The Lessons of Temesch: Equality

[Nectorist 12869]

The Lessons of Temesch: Equality

 

 

 

 

TEACHINGS FOR THE

PEOPLES OF THE PETRA

 

12th of Sun’s Smile, 1995

 

 

 

Lo Unto the Petrans,

 

Recently, as I was strolling through the vineyard outside of our monastery, I was handed a letter from a courier. It read, in part, for I do not divulge these names:

 

“Dear Bishop Davide,

 

What makes a Petran a Petran? I am proud to serve House Temesch, but I wish to know more if I can. What makes our national character, and how did it come to be?”

 

It was a wonderful question given to an excellent resource. It is no secret that the Church possesses some of the most extensive and complete archives, and the Church in the Petra is no exception. Fortunately, our history is a relatively young one when compared to the Haeseni, the Nordlings, or the tribes of Urguan, and much of our past lives to be recounted in not-yet-rotted records and the recollections of the long-lived descendants who served in the era. We are afforded a full, near-complete scope of what has come before us, which is a luxury that we must treasure and preserve for as long as we can.

 

In a series of letters, I wish to speak to the influence of House Temesch on the Petrans, and trace the values that the dynasty championed during their beginnings in the Petrine Empire to the present day.

 

Equality

Born in 1793 and 1791, respectively, Prince Robert of Temesch and Dame Helena of Rosemoor, the progenitors of the House Temesch, came of age during the liberal apex of the Petrine Empire. The administration of the institutions of the state had been ceded in their entirety to an elected government. The Rosemoor Movement had begun to pick up traction and would eventually fulfill its aims during their later lives. Elves, dwarves, orcs, kha, pagans, and more filled the streets of Providence, which created a diverse atmosphere that naturally lended itself to a more secular method of governing. 

 

In their private and public lives, Prince Robert and Dame Helena modeled the spirit of the age. Dame Helena was a famed swordswoman who dominated the attention of the court and of their own household. She was a kind and gracious woman, but her word was firmly law in the Temesch family, and her vision was what won out. Prince Robert had no qualms playing second fiddle to his wife, and while she handled most of the family affairs and engaged more actively in society, he used his salary to support her endeavors and used his platform as a priest to promote various social causes that she threw herself into. Both were staunch supporters of the Rosemoor Movement, and Prince Robert’s vote in the House of Lords was always in favor of liberal of feminist legislation that crossed the table. 

 

Mirroring this commitment to the enfranchisement of women, so that they could be equal citizens of men within humanity, the Temesch household hosted a multitude of races. Whether to bring them into the human, Imperial society or to simply learn about their own, the Temesches greeted guests at the door with the same friendly faces. This earned them the reputation of eccentrics- neither mage nor monk was turned from their door- but they made many good friends across the world. Favors given were favors returned, and when the Temesches traveled, they always had a roof over their head.

 

So, dear Petrans, it is from this example that we may see the early beginnings of our society. As we have become a more cosmopolitan people, we have developed a country that is liberal, multicultural, and multiethnic. While we are not the most faithful observers of old human traditions, we have made a Canonist society that can withstand the challenges of containing many non-human, even non-Canonist subjects. Avoid sacrificing our humanity at the altar in the name of an all-encompassing state, but remember well that Father Robert and Dame Helena did not suffer once from allowing a stranger into their home, no matter their origin.

 

 

Signed,

The Archbishop of Albarosa

[Hom 1987]

Asad of the Petra reads the missive with a smile, before placing it upon the stack that contained the rest of his project research. He makes a mental note to contact the wise Father Davide, and find out more about his wife’s family.

[EtowTheSaltyCat 574]

Nicolas Wittenbach reads the missive with much interest, believing in much that is written in it himself. "The Wittenbachs too share these values as does The Free City of Chambery-sur-Petra, this is the side of Canonism I strive for, kindnes, tolerance, caring for others" Nicolas would then put down the missive, looking at chambery from the cahteaux balcony. A cosmopolitan Canonist City with Humans, adunians, elves, goblins, mages, alchemists, soldiers, priests Scholars, Historians, explorers and so much more all living together peacefully and in harmony.

[mothsthetic 2250]

The Temesch Queen of the Petra lets out a small laugh at the legislation being described as ‘liberal feminist’, a smile remaining on her features as she reads. “They sound like a lovely pair- A shame I will never have the chance to speak to them face to face.” Instead, she moves to pen a letter to the Archbishop. One of thanks, for his years of dedication and loyalty.

[Apricette 717]

1995  |  Heart of Faith
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The last vestiges of slumber, would be begged part, from unto the Dame-Chancellor's sleep-addled cheeks;
a dainted palm cupped unto their gently flushed, red-daubed, hue.

" I naught but lament I ne'er chanced time with the good Archbishop fore;
the true heart of our faith, yet lives, as long as ours yet beats. "

The ordained vicaress, and holy dame, would stiffle a helpless sigh, unto her lips, a quill wrest unto her digits,
as they found the parchment of a newly drawn letter.

" Your Excellency, I am overjoyed to at last be spared a moment's respite from my duties, to chance the pleasure to pen th- "

Her speech would soon fade unto a gentle mumble, and therein, a lilting hymn, as words were penned & writ.