Schneebo

On Verdancy Within the Holy Lands of Man, there have been murmurs of a group that practices something that has been referred to as ‘verdancy.’ We must always be wary of any magic practitioners within our blessed land yet there may be helpful applications of such that God and man may deem appropriate - especially in times of strife or catastrophe. It is with this notion that I call those practitioners of verdancy to meet with me to discuss the applications and purpose of such studies. I wish to know more in order to determine its classification within the broader Holy Mother Church and its legalities within Holy Law. Please write to me at your convenience or find me within either the lands of Tir-Glas or within the Monastery of the Wayward Heart outside Rittersburg. Maurus Cardinal St. Arianne, Auditor of the Tribunal

Foreword Holy Law is something deeply complex with strings that have been tangled and knotted for decades. With the establishment of one of the largest swathes of holy territory, it is the time we begin to pull the strings to make sense of established law not only for the pious scholars, but the common man. With such complications and difference of cultures, the opportunity for ill-minded folks to bring forth heresies is ever present. We must not let this happen for the health of our Faith. Thus, the establishment of this office was sought forth by His Holiness Caius Secondus and shall henceforth be integral to the Holy Mother Church’s institutions. This position is one that is a lifelong commitment and should be treated as such. Only His Holiness may remove an Auditor from his position for incompetence, infirmity, or incapacity. Purpose & Duties To be infallible in the pursuit of justice in concerns of the Holy Doctrine. No man or woman is above the word of God and any accusations must be weighed, investigated, and brought to trial. Establishing and bestowing appropriate punishments for those found in violations of Holy Doctrine. To root out and squash any heretical talks before their embers burn too bright. There is much risk in the new Imperial Territories that could bring forth such illicit talks. To establish a Tribunal of Holy Judges that rule upon any case brought forth in the absence of the Auditor of the Tribunal. Yet any trial should be attempted to be scheduled around the attendance of His Holiness and the Auditor proper. To determine the need of additional investigative stations throughout Imperial territories as a warning to those who may go against the Holy Doctrine. This includes the recruitment of investigators who, by any means, uncover any violations that need to be brought forth to the tribunal. To find the contradictions throughout the Holy Doctrine and determine what is more applicable in the current age. To simplify the Holy Law into a codex that even the most illiterate of men could understand. Office and Personnel The current headquarters of the Office of the Tribunal is located within the cathedral of the Princedom of Garenbrig. Though these headquarters can be changed as the station of the Auditor changes. With approval from the Auditor and His Holiness, additional investigative offices may be established in Imperial Territories. Auditor of the Tribunal - The first legal authority of the Church, arbitrating Holy Law and punishing those in violation of it. The Tribunal - A council of scholastic holymen and holywomen chosen by the Auditor. These men or women must have taken their vows and pledge to be infallible in the pursuit of justice. Investigators - Men or women of the church charged with investigating accusations of heretics, foulspawn, or anything antithetical to the Holy Doctrine. Under the Authority of God, HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II, High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD

A letter was penned back much the same. The smell of ink was practically still fresh upon the parchment and the seal of monastery accompanied such. “Let us meet when it is convenient for both you and your father. I stand ready whenever you wish to commence.”

Investigation into Cursed Children and Moricuesir As of recent, we have been visited by elven figures that we have come to know as Moricuesir (henceforth known as Mori). We must not treat them immediately with hostilities, but we must study, learn, and have patience before we cast our judgement upon them. For the sins of their forefathers may weigh heavy upon our ancestor’s minds, we must learn if they have changed. In the same light, we have also decided to open the investigation into the devilspawn - or cursed children. There are these horned figures who already walk amongst us and have devoutly served their kingdoms and principalities, but there are others who are afraid to dare step within our holy lands. By the discretion of His Holiness, as outlined in the PRIMA AUREA BULLA BURGUNDIA and granted to me in my private discussions with him - I wish to begin the intermediary period immediately by inviting both Mori and Cursed Children alike to discuss their history, cultures, and deeds of your people. Please write to me or find me within the Monastery of the Wayward Heart. If I am unavailable, please send word and I will arrive posthaste. Signed, Father Maurus Üvegkészítő

Guiding with a Gentle Hand Written by Father Maurus Üvegkészítő Preface: It has been a longstanding belief of my own that we should not always jump to the whipping of a misbehaving bull, but understand why it misbehaves in the first place. If we are to continue to lead our flock and faith into greener pastures, we must not always jump to violence and persecution. We must try and steer them back on the right path through education and patience… If we continue to cull and persecute those who look different or worship our Lord in what may be a strange way, we threaten our own existence. I wish to implore my Brothers and Sisters of Faith to question before we strike down the sinner. There may be hope and a spark that remains to return them back to the warmth of our Lord, God. If you wish for examples, please come visit Sister Solene and I in the Monastery of the Wayward Heart and we would be happy to offer guidance and assistance. Purpose: There are those not just amongst our kin, but around the world that would first seek to correct with violence rather than with kindness. It is my duty to offer an insight into my practice and school of thought when it comes to those who have doubts within their heart or for converting the pagans that we welcome within our fold. It is wise of us to seek to offer strangers a handshake and warm meal rather than a closed fist and the taste of steel. For the more we turn away and frighten by the might of our God, the more they are likely to convert to more paganistic beliefs and dabble in the Betrayer’s magical cabals. The more we can show the righteous path, the better it is for the health of our flocks. Leading with a Gentle Hand: “For I have given you the pains of the world, and I have given you their cure. And you shall know the trials of this theater of virtue, and know that they shall strengthen you.” (Scroll of Virtue, Canticle of Patience, Verses 7-8) To lead a flock, whether in faith or in politics, must consider a lighter hand. We must always ask ourselves, what we can do for our people and not always what the people can do for us. Our mission is to serve and we should seek to do such through more than just prayer and confessionals. We seek to do more for those of the faith and those beyond - we must be the warmth we always speak of. If we are not willing to do such for our flocks and those beyond, there will be those who are willing even if under deceiving guise. If we are open with our intentions and lead with kindness when appropriate, then our bonds between Brother and Sister will grow stronger and our flock will grow larger. We must be the beacon of hope that our God had always wished for us to be. Striking with a Gentle Hand: “I am the Lord GOD without peer, and My Word is the holy word, and My path is the virtuous path, and all the blessings of the Virtue shall fall before the righteous who tread it.” (Scroll of Virtue, Canticle of Faith, Verse 9) This is to not say that one should allow the repeated sinner or the conspirators of evil to freely walk within our blessed lands. We shall not let those who wish to actively poison the well time and time again to be free and without burden. These people should still be cut down and their bodies torched in righteous flames. We should not afford them last rites or even an attempt to worm their way out of what needs to be done. It is our duty to test, determine, and weed out those who appear to be wretched creatures of the shadows and cut them down before they can fester. There are those who wear the skin of man, but do the biddings of evil… and those who wear the skins of evil and do the biddings of man. Conclusion We must understand when to use the tools of patience and violence appropriately so as to not dwindle or become corrupted. Our hands are capable of doing both, but we must be able to differentiate when to use either one. For a vampyre may be cured of its afflictions, but the one spreading this disease should be struck down. Again, I welcome all to visit Sister Solene and I if you wish to discuss or learn.

NAME: Father Maurus VOCATION: Priest TRIBE / CULTURE: Tribe of Horen BIRTH YEAR: Unknown ORDINATION DATE: 2043 ORDINATOR: Bishop Josefina CURRENT DIOCESE: Magistry of Artifi, Saint Arpad Parish ASSIGNMENT: Shepherding Garenbrig and Adria WRITTEN WORKS: OOC: USERNAME: Schneebo DISCORD: kiiztria

On The Importance of St. Arianne of Ves To Serve, not to be Served On Her Life and History: Arianne Helvets was born in the year of our Lord 1729 to the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Kaedrin. With such noble backgrounds, she was destined for similar luxury and education that was afforded to her parents and siblings, despite her rowdiness in her youth. Her adoration for her parents and siblings, despite her youth-filled antics, allowed her to focus on the proper etiquette of a Princess and soon-to-be Queen of Haense. Yet, despite her betrothal and the promises made to her family, she disappeared into the forests for several years due to being assailed by bandits when trying to return to her home to visit her sickly father. Her disappearance sparked rumors about what became of her - a scheme to place Maya of Muldav onto the throne, which was sprung from the standoffishness of Raev aristocrats and nobles mistrusting a Kaedreni in the royal court; or in other tales, it was Norlandic raiding parties that harried the old Empire of Oren in that time period - with one coming to find Arianne’s caravan. When she finally returned to civilization, there were new found skills in archery and various forestry skills that she learned while in this state of isolation. Upon her return, she was overcome with shame and grief for having gone astray from her duties of becoming Queen of Haense, yet when she had faced King Andrik - he welcomed her with love and relief to see her in good health, and even sought to forge a position for her within his court. Where most would have abandoned and fled the city in shame, she dedicated herself to the Kingdom in which she now called home. She joined the Haenseni Army as a medic during the Scyfling invasion. She even went as far as attempting to integrate and convert Scyfling defectors into Haenseni culture and faith. In addition to all of this, she protected the nobles of the Barbanov family which would ultimately be the cause of her death as she shielded Princess Amelya Barbanov and Prince Godfric Alimar from a hail of arrows from those invaders. In her dying breath, she offered one final prayer to GOD clutching that Lorraine Cross her Mother gifted to her during her childhood. In life, she dedicated herself to the True Faith and those of the flock without asking for anything in return. A true, pious woman. The Importance of Servitude: Servitude should be the basis for both the shepherd and those of the flock within the True Faith. Servitude is not merely blind slavery to a cause, but a willing submission of humility and love to GOD. We should all look to St. Arianne for the epitome of servitude to both mankind and faith. Why is servitude in our Faith important? Without servitude, we would wander without purpose. We would be nothing more than the heathens we crusade or the foulspawn we hunt to extinction. We canonists should dedicate our lives to being the most pious and do-gooders of the one True Faith. We must not become those who only take from the offering plates, but always give to the Faith and those who need such. We must strive for followers of the One True Faith to serve with both their heart and soul, to serve without corruption or blasphemy. We must be zealous in our pursuit of being a good Canonist and see to it that our brothers and sisters uphold the same virtues. We shall give charity to those who require and those who can should give back. We must lead our lives in servitude and always give to our Lord and never take anything from her for granted. We shall never beg and be ungrateful. For if we follow these simple guidelines, we may be ever righteous and be blessed by our Lord as outlined in Scroll of Virtue 1:9. Forever may our Faith be strong and resolute. Cited From: Legenda Sanctorum And now, a brief excerpt of Sister Solene's stance on what it means to serve one's faith and kin dutifully. . . To serve is to love. Always, it shall be through affection and loyalty, that we serve; for one is never made to serve unwillingly. It is through this passion that we bring forth action and change, and it is through service and love to the flock that we persist onwards toward our fates. Elsewise we shall be nothing but dissipating specks in the Heavens. When faced with the abstract beauty of divinity, that which is so compellingly crushing and scattering to the mind, we must never forget what meagre work remains the most virtuous; that of charity to those around you, no matter your differences. For we all remained loved by God in spite of all of our sins. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Signed, Father Maurus Üvegkészítő

The newly ordained Father Maurus heard the news while in the depths of his scriptorium. Surely he misheard the murmurings from those who passed by, but he did not. The work that he had been long working on had become stained with those tears, "A proud woman until the very end. I will forever owe her thanks for guiding me along this path... requiescat in pace, Bishop Josefina."

An Observation Upon Idleness Preface: I have been an acolyte of the faith for nearly a decade, a child in comparison to some within the confines of our Holy Mother Church. Yet, within this short time, I have noticed and felt a stagnancy and idleness amongst our peers; something that both the youth under my protection and I have observed in our dedication to the most holy cause. While our lands are savaged by the forces of the Mountain and other hordes of evil, our beacon of Hope seems to dim. Where we were once crusading the evils in the East, we have now fallen into complacency and allowed these things to gain their footing. They have wormed their way into our society, threatening to corrupt the next generation into their way of life . We must push forward and relight the Holy Fires of Saint Daniel and strive for something more than what we have accepted now. I do not care for a schism nor do I care for what we have become; however it is clear we must do better, and must bring in a new age for our Faith to remain united in the many faces of evil. An Observation: “The Church is never truly strong if its members remain idle. GOD calls no one into His Kingdom to be a loiterer.” The Church in recent decades has been on the decline in both membership and participation. The College of Cardinals feels non-existent and without say. The Curia remains reclusive and secluded to their chambers. Even before I was blessed to walk this path, I had noticed our Church’s stagnation, its ineptitude to march forward into this new age of man. One man’s solitude can be considered a dedication to one’s faith, but an entire cabal? It is a perceived absenteeism that will only bring us to ruin. How are we to succeed as a Faith when order fails to act? Who will preach to the children and guide them along a righteous path when all faithful men are hidden away? How will our most sacred teachings reach the ears of the needy without action? We are on the brink of a schism, a divorce between the mortal mind and heavenly soul that has not been seen in centuries. When we are divided, we are weak. When we are weak, we falter in our Holy duties. When we falter in our Holy duties, all will be forgotten and heresy will run rampant. Yet, my fear through all of this is that even if His Holiness and his Curia are replaced, who is to say that this same pattern will not repeat? We must stamp out this rot through discussions and discourse, not through bloodshed and persecution. A Solution: Reinstate the Cardinal College and replace those who have done nothing but warm the seats for the last decade or longer. Stagnation will only cause our wounds to fester further. Usher in new blood. There are Brothers and Sisters who would happily take up the mantle of Father or Mother, but have not had the blessing to become such. Absolve the accused schismistics so that we may bring back peace, order, and salvation to our True Faith. The wounds must be tended otherwise the limbs will wither and rot, an infection that shall only travel to the heart and bring ruin to Mankind. ———————————————————— Signed, Acolyte Nylran Üvegkészítő

At least the mandate is finally dead

The absent councilor caught wind of the missive and quietly read it over from her chambers before finally speaking out, "It seems he has sought more than just the stars. Let us see what comes."

A veiled woman looks idly over the city from one of the many rooftops as the city became shrouded in moonlight. She looked idly toward that familiar companion, humming… “His ambition is unmatched. It is a wonder why She did not choose him. We must see that his dreams become true… I will ensure it.” Yet something continued to ring in the back of her mind. Something loud and bothersome as she offered a solemn, “We were born from war, we return to war. Will this continue to be one of words or one of blades?”

Issued and agreed upon 11th of the Sun’s Smile, year 224 S.A. THE PRINCEDOM OF CAURóST and THE ISLE OF NEVAEHLEN T R E A T Y O F T H E S Y L V A N R E A L M S With the signing of this agreement, the Princedom of Cauróst and the Isle of Nevaehlen, henceforth referred to as “the signatories,” do agree to the terms and conditions laid forth. Article I. Trade The signatories shall provide a tax-exempt stall in their marketplace for a representative of their citizenry to trade their goods freely. If a stall is unavailable, one shall be built at the cost of the host's treasury. Article II. Culture The signatories agree to not impede on either’s cultural claims, but shall participate in each other’s respective customs when visiting either territory. -This excludes any entourage tasked with guarding their respective Sovereigns and Council. Article III. Duration This treaty will be effective immediately upon signing and will remain valid for a duration of ten years. At the end of this decade, both parties will meet again to renegotiate these terms. In the event that a sovereign of the signatories passes, becomes infirm, or is vassalized, both parties must meet for an emergency summit to renegotiate these terms, lest the treaty is considered null. Signed, Galahad Ilumrin High Prince of the Princedom of Cauróst Marywen Tudorix Equito’ir of the Princedom of Cauróst The Viridian Voice of Nevaehlen, Eliheiuhii, Chieftess of the Vulnrith, Archdruid and Hierophant of the Druidic Order, Keeper of the Glade of Hileia, Priestess of the Wild Faith, Fox Druid

Cruelty, but it will always be her fate. The farfolk heard the tears of that familiar elf spatter onto the floor of that quiet home as he worked on a set of jewels after the evening’s events with that one he ‘fondly’ knew as Laelia. “You knew it would come to this, dearest. You waste your tears,” he called out to her as he seemed unbothered by the woman’s state. “I know. I just wish things could be different,” she responded as her wounds were tended to. “And yet they are ever the same. Those who cross my path are intertwined with my fate. She will be in the Hells among my legions as I foretold her.” And yet, despite these cold words, there was a certain tinge of forgiveness in his heart for Laelia, the Betrayer. Perhaps, in this form, she could be around forever with her true family - us wretched followers of the Black Faith.