Orm_Proudfoot

There are two major areas here. The one consists of the warrior monks, a band of dedicated individuals willing to fight and die for their god against the heathens (think holy war). The other consists of the priests, the peaceful clergymen who spiritually guide the citizens of the human kingdom and behind the scenes, wrestle for political influence to bring the secular government closer in line with the church's beliefs.

Your idea fits in rather well with one I have been developing for some time to implement in Aegis 2.0. I intend to develop a separate human religion and build a small city-state similar to the Vatican from which to run it. This city-state might well be within the human capital. Rather than being solely a monastery, though, it will be a fully developed religion within the lore complete with its own traditions, beliefs, ceremonies, and hierarchy. I think the two ideas can go hand in hand if you would like to discuss how we can link them further.

Plazas kinda like this, which I quickly threw together in creative single player.

It needs benches and lighting, which I've added since, but notice how large the plaza is. It would make an excellent centre for any district.

In regards to the capital itself, I love the idea of multiple districts each centred around a central plaza. However, in contrast to the plazas in the current city of Al'Khazan, they should be much larger. There are three main plazas in Al'Khazan, the one in the Church District, the one that used to be the Royal Plaza, and the one to which humans warp to when using our soulstone. None are particularly large. Personally, I'd like to see that changed so that when we have large events in the capital, everyone easily fits into a single plaza without being crowded.

A bit off topic, but since your back, Chad, we should talk. As Lore Developer, religion ties sort of closely to what I do, which I know your involved with. We should share thoughts sometime.

They go hand in hand. I'll hunt you down on skype soon.

((*puts god on the throne.

((Or someone else... :wink: ))

Wait....so i was not already allowed to basically be a "pagan" nature worshipper?

Religion is going to be much more closely looked at for Aegis 2.0 and expanded upon. No longer will every race be beholden to the same creation story and religious beliefs. There will be room for other spiritual views. Although, you might want to check out the Druids now, they have that whole nature worship thing going on...as do the elves.

((lol chad are you playing the "i want a religious king" kinda guy?

((Maybe, or maybe I'm hinting at something else... :wink: ))

(( most likly did it since u were gone for months which is a very VERY long time Ic))

((Focus on the sale of the cathedral. It is a public building. Selling it is like selling the keep off to the highest bidder. A king just does not do that.))

((wait a minute. We had a high priest? and a clergy? haven't heard of one since evarad died of old age))

((I've technically been High Priest since 1315, but have been out of town for much of the last two months))

High Priest Bernard Sturdyfoot sat at the desk in his cramped boardinghouse room in Al'Khazan, considering the rumours of unrest he had been hearing during his journeys through Oren. The people were restless and their anger was directed at the new king, Eron. The High Priest had his own reasons for disliking and distrusting the new king...during a long absence from Al'Khazan, the new king had sold the cathedral and appointed a schismatic new High Priest.

Sold the cathedral! An unheard of blasphemy that would serve only to erode the Temple's ecclesiastical influence with the human race. High Priests Everard Hightower and Oliver Sturdyfoot, his father and predecessor, were likely to be rolling in their graves at the thought. Given that the High Priest is an ecclesiastical position, it was not the right of the king to simply appoint a replacement in any manner. High Priests anoint their successors upon retirement, or in the case of their death in office, the Temple council gathers to choose a successor, not the king.

The elderly clergyman gazed out the window at the waters of Al'Khazan Bay. What should his next move be? His cathedral was occupied by heathens worshipping a false idol, the king's mind was corrupted by their utterings, and the city itself was becoming dangerously full of those who no longer followed the old religion. He had no choice. Bernard would have to quietly support the rebellion against the king and plot for a more spiritually minded replacement to gain the throne...

Ninja,

As I have discussed with the group in the past, I'd like to continue working on religious development, specifically applied to the humans, along with the development of a sovereign religious "capital" within Oren, similar to the Vatican. If anyone is interested, we can form a group to work on further developing the "human" religion.

There are some of us over 30 who appreciate the larger font. Makes it so I don't have to wear my reading glasses when browsing the forum. Please keep it this way.

To the Sons of Urgaun,

These accolades from King and subjects bestow far too much honor upon my humble self. Thank you all for your congratulations and well-wishes. The office of Archbishop is one surprisingly heavy with responsibility, the weight of which only now begins to settle upon my shoulders. By the Will of God and Urgaun His Son, I will strive to bear this responsibility as I would a load of the most precious ore from the mines.

But let us not forget to also honor those Dwarves who also volunteered themselves for the good of Kal'Urgaun. Though it was I who was chosen in the end, they showed as much initiative and faith as myself in stepping forth. If any of them, or any other pious Dwarf for that matter, wishes to approach me with suggestions for how I might strengthen the Faith and the Kingdom, I will honor them with as much consideration as I would give the words of King and Councilors.

Deep fortunes to you all. May we march together in Faith and Glory,

Fasolt Hemdallsson

Archbishop of Kal'Urgaun

Mah sincere congratulations tah yah on yar appointment as Archbishop of Kal'Urguan. If thar is any guidance Ah kin lend yah, please do not 'esitate tah contact me. We should plan tah meet in person at some time in the near future.

-Bernard Sturdyfoot

High Priest of Oren

Ahh! Distant Relatives, another Family of House Bannist? Wow, and i thought it was big after seeing Banstir's and Mormonts. As Relatives, the Sturdyfoot's wold be added tah House Bannist if thats what yer wishing. We could always use some more families. Does tis also mean im related to tah Knight Commander? Haha! Excellent News. Welcome to House Bannister, Mr erm, where was i?

Aye, the Sturdyfoot Clan would like tah be noted as a branch of 'ouse Bannist. We are also a branch of 'ouse 'ightower, as well as being a noted family in and of arselves. And the current 'ead of the Sturdyfoot Clan is Bernard, not Oliver, seein' as Oliver died in 1315.

Although Ah am not mah father's eldest son, mah elder brother passed on before mah father, leavin' me tah inherit 'is estate. The estate included mah father's extensive library, which contained a detailed journal chronicling the family 'istory. Ah am Bernard Sturdyfoot, current 'igh Priest of Oren and mayor of Dunwood, and former Bishop of Dunwood.

Mah father was Oliver Sturdyfoot II, who was born in 1167 and passed just recently in 1315, the oldest ever member of our family. Mah mother was the former Emma Took, who was born in 1171 and passed in 1280. Both are buried in the Sturdyfoot vault in Dunwood Cemetery. Mah father preceded me as both 'igh Priest of Oren and Bishop of Dunwood, and also served as mayor of Dunwood.

'is father was Oliver Sturdyfoot I, who was born in 1125 and passed in 1228. In 1159, he married the former Manda 'ightower, the daughter of Abelar 'ightower (great-great-great-great-grandfather of former 'igh Priest and current Lord Chancellor Everard 'ightower) and Moira Axegrinder. Manda Sturdyfoot was born in 1130 and passed in 1243.

Oliver's father was Terren Sturdyfoot (1089-1213) and the former Winifred Winterback (1095-1203). Thar marriage in 1123 was a bit scandalous as the Winterback family was still disgraced from the actions of 'er grandfather forty years earlier. 'er parents were Geryl Winterback (1058-1174) and the former Willa Banstir (1064-1190). Geryl was the son of Elmer Winterback (1014-1083), who 'ad led an uprisin' to establish an independent 'alfling state from 1078 until he was killed in battle against the Oren Royal Army in 1083.

So, as yah kin see, Ah am descended from the Banstir family, although several generations and nearly 300 years apart. Ah suppose that makes me a distant cousin as Willa Banstir was mah great-great-grandmother.

Thank you everyone who attended for making the event memorable.

Sad news indeed that mah old friend 'as passed on. May 'is soul find peace in the afterworld.

WHAT: Oren Royal Wedding

WHO: Everyone is invited!

WHEN: 8:00PM CST (2:00AM GMT) Sunday, 11th September 2011

WHY: To celebrate the union of King Edmund and Lady Ivrae

I regret to announce the passing of Oliver Sturdyfoot, longtime resident of Dunwood, Bishop of Dunwood, Mayor of Dunwood, and for the final months of his life, High Priest of Oren. Father Sturdyfoot was born in 1167 to Oliver Sturdyfoot I (1125-1228) and Manda Hightower (1130-1243). He pursued a monasterial education and was ordained a priest in 1201. After serving as the parish priest of Dunwood for many years, he was appointed Bishop of the newly created Diocese of Dunwood. In 1314, he was appointed High Priest of Oren following the abdication of Everard Hightower.

Father Sturdyfoot married Emma Took (1171-1280) in 1200. The couple were blessed with two sons, Oliver Sturdyfoot III (1208-1301) and Bernard Sturdyfoot (b. 1212). Oliver III pursued a life of farming in Dunwood while Bernard followed in his father's footsteps and entered the Church. He was appointed to succeed his father as High Priest of Oren.

Oliver Sturdyfoot II is survived by his youngest son, Bernard, two grandchildren, Oliver Sturdyfoot IV and Juniper Marshgrove, seven great-grandchildren, and ten great-great-grandchildren. Father Sturdyfoot requested that no funeral be held and will be interred in the Sturdyfoot family tomb in Dunwood cemetery.

Ah like the idea of 'olding a festival fer all tah come and see Dunwood. Ah'm not entirely convinced that it will be profitable fer us, but showcasin' our village will surely spark more interest in us and, 'opefully, our goods. Our architecture style seems tah be popular, if the number of folks wantin' tah live 'ere is any indication. Per'aps we kin make some money by servin' as buildin' consultants tah those wantin' 'alfling architecture.

**Grabs a sheet of sheepskin to respond to the notice.

Petyr, let's take the items in order as yah 'ave them listed, startin' with trade.

We do 'ave a considerable amount of wheat in storage, but gettin' it tah market is a bit problematic. Ah come and go between Dunwood and Al'Khazar regularly, so Ah suppose Ah should be takin' a full pack with me everytime tah put intah storage in the city. We've 'ad an offer on the tradin' burrow that Ah think we should take, then use the profit tah purchase a smaller shop, as we don't need all that room. In the meanwhile, Ah keep a room at one o' the boardin' 'ouses that we kin store wheat in. 'owever, 'aving a shop in the city will necessitate someone bein' thar tah run it. It might be more beneficial, and more profitable, tah sell our wheat wholesale tah one o' the bakeries or grocers. Same goes fer our other food products, such as mushrooms and eggs.

Ah would be interested in havin' a nice cozy 'ome in Dunwood, but it's only invitation..

What is 'appenin' in Thistledown? Ah 'aven't seen any work done that in several weeks.

Where have all of the halflings gone?? Every morning that I wake up in Dunwood, I see only meself, and perhaps a lone traveler. With too much wheat to even sell and plenty of wool stocked, I often get quite lonely and... unbusy!

Ah am often in Dunwood or one of the neighboring villages visitin' folks. Ah do see signs of folks 'avin' been about in Dunwood, so per'aps we are just missin' each other in passin'?

Thank you all! I will strive to do my best to make these forums as enjoyable and informative as possible for the entire community.