what I have found in my journeys, your holiness… I have wandered these lands, these isles of Axios, for many years now. I have seen many a people, and educated many more. I have been to the deserts of Haria, and to the frosty North, the Kingdom of Haense. I have inhaled the fresh and crisp sea breezes in the West upon my visit to Halstaig, and I have been covered in the shade of the great Wood-Elven treeline. I have converted those who would commit malice upon others, and baptized those who wish to take upon the mark of GOD.
 

Alas, your Holiness, although initially I may sound gleeful, I have, in truth, seen more evil than good. Orcish shamans preach the butchering of men, and sip the blood of their foes from chalices fashioned by skulls. Norlandic pagans sacrifice the sentient to appease the color red, for they continue to spit in the face of our righteous GOD. Kingdoms have formed revolving around the heretical ideology of Xionism and the toleration of the necrotic being, and many more Kingdoms refuse to purge them from their soil. Even when I first met you, your Holiness, a peaceful wedding conducted in Santegia turned into a massacre as men clad in its colors assaulted the congregation!”

Robert would pause, attempting to calm himself from this sudden burst of vigour. He inhaled deeply through his nostrils, looking to the domed ceiling above them.
 

“Truly, your Holiness, we may be in the darkest era of our collective history. The unfortunate part is, due to the lack of light, we do not see such as out of the ordinary. Thus, I have come to you, for I believe the fate of our descendants rests upon a decision made this day.”

 

Everard IV nodded slowly, hearing Robert’s good word with clarity and careful analysis. After some time of collection, he spoke once more, agreeing with Robert.

“Truly,” began Everard in a tone of solace, “These are dark times indeed, Brother Robert. What do you intend to propose on this day?”

 

“Centuries ago upon the sprawling continent of Anthos, my forefathers established a sacred order, the Order of Saint Lucien. Its original intent was to defend the High Pontiff from would-be assassins and to spread the faith as warrior-monks. Holy-Warriors, if you would. Alas, the Order eventually succumbed to the politics of mortal men and fell into the political game of Darfey. However, despite the controversies, I believe the original intend of the Order to be both true and just. To protect the faith from evil, and to spread it as its missionaries.

As Robert spoke of such an Order, Everard IV glanced to the three men whom made up Robert’s entourage, for they would potentially be the first men of this proposed Order.

 

“To purge evil akin to our great Exalted Owyn,” continued Robert cautiously. He paused a moment, thinking of the implications that such a request could result in. “I had pondered whether I should come before you with this request, your Holiness, and offer a change in the Orders’ name. However, I believe that Saint Lucien would remain the most fitting, for he is both the patron saint of Crusaders and of Change. I have found that, staying true to the qualities of our Saint, that perhaps vital change may come internally, rather than externally.”

 

Everard would shift his eyes back to the jolly and stout monk, nodding attentively as he heeded his words.

“Yes, I am quite learned of such an order’s existence, for much of this Church’s history has been stormed with secular toils and heretical practices run amuck. I surely now feel compelled, more than ever, to reaffirm the primacy of our faith and our people as Horen’s elect. Moreover,” he continued as he cleared his throat, “I deem it fitting to re-inaugurate the order as a means of revitalizing the vigor of Canonical law and faith life to this realm. So much have we been plagued by the negligence of our people that we allow heresies abroad influence and roam freely to plague the minds and souls of humanity.” he’d say with some fury.

 

Brother Robert nodded humbly, folding his arms within his warm and coarse robe which allowed him to showcase his respectful nature to Everard. However, Robert too knew of the gravity of such a decision, and of the Order’s previous flaws. Thus, with this in mind, he spoke once more.

“Certainly, your holiness, with Clerical guidance, this Order may prevail once more with Truth, Honor and Piety rather than to fall from grace, succumbing to worldly desires. Perhaps with a member of the clergy at its head, the Order may stay true to doctrine, and hold legitimacy to its teachings.”

 

Everard looked back upon the entourage, speaking once more in response to Robert.

 

“And are these some of which you speak of that stand before me today?”

 

Robert nodded silently, eventually replying in a low, yet hopeful tone, “And many more will certainly rally to the Faith in these Dark Times.”

 

Everard smiled, gazing upon those who were willing to risk their lives in the name of GOD, and who would be willing to defend the righteous from the wicked. He swung to his about face, slowly making his way up to the Altar. He produced the holy Scroll of Spirit, looking down upon Brother Robert once more.

 

“Place a hand upon the holy scroll, and your other upon the Altar.”

Brother Robert rose to the dais, carefully placing his right, dominant hand upon the Scroll of Spirit, and his left upon the Altar. Everard then took a vial of Holy Water, lightly sprinkling it within the general vicinity.

 

“Almighty GOD, to whom we offer this oblation for the sake of our salvation, we implore Thee in Thy saving grace to consecrate Your Servant, Robert Rovin, Brother in Faith and Titular Bishop in Metz. To this we seek guidance from the patronage of Thy beloved servant, Saint Lucien, and all the communion of saints to whom We implore for Thine intercession.

 

Everard then took a vial of holy oil, muttering a prayer over it before dipping his thumb and tracing the cross of Lorraine on Robert’s palms, “May these hands labor for the greater glory of GOD. May the good work done in you be brought to fulfillment.” The Pontiff then closed Robert’s hands, wrapping a white cloth around them saying, “Be sealed by the merits of faith through the working of the Seven Skies.”

 

For as Exalted Owyn had commissioned the defense of faith, we the Pontificate hereby inaugurate the Order of Saint Lucien, established by law, on the Sixteenth of the Deep Cold, Anno Domini, Sixteen-Thirty-Three.”

Everard then took his staff, signing the cross of Lorraine, “In Nomine Patris, Et Horenus, et Exaltus Honorem.”

Brother Robert upon the conclusion of the ceremony, with newfound vigor, was a mere monk no more. He had become a righteous servant of GOD, to uphold the duties prescribed by the Exalted Owyn and to no longer roam the world as a pacifist. Robert then bowed his knee, lowering himself to a knee. He swore unconditional loyalty to the church before GOD, and thus, Brother Robert was transformed into Grand Master Robert “Bob” Rovin of the Order of Saint Lucien, and the Order was once more returned to the grace of GOD.

 

“Deus Magnus, Deus Vult!”


 

[cruzazul 2815]

"Deus Vult" The hardened Denesle veteran repeats, still recovering from his injuries sustained at the battle of Mordskov.

[Heff 2460]

"Deus Vult!" says Ernest the Earnest. 

[Chorale__ 2147]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

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