MadOne 3426 Popular Post Share Posted April 3 1971 HIS HOLINESS CAIUS I, High Pontiff of the Church of the Canon, Archbishop of Visigia, Successor of the High Priesthood of the Church, Supreme Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Keeper of the Canon, Missionary to Aeldin, High Servant to the Exalted's Testaments, Sovereign of the Apostolic City, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD does decree… ┏━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┓ SECTION I - Opening Prayer SECTION II - Diocesan Appointments SECTION III - College Appointments SECTION IV - Curial Appointments SECTION V - On Caladhril SECTION VI - On the Estrangist Heresy SECTION VII - Mission Statement SECTION VIII - Penance SECTION IX - On Dumapalooza ┗━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┛ SECTION I - OPENING PRAYER Rejoice, for GOD's will is our salvation. Rejoice, for GOD is our Father, and He will keep us safe. Rejoice, for GOD's love will keep us safe. Amen. SECTION II - DIOCESAN APPOINTMENTS It is through our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that we thus appoint the following members of the priesthood to shepherd and be pastor of the Church’s Dioceses: THE PATRIARCHATE OF JORENUS to be shepherded by His Eminence, Villorik Cardinal Jorenus, THE DIOCESE OF ANDRIKEV to be shepherded by His Grace, Rhys Bishop Andrikev, THE DIOCESE OF WESTERWALD to be shepherded by His Grace, Amleth Bishop Westerwald. SECTION III - COLLEGE APPOINTMENTS It is through our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that we make these affirmations, alterations, and additions to the College. We decree the College to be thus: TMR, His Eminence, Frantzisko Cardinal Albarosa TRR, Her Eminence, Rhosyn Cardinal Casica TRR, His Eminence, Villorik Cardinal Jorenus TMR, His Eminence, Callahan Cardinal Artorus TMR, His Eminence, Mattia Cardinal Lotharia SECTION IV - CURIAL APPOINTMENTS It is through our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that we make these affirmations, alterations, and additions to the Curia. We decree the Curia to be thus: Vice Chancellor, His Eminence, Frantzisko Cardinal Albarosa Auditor of the Tribunal, His Eminence, Mattia Cardinal Lotharia Prelate of the Priesthood, Her Eminence, Rhosyn Cardinal Casica Pontifical Chamberlain, His Eminence, Jean Bishop St. Godwin Commandant of the Pontifical Guard, His Eminence, Villorik Cardinal Jorenus Palatine of the Apostolic City, Abbess Rebecca of the Monastery of St. Julia of Paradisus Secretariat to His Holiness, Callahan Cardinal Artorus SECTION V - VENERATIONS It is through Our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto Us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that We affirm the following venerations: VENERABLE AMAYA OF VENZIAQueen-Consort Amaya of Venzia has been deemed Venerable as per Pontifical instruction, for her commitment to upholding piety across her kingdom in life, and her martyrdom at the hands of the Demomancer Cult. VENERABLE OTTOMAR OF MERRYWEATHER The Prince of Merryweather and the Lord Vandalore Ottomar von Alstreim has been deemed Venerable as per Pontifical instruction, for his profound service in the furtherance of the Exalted’s testaments, and his diligent duty done in the field of duty as a benefactor of the Holy Mother Church, from his service to Monsignor to his secular tenure. SECTION VI - ON CALADHRIL Behold, that the marble-white tree of silver leaves by the name of Caladhril hath deposited his scepter, and thus his rule below at the feet of Tar-Númenatâr, thus marking in monument the redemption of Harren’s kinfolk by the hand of the Redeemer-King, that there be a covenant of the Lord onto the redeemed Harrenite - a tree most Holy onto you, graced by the very breath of the LORD. Witness, as Caladhril has been assailed and torn asunder by the Aspectist and Saulician, that it’s sanctity had been besmirched with their unknown and inauspicious rites, the magic of the outlander seeking to strike the Spirit from within the body of the tree that it may be corrupted to herald change and defilement, that Saul himself may rise from the grave and preach onto your little ones of irreverence and the ways of the astray right under the Lord’s light. It was in this sullen state, did I make my way into this arboreal sanctuary wherein Caladhril dwelled under the wizened sight of the Saint-King Caius, so that I may utter to it my pledge and vow that I would protect its roots from the sap of falsification and deceit. Before my eyes then a miracle of profound measure manifested itself springing forth from the tree; Lo, it came to pass that a legion of butterflies guided by the unseen hand of Providence, descended upon the body of the tree from forth their silvery roost. Once I had completed my vow and signed the Cross upon my body, these creatures in their delicate flutterings wrought the same sign on the bark of the tree. The cross of the body of the butterflies then stood before me, emblazoned upon the bark, crafted by the piling butterflies. This sight, I could only describe as having been woven by the hand of the Lord. I was at once moved by the sight, and my hands reached for a puddle of water collected from the rain upon the ground, moving with purpose. I knew that this was of the holiest sites, and must be ordained thus, and as a result be protected forevermore. I had gathered four stakes, along with the holiest of the waters of Gamesh that I have anointed, that I may intone the rites of consecration and ordination before my clerical kin of Canonius and Callahan. When the last anointment was uttered of my tongue, a more miraculous still was the boon bestowed upon my hand by Calahdril, that a solitary butterfly, white of wing in its ephemeral grace did alight upon my outstretched hand. In that fleeting moment, the sands of time turned backward on my frail body, the martial prowess of my youth returning yet onto my body and sinews. Let it be known throughout the realms of all, that the steps wherein this sacred tree resides is henceforth consecrated as a holy of sites for the faithful of the Harren’s tribe. And let it be known unto all that this be a site for worship of Canonists, that no druid nor Saulician may transgress unto the boundaries of Caladhril with irreverence, to cast their magicks and rites out of communion with the Canonist faith, that all visits must be done in reverence to the tenets of faith followed by the rightful owners of that land under the auspices of Tar-Caraneth Aryante, thus ordaining the site for a place wherein the rites of our faith may be duly observed exclusively. I charge Cardinal Frantzisko and Cardinal Callahan in verifying the integrity of the tree’s miracle. SECTION VI - ON REBUKING THE ESTRANGIST HERESY Verily, my pursuit in rebuking and rooting out the Saulician and the diabolist has proven much fruit in the eyes of the Lord. And verily, we have succeeded in bringing the torch of the light to cast away darkness that plagues the realms of the world which are beyond reach of the Lord’s word. Let it be known that our righteous pursuit has struck fear into the hearts of both the hound and the vermin alike! They scurry and scatter before the might of our divine Host, seeking refuge among the sons of Malin, where they cower and skulk in the shadows, shunning the path of righteousness. But fear not, for I, as the shepherd of the flock, relentlessly pursue them! Yet, what foul offense is this? that the unmasked iniquity, cornered and beaten like a cur dares to raise its head in defiance! It must have found offense in these good deeds which I have performed by the emissary and the sword for the spiritual well being of the sons of Horen; Thus, they send forth further incursions into the lands of Reinmar and the North, in a pitiful attempt to mock the noble work we have so valiantly wrought to defame my good name and that of the Mother Church alike! They now dispatch their scribes and Saulicians into our midst, sowing discord and spreading heretical tomes among the good people of Horen in order to rot the spirit of Man from within, for the same pursuit without has been met with the clarion and the iron shield of Owyn and thus repelled to cower. But let them come! Let them hurl their feeble insults and scatter their foul writings like chaff in the wind! So though they may seek to undermine us, and the word of the Lord, they shall only find defeat and shame at the tip of my blade, for truth need not a champion to defend itself. Therefore, hearken to my decree; by the authority vested in me through the Apostolic succession of Owyn, and as the bearer of the laurel and the crozier, I issue this decree, which now prohibits the possession of the heretical tome titled falsely as 'The True Word' in all realms of men. Onto my Canonist Princes, I vest the authority to punish any individual found in possession of this accursed text under the crime of heresy, and I give mandate onto any of the faithful to purge their midst of this heretical abomination by burning every trace of it to ash! I further condemn the wretched woman by the name of ‘Diable’. Let it be known to all that she, the Saulician of short brown hair, bearing a burn mark across her left visage, and clad in the gray shroud of hooded armor, stands EXCOMMUNICATED. For she has dared to defile the sanctity of the flock of Casica, harassing my beloved flock and perpetrating wicked deeds within its walls at the behest of the Saulite Lich. Moreover, I condemn Rainier Ouvrier, once a brother of the Holy Order, and now a deserter and a heretic. He thus stands EXCOMMUNICATED. Listen to my decrees and word, that you may purge iniquity from among you. Burn these tomes that come in your possession, and it’s bearer with them, so that our deeds may condemn them to hide in crevices and cracks like vermin once more. For those whom I have decreed in excommunication, they must present themselves before me, to receive their penance, that they may rejoin the ranks of the faithful once more. SECTION VII - ON EMULATION AND MISSION STATEMENT Verily, the priesthood of Owyn had been graced with many righteous servants of the Canondom, their works bearing fruit in the furtherance of the mission of the Holy Mother Church. As seen in the Bull “SECUNDO AUREA BULLA PROVIDENTIA” of the High Pontiff Jude II, I, alongside my venerable predecessors also deem it fit to outline the policies of the Holy Mother Church that I may strive to fit the role described on the Gospel as a builder of bridges to create a “better the understanding between the Immaculate Throne and the wider Church on our plans for the future.” I thus affirm this as our mission statement; PUGNARE MALUM “Take hold of this blade, a symbol of holiness, and by it you shall cleanse mankind of sin.” (Gospel 4:24) Much like some of my predecessors, I have inherited the Laurel in a time wherein the realms of Canondom are assailed across many sides by the Saulician, the Diabolist, the Ibleesian and Iniquity. I see before hidden among flock serpents which burrow in our midst. They do not allow wise men or brave men to come near, and they corrupt one man, his family, and his clan. Many of our kindred have fallen to their spells and the lands of Horen, although are at peace among each other, endure now a Great Hidden War, one which seeks to collapse the spirit of Man from within. For countless times, the Holy Mother Church only has clashed with iniquity reactively, and in defense, thus letting more hidden evils, who destroy covertly prosper, culminating in the bold and active Saulician that now assail us. In my Pontificate, I take a stand against this. It is time for Canondom to go into attack, and rip the vermin from their dens and crevices, to purify the land. For verily this is why I have taken up the name of Caius, after the Saint-King. FRATERNITAS “I name you pontifex, for you are a builder of bridges.” (Gospel 6:61) The Scroll of Gospel identifies the role of the High Pontiff as a ‘builder of bridges.’ It is in the spirit of this verse that I have ordained my Pontificate so far. Even that I do not use the royal register is purposeful in the pursuit of living up to this goal. I affirm that the High Pontiff ought to be a brother of man, and servant onto you all. A teacher, a guide. It is in this spirit that I seek not to rule from an Ivory tower, but to dwell and live among you, listen to your woes and aspirations. To steer you towards a direction of the Lord’s Glory. Thus, Pontifical visits shall be regular, confessions heard, and all men, from king to bishop to beggar alike shall have my ear, for this is the spirit of brotherhood. ORDO As the High Pontiff, I find the Lord’s Church an effective moral guide onto the laity of Canondom.Yet, in my contemplations, I do discern a grievous deviation from the intended nature of our venerable institution. For, over the centuries, the Mother Church has transformed into an entity overly centralized in its governance, contrary to the decentralized model it was conceived to embody. Throughout the span of my years, I have borne witness to this lamentable reality. In times when infirmity or incapacity had befallen the Pontiff, I have observed the Church's affairs grind to a standstill. Even the esteemed Cardinal, vested with great authority, finds himself shackled by the chains of oversight, unable to decree or guide without the imprimatur of higher authority. I believe that years of centralisation and the rule of decree has created a spirit of skittishness over our Priesthood, that even the most miniscule duty required of a Priest needs my seal affixed onto it to be considered legitimate. It is thus one of my aims, during my Pontificate, to restore a sense of initiative onto the Priesthood, to decentralize and remove my own hand from local decrees, that Bishops and Archbishops may rule as a pastor among their Dioceses. A centralized de facto state has done the Church no good. The system of decentralized diocesan structuring was made so that the priesthood may take initiative in the local affairs. It is this spirit of initiative and accountability that I wish to restore among us, so that I may focus on wider issues at hand. SECTION VIII - PENANCE, RICHARD AND OTTAVIA OF STASSION Behold and see, for everything has its own accord. And in every word and deed, measure taken must be repaid in measure. So has Man sinned, and so can man thus be redeemed under the Lord's eyes. Lo, as surely as the sun rises and sets, so too does every action bear its consequence, balanced in the scales of justice. For it is written that Man, in his folly, did transgress upon the sacred laws ordained by the Almighty. Yet, take heed, for even in the wretchedness of sin manifest, there lies the glimmer of hope and the promise of redemption. It is in this spirit did Richard and Ottavia of Stassion prostrate before the Mother Church, to ask for redemption and penance that their excommunication may be lifted, and that they may rejoin communion. So I too in this spirit, bearing the laurel and the crozier I decree these be the terms of reconciliation to receive communion for Richard and Ottavia of Stassion; I. Richard and Ottavia of Stassion will release a declaration, by the way of public missive and the herald, which will denounce any claims on the lineage and right for both the Kingdom and Empire of Oren, these claims of which spawn from the line of Frederick. Alongside this, missive shall stipulate a denouncement of further claims upon the title and de jure claims onto the following deeds of nobility, which are claimed currently by the Kingdoms of Aaun, Balian and Petra and your kinfolk, being the Duchies of the Lowlands and Vienne previously held by your own vassals. The Duchy of Furnestock, the Margraviate of Westermarch, the Principality of Stassion, the Principality of Providence, the Duchy of Lorraine, Helena, Sunholdt, Pompourelia and Renzfeld. This declaration will be signed and affixed by your own hands, for all to see plainly. II. Richard and Ottavia of Stassion will release another declaration, by the way of public missive and the herald, within which they shall admit and confess all charged pressed against them that spawn from the war which they have waged in the Midlands which has faulted many Kingdoms within the lands of Canondom, at the foremost being the Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun. That they will beg forgiveness from their fellow Canonist Princes as a penitent act for the war which they have brought to our doom, inflaming the wrath of Man that they may draw their swords from the scabbard to stain the iron with the blood of the brother. III. As it has been bid of Richard of Stassion previously, he will strive to become a Deacon of the Canonist Church, rebuking any Midlander and Stassionate fringe theological discourse. He will thus affirm the tenets of the Exalted's Testaments and the received tradition in full. IV. Both Richard of Stassion, and his wife, Ottavia will stand trial at the courts of the Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun, for the crimes admitted by the way of public missive. Hear ye, of the terms of penance that I beckon of you, currently and now, as well as your wife, that you take measures and come to accomplish these deeds that of which I wish of you. So should you complete these tenets, then your Excommunication, I will lift by mine hand through Pontifical decree. But should you steer from them, rebuke them and curse the penance that of which I have prescribed onto you, Horen's people will know no redeemed Richard nor Ottavia of Stassion, and I will bid of my people to expel you and your men from their lands, and you will be condemned to live with the pagan and Malin in exile. You will be driven from the lands of Horen, and your name will bear the mark of the curse. You will know no sanctuary, neither from the Church nor the homestead, and people will not gird your belt with swords nor place atop your head the cap of the Earl nor the Baron. Hear this, and heed them, for these terms are of great importance for the wellbeing of your immortal spirit. SECTION IX - ON THE DUMAPALOOZA Verily, I must express my profound disillusionment with the recent Dumapalooza, an assembly of which I have begrudgingly hosted under my ecclesiastical duties. It is with a heavy heart that I find myself embroiled in the secular frivolities of the day, yet the dictates of my station leave me no recourse but to comply. Behold, I have witnessed the unity of humanity, fragile as a thin thread hang perilously. It is thus threatened by the petty squabbles of ambitious men and women. Is this how the state of things truly must be? Are we so disunited, that the horrible wars of the Midlands will come and spring forth again because of an ancient title? I was most disappointed to see it made manifest before my eyes in the Dumapalooza, which I have hosted in good faith. It is a lamentable state of affairs, but I cannot rest until Man reaches concord again. So, I announce that another Dumapalooza shall be convened forthwith, for it is incumbent upon me to strive for the restoration of harmony and concord among my flock. THE HOLY MOTHER CHURCH OF THE CANON Under GOD maintained by His Holiness Caius I THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS FRANTZISKO CARDINAL ALBAROSAArchdiocese of AlbarosaRHOSYN CARDINAL CASICADiocese of Casica VILLORIK CARDINAL JORENUS Patriarchate of Jorenus CALLAHAN CARDINAL ARTORUSArchdiocese of Artorus MATTIA CARDINAL LOTHARIAArchdiocese of Lotharia THE CURIAFRANTZISKO CARDINAL ALBAROSAVice-Chancellor of the Church of the CanonMATTIA CARDINAL LOTHARIAAuditor of the Tribunal of the Church of the CanonCALLAHAN CARDINAL ARTORUS Pontifical Secretary of the Church of the CanonRHOSYN CARDINAL CASICAPrelate of the Priesthood of the Church of the CanonJEAN BISHOP ST. GODWINPontifical Chamberlain of the Church of the CanonABBESS REBECCAPalatine of the Apostolic City of the Church of the Canon VILLORIK CARDINAL WESTERWALD Commandant of the Pontifical Guard of the Church of the Canon CANONIST DIOCESES THE HOLY SEEEncompassing the entirety of the Apostolic City State, to be shepherded by High Pontiff Caius IPATRIARCHATE OF JORENUS Encompassing the entirety of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska and surrounding territories, to be shepherded by Patriarch Villorik Cardinal Jorenus DIOCESE OF ANDRIKEV, encompassing all the lands east of the river Lahy, to be shepherded by Rhys Bishop Andrikev DIOCESE OF WESTERWALD, encompassing all the lands west of the river Lahy, to be shepherded by Amleth Bishop Westerwald ARCHDIOCESE OF ALBAROSA Encompassing the eastern region of Aevos, including the lands of the United Kingdom of Aaun, the Commonwealth of Petra, and the surrounding territories, to be shepherded by Archbishop Frantzisko Cardinal Albarosa DIOCESE OF ST. GODWIN, encompassing the entirety of the United Kingdom of Aaun as well as surrounding parishes not incorporated in other dioceses, to be shepherded by Jean Bishop St. GodwinDIOCESE OF CASICA, encompassing the entirety of the Commonwealth of Petra, to be shepherded by Bishop Rhosyn Cardinal Casica ARCHDIOCESE OF ARTORUS Encompassing the central region of Aevos, including the lands of the Kingdom of Númendil, the Midlands, and surrounding territories, to be shepherded by Archbishop Callahan Cardinal Artorus DIOCESE OF AQUILA, encompassing the entirety of the Kingdom of Númendil, to be shepherded by Galadain Bishop Aquila DIOCESE OF ST. ARPAD, encompassing the entirety of the Midlands, to be shepherded by Alexios Bishop St. Arpad ARCHDIOCESE OF LOTHARIA Encompassing the south-western region of Aevos, including the lands of the Kingdom of Balian and surrounding territories, to be shepherded by Archbishop Mattia Cardinal Lotharia DIOCESE OF TYRIA, encompassing the entirety of the Kingdom of Balian, to be shepherded by Belisarios Bishop Tyria IMMEDIATELY SUBJECT TO THE HOLY SEE DIOCESE OF GELIMAR, encompassing the entirety of the Principality of Reinmar as well as surrounding parishes not incorporated in other dioceses, to be shepherded by Matthias Bishop Gelimar. 51 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuilderBagel 825 Share Posted April 3 "Praise GOD! Exalted pray for us all!" exclaimed, Leon Barclay, Prince in Reinmar, as he read the glorious golden bull. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheese 2317 Share Posted April 3 "That's mea Hauchmamej," Young Esfir says with the utmost pride, hanging up the snippet of Amaya's veneration within the walls of her room. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadazio 332 Share Posted April 3 (edited) 29 minutes ago, MadOne said: I charge Cardinal Frantzisko and Cardinal Callahan in verifying the integrity of the tree’s miracle. THE CRAB, ready for his assigned inspection, searched all of Númendil for Archbishop Callahan. Edited April 3 by cadazio 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DancingZebra267 397 Share Posted April 3 Holy Ser Gerard reads over the bull. "Rainier, blood-brother," he sighs. "I do not know what is more vile... The fact that you slander the word de GOD, or that you break mon heart by making moi believe you are dead." He pauses, his voice heavy with emotion. "I now know that you perished during the war, and whoever you may claim to be now is but a shadow de what you once were. You have been EXCOMMUNICATED! Both mère and père would be ashamed to call you their son. As I am ashamed to call you mon frère." Gerard prepares his gear, his resolve firm. "GOD demands justice for your betrayal." 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshi 1082 Share Posted April 4 Ottavia of Stassion smirked at the missive, crumpling it up and tossing it in the fire for she did not care for Cannonism nor did she ask for penance. Her Son and his Wife had now taken over and it was no longer her responsibility. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts