Legacy Endured - On the Crisis and Future of the Faith

[Lortime 1153]

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

A Missive From the:

 

Issued this 7th Day, 

of Sigismund’s End, 

In the Year of Our Lord 2041

 

Regarding the Crisis of Faith & The Future of the Canondom

 

The Light Everlasting continues to preserve and provide for all the faithful of the canon, and may the luminance of the Lord penetrate the foulest darkness that clouds the hearts and minds of the heretics and heathens. Love, love enduring is the bond which tethers together brother and sister, even in moments of terror, of fear, of monstrousness. Love! Love is what I urge each and every faithful; call yeself True Faither, Canonist, Owynist, Lucienist, Jorenite! It matters not what sect we pay our adherence to. Though we are bickering theologians, are we still not Brother and Sister? The Lord does not smile upon those hypocrites who decry each other as ‘Heretic!’, yet share their Love for the lord, share the chapel in which they pray, and share their detestation of evil and sin. 

 

My critics will accuse me of this very behaviour I detest. They shall claim that in my desire to restore the canonist church, I have spat upon the True Faith. Ney; I say, for I would not lay a hand upon someone who would throw forth Auspice into a fire, and smile as it smouldered. Though my heart and spirit are wounded at every degradation of the Fourth Exalted and his testimonies, I would certainly never force my sect upon another. 

 

I have been told of the great travesties committed by Raevmen upon the Oywnists of the past. Woe! For I weep for every canonist harmed by his brother, and decry these wicked, monstrous deeds. Yet, I am beguiled that anyone should think the suffering of the past is an excuse to inflict more suffering in the present! Is this wretched cycle of Sigismundite and Owynist war and tragedy what we wish to continue? Nay; it certainly shouldn’t be. Let it be known to my friend and foe alike: I have never harmed an honest, god-fearing canonist, and I denounce any of you who would dare to do so. 

 

Still, I shan’t apologize for the actions I have taken in defence of my rite, my faith, and canonists across the ages. I believe in them with all my soul. Indeed, to say otherwise would be a betrayal of myself. I shall merely ask for those who detest me for your forgiveness. I do not detest you as you do me; perhaps in time, you will be able to say the same for me. I thoroughly hope so. I only regret the disconnect from my dear colleagues that some of these actions have caused. 

 

The Council of Lemons’ First session concluded a few Saints' days ago. I shall perhaps write a more thorough account for posterity's sake, but I shall reveal what I have revealed to my brother clerics that day, to the wider faith in this missive. 

 

I do testify, which can be wholly corroborated by Ser Severin Black of the Order of the Red Dragon, the following:

 

About 10 saints days ago, Ser Severin and I were quietly conversing and praying before the Saints in the Tomb of the Cathedral of St. Raguel, seeking clarity and calm from the turmoil that was clouding the Church. Suddenly, a gust of cool air swept in, despite the Tomb’s entrances being fully sealed. Both Ser Severin and I have dealt with fiends that oft seem like unnatural phenomena at first, but we soon realize this was no wicked creature, but a Holy being.

 

It manifested itself in the form of a fully armoured man, standing tall and stalwart in full black plate. Its chestplate bore a Regal Insignia: a Crow, with crown, sword and orb in its two talons. 

House Carrion. 

 

 

This apparition, which I believe to likely be Exalted Sigismund himself, offered little in the way of communication; nothing more than a simple nod. Lo! Joyous was I to be visited, even in this most simple and silent way, by the spirit of a Prophet. I have witnessed a near half dozen miracles in my life, but none have filled my spirit with such vigour, such courage, and such hope as this. I am certainly unworthy of such a holy appearance, but I shan’t be so foolish as to ignore its meanings. Yet! The cause for celebration, I soon found, was two-fold. 

 

This spirit, blessed be its purpose, left a singular item bestowed upon me. A cloak, an unmistakable piece of garb, belonging to a great man, one who, though, can never truly be rivalled in deeds nor virtue; I shall henceforth attempt to. The Cloak of St. Pontifex Caius Primus. 

 

 

I do not believe I have earned stewardship over this sacred relic, but it has been given unto me, and I shall not allow my legacy to be questioned when it comes to my efforts and passion for the cause of the Canon and the faithful. I accept this mandate, this sacred burden, and this holy relic and shall devote the rest of my days, with renewed fervour, to my faith, my flock, and all adherents of the LORD-GOD. 

 

To my beloved scattered flock: know that in time we shall all be closer and reunited once more, and I shall be at your service. Godani Jest Wielki, my haeseni kinfolk. 

 

I have heard naught but complete admiration and total love for our perished Pontifical Saint. Indeed, in reading through his deeds, his actions, both personal and official, I find absolute agreement with the prevailing sentiment that he was a generational High Priest, irreplicable in most matters. Woe, are we too have lost a triad of the most pious individuals known to Aevos in centuries; Blessed Amaya, Patriarch Villorik, and St. Caius Primus, widely known to be the dearest of companions and true and utter champions of the faith. 

 

The Blessed Amaya, I believe, I had only met as a child, very briefly. But oh, what kindness she did bestow upon me; how softly she spoke, how graciously she entertained my juvenile questions and humours. I possess a single item crafted by her, a beautiful diamond ring; the pinnacle of a jeweller's craft. I feel a deep sorrow that I did not know the Blessed People’s Queen for much longer than that; tales and memories of others shall have to suffice. 

 

Indeed, the great Villorik was a mentor of mine for many decades. My first task as an Acolyte was aiding in the final rites and proper burial of a corpse beside the erstwhile Patriarch. In our last conversation, he urged me dearly to rise above the plotters and schemers and remain TRUE to the faith and the faithful above all. I believe there to be nary a better way to do so than to invoke the name of the late Caius, in my heartfelt desire to continue my near-centuries-long service to the flock. 
 

I am most want for connection to Caius, quite unfortunately. I was never graced with a conversation with him, nay; I only was granted a glimpse of his sacred visage as the vessel of his soul did smoulder, and return to the earth upon the Pyre of his cremation. Yet, that funeral was perhaps the true beginning of my service to the flock; it was a time of utter sadness and great mourning. But, it was the place where I met most of my cherished brothers and sisters, whom I have served for decades, even some now who would curse my name, and bring tears to my eyes. I do not blame those who might, but I shall still cry as you do. 

 

Still, His name, his banner, is representative of a time in the Canonist Church that I adore and treasure dearly, and would pray is restored. Therefore, I believe, this holy visitation is a sign that I must pick up the Banner of St. Caius Primus, in holy reverence, and exert all efforts possible to continue his legacy. 

 

Do not mistake this for a claim of primacy over the faith; the Legal Processes and wills of the Holy Mother Church’s Clergy shall decide who shall govern into the future, or so I pray. I shall never claim undue offices. Should a conclave be summoned, I shall likely put forth my name. Know that I have only acted within the legitimate channels of the Holy Mother Church to express my dissatisfaction, and will continue to seek Legal and legitimate recourse for any further grievances. 

 

Nay. This missive is a declaration of my steadfast belief and my wholehearted adoration for my Flock and their well-being. 

 

In recognition of this relic and the legacy given unto me, I shall henceforth amend my titulature; my ecclesiastical name, henceforth, shall be CAIUS SECUNDUS, hallowed be this name. May I succeed in continuing his eternal name with Justice and Virtue. 

 

 

T.M.R., His Eminence,

Patriarch of Jorenus, Cardinal, Missionary to Norn

 

[!] A Few Hours after the missives are posted, most are torn down; a few remain for those who wish to see it; and a small note is left in it's place where it is torn. [!]

 

Brothers, Forgive me. I have been made aware of my foolishness. I retract this missive. I'm tired, old, weak, and wounded in the spirit and mind. I shall be silent until this wretched affair has ended. I shall quietly practice my duties

and offer counsel where it is needed. I shall spearhead nothing. This great ordeal has taken it's toll on me. I pray you can forgive me. Know only the events I have spoken above are indeed true. 

-Alaric

 

 

[Crevel 7557]

11 minutes ago, Lortime said:

I shall henceforth amend my titulature; my ecclesiastical name, henceforth, shall be CAIUS SECUNDUS

 

"I fear my mentor, Cardinal Alaric, has gone insane. He claims not to usurp the pontificate but he has taken a pontifical name in succession of a prior pontiff." Father Martin speaks to himself from the confines of his home, "How are we to maneuver Jorenic delusions and True Faith delusions simultaneously? I pray that God sees fit to return them their wisdom."

[Borin 7645]

"Good Alaric has clearly gone mad from the stress of it all. I pray he is convinced to retract this misguided course of action and cease this foolishness. He does not even have the support of the Moderates in this endeavour." Father Anselm sighs, shaking his head. Who knew what damage this fumble would do to their goal of safeguarding the Canonist Church and the Canonist Faith...

[Security_ 2287]

“Just as the Lucienist and Owynist was permitted within the arms of the Holy Mother Church should the Orthodox Canonist be permitted in this new age of True Faith.” Remarked Father Casimir.
 

“Yet, these relics may only further the fervor of the flame-touched…”

[Laeonathan 5889]

39 minutes ago, Lortime said:

This apparition, which I believe to likely be Exalted Sigismund himself, offered little in the way of communication; nothing more than a simple nod.

"Now Sigismund is an undead?" Another Cardinal questioned. "I see our new doctrine is evolving quickly. But he probably was just an imposter anyways..."

 

He went silent again, "Or Alaric just went insane now. Probably the later. It is clear now that his spiritual well-being  must be considered."

[MRCHENN 4741]

Spoiler

I would just go ahead and delete this post if I were you.

 

[rep2k 3192]

“Good that you’ve withdrew your intentions, for the Barclays will never respect the man you are forcing yourself to become. Caius the Second, you say? Stay humble! You’re not the heir to his crown, only to his shadow.“,

 

Father Witmar remarked, after reading the missive aloud to a small crowd of his close friends and family.

 

[spaazmatism 1017]

Spoiler

this guy is the ******* goat. idgaf abt canonism but this guy is awesome. i love u patron cardinal alaric / caius secundus