THE BLESSED PATRONS OF WAR

[Lortime 1153]

Issued by the Office of the Bishop of Andrikev, in the year 2000. 

 

 

A Retinue of young soldiers reflects upon the Saints that guide their efforts.  

 

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In Dedication to Saint Karl “The Boulder” Barbanov; namesake of the most pious and stalwart Brotherhood of St. Karl.

 

O’ gather ye merry soldiers and attend here the legacies of warriors, knights, and kings who still extoll their virtues to us all from beyond the grave. Oft’ we believe that our duties as canonists to this world ends as we grace the Seven skies above, and for most, this is generally true. Most of us will simply leave behind fond memories, ashes and our possessions to be held and cherished anew by kin. Yet some, the most righteous and excellent among us, leave behind a name, the very essence of themselves; those we come to recognize as Saints. Those Holy individuals who bless us with their ordained miracles, aweing, inspiring and invigorating even the youngest page, and even the most grizzled veteran. 

 

O’ canonist soldiers across aevos, allow me to remind and enlighten you as to the very beneficiaries of your battles, the patrons of your patrols, the guardians of your gates;

 

THE SAINTS OF WAR & BATTLE 

 

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I must first begin by offering my thanks to Ser Rickard of the Brotherhood of St. Karl for inviting me to give a sermon on this very topic; and his subsequent recommendation that my speech be transcribed into a more lasting form; Spasiba to vy. 

 

Equal thanks is owed to the authors of the Legenda Sanctorum, or The Lives of Saints. Their excellent volumes on the holy lives of our most revered Saints has proved invaluable in the creation of this supplementary document. Blessings upon you all. 

 

I have also written a small prayer dedicated to each of the Saints’ listed here, to encourage renewed connection between the common soldier and these blessed heroes of eras bygone. 

 

ST. KARL BARBANOV

Patron of Strength, Fortitude, and Prisoners of War 

Karl Barbanov, Son of Emperor Alexander of the Holy Orenian Empire, would become the namesake of the Brotherhood of Saint Karl, the armed forces of the Haense; his spirit is invoked to this very day for the protection of haeseni soldiers, and for glorious victory in their endeavors.

 

All his life, even when surrounded by opulence and the temptations to stray from GOD, did Karl maintain a close and strong connection to the creator. It is a testament to his unwavering faith, that while surrounded by heathens throughout much of his life, their saulician dogma and heretical teachings never did sway him. Furthermore, upon taking Castle Hiebenhall , his very first project was the erection of St. John’s Chapel;

 

Yet make no mistake, he did not merely give order for the construction of this holy place, he took upon himself to lay every single brick of the chapel until it was complete. An astonishing feat, demonstrating the willpower and strength god imbues in his most faithful disciples. 

 

It was St. Karl’s early conquests that would reunify the Northern realms under a singular banner, bringing humanity ever closer to its ordained unity under GOD. 

 

His final act as a mortal upon this plane, was a noble deed beyond compare. As the walls of his city crumbled around him, terror and fear inspired by a massive, monstrous worm devouring citizens and buildings alike; an idea dawned upon him. He recalled the explosive cache his Grandfather had left behind, likely intended to destroy walls or mine ore. St. Karl decided they had a better use; the obliteration of the beast. He dived into the worm, clutching powerful explosives in his hand, sacrificing himself for the safety and protection of his citizens. 

 

His sacrifice reminds us that in the line of duty; our lives are not our own, and we should be willing to sacrifice anything so others have to sacrifice nothing at all. 

Miracles:

• Lifting Boulders off of trapped soldiers during the Battle of Kraken’s Watch, after receiving a prayer; their salvation came for those holy soldiers.
• The Brelus Granaries, which were constantly plighted by pests and rot, were safe evermore after an icon of Blessed St. Karl was installed in the granaries.
• A traveling monk caught in a terrible blizzard was saved by a golden light sent by St. Karl to guide him out of the storm

 

In Reflection of St. Karl’s Valour, 

Let us pray: 

 

The Soldier’s Price 

Blessed Saint Karl,

Instill your endless courage,

In every warrior of GOD, 

That they understand the valor of faith,

And forever place themselves ‘fore the weak,

That when the arrows loose, and the flails strike, 

That no innocent shall ever pay 

The Soldier’s Price.

In Nomine Dei, et Nomine Exaltus, 

AMEN. 

 

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ST. EDMOND OF LACHSIN

Patron Saint of Knights, Hospitality, Baronial lords, and the Auvergnian People

 

Named Ser Edmond Brunswick, A veteran of countless wars, he began his great deeds in the Order of the White rose. He was particularly renowned for his Mercy; though his reputation for valour was of equal import, and earned him a Knighthood, under St. Peter, King of Kaedrin. He eventually settled down after years of battle, as a landed Knight; humble and hospitable to all who sought refuge in his lands, even offering mercy and protection to elves, fleeing persecution. Even in his retirement, when the call of duty sounded across the Auvergnian lands, he rose up with his men and fought once more until GODAN called him to the skies as he perished on the fields of battle.

 

Miracles:

• During a Duel betwixt two knights, one attempted a most foul move; poisoning the end of his blade. Curiously, he accidentally cut himself, mumbling in Auverginain, a tongue he never knew, as he died; likely caused by the intercession of St. Edmond. 
• After his death, at the Battle of the Bridge, an Urguanian flanking maneuver was revealed to Orenian Officers by having their swords burst into flame, and levitate in the direction of the planned attack, giving them valuable tactical info. 

The Chivalric Ode

O’ St. Edmond,

In life and in death you strove for 

Honour, Dignity, and Mercy;

We Beseech thee, in humility and genuflection, 

GRANT us Chivalry,

That we may uphold your legacy

And inspire in our most heartless foes

And our most stalwart brothers,

The Virtue of Honor.

In Nomine Dei et, Nomine Exaltus,

AMEN.

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ST. EMMA OF WOLDZMIR 

Patron Saint of the Schism War, Soldiers, Loyalty, Valour against odds and Adrians.

 

St. Emma came from chaotic origins, born into the House Vladov, as entropy reigned within her kin. It is said, one evening, she dreamt of a Grand Battle, trying to aid those holy armies in their strife, but none could hear her pleas. Awakening, she found herself still tortured by this vision, and was inspired to take up the Sword; in hopes her strength would be seen, unlike her voice that went unheard in her dreams. 

 

Eventually, she found herself in charge of the entire canonist coalitions forces, at the precipice of the Schism wars. With nothing but her piety and will, she would bring victory to the canonist forces and GOD.

 

Miracles: 

• During the Bloody Ducal War, an Adrian woman with her babe were distraught, accidentally caught in the Battle of Barrowyk. But Lo; a mysterious arrow shot forth from the skies, right beneath the woman's feet, sending her tumbling underneath the keep to find a secret exit.
• Later in the Dukes’ War, some Adrian Soldiers begged for St. Emma’s Intercession; to which she happily did, as an apparition she revealed herself, leading to Zealous fervor; she led the troops in the battle against the exocommicant’ Titus De Sola, and won a crushing victory.

 

To Wield Faith

Saint Emma,

Your Faith you wielded as 

A weapon greater than hammer or sickle;

Teach us pious brothers and sisters,

How virtue can be

Sharper than steel,

As quick as a bolt, 

And unyielding as the tallest shield.

In Nomine Dei, et Nomine Exaltus, 

AMEN.

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ST. PETER OF GAERKIN

The Patron saint of Military Orders, Victory in Battle, and Plight Against Heathens.

 

It was this nobleman who aided in the founding of the Order of the white rose, he was relentless and unfailing in his strife against heathens, and eventually rose to kinghood and the rank of Emperor of the Imperium. 

 

Miracle:

• An Elven Heathen once wandered into the capital of Kaedrin, to convert and corrupt righteous canonists, to lead them away from god; but as he passed a bush of roses, it burst into flames, burning the elf enough to make him flee and abandon his heathenistic mission. 

 

The End of Heathens

O’ St Peter,

You knew throughout your life,

The greatest threat to humanity and to god,

Was those foul creatures who,

Infiltrated and shook the faith of honest men.

Help us to root out these,

Beasts of iniquity,

That we may never be deceived by,

Snake-tongued vermin,

The Enemies of God.

In Nomine Dei, in Nomine Exaltus,

AMEN.

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ST. OTTO II OF HAENSE

The Patron of Crusaders, Family, and Charity

 

St. Otto, one of the great kings of the Haense, was known especially for his humility all his life. He saw a great economic and cultural boom of the haeseni people, as the nation flourished under his great reign. He was personally responsible for the creation of many medical institutions, as well as institutions of faith- and the first irrigation system in the nation. He donated immense funds to canonist charities, and helped revive theologically based science in the nation.

As the third crusade broke out, St. Otto played an important role as a leader of the canonist forces. He, alongside other generals, succeeded in the immense task of capturing the pagan capital of the enemy forces. His memory is beloved by clergyman and haensemen alike, and he is venerated throughout the Holy Mother Church for his countless blessed deeds, and honored by his descendants and the citizens of the realm of the Haense for integrating faith back into the institutions of the nation. 

 

Miracles:

• During the bloody conflict of the Rubern War, the imperial army suffered a great many losses. The only major victory of the entire war came after New Rezan soldiers invoked the name of St. Otto II, and routed the enemy forces with ease.
• A soldier in the same way, stuck behind enemy lines nearly died; except after a prayer to St. Otto, the barrage of arrows that almost claimed his mortal life, were miraculously stopped amidst the air, giving him time to flee into the city of New Reza. 

 

Renewal of Faith

O’ St. Otto II,

You returned to GOD what was his,

And renewed the pious devotion of your people.

It was by your hand, your charity, your fidelity,

That you modeled what a true child of god should be.

In these trying times, we ask that you inspire us once more,

To renew our own faith, and return to the path from which we stray.

In Nomine Dei, et Nomine Exaltus

AMEN. 

 

LET US never forget those great warriors, those GREAT men and women who embody the ideals of Brotherhood, of Holy Righteous War, of Vigilance and Might. Let these Blessed Saints live in your hearts, bring fortune and success to every arrest, skirmish, and conquest of all good canonists, that is undertaken, forevermore.

 

IN NOMINE DEI

His grace, 

Bishop of Andrikev, Royal Chaplain of the B.S.K, Royal Alderman

 

Edited October 28, 2024 by Lortime

[ContestedSnow 1476]

A young royal Aleksandr Leopold sat poring over the Bishop Andrikev's notice; his pale blue gaze occasionally drew across to the suit of Brotherhood mail and surcoat tucked away in the corner of his tower room. Did he understand all that came with the duty of Brotherhood? Saint Karl seemed to know everything God planned of him, but what of Aleksandr? The child decided he was perhaps just too small to yet know his place in the tapestry.

 

He continued neatly taking notes on the blessed war Saints, and wondered what of the others of Godan's blessed, who had lived and and had died honourably in God's service. What were their stories? What could they impart? Perhaps he needed to go bother the Bishop of Andrikev.

[amyselia 2962]

Kasandra receives the missive with a light heart, much at leisure to read of her favorite topic in the candlelight of Castle Aldersberg. However, after a brief scan of the document, her smile drops, and she re-does her once-over, a lip coming under the bite of the other. 

 

"Surely, the good Bishop could not have omitted Saint Andrik Vydra, patron of victories and of the military, and great hero of the Schism War?" She held her hand to her mouth a moment, before she came to exhale with sharpness, "I must pen a letter to have this amended. . . His name must be recorded in this eminent scroll, yes."