The grandiose, brass bell of Aldersberg's cathedral chimes in a steeple overhead, causing a brisk ringing to echo about the industrial city. It quickly permeates the temple's rough exterior, catching the ears of the holy men nested within the compound. Upon hearing this concordant tune, the various debates, exchanges and general conversations settle, ushering a silence about the conclave. One by one the assortment of clergymen lay their eyes on the sanctuary's entry: a set of lofty, oaken doors, detailed with carvings depicting Saint Owyn's patronage of the church. As if on que the portal is heaved open, permitting Lucien and his entourage entry. A host of laymen flank the high pontiff, their forms adorning a simplistic, white robe and leather belt. Several of them carry golden incense burners, the devices swinging by the chain to which they are bound. Proceeding towards the central podium, the group of laymen chant lowly to themselves:
“Da pacem, Domine, in
diebus nostris
Quia non est alius
Qui pugnet pro nobis
Nisi tu Deus noster.”
Within a moment's notice the laymen break off from the high pontiff, their chanting falling silent as they find seating among the rows of wooden pews. Lucien swiftly ascends the podium's short steps, standing to address the entirety of the conclave. A miniscule sense of anxiety sweeps across him; it had been several centuries since the previous documented conclave, predating the untold destruction caused by the undead in the times of Aegis. Now was an era of rediscovery and, to an extent, reformation. The opportunity to breathe life into a once revered establishment was
weighed upon the actions carried forward within this convergence. Drawing in a deep breath, the holy man proceeds with addressing the conclave.
“Brothers of the Faith, fellow servants of the Creator and Holy Light; it brings me great joy to see us gathered here together not as independent men, but in communion, as a single body. We have converged in this first conclave of the Church of Oren not to aggrandize ourselves, but establish a firm foundation for the one, true Church. What is a house that bears no firm foundation? Surely it will fall to the elements and be swept away, only to be forgotten in time! I say with a heavy heart that our Church has suffered in the times past, much tradition and structure utterly lost during the dark age of culture under the decadent Sheffield dynasty. We, men of the Lord, must ensure that our culture is preserved through the Church inso that another age of turbulence and forgotten knowledge does not befall Oren and mankind as a whole.
Children of Horen, purveyors of the Holy Light. Let not our minds be fixed on the past, lamenting the mistakes of our forebearers, but rather on the forthcoming age. In this blessed assembly we are not mere men, but those which are guided by the Creator's everlasting Grace and wisdom. Revered congregation, do not take action in your will alone, but enlightened by the Creator's everlasting Light. A myriad of points and issues will be presented during this conclave along with proposed systems set forth by many of our ambitious members of the clergy. However, I beseech you, esteemed congregation, to put forth any affairs we face before such sweeping changes are implemented.”
Lucien gently rests his hands on the podium's slick surface, awaiting a response from the myriad of clergymen.