The Case for Everardine

[Draeris 3124]

 

The Bishop of Jorenus Anton Barclay and the Bishop of Ves Laurence A. Pruvia playing Chess, 1764

 

THE CASE FOR EVERARDINE 

TO RESTORE THE HARMONY OF US

 

The first election of the Imperial House of Commons is looming which, like any election, fills our discourse with divisive rhetoric and finger pointing. Stakes have always pushed man against man, and this election will be no different. It unfortunately takes away from our ability to have a frank conversation: not between politician and voter, but between one Orenian to another. 

 

PAINTING THE PICTURE

 

The election will happen with a turbulent backdrop. The controversies of Sigismund II’s missive, the Károly trial and his following assassination are still fresh in the minds of our society. In the meantime, new sources of tension pile on with the open dispute between the Kaedreni and the Friar clergy, the increased hostility between Josephite and Everardine and the animosity towards ever-encroaching monopolies in our day to day life. 

 

This is the painting that the people of Oren will have to pose in front of, as they cast their ballots and hope to find their interests represented. These days, I read missives with slight nervosity: asking myself if I am to become privy to a new crisis every envelope that I decide to open. The world of the pen and politics seems to be on fire, and at times I seem to forget about the world outside of it. It is in the few serene moments of companionship, such as hunting with House Helvets or playing chess with the Bishop of Haense: that I remind myself these hostilities don’t have to be norm. 

 

Building on this conclusion, I hope to present my case for the Evardine party to those willing to listen. Furthermore, I will not confine myself to the boundaries that propaganda and pamphlets set. The Josephites are not perfect, but neither are we. The argument that I wish to make is that we simply have a better vision for our Empire. Nothing more or less.

 

A STRONG CLERGY BEYOND CLIENTELISM

 

The Everardines are the most staunch Canonists, politically and personally. Unfortunately love for the faith is now woven into the radicalism of certain lobbies within God’s institution. When the Everdine seeks a stronger Canonist church: the Josephites and Helenites picture a rabid clientelist clique furthering their geopolitical interests. They picture crusades, ear clipping and northern conservatism: not a Church properly enshrined in imperial statecraft, each other’s interests in perfect harmony.

 

Our brand is the latter: we wish to preserve the central role of the Holy Church of the Canon, so that we may cultivate a productive relationship between the Fidei Defensor and His Holiness the High Pontiff. A Church that can stand above the parties, and exert sufficient authority to unify mankind like it has historically done many times. 

 

Opposed to the radicals and seditious among the clergy: are the Josephites. They do not recognize this crucial role that the Church plays, and instead, entrusts the maintenance of mankind’s unity to faceless bureaucrat organizations and mandated functionaries. This is not grounded in reality because the common man is not acquainted with the government like he is with God. We all know the Archchancellor Simon Basrid, but do we know who he delegates his notary tasks to? Will this anonymous person truly be a player that can appeal to all parties and say: cease fighting, let us unite? The Everardines look at the historically revered figure that is the Pontiff and the Emperor, and entrusts him and His Imperial Majesty instead. 

 

An Everardine Empire is one that pragmatically and fairly renders the subjects of the Empire content. We are not ones to intervene and meddle with the self-determination of the Empire’s many cultures, but we will adhere to a zero tolerance policy towards sedition and division. The Church will be granted a place to help us with this. In return of ensuring that their influence and universality remains intact, we will expect that they refuse to tolerate those that seek to destroy humanity. A clergyman serving the seditious will be held accountable by them, as much as a citizen serving the heretical will be by us. 

 

AN ECONOMY FOR THE MANY, NOT THE FEW

 

The Josephites enjoy an instant victory when it comes to the economy, because all the monopolists and treasury functionaries are Josephites. They see large numbers on their ledgers and automatically assume that the economy is doing well. They see stores in Helena everywhere, and conclude that commerce is healthy. But underneath that polish lies the exclusion of many Orenians from the economy, and unhealthy dependence of the government on a few individuals. 

 

The Everardines will protect small business and enterprises throughout the Empire: promoting commerce in the markets of Imperial subjects, while involving them in the Helenite market as well. Prices will be maintained at fair rates and goods will remain accessible to all willing merchants. We do not care for donors or the votes of monopolists: we serve the people first and foremost. 

 

Josephites are tempted to look down on old systems from the days of pure feudalism, thinking along the lines that all that is old is inherently bad. These old systems were carefully cultivated over decades within a society: altered to function in their culture and context. To weaken the aristocracy and the vested authorities of subjects and its peerage, is to weaken its ancient systems that brought stability and fairness to its people. It is why the Assembly of Ves worked differently from the Haeseni Duma, and why its successor still embraces that difference. It is because the lords and institutions of Kaedrin sought a different destiny for their people, than Haense did for theirs. To assume that a single size fits all is simply silly, and not a policy that the Everardines will entertain. 

 

A PEERAGE WITH PURPOSE 

 

A flagship ideological component of the Josephite party is steadily stripping the nobility from their seat at the table. In their stead, bureaucrats and the nouveau riche will carry on a torch the peerage had held for centuries. Our Empire has moved beyond the ancient formula of garnering troops, fighting in a war and obtaining a title. Nobility has taken up a more social role, being the custodians of historical cultures and lineages as they form the breathing continuation of mankind’s history. The people of Kaedrin respect House Helvets as much as the Haeseni respect Barbanovs: their families maintained an order in which their societies could thrive.

 

A bureaucrat has no conscience like a noble has when it comes to history and destiny. They are not bound to have ancestors who sought to accomplish milestones that their offspring now pursue for them. They do not style themselves with the rites and titles that employ humans, and give them an identity and a natural order to prosper in. 

 

The Everardines recognize this importance and cherish it. We seek to empower the House of Lords because we understand that its inhabitants hold an invaluable role in Orenian society. We want to protect the nobility because we respect the many lineages that were rewarded for their leal service and significant contribution to their people. We do not believe that a Helenite entrepreneur can evoke the same cultural unity as Oren’s major houses, or that a bureaucrat can demand the same loyalty as history’s titans. The Josephites will not be allowed to disrupt this crucial order. Our party will dedicate itself to protect your importance, title and legacy. Because you and your ancestors deserved it.

 

 

[kipps 726]

Bishop Anton read the missive ‘Ja, the Everardines are the party that care about the two swords of our Empire: Church and state. Unlike that herr Callahan that writes to the Josephites.’ he nodded 

[ApplePieKathy 561]

Vivaca Rutledge reads the poster under a tree somewhere in the world, shaking her head "I don't think nobility should have a seat at the table, the common citizen should always come first. Both parties are full of aristocratic elitists, I don’t know if I’m actually going to vote... I feel that the Evarardines want to take a backwards step, and I don’t like a lot of the people on the Josephite list and I think there’s room for improvement... I’m stuck. Should I vote or should I not vote?” 

[ReveredOwl 5639]

"Clergymen should never play party politics or use their esteemed position to further their political goals of themselves or others." Said Boniface as he read the paper in his home.