Esterlen

((The slope of Herendul rests on a mountain. Its territories are adequately represented by both the blank area and a portion of the mountain range combined.))

The Kingdom of Oren Map of the Kingdom ((Click for more detail.)) Royal Immediacies A royal immediacy is a feudatory within the Kingdom of Oren sworn directly to the Crown, possessing of no other intermediate liege. The royal immediacies and their titleholders are as follows. Duchy of Renatus: Heinrik van Roy Duchy of Ruska: Heinrik van Roy Prince-Archbishopric of Visegrad: Province of Salvus: Heinrik van Roy Duchy of Kvaz: King Godferik I Marquisate of Kaedrin: Heinrik van Roy ((Map was drawn by myself OOC, commissioned by the Church IC. It is public domain and any individual could possess a copy, in-character.))

Attention! With the ascension of His Eminence, Archbishop Bogdanistan of Ruska, into the Seven Skies, the Archdiocese of Ruska and its vassal, the Diocese of Raev, are hereby abolished. The former Bishop of Raev is to await reassignment to another diocese. In lieu of the status of Kralta as a city of the Realm of Man, the chief diocese, the Metropolitanate of Kralta, is created. The Church awaits a suitable, Raevir candidate for the position of Metropolitan. Deus magnus! High Ecclesiarch Radomir I Sarkozic Carrion, High Ecclesiarch of the Faith, Prince-Archbishop of Visegrad, Prince of Oren and the Empire, Archbishop of Oren, the White Flame Dancing on the Barrows of his Enemies, Metropolitan of Abresi and the Crownlands, and Chaplain of the Keep.

Attention! The organization known as 'House de Rosaen' and all of its bloodline are hereby censured and excommunicated from the mother Church on account of apostasy, idolatry and heresy. In the absence of the recognition of the Church, the claim of 'House de Rosaen' to be pure nobility is hereby legally invalid, the bloodline having no standing above common men. Those who call themselves 'House de Rosaen' are nothing but dangerous apostates who must be brought to justice post-haste. They worship pagans icons and are notorious idolators, and for these crimes they are deserving of no mercy and must face the retribution of the sword. They are hereby banished from the realms of man under pain of death. Let all righteous men deliver their heads to the Ecclesiarchy as a symbol of God's eternal, unrelenting will! Deus Magnus! High Ecclesiarch Radomir I Sarkozic Carrion, High Ecclesiarch of the Faith, Prince-Archbishop of Visegrad, Prince of Oren and the Empire, Archbishop of Oren, the White Flame Dancing on the Barrows of his Enemies, Metropolitan of Abresi and the Crownlands, and Chaplain of the Keep.

Reserved. FM, please pin this.

The Church of the One True Faith The Church of the One True Faith is the sole religious organization of the realms of man, allied and beholden to no one nation or being but God. It teaches that it is the only ecclesiastical body in the world that maintains the orthodox teachings of God as they were imparted to Horen at the beginning of time and that it is obligated to provide humanity with these teachings, fulfilling the work of God through martial feats as much as with faith. As such, the Church of the One True Faith declares itself the only legitimate, universal religious body that successfully maintains the uncorrupted, unsullied words of the Creator and the prophet, Horen. Its authority both spiritual and temporal, the Church of the One True Faith is a militant organization as well as an ecclesiastical one, seeking to safeguard humanity from the threats that lie beyond the darkness and carry out the will of the Creator. While the clergy is a mostly human organization, it believes that all races may be offered the opportunity to partake in the Creator's worship and be entered into his most divine family. The heresies and schisms of other faiths are viewed as mere bastardizations of the Creator's words, and it is the role of the Church to crush such corruptions and either return apostates to monotheism or smite them with the full fury of God. The Church's authority is supreme, and it proclaims that all living beings must be returned to the orthodox way or suffer the consequences! Deus magnus! History of the Church The Church of the One True Faith has existed since the founding of the human kingdom by Horen I, however a formal Head of the Faith was only appointed during the reign of his son, Owyn I. Since then the clergy has experienced turbulent times and periods depending on the political situation of humanity at the time. Initially known as the Temple of the Faith, the Church as it is today was formed by King Horen I after he was contacted by the Aenguls and granted the divinity of his line. He served as Head of the Faith until his second son, Owyn, came to power after slaying his traitor brother Haren the Bastard, the forefather of the Adunians, and banishing his ilk from the lands of man. With this righteous action he returned the realm of man to the doctrine of human supremacy over nonhumans and lowly pagans. Under Owyn the first head of the Church was appointed, however the nascent clergy was unsophisticated and simple, possessing of little hierarchy. For several centuries the Church kept the Faith powerful and prevalent under the Horen dynasty. Eventually, the divine Horen dynasty grinded to a halt, their last scion being dethroned only to be replaced by the House of Perea. For several unstable years under the Perea line and subsequently the Sheffield line, the Church grew redundant and was mistreated by the three usurper kings, who are now dubbed heretics for their crimes against and lax adherence to the Faith. Throughout this period, the Church was kept unified by High Priest Everard, who is in modern times praised for his ability to maintain the Church and keep it intact. With the undead onslaught, the Kingdom of Oren fractured into three realms, Hanseti, Renatus and Salvus. Only Renatus continued to adhere to the principles of the faith after the Church was absorbed into it, and for eighteen years between the split and the regency of Renatus there was no formal head of the faith. King Ezekiel of the Tarus dynasty surrendered his realm to a regent lord who finally appointed a Prince-Archbishop. When the regency ended and the dynasty of Horen was restored, the King and later Emperor Godfrey I was proclaimed the first man of divine nature by the Church. This was due to his great deeds, as Godfrey did what others could not - he unified the quarreling human kingdoms by the sword and the cross. The appointing of a Prince-Archbishop, James Hightower, ushered in the age of the Iniquitous Pontificate. This was a dynasty of three heads of the Church who are now, in modern-times, denounced and derecognized as being sinful. This served as a dark age of the Church in which the legislative, ecclesiastical body swiftly lost respect and power, gaining a reputation for gross corruption and excess. This ended with the anointment of the conservative Velwyn Ashford to the position of Head of the Faith. Taking the papal name of Lucien, Ashford successfully rebuilt the reputation of the Church. His own successor, Goddard, exponentially increased the Clergy’s political power. Heads of the Faith i. The Diarchy - High Priests Evaristus I and Clement I The first heads of the Holy Faith appointed by the successor of Horen, Owyn I. ii. High Priest Sixtus I iii. High Priest Alexander I iv. High Priest Pontian I v. High Priest Stephen I vi. High Priest Paul I vii. High Priest Paul II viii. High Priest Sixtus II ix. High Priest Liberius I x. High Priest Mark I The last leader of the Faith under the divine line of Horen, he was removed forcefully after the deposition of the king. xi. High Priest Bernard I The first recorded leader of the Faith under the usurper Perea and Sheffield dynasties, before which the Church was held in high regard by the line of Horen. xii. High Priest Everard I The progenitor of House Hightower, Everard I was the last High Priest of a unified Oren. He died a martyr, attempting to prevent the non-believer Sheffield king from abolishing the Church entirely. After his reign the kingdom splintered, causing the Church to be absorbed into the Phoenix Kingdom of Renatus and lose a great deal of power and influence. The First Interregnum caused by the split of Oren into Hanseti, Renatus and Salvus. xiii. Prince-Archbishop James I The first of the Iniquitous Pontificate not formally recognized by the Church today on account of their sinful or schismatic nature, James I was the son of Everard I and was appointed to the position of Leader of the Faith by the Lord Regent Reynard Lycian. xiv. High Pontiff Pius I The second of the Iniquitous Pontificate, Pius I was born of the noble House Silverblade under the name of Gideon. Instated by the newly-crowned Godfrey of Horen. Famed for his lechery and libertinism, Pius was known to have impregnated several noble ladies and was notably violent and bloody in his behaviour. xv. High Pontiff Adeodatus I The third and final of the Iniquitous Pontificate, also of House Silverblade, born as Boiendl. Having been significantly less problematic than his two predecessors, Adeodatus’ reign was stagnant however peaceful. He was known to be unremarkable when concerning the Church’s cause, and under the pressure of the nobility he resigned in favour of Velwyn Ashford. xvi. High Pontiff Lucien I The first officially recognized High Pontiff, Lucien I was Velwyn Ashford, a member of the Order of the White Rose who was a prominent reactionary and human supremacist. A pious High Pontiff who believed wholeheartedly in fulfilling God’s work, Lucien’s reign was uneventful however during it the Church’s good reputation was restored. xvii. High Pontiff Owyn I The successor of Lucien I upon his exile, Owyn I was one of the more notable heads of the Faith. Despite his short reign which lasted only seven years, he became the most powerful High Pontiff in state affairs and one of the most prominent in Anthos. Possessing large tracts of lands and supporters, Owyn I has become a nigh-legendary figure for the Church of the One True Faith. The Second Interregnum caused by the abolishment and later reestablishment of the patriarchal throne. xviii. High Ecclesiarch Radomir I The newest and current head of the Faith and the Church, having been declared as such by God and man. Born as Franz Joseph Carrion, Radomir is an extreme reformist who aims to mold the Church into a tool of both power and precision so it might spread the word of God by the sword and the cross. Sects of the Faith Regardless of beliefs and doctrines, all sects are beholden to the Church of the One True Faith. Any significant, schismatic doctrines that may harm the unity of the Church must be quickly dealt with so as to avoid dissidence and fragmentation. All sectarian orders must be subject to the Church, and sects can be abolished by the head of the Faith. Differences in doctrine must be minor and accepted by the Church as constructive as opposed to schismatic, however typically the majority sect controls the Church. Imperial Traditionalism (1372) is the conservative belief in the equality of the divine bloodline and the Church as contemporaries and the prophets of God. It teaches that those acclaimed as divine and the Church must work together as equals to fulfill the work of God. Lucienism (1424) is the belief of the supremacy of the Church over all mortals, including those acclaimed as divine. It is a little-known doctrine that was once particularly popular in the region of Kaedrin, however it is now near death. Ruskan Orthodoxy (1421) is a Raevir cultural practice that does not differ from Imperial Traditionalism in its interpretation of the Church’s supremacy. It does, however, preach that birds are the eyes and servants of God and the Church is the centre of the universe. Ruskan Orthodoxy also maintains that Raevir is its holy tongue, whereas the other sects claim that the ecclesiastical language is Flexio. Bristiric Orthodoxy (1446) comprises of the customary traditions fostered by the Bristiric people, throughout tribal and nomadic times. Likewise, the doctrine preaches the preeminence of the church as well as a belligerent and combative stature towards heretics and pagans. The Brists believe wolves are an omen, consigned from the Creator. Thus holy men bear an embellished and allegorical wolf’s pelt, consisting of the beast’s head and fur, over their priestly uniform. Ranks of the Church High Ecclesiarch The High Ecclesiarch is the absolute, autocratic leader of the Church who fills the papal throne, and fulfills the role of the previous position of High Pontiff. He cannot be de jure affiliated with any one sect. The two potential archbishops are only subject to the High Ecclesiarch. Currently, the High Ecclesiarch is also the Archbishop of Oren, and the two titles are typically held in tandem with one another. The High Ecclesiarch is to be addressed as ‘Your Holiness’. Archbishop An archbishop manages and is responsible for the worshipers in an archdiocese, an immense tract of land, and is also customarily a metropolitan. Metropolitans are bishops over a major city of the region in question. While all who hold the primary title of archbishop are technically equal contemporaries, the Archbishop of Oren holds the informal position of primus inter pares. Archbishops are to be addressed as ‘Your Eminence’. Bishop Bishops are vassalized to archbishops, and they maintain dioceses. The dioceses of Furnestock and Corazon are sworn to the archdiocese of Oren, whereas the dioceses of Raev is sworn to the archdiocese of Ruska. A bishop of a diocese that contains a major city is known as a metropolitan. Bishops wear purple and are to be addressed as ‘Your Grace’. Priest Also known as clerics, militant soldier-priests are the backbone of the Church and represent the majority of the Clergy. They preach in settlements, give sermons and morally guide communities, and may take on other professions as long as their loyalty remains chiefly to the Church. Serving as militant soldiers as well as holy men, they may be mobilized by their superiors or sent on a variety of different clerical missions by them. A priest can be ordained by any other priest, provided they swear the Oath of Ordination and notify the High Ecclesiarch about their ordination. They are required to wear their uniform at all times, and they wear red. They are to be addressed as ‘Father’. Priest/exarch raiment: http://i.imgur.com/sAC0CQ8.png Specialized and Administrative Ranks Prelate The Prelate acts as a second-in-command to the High Ecclesiarch, assisting him in the managing of the Ecclesiastical Synod and the writing of bulls. He manages paperwork and acts as a secretary to the head of the Faith. There is one prelate, he wears black and is to be addressed as ‘Your Excellency’. Lord Griffon The Lord Griffon acts as the Church's marshal. He heads the military wing of the Clergy, the Knight-Brothers of the Order of the Griffin, and may act as a Church strategist or disciplinarian. He may also involve himself in the martial pursuits of the Ecclesiarchy's college. The Order of the Griffin retains its autonomy and rank administration, however it is subject to the autocratic will of the High Ecclesiarch and is part of the ordained, warlike Clergy. He is to be addressed as 'Your Lordship'. Exarch The Exarch, while he does not possess any dioceses, conveys the orders of the Church to clergy figures, acts as a representative of the Church in foreign lands and acts as an intermediate military command. He is responsible for organizing the priests in the dioceses and is charged with undertaking the Church's archaeological ventures, which may include searching for relics, crypts or ancient artifacts. The position is appointed by the High Ecclesiarch in a two-year tenure. After a tenure is up, another Exarch must be chosen. No Exarch can serve two consecutive tenures. The Exarch wears the red of a priest and is to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'. Roster of the Church High Ecclesiarch: Prelate: Signus Cross Lord Griffon: Malric Varodyr Exarch: Archbishop of Oren: Alexios I Metropolitan of Kralta: Iosif Ruthern Bishop of Corazon: John of Darfey Bishop of Cavan: Bishop of Schattenburg: Archbishop of Herendul: Castus II Priests: Bradislav of Norfolk Zacarias Mosquera Godfyrmir Carrion Feranhir Dennis Thatcher Kaelys Horen-Hightower Valahan 'deGray Thomas Gaerheart-Esterlen Oath of Ordination “I swear to be true to the Church and its doctrines, to humanity, and most importantly to the Head of the Faith and through him God, and not to maintain silence about any evil that I may know or have heard or may hear which is being contemplated against the Church, its realms, the clergymen or the Head of the Faith. I swear also not to eat or drink with heretics, apostates or sinners, and not to have anything in common with them. On this I kiss the cross.” Patron Saints of the Faith Saints are those recognized by the Church, posthumously, to be worthy of the moniker of a paragon of virtue and piety. The following is a list of patron saints - saints that are patrons of a specific sphere of influence, having emulated such a field in their lifetime. There are countless saints of the Faith, however the following eleven are the only saints considered patrons. It is important to note, however, that saints are never worshipped, only praised for their deeds on this earth. Patron saints all have symbols, as detailed next to their names. St. Thomas of Gaekrin - White rose Patron saint of leadership, generals and vassals. St. Lucien of Savoie - Kaedreni cross Patron saint of the Church, piety and crusaders. St. Adrian of Leuvaarden - Open book Patron saint of statesmen, politicians and learning. St. Owyn of Banard - Skull Patron saint of kings, incorruptibility, racial purity and war. St. Daniel of Al’Khazar - Staff Patron saint of peace and travel. St. Godfrey of Horen - Dragon Patron saint of the Empire, humanity and justice. St. Edmond of Lachsin - Knight on horseback Patron saint of loyal soldiers, officers and knights. St. Tobias of Aldersberg - Coins Patron saint of merchants, wealth and benefactors. St. Godwein of Huntshill - Anvil Patron saint of the earnest, labourers and diligence. St. Owyn of Ruska - Shield Patron saint of Ruska, unity, diplomacy, growth and order. St. Hunwald of Kralta - Pickaxe Patron saint of the poor, miners and of the land. Hymns, Creeds and Sayings of the Faithful Hymn of St. Godfrey “God protect the good Saint Godfrey, Sovereign ever good and great, Save, O save him from mischances, In prosperity and state!” May his laurels ever blooming, Be by patriot virtue fed, May his worth the world illumine, And bring back the sheep misled, God preserve our good Saint Godfrey! Sovereign ever good and great.” Hymn of the One True God “I summon today all these powers between me and those evils, Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul, Against incantations of false prophets, Against black laws of pagandom, Against false laws of heretics, Against craft of idolatry, Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards, Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul. God to shield me today Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wounding, So that there may come to me abundance of reward. God with me, God before me, God behind me, God in me, God beneath me, God above me, God on my right, God on my left, God when I lie down, God when I sit down, God when I arise. God in the heart of every man who thinks of me, God in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, God in every eye that sees me, God in every ear that hears me.” Hymn of St. Thomas “O God, St. Thomas, upon you be peace, Our ever-proud souls refuse to be seized, The den of humanity is our sacred home, And the throne of our suns will never go down. The mountains of Oren are towers in height, Which talk with the zenith of the highest skies, A land that is splendid with brilliant sun, Turning to a sky or almost a sky. The flutter of our hopes and the beats of our hearts, Depicted on the flag that united our land, Did we not derive the black from every man's eye, And from ink of martyr's blood wrote to the tall sky? Spirits defiant and past so glorious, And the martyrs' souls are our guardians, St. Thomas protects us with his great shield, So why won't we prosper and why wouldn't we build?” Informal Expressions “Si Deus Voluerit!” God willing. Used as an expression of joy, praise or thankfulness for an event or person that was just mentioned. “Deus Magnus!” God is great. Used as a battle cry, greeting or farewell. “Unum Deum Creatorem, et Ecclesia Eius!” There is no god but the Creator, and the Church is his will. Used as a declaration of faith.

High Ecclesiarch Radomir points accusingly at the leaflet before marking it with his 'To Be Incinerated' stamp. "A poor attempt, Marcus."

High Ecclesiarch Radomir shakes his head, wondering who Marcus was fooling. He was, to put it simply, a known criminal, racketeer and famed imbecile who was now, having been discovered, attempting to shift the blame of his affronts to the law onto a completely uninvolved aunt. He could not recall any instances of Lady Amber acting particularly immoral or overly ambitious, however he could certainly remember several situations in which Marcus had. It certainly seemed to the priest that Marcus had at the least weaved a web of lies so elaborate that he himself had begun to believe them. Scowling at his contemptible audacity, the High Ecclesiarch has two battle-clerics posted outside Marcus' cell, forbidding entry to all.

Kevan de Rosaen is shot and killed by an assassin's crossbow, he slumps down the wall for his body to be found.

"Deus Magnus" The Golden Bull of Dibley On the matter of the reestablishment of an undisputed, worldwide and unchallenged papal seat as in the days of old. Confirmed and signed by His Imperial Majesty, King of Renatus, Ostromir Sarkozic Carrion, before his death. By right of birth and blood, the Archbishop of Renatus, Prince Franz Joseph, is hereby declared the sole legitimate High Ecclesiarch, his powers enumerated further in the contents of the Golden Bull below. He is to take the papal name of Radomir. The Church hereby withdraws from any political factions, declaring utter neutrality and impartiality to the happenings of the realm of Man, forgoing its allegiances to any dynasty or hegemony. Foreword by Prelate Zacarias Mosquera: Essentially, as visible in section I, the reforms as designed proclaim that the Church is centralizing unto itself to implement a number of prime directives as a civil code. Primely, with a single, sanctified body and a single, divinely-appointed Head of the Church rather than a confused array of quarreling 'primus inter pares' clerics, the facilitation of the entire realm's piety and quality of religious services will increase tenfold. Second to that, a fully unified body with an iron hierarchy will disallow false and slanderous sects to appear amongst isolated, misguided ecclesiastics in non-core provinces, thus promising no mountance to religious tension. Thirdly, a degree of assorted minor verdicts aligned at disabling opponents to said reforms will be put in place, with the public knowledge that such opposition would be an indirect opposition to God via His appointment of Franz Joseph as Archbishop and High Ecclesiarch. Finally, the militarization of the body to maintain the structure of all said reforms, and to encourage recruitment to the Clergy, thereby fortifying the armies of Renatus and that of true humankind altogether. Section I Establishment of the High Ecclesiarch i. The office of High Ecclesiarch is created so as to create a universal head of the Faith and of the Church, his authority both spiritual and temporal, replacing the former position of High Pontiff. ii. The High Ecclesiarch is the universal, autocratic and acknowledged head of the Faith - The disputing of this judgement is hereby a capital crime which may be penalized by exile or execution. iii. The authority of the High Ecclesiarch on ecclesiastical and other religious matters is unquestioned and final. iv. The High Ecclesiarch and his institution, the Church, are subject solely to the authority of God and to no mortal or divine mortal. v. The High Ecclesiarch is declared the prophetic mouthpiece of God. vi. The bloodline and progeny of the High Ecclesiarch Franz is proclaimed to be holy yet not divine, hereby called vestarch, claiming descent from the Horen dynasty, the Carrion dynasty, as well as the saintly Sarkoz dynasty. vii. The office of High Ecclesiarch and customarily the Archbishop of Renatus is to succeed from father to son/grandson or any other individual of a bloodline deemed by the Church to be holy and vestarchal, however the son of the former High Ecclesiarch has preference over any other candidate for the position of both High Ecclesiarch and Archbishop of Renatus. viii. The office of High Ecclesiarch is intrinsically linked with that of Archbishop of Renatus - only the Archbishop of Renatus may serve in the position. ix. Upon taking the office of High Ecclesiarch, the titleholder retains his birth name, however he also has the choice of taking on an appropriate papal name. x. The High Ecclesiarch retains all powers of the Archbishop of Renatus. xi. The High Ecclesiarch has the power to forcibly annul any inappropriate or unlawful marriage. xii. The High Ecclesiarch may issue papal dispensations exempting certain individuals from legal consequences. xiii. In order to succeed to the position of High Ecclesiarch, one must be of a vestarchal bloodline. xiv. The High Ecclesiarch retains absolute autocratic control over the entire Clergy. xv. The High Ecclesiarch reserves the right to appoint archbishops and bishops upon both local and foreign soil. xvi. The High Ecclesiarch is responsible for crowning both the King of Renatus and the Emperor of Man. For future coronations, in the absence of a coronation performed by the High Ecclesiarch, an individual’s kingship is rendered legally invalid. xvii. The High Ecclesiarch and by extension the Church of the One True Faith owes allegiance to and is beholden to no faction and no individual but God. Section II Further Reformation of the Clergy i. The Church is now prepared to serve in its official capacity as both a military and a religious organization dedicated to searching for and apprehending heretics, apostates and monsters. ii. All orders that name themselves ‘inquisitors’ are hereby disbanded and absorbed into the Church. iii. All holy orders and organizations may not call themselves holy unless they permit themselves to be absorbed by the Church, accepting its primacy. iv. The Church of the One True Faith declares itself the sole legitimate successor and heir to the Order of the White Rose, performing duties similar to the latter as a militant, human holy order. v. The Church of the One True Faith hereby succeeds the Imperial Inquisition, serving in the full capacity and sharing the same powers utilized by the organization under Saint Godfrey. These powers include the declaration of Dies Irae (the ability to utterly annihilate a city or nation and its populous if deemed heretical to the core and beyond divine reparation), the ability to indict any man of any social stature of heresy excepting the Crown and declaring the said execution or exile of these individuals through specified means, the ability to draw a temporary garrison from city militia or able citizens to aid in investigations and apprehension, the ability to issue certain clergymen immunity from all local laws to aid in investigations of heresy and the ability to immediately execute all who hinder the tasks or investigations of the Church or question its authority. Section III Beatification and Canonization i. The Church hereby canonizes and recognizes the following beatified individuals, in posthumous respect to their deeds in life, as saints of the faith. - St. Owyn of Ruska (Bl. Goddard Carrion) as patron saint of Ruska, unity, diplomacy, growth and order. - St. Godwein of Huntshill (Bl. Godwein I. Stafyr) as patron saint of the earnest, labourers and diligent.

Franz admires his likeness for several moments before nodding coldly, licking his lips. "A fine piece of art, if I've ever seen one." He removes from a pouch at his belt a purse of twenty Renatian marks, worth a hundred minas each, before handing him the coinage.

Attention! By order of the Privy Council of Renatus and in accordance with the will of God, the organization known as the Eventide Dominion is hereby deemed enemy of the Church, the Realm and the Crown. The moniker born by the Dominion as a ‘holy order’ is deemed to be false and the organization has created schism in its refusal to accept the Church’s religious primacy and its open rebellion against the Crown. All members of the Eventide Dominion are hereby deemed outlaws in the realms of men, to be arrested, detained and brought before the Crown for trial. Any former civil or military positions held by the members of the Eventide Dominion are now null, and revoked of any or all household protection standard under Renatian law. This extends over watchmen of the Abresi city guard. His Eminence, Franz Joseph Sarkozic Carrion, the White Flame Dancing on the Barrows of his Enemies, Prince of Ruska and Renatus, Archbishop of Renatus, Metropolitan of Abresi and the Crownlands, and Chaplain of the Keep.

Franz nods to his brother the King, Queen Isabelle standing to his left, her head bowed. "We shall be in attendance, aye, and present the rightful heir to the Horen dynasty - your wife, daughter of the late Crown Prince Owyn. This Iron ***** is not only illegitimate but she is also an enemy of the Faith."

Frowning, the man nods. "I shall pay you after the portrait is finished, then. You have my business. Where must I go now?"

Franz Joseph scans around the shop, his eyebrow raised quizzically. He surveys each painting with ardor, licking his lips as he goes. "You paint these, yes? How much gold would it take you to create a portrait of me?"

"Deus Magnus" The Golden Bull of Cavan On the matter of the appointing of an Archbishop of Renatus and the beginning of the reformation of the Church of the One True Faith. Issued and confirmed by His Imperial Majesty, King of Renatus, Ostromir Sarkozic Carrion. At the will of His Imperial Majesty the King of Renatus, Ostromir Sarkozic Carrion, Prince Franz-Joseph Sarkozic Carrion, brother of the King of Renatus, is hereby declared the sole legitimate Archbishop of Renatus, his powers enumerated in the ‘Edict of the Archbishop’. Section I Establishment of the Prelate i. The office of Prelate is created so as to assist the Archbishop in his duties, acting as a second to him within the ranks of the Church and provide him with good counsel. ii. The office of Prelate retains primacy over all others within the Church excepting his superior, the Archbishop. iii. The Prelate may only be appointed by the Archbishop of Renatus. iv. The office of Prelate is required to manage various ecclesiastical affairs alongside the Archbishop including the managing of bishops and lower clerics, the mediation of an Ecclesiastical Synod and the spreading of the faith. v. The Prelate may not compile bulls or make reforms to the church without the consent of the Archbishop. vi. The office of Prelate is required to carry out any command given by the Archbishop. vii. The office of Prelate may not in any way undermine the royal or church authority possessed by both the king and the Archbishop. Section II Abolishment of the College of Bishops and Establishment of the Ecclesiastical Synod i. The unified legislative body of the College of Bishops is hereby abolished. ii. The office of Archbishop may henceforth solely be appointed by the sovereign of Renatus. iii. The body known as an Ecclesiastical Synod, a body compiled of all ordained clergymen regardless of rank, is hereby established, to be headed by the Archbishop of Renatus. iv. The Ecclesiastical Synod possesses no formal administrative powers, however exists solely as a forum for clerics of the church to meet and discuss grievances, schisms and opinions. v. The Ecclesiastical Synod is maintained at court in Abresi, however a meeting of all members of the Ecclesiastical Synod may be called by the Archbishop or the Prelate. vi. Perpetual attendance of the Synod is not required by clergymen, however if a meeting is called all clerics must attend unless they are otherwise unable to do so within reason. Section III Duties of Bishops i. Bishops are reaffirmed as ecclesiastical administrators of a diocese within the Kingdom of Renatus. ii. Bishops are senior figures of the Church, subject to the authority of the Archbishop and the Prelate. iii. Bishops are responsible for the ecclesiastical hold over a diocese, and are required to manage the diocese and keep the local lords under the Church’s will. iv. Bishops hold primacy over priests within their respective dioceses. v. The metropolitan bishop, the Metropolitan of Abresi, serves as a head and chief bishop. vi. Bishops may only be appointed by the Archbishop from amongst the clergy. Section IV Duties of Priests i. All clergymen of the Church not possessing of a rank or position are to be known as priests or clerics, and addressed by the title of Father. They are the backbone and main body of the Church. ii. Priests of the Church are obligated to spread the word of god whenever possible and are required to be subservient to the Church. iii. Priests of the Church are to serve as guides, teachers and moral figures around the kingdom. iv. Priests may be given primacy over a community, church or borough by the Archbishop of Renatus, at which point they are known as ‘parish priests’. Parish priests are required to focus their efforts and duties around their respective communities. v. Priests deemed schismatic by the Archbishop may be removed from the clergy. vi. New priests may be ordained by any existing priest provided they swear their undying fealty to God and the Church. Section V Reformation of the Church of the One True Faith i. The Church calls for all clergymen, priests, clerics, religious organizations and holy warriors of Renatus to submit to its will, recognizing the Church’s structure and authority. Disobedience is a crime of apostasy and is punishable by excommunication and shame in the eyes of God. ii. The Church hereby demands that clergymen are required to fight all forms of evil through martial feats as well as with faith. iii. The Church requires that its clergymen, priests and clerics, arm themselves and serve as templars of the faith, rooting out evil within the kingdom and spreading the faith through both sword and cross. iv. The Church reaffirms the lorraine cross of old, its middle bar representing God, its top bar representing the Church and its bottom bar representing humanity, as the symbol of the Faith. v. The Church decrees that only the Archbishop of Renatus may possess secular land-owning titles within that region. vi. The Church decrees that all clergymen must wear the appropriate garb and colour attached to their rank. - White is the colour of the Archbishop. - Black is the colour of the Prelate. - Purple is the colour of the bishops. - Red is the colour of priests and clerics. vii. The Church decrees that clergyman are to be given greater privilege and primacy over both ordinary citizens of Renatus and aristocratic nobility, however they are still subject to courts of law. viii. The Church declares it a sin and a crime to shelter or give aid to an excommunicated person, punishable by use of force. ix. The Church declares the following individuals prophets of God, who acted or act as his mouthpiece and conveyed his will to the world. - St. Godfrey of Horen. - His Imperial Majesty, Ostromir Sarkozic Carrion. x. The Church reserves the right to execute or banish individuals tried in an ecclesiastical court if found guilty of crimes of depravity and immorality, treason to the Church, disobedience, heresy, idolatry or apostasy. xi. The Church reserves the right to call for the arrest and trial of individuals found to suspected of apostasy, heresy or schism. xii. The Church reserves the right to summarily punish individuals that represent an ongoing danger to others. This may include traitors against the faith or the crown, rogue sorcerers and witches. xiii. The Church decrees that disrespect or dishonor against the Archbishop, Prelate or the Crown is a punishable offense. xiv. The Church reaffirms the Imperial doctrine of clerical marriage, hereby endorsing clerical nuptials as the will of God. Section VI Beatification and Canonization i. The Church hereby canonizes and recognizes the following beatified individuals, in posthumous respect to their deeds in life, as saints of the faith. - St. Tobias of Aldersberg, (Bl. Toveah Goldman) as patron saint of merchants, wealth and benefactors. - St. Edmond of Lachsin, (Bl. Edmond Brunswick) as patron saint of loyal soldiers, officers and knights. - St. Adrian of Leuvaarden, (Bl. Hadrien de Sarkozy) as patron saint of statesmen, politicians and learning. - St. Thomas of Gaekrin, (Bl. Thomas Chivay) as patron saint of leadership, generals and vassals. ii. The Church hereby outlines the following already-existing saints as patrons of specific fields. - St. Godfrey of Horen, patron saint of the Empire, humanity and justice. - St. Daniel of Al’Khazar, patron saint of the poor, peace and travel. - St. Lucien of Savoie, patron saint of the Church, piety and crusaders. - St. Owyn of Banard, patron saint of kings, incorruptibility, racial purity and war. iii. The Church declares the remains and relics of these aforementioned saints to be holy objects to be recovered and held in the reliquaries present in basilicas and cathedrals. iv. The Church hereby beatifies the following individual/s. - Bl. Owyn II of Ruska (High Pontiff Owyn II)

Hadrien rolls in his grave.

Edward Chivay stands alongside his father and uncle, giving one final salute to the people of the realm from the ship's railing.