CasualGhost

HIGH PONTIFF DANIEL II, Vicar of God, Supreme Pontiff of the Faithful, Primate of Oren, Bishop of Huss, Servant to the Servants of God does decree… Section I. A New Addition to the Holy Order of the Black Sepulchre Baldwin de Bar is henceforth raised to the Knighthood of the Black Sepulcher for his valor in the holy war against the Tachars, for his capturing of the Tachar fortress, and his gathering of a mighty host to fight in the name of the faith. He will be given the Ashen Urn of Blessed William the Beggar. Section II. Laws of the Legitimization of Bastards Ducal houses and greater must have the legitimization approved by both their liege lord and the Pentarchy of the Holy Synod. All other individuals and houses must seek their local bishop and liege lord for legitimization. The father of the bastard must bring up the issue to the respective authorities. Failure to comply with these laws may result in consistorial court sentencing, resulting in a refusal to legitimize the child and possible excommunication. Section III. Establishment of the Consistorial Court Clergy cannot be executed in a church court unless they have taken a life. To raise charges against a clergyman costs 500 minas. Church courts only apply to defamation of character, drunkenness, swearing, apathy to faith, heresy, perjury, impersonation of clerics, failure to pay tithes, ill treatment of women, offensive sexual behaviors, divorce, and legal cases against clergymen. Clergy have the right to be tried in clerical courts. Failure to attend or respect the Church’s consistorial courts can be grounds for fines or, at worst, excommunication. The Right of Sanctuary occurs if a criminal can make it to a Church before they are arrested. He or she is safe for up for 3 days, to confess his sins in the church. Those pursuing the criminal must wait outside the Cathedral and may guard the Cathedral to ensure the accused does not escape. A legal coroner must come to confiscate the criminal’s goods, and he will assign said criminal a port of exile which they may take exile for their crimes. Clergymen, regardless of any crime must attend a clerical grand jury decision on whether or not to be indicted if accused. If they are to be indicted, and the case is murder, the case is brought before a regular court with a bishop’s supervision as junior judge. Section IV. The Raising of Saints The following Beatified have been raised to sainthood. Saint Richard de Bar, for his valor in taking Junavos and ending caesareopapism, and for the performance of two known miracles. When buried Saint Richard wore a coronet made of iron, when later found beneath Adrianople it had transformed into band of gold - King Guy now wears the blessed Circlet of Saint Richard as his crown. When fighting in the desert sands of Junavos Richard de Bar was caught out in a sandstorm with several men, yet when the storms seemed at their most vicious and threatening to overwhelm the group they fell to their knees and began to pray. Instantly they cleared around the figure of Duke Richard and he led the group to safety from the fatal sandstorm. Saint Otto Rovin, for his bravery in bringing the Waldenian Schism to a close, and for the performance of two known miracles. Otto, while fleeing Aesterwald after his banishment, discovered another criminal on the run. After much conversing with the man, Otto convinced him to confess his sins and come south, where the man lived up to the 112th seed and lived a prosperous life, bearing many children despite his advanced age. Otto gave his Lorraine Cross to a starving family during his life. Years later, once the family had their first child, the house burnt down with the babe inside. On closer inspection, it was found the baby survived, wearing the cross while covered in ash and soot. Section V. A Warrant for Arstan Bedell We had just been about to forgive and lift the excommunication of Arstan Bedell when it was found that he had been accused of new and grievous sins, including the unholy and pagan burning of a Nun of the church. To face these charges he will be hunted down and tried in an official Consistorial Court. Section VI Establishment of the Curia The following individuals have been raised to the Pontifical Curia. Bishop Adrian Chivay - Vice Chancellor Leon d'Amaury - Auditor of the Tribunal Baldwin de Bar - Commandant of the Guard Bishop Edmond - Dean of the State Monsignor Virosi - Secretariat of His Holiness.

“Do I wish to be known as a warlike Pontiff?” His Holiness, Vicar of GOD, Bishop of Huss, Primate of Oren, and Sumpreme Leader of the Faithful sipped his tea. The view from the top window of the belltower of St. Adrians was pleasant this morning. A fishmonger from Port Vydrik hawked his wares in the main square. Daniel idly wondered if they had any mackerel. He had always enjoyed seafood. Placing a finger aside his lips he returned to his paperwork. The laurels of his office rested on the table, his snow-white hair ruffled and unkempt, and his body clothed in plain brown robes. He did not intend to go out in public today. He stared thoughtfully at the missive on his desk. Each black-penned letter, each carefully and seriously scribbled arch and line oozing foreboding. Dark words. War words. “Do I wish to be known as a warlike Pontiff?” Daniel mused aloud. “A leader of the Faith that led with sword rather than olive branch?” He scratched his head in thought, the movement ruffling his white hair even more. His predecessor, Sixtus III, came to mind. He was a good Pontiff. Aye. Gone too soon, like many others Daniel had known in his lifetime. Before he had died, Sixtus had refused a call to crusade against the Orcs. That particular chain of events had led to the death of Holy Ser Atalf, and it seemed like the greenskin heathens were set on war with Amyas anyway. Daniel was not concerned with Orcs today, but the point was made. “Could more bloodshed have been avoided, were the crusade called?” Daniel muttered, stirring his tea. It was getting cold. Bother. “A unified faith fighting heathens, instead of each other?” Unlikely. The Heartlander-Highlander rivalry ran back centuries. Back to the old northern barbaric tribes of Aegis. Daniel had read a book about it once. It was good to have hobbies. He took another sip of tea. “When does violence become acceptable?” Daniel looked out the window, to the noisy, yet familiar streets of Felsen. The city was finally woken up. There was a man sweeping the streets. Good man. The High Pontiff dropped another lump of sugar into his tea. “When it is in defense of that which you care for.” So the voice of the Creator in the mortal realm scratched his head, took another sip of his tea, yawned, then began to write. And all across the land, the word would go out.

Direct Leader of the Charter: Altherman Nation/Settlement/Guild Name: The Church of the Canon Type of Charter: Guild charter If possible, Declare an Official Timezone: EST If Guild, Archetype(Choose, at most, two): Given the docile nature of the Church, it most likely would fall under the “Magic” subtype, as even though the Church does not actively practice or endorse any Magic, it conducts in research and study akin to what a Magic Guild may do. It also may be defined as a military guild, given that there would be laity sworn to the Church to defend its clergy. Area Being Requested(Outline the Region Using the Map Provided by the GM Team. If possible, set coordinates as markers for us to make a good region on the first try): https://gyazo.com/2a73eaf428db08ef007513e6f99bdf61 Screenshots of Area In-Game: https://gyazo.com/819f174f8c42b9164ab6eb0cc0ceedc9 https://gyazo.com/027fd5c90b82c5b2d454c74e1b7a988c Proof of Meeting Material Requirements: https://gyazo.com/0e467f8409f2012c2ec013248d8caebf https://gyazo.com/0aca9cc4674f7a45f58baa25403d4bc2 https://gyazo.com/180d33c1048ebb16d8bd3357f5b23352 https://gyazo.com/698920010e5efa32c53f9ff20cbcf53e https://gyazo.com/dc7817ca2354df0dd0af58fc74fd297e https://gyazo.com/388b96a0939be9d58fbefc4b9db8244b https://gyazo.com/6a9058cf87dae0f40d6caa3315313439 https://gyazo.com/d719f36b4ebbbe83c50f304a24b7a054 https://gyazo.com/9a8c65e5b39093dbba59e91e45b4f634 https://gyazo.com/95637166adba474209c7fa1af36ef644 https://gyazo.com/af77044431c28d0c44e6a7708597526e https://gyazo.com/9dd8d3aca15dadd47302b84be5b87d32 Charter Signatures: Daniel II Brother Leon Aemolius Bracchus Edmond Brother Brennen Baldwin Joachim de Bar Drevin de Sarkozy Victarion Radoslav Vladimir Allae Iosif Vladov Lydia Hatter Siegemeyer Myaskovski Allen Adeney Franz Sarkozic Quinn Falk Philip of Koviran Leopold Lamprecht Neero Dederick Varodyr Richard of Huntshill Sancho of Veracruz Bishop Edmond Vytenis Oscar Jatt Riventon Brittanus Vanir Thenias Valur Adrian Chivay Constantine Silent Knight I, Altherman , fully acknowledge that if roleplay in the region in question does not occur, or player retention of the area depreciates to a level where hardly any active RP remains in the area, then the area will be removed, ruined or naturalized by GMs/ET members with a 1 week probationary period. Additional Roleplay: The roleplay around the establishment of this Canonist center of learning in the west is based on the Eventline ‘The Holy War on the Sanjak of Dasoguz.” In sum, Canonist monks explored the western continent in hopes of spreading their faith to the various foreigners there. They docked in the halfling village, but finding it abandoned, pressed onward south, only to run into a band of heathen Tarchars; a steppe warrior race who, according to rumor, pillaged the halfling realm to oblivion. Harassed and assaulted by this warband, the monks flee to Felsen, where they report the matter to the High Pontiff. Under duress, he advocates a Holy War, to salvage the halfling homeland. A weeklong Holy War event will occur between the Tarchary and Canonist soldiers, duking it out in the map shown. Depending on how the event fares, the Canonist forces will expand to encompass the entire region, driving the Tarchars out and establishing a foothold for learning and defense in the western frontier for the human faith.

The High Pontiff hears of the captured standard and nods. ((I do hope that capturing the enemy standard/banner becomes a bigger tradition in rp.))

Daniel II sighs, hearing of Ehrik's death. He remembered the man when he was of the Order of Saint Lucien. Daniel says a prayer for him, knowing the Creator shepherds the man's soul to the Seven Skies.

The High Pontiff didn't say anything about Adria being heretics...

The Pontiff, Daniel II, steps up to the stage and looks about the gathered orders. His spirit soared as he looked upon the assembled men. There was the Order of Saint Amyas, whose members were stalwart and true, followers of the faith all. The Pontiff spied Lord Guy, as well as a few ordermen he had come to speak with, such as Corvo Valius. But far more shocking to his heart was the appearance of the Order of Saint Lucien. For Daniel, nothing else would have provoked such feeling within his heart. He owed the Order his life, for they had saved it on numerous occasions in the Fringe, before their disbandment. He had been friends with many of them. Many who were now dead. But they had not all perished, and that was what mattered. The High Pontiff looks down, catching the eye of Lord Guy as the Order of the Hallowed Flame filed into the square. "Lord Guy." he states, a joyous expression on his face, "I believe there is no better time to hold mass, and bless the victors of this day." Daniel pauses, chuckling. "I hope my cathedral can hold all of you." Lord de Bar nodded his head, and Daniel led the way into the cathedral, followed by the various military orders. As Daniel turned at the altar he noticed that the Order of the Hallowed Flame did not follow, and he frowned. Something to deal with in the future. The songs the congregation sung and the words of the mass streamed together from Daniel's mouth, lifted up to the Creator by an aura of holiness. But the words of the mass nor the singing of the praises did not truly matter. Only the victory. Today it seemed, the Creator was with Savoie.

The High Pontiff prays for the Holy Ser's victory.

The Third Golden Bull of Huss HIGH PONTIFF DANIEL II, Vicar of God, Supreme Pontiff of the Faithful, Primate of Oren, Bishop of Huss, Servant to the Servants of God does decree… Section I. Reaffirmation of the Eddictum Neutralitas In this time of war and strife, High Pontiff Daniel II has declared it right and fitting that the Church of the Canon remain neutral, respecting the wishes of his predecessor, Sixtus III, and maintaining that the Church and the state be separate. It is altogether unnecessary for the godly institution of the Creator to become entwined in politics and violence. The war shall remain a secular conflict, that all members of the Church pray comes to a swift end. Section III. The Creation of New Diocese His Holiness, Daniel II, sees fit to create the following Diocese, and granting their stewardship to the following capable officials: The Diocese of Drusco, comprising Peremont and the territory of Drusco, administered by Bishop Oscar of Norfolk The Diocese of Adria, comprising the territory of Brelus and Barrowyck, administered by Bishop Edmond de Montfort The Diocese of Vanaheim, comprising the territory of Port Vydrik, Saltstone, and Crow’s Roost, which is yet to be assigned. Section IV. The Establishment of the Order of St. Julia In an effort to prevent the young women of Oren from turning to sinfulness, and to provide positive role models of piety and goodness for humanity, the High Pontiff has seen fit to sanction an official order of Nuns, founded by Sister Lorina. The Order of St. Julia will strive to uphold the virtues of chastity, charity, and conversion of the heathen. Sister Lorina will now be known as Abbess Lorina, and given full authority over the existing nunnery of the Church. Section V. The Excommunication of Arstan Bedell For blind arrogant sin, and the unprovoked and aggressive insults to His Holiness Daniel II, the Church has seen fit to excommunicate the trumped up Arstan Bedell, who claims protection from Exalted Owyn while ironically attacking the Church he helped found. We render him: Damned and Excommunicated. May his soul burn forever in consuming flame. Section VI. The Forgiveness of Xavier de Sola The High Pontiff Daniel II has seen fit to lift the excommunication of Xavier de Sola, being as he has endured great penance for his crimes against Creator and man. His soul is clear, and he is once again welcome in the house of the Creator.

The High Pontiff reads over the thesis with approval, stamping it with his seal.

A courier arrives at St. Edmond's Cathedral, bearing the news of the death of the Abbot. The High Pontiff scans the letter, his eyes growing harder with every word upon the parchment. His gaze turns a steely cold, rage and determination filling it. He begins to pen a letter.

Church of the Canon ☩ History of the Church The Church of the Canon has existed since the founding of the human kingdom by Horen I under various names, 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 prophecy of his line and the Scroll of Virtue. He served as Head of the Faith until his grandson, Owyn Godwinson, came to power after slaying his traitor uncle 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 purity and righteousness in fear of their Creator, and in reward he was granted the Scroll of Spirit. 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 Horen dynasty grinded to a halt, their last scion abdicating 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. Throughout this period, the Church was kept unified by St. 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 third prophet of exalted 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 and brought forth divine scripture. the Scroll of Gospel, a deed not done in over a thousand years. The appointing of a Prince-Archbishop, James Hightower, had thus established a common Pontifical tradition, although it would not be executed to its fullest extent until the reign of St. High Pontiff Lucien I. With the Exodus came High Pontiff Owyn I, a radical figure known for his gross accumulation secular power and political wit. It was this period of chaos where the final divine scripture of the Canon was revealed to the exalted Siegmund, the Scroll of Auspice, an ominous prophecy which revealed the end times. Siegmund released the Church of all caesaropapist oaths and allowed it to govern and elect among itself, granting the Church ultimate ability to administer its communion. With this came the middling figures of Radomir I and Lucien II, both mastermind theologians with lofty goals and little means to accomplish them due to the volatile nature of post-Exodus Oren. Whilst the former resigned in face of the challenges of the Pontificate, Lucien II turned to militancy to accomplish his goals, establishing the Order of St. Lucien, a fellowship which has had a strained relationship with its Mother Church. The clerical peerage had soon grown corrupt with their new found liberties, and High Pontiff Lucien II died in an attempt to restrain them in an assassination by poison. These corruptions had soon festered into sects, with various priests lobbying to establish their cultural rites as dominant. The two most prominent sects in the Empire, the Ruskan Orthodoxy and Rovinist-Lucienist sects had soon found themselves in open warfare against another due to petty doctrinal dogmas, while the Darfeyist Pontificate had tolerated, if not encouraged, the attempted genocide inflicted on both sides. This culminated in the Franciscan Massacre, where King Francis I of Oren along with his court were butchered openly by Lucienist and Decterum traitors. These Franciscican martyrs are heralded as beatified figures of the Church The brutal actions of the Darfeyist Pontificates had led to their stigmatization in society, with various nobles of renown outraged and disgusted at the open depravity of their Church. A group of young radicals, spearheaded by Basil of Sabris, a cleric of mild renown, had issued 21 theses against the Church, demanding an open purge and overhaul of the ecclesiastical order. The ruling family of the period, the House of Chivay, had used the document as basis to restore a caesaropapist tradition, leading to a deep decline in clergy activity, with many who felt the practice heretical in face of the Siegmundic tradition. This Third Interregnum was kept together by the High Patriarch Thomas I, known more commonly as Cordal deHerendul, a closet Canonist who maintained the farce of caesaropapism until the Chivay regime was usurped in the Vibian Coup and the Church could restore its rightful liberties. The Third Interregnum ended with the appointment of Siguine of Barrows being named High Pontiff by the Ecclesiastical Synod; he took upon himself the pontifical name of Daniel I, in honor of Saint Daniel of Al’Khazar, the patron saint of peace; the period in which Daniel was elected was known as a time of troubles, with chaos and instability caused by the coup of Vibius de Sola and other squabbling by both secular authorities and religious authorities alike. However, his hopes for stability were dashed with the incessant civil discord characterized in Emperor Tobias’ reign. The two however, benefitted from another, as the Holy See was granted the lands of Fursten and Cyriaum to establish a clerical powerbase. While Daniel remained apolitical in the fall of the Carrion Empire by the hands of the Renatus Occult and Aesterwald, the successor states found his carrion descent concerning and declared schism. The Great Schism War was fought between the Kingdom of Akovia, the Duchy of Savoy, the March of Adria, and the County of Werdenberg against the Konigreich of Aesterwald, the Mardonic League, the Orcish Warnation, and the Dwarves. Canonism prevailed as its soldiery crushed the opposition and peace and stability echoed throughout Oren after a half century of tensions. Daniel used this period of peace to elaborate and adapt the Canon; his work in rendering it to the Common Tongue had enabled a sprung in growth of religious knowledge and activity. Written tradition and the standardization of liturgy and religious dogma had earned him the moniker ‘the Reader’, for his scholarship and pursuit in academia. After forty years, he passed of old age in the Blessed Patrick Cathedral in Petrus. His protege, Theodosius of Fursten, secured the Synod election thenceforth, seeking to electrify and build upon Daniel’s foundation. Finding no pontiff nor saint who managed to do such, he took upon the name Sixtus III after the little-knowned Sixtian Pontiffs, in hopes of establishing his own legacy. Unfortunately, after six years at the helm of the Pontificate, Sixtus III was assassinated after rumors surfaced of his support for the Adrian side of the Orenian civil war. His successor, Daniel II, led the faith before, as High Patriarch Thomas I, and is overjoyed at the chance to redeem himself as the leader of a true and legitimate faith instead of a caesareopapist puppet. He is the first non-Raev Pontiff since the days of Darfey. ☩ 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 It was under Liberius I when the great Priestly See of Pontian I was ravaged, the archives of the Faith lost, and the Priesthood destroyed. Whilst the majority of mankind still heralded the faith of Horen I, there was no singular Head of Faith until the High Priest Marcus; instead , the Church’s dogma was governed by various clerical circles whom acted as peers. What little is known about the Church prior the Sack of Pontia was due to texts saved in his escape. x. High Priest Marcus I The first and last leader of the Faith under the line of Horen, he was appointed in the reign of St. Daniel whom sought to restore the Priesthood after centuries of decentralized clergy. He proved able and competent in swaying the various religious circles to submit to his authority. xi. High Priest Bernard I The first non-human leader of faith and 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. Bernard was of halfling origin and relatively mild-mannered. xii. High Priest St. 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 was caused by the split of Oren into Hanseti, Renatus and Salvus. xiii. Prince-Archbishop James I The first of the Renatian Pontificate, 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. His carnal desires and greed was well-noted by peers, as he often wasted away church funds on courtesans and masquerades. xiv. High Pontiff Pius I The second of the Renatian Pontificate, Pius I was a high elf 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. Blessed High Pontiff Adeodatus I 'the Simple' Adeodatus was also of House Silverblade, born Boiendl Silverblade. Having been significantly less problematic than his two predecessors, Adeodatus’ reign was stagnant however peaceful. He was a pious and charitable mystic, who spent much of his church tithes tending to the poor and sick. However, he is infamous among tavern-folk for the wild-stories of his reign; a famous fresco of the era depicts him running about in his undergarments through the streets, his speech was cluttered with abrupt and offensive shouting, and his attempts to regulate and legalize prostitution in Oren stirred deep controversy among reactionaries and conservatives. This eccentric nature prove to be his downfall, as many of the clergy demanded the more disciplined and orthodox Lucien to take upon the papal laurels, and soon enough, the simple Adeodatus I resigned from his post. Despite his outbursts and oddities, he was recognized for his piety upon his passing and later beatified, for his goodwill and simple nature. xvi. High Pontiff St. Lucien I 'the Good' 1395-1420 The fourth and final of the Renatian Pontificate, 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 and various significant theologians were fostered under his tutelage. xvii. High Pontiff Owyn I 1421-1437 The controversial successor of Lucien I upon his exile, Owyn was one of the more notable heads of the Faith. Throughout Owyn's long and tumultuous reign, he acquired large tracts of land and political power for the Church not seen since the days of High Priest of Pontia. In modern times as then, he was reputed by many as corrupt and ambitious, and is more notable for his achievements in secular policy than in the faith. However, to others, he was acclaimed for his contributions to the Siegmundic prophecy. The Second Interregnum was caused by the abolition of the Pontifical throne by Owyn I; a deeply heretical move which was immediately resisted by clergy. xviii. Blessed High Ecclesiarch Radomir I 1437-1446 The only head of the Faith and the Church being called High Ecclesiarch due to his extraordinary nature of ruling as a King and High Pontiff during varying periods of his lifetime. Born as Franz Joseph Carrion, Radomir is an extreme reformist who aimed 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. However, his reforms had led to radical bills such as the Bull of Dibley, and as a Pontiff is condemned for attempting to make the Pontificate hereditary. He soon realized his folly and amended his bills, but later resigned due to frustration of his abilities. Over a decade later he inherited the Orenian throne as King Francis, before being butchered in the Franciscan Massacre. xix. High Pontiff Lucien II 'the Unready' 1446-1451 High Pontiff Lucien II reigned as High Pontiff after Radomir. He was the first High Pontiff elected by the Ecclesiastical Synod, the college of Bishops convened to choose a successor to Radomir in the wake of his leave. Lucien II was a Lucienist that sought to expand the Church's presence in Oren. He oversaw the establishment of the Order of St. Lucien and the assimilation of the Teutonic Order into the Church, as well as reviving a tradition of regular mass and fasting in the significant cities. However, during his reign his neglect to manage his subordinates led to his lack of political sway and, according to some, his death as he was assassinated through poison. xx. High Pontiff Regulus I 1451-1457 A relic of Godfrey's era, the imperial traditionalist Regulus was unanimously chosen by the Ecclesiastical Synod to take control of the Faith after the death of Lucien II. During his reign, many doctrines were established and clarified, yet his issues in unifying the various sects, and later openly tolerating and patronizing Darfeyist and Rovinist plots had led to the brutal Franciscian Massacre and a sharp decline in moral authority. His station was brought under heavy scrutiny after its lead role in overthrowing the Carrion dynasty and replacing it with the Chivay dynasty. Regulus retired and abdicated his title shortly after Emperor Peter I's coronation. xxi. High Pontiff Pius II 1457 Pius II is known for being the shortest-lived head of Faith, his reign lasting a paltry six months. While of outstanding learning and particular renown, the staunch member of the Rovinist-Lucienist fellowship soon found himself deposed in favor for the notorious John of Darfey himself. He was hunted down and killed by his former colleagues after trying to resist his deposition, known for little else other than being a pawn in their political machinations. xxii. High Pontiff Paul III 'the Wicked' 1457-1460 There are few held in such high contempt in the Church histories as the figure "John of Darfey", a bastard of low cunning and malevolent intent. Little is known about the Jrent's early clerical career, but his rise to prominence began under Radomir I where he found himself appointed as the Bishop of Corazon. From thenceforth, John of Darfey utilized political connections to severe and poison the human state, fostering deep sectarian issue and dissent which culminated in the Franciscan Massacre. However, growing resentment against his political dogma and abuse of clerical authority led to his deposition by the Chivay government. The Third Interregnum was caused by the abolition of the Church at the hands of Robert Chivay and the institution of the Reformed Communion, a caesaropapist tradition presided by High Patriarch Thomas I, which greatly curbed the rights of the clergy. Church activity waned until the Vibian Coup, and the Canonist Church was restored by will of Thomas I. 1460-1471 xxiii. High Pontiff Daniel I 'the Reader' 1471-1512 The longest reigning High Pontiff in recorded history, Daniel I began his pontificate as little more than an adolescent and ended it a withered man. He witnessed three wars and the fall and return of a unified humanity; the Schism War, arguably the most significant of the three, revolved around the distrust faced against him due to his Carrion blood. However, despite the war and strife surrounding humanity, Daniel was a notable pacifist of weak constitution, choosing to the quill for his battles over blade. He earned the church lands and kept its sovereignty and neutrality throughout the period’s crises, establishing the Church’s presence as one significant yet apolitical; a mediator in disputes and center of higher learning. Prior Pontiffs largely relied on an inconsistent oral tradition to reference and minister faith, but under the reign of Daniel, liturgy, holy scrolls, dogma and histories were chronicled for posterity, enabling the priesthood a far greater understanding of faith and tradition than ever before. He is characterized for his passion for scholarship and academia, evoking a new literary tradition among the clergy, earning him the moniker ‘the Reader.’ xxiv. High Pontiff Sixtus III 1512-1518 Having ascended to the position of High Pontiff following a controversial election, Sixtus III sought to further progress conversion of the Elven subjects of the Kingdom of Oren and to make more efficient the Church, who's attendance has seen better days. He did indeed make great strides in conversion, founding a mission in Malinor with the help of Abbot Radovid of Blaviken. Unfortunately, before all his goals were accomplished, he was assassinated by an unknown man, becoming a martyr for the faith. xxv. High Pontiff Daniel II 1518- The only man to have ever been crowned as the leader of the faith twice, Daniel II, (the past High Patriarch Thomas I), seeks to restore the church's former glory, and finish the job of converting the elves. ☩ Dogma The Church of the Canon adheres to absolute monotheism, revering the one true God of the one true faith. He is regarded to have countless names rooted in countless traditions, but nonetheless is the same all-powerful figure, the creator of the universes. He is the source of good in the world, and thus those that shun his tenets are evil, evil being defined in the faith as a lack of godliness. Thus, individual pagans and heretics can unknowingly adhere to his tenets and be virtuous, but pagan and heretic societies are inherently viewed as less righteous given their higher tendency to stray off the path the Creator has willed. This is reflected in their belief in the afterlife where those who have remained loyal to God accompany him in the Seven Skies, while those who shun him and his ways are left to the Void, an oblivion of pitch-blackness symbolizing a world without God. This concept of afterlife has popularized the Lorraine Cross, the unofficial symbol of the Church, representing the Skies (the highest vertical line on the cross), the Mortal Plane (the middle line of the cross), and the nothingness of the Void below. The Creator has created the Holy Scrolls in his infinite wisdom; immortal artifacts which reveal the secret of the universe. When the end-days come, the Holy Scrolls in full shall be revealed to all of the world and all creation shall be redeemed of their worldly taint. In the mean time, to guide His sentient creation to righteousness, God has delivered four Scrolls of the countless Holy Scrolls, known as the Canon, through four exalted prophets; Horen I, Owyn I, Godfrey I, and Siegmund I. Only humans have received this prophecy due to their boon after the defeat of Iblees; while other races received more worldly boons reflecting constitution or immortality, Canonists interpret the gift to "wander the seven skies" as the ability to conduct in prophecy and be closest to God, particularly in the afterlife. ​Horen received the Scroll of Virtue, which illustrates the nature of God and his commandments. Owyn received the Scroll of Spirit, which illustrates the falsehoods of the infidel faiths. Godfrey received the Scroll of Gospel, which illustrates the canonical past of the Faith's prophets. ​Siegmund received the Scroll of Auspice, which illustrates the canonical futures in revelation. The Church of the Canon holds these four Scrolls as divinely writ and most holy, with secondary flawed texts consisting of holy works by saints and theologians. They believe no more scrolls shall be revealed until all creation has been redeemed. The Church of the Canon also affirms its identity as the rebranding the "Church of the True Faith" and "the Temple of the Faith" by acknowledging the tenets below. ☩ Ranks of the Clergy High Pontiff The High Pontiff 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 is considered the Vicar of God and infallible in regards to matters of theology. He wears a fresh white robe made in their honor as the head of the Church and wear a gilded laurel in honor of Horen I. High Pontiffs must be celibate as decreed by High Pontiff Lucien II. The High Pontiff is to be addressed as ‘Your Holiness’. Bishop Bishops are the administrators of the Church. They manage their entire diocese, typically an immense tract of land, and are responsible for picking acolytes and naming priests within the diocese. They also are a member of the Ecclesiastical Synod. They can only be ordained by High Pontiff. Bishops must be celibate. Bishops wear the aged robes of High Pontiffs past to symbolize their role in the Synod and are to be addressed as ‘Your Eminence’. Abbot The Abbot is considered peer to the Bishops of the clergy; however, their role is more specialized to reflect their monastic vows. Abbots often are master theologians who train both priests and monks in ways of secular and clerical intellectual traditions. They administer abbeys, houses of learning and monastic life, and wear the aged robes of High Pontiffs past to symbolize their role in the Synod. Abbots must be celibate. They are to be addressed as 'Your Eminence'. Priests Also known as clerics, priests are the backbone of the Church and represent the majority of the Clergy. They preach in settlements, perform all sacraments, morally guide communities as leaders of their parish, and may take on other professions as long as their loyalty remains chiefly to the Church. They also must serve the parish they were assigned to by the bishop. Serving 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 bishop, provided they swear the Oath of Ordination. They may not wed once assuming the priesthood, but may wed prior and ascend to the priesthood. They are required to wear their uniform at all times, and they wear black. They are to be addressed as ‘Father’. Monks When many of the priesthood are aged and no longer able to administer their duties as actively as they wish, they often retire to the monastery and undergo monastic vows. Others chose the monastic life based on their passions towards theology and study, relieved of their duty to preach but still permitted to access church resources. Monks are the backbone of the learned institutions of the Church and focus largely on writing, prayer, alms giving, farming and donation gathering over active adminstration. They are required to wear their uniform at all times, and they wear brown. They are to be addressed as 'Brother'. Deacon Deacons are portrayed as novice clergyman. They act as the servants of the parish priests and help the parish priest with the parish. They are permitted to hold mass, but they may not perform any other sacrament, such as matrimony or baptism. They are required to wear their uniform at all times, and they wear brown. They are addressed as 'Deacon'. Acolytes Acolytes are the fresh-faced recruits to the clergy, wholly unskilled and untrained in the ways of the Canon. They undergo rigorous study in an attempt to prove their literacy and knowledge in order to ascend to become Deacons. Given they have taken no vows, they do not wear any particular uniform and are addressed by their given name. ☩ Roster of the Church - High Pontiff Daniel II - Bishops Humbert de Bar - Abbots Radovid of Blaviken - Priests Gerald of Rosemoor Oscar of Norfolk Jarlath of Owynswood Allen of Abresi Edmond of Montfort Renauld of Metz - Monks/Nuns Sister Lorina - Deacons Tobia Sarkozic Benedict Avo II Colin Samston Vladimir Mosin Yuri - Acolytes Aemolius Bracchus Florent of Maecht Kendor of Felsen ☩ Qui exaltatus, sanctificamini, et benedictus Those Exalted, Sanctified, and Blessed Among mankind, there are those who have acted with utmost piety and compassion, and the Church has recognized them for their valor. Whilst paragons of virtues have graced the realm since ancient times, it was only under the High Pontiff Marcus I where a canonization process was established, to deliberate those beautified and saintly. However, with the great heathen sack of the Liberian Pontificate, the canon list of the sainthoods had been lost. It was under only High Pontiff Everad where a tradition of universally recognized sainthoods were restored. Above the saints are, the four Exalted are those foretold in the Holy Scrolls, known formerly as the Divine, whom would restore humanity in this life and beyond. Only the exalted have ever held full dialogue with the Creator, and all have performed countless miracles and acts of greatness, standing aside the Creator in the Seventh Sky. All these canonized figures are not to be worshiped, but revered, whether for their fulfillment of the Creator’s prophecies, or for their exceptional degree of holiness. They may be asked to pray for us as they act in intercession, close to the Creator himself. The Prophets The Prophets, or Exalted, are determined by the Canon and are noted for receiving their respective Scrolls from the Aenguls Artifai and Tesion, along with innumerable acts of faith, good works, and miracles. Horen I "the Father" - Golden Laurel Patron of Humanity, Covenants and Humility Owyn I "the Purifier" - Flaming Sword Patron of Purity, War, and Fire Godfrey I "the Redeemer"- Silver Scepter Patron of Dominion, Glory, and Justice Siegmund I "the Preserver" - Globus Cruciger Patron of Clairvoyance, Wisdom, and Sight The Saints One is sainted if he or she lives a wholly pious and virtuous life and has proven he or she is in the highest skies by traditionally performing at minimum two miracles posthumously. They are often attributed symbols. St. Daniel of Al'Khazar - Wooden Staff Patron Saint of Peace, Cities, Pilgrims, and Travel High Priest St. Everard of Al'Khazar - Red Cross The Patron Saint of Tradition and Persecution St. Godwein of Huntshill - Iron Axe The Patron Saint of Honesty, Woodworkers, Fungi, and Skin Afflictions St. Tobias of Sarkoz – Silver Comet The Patron Saint of Merchants, Comets, Wealth, and Charity St. Amyas of Yore - Wild Herb The Patron Saint of Medicine, Healing, Botany, and Wild Herbs High Pontiff St. Lucien I of Ulmsbottom – Kaedreni Cross The Patron Saint of Crusaders, Change, and the Family St. Adrian of Leuvaarden – Open Book The Patron Saint of Statesmen, Lawyers, and Politics St. Thomas of Gaekrin – White Rose The Patron Saint of Leadership, Discipline, Frontiersmen, and Kaedrin St. Edmond of Lachsin – Knight on Horseback The Patron Saint of Chivalry, Knighthood, and the Auvergnian People St. Theodosius of Istiam - Gray Pigeon The Patron Saint of Messengers, Birds, Translators, and the Raevir People St. Wilfriche of Hanseti - Black Mace The Patron Saint of Brotherhood, Unity, Opposition of Setherin, and Franciscan Martyrs St. Godwin of Paradisus - Crown / Skull The Patron Saint of the Deceased, the Afterlife, Kings, and Heartlanders St. Julia of Paradisus - Golden Rings The Patron Saint of Mothers, Matrimony, and Exorcism St. Joren of Paradisus - Iron Shackles The Patron Saint of the Mountains, Winter, the Imprisoned, and Highlanders St. Lothar of Balian - Lorraine Cross The Patron Saint of the Lorraine Cross, Princes, Courage, and Heraldry The Beautified One is beautified if he or she lives a wholly pious and virtuous life and is either martyred for his or her faith, or posthumously performed a miracle upon a High Pontiff's prayer. Blessed Patrick Denims Blessed High Pontiff Adeodatus Blessed Hunwald Blessed Francis Karovic Blessed Lorethos Basileus Blessed Damon Kovacevic Blessed Vladislav Blessed Zacarias Mosquera Blessed Father Stephen Blessed Frederick Royce Blessed Dmitri of the Dreadfort Blessed Jon of the Whirlwind Blessed Peter Blessed Lendus Blessed Jan Jeremi Blessed William the Beggar Blessed Kristoff of Hanseti Blessed Emily Vladov Blessed Richard de Bar Blessed Otto Rovin ☩ Oaths and Creeds Oath of Ordination “I swear to be true to the Church, God and his realm, to the Archons of our faith, and most bindingly to the Head of the Faith, 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. I shall obey the orders of my bishop and adhere to the tenets of our faith without perversion. On this I kiss the cross.”

To the Crown of Oren, We thank you for your benevolent words of kindness and encouragement, and assure you that we intend to make no such mistakes. Furthermore, we, too, wish you luck in the war you now engage in, and pray that the Creator brings the conflict to a swift end. The Diocese of Metz shall be created, as is your wish, and this provision will be written in the next Golden Bull. Father Renauld of Metz shall likewise be made head of this diocese, and this provision will be written in the next Golden Bull. Father Renauld of Metz will be made a Pentarch of the Ecclesiastical synod, and this provision will be written in the next Golden Bull. However. In return for our graciousness in bestowing a bishopric upon a newly ordained priest, who was but an acolyte a few months ago, we humbly ask for the Crown to gift the Holy Church a tithe of land wherein a pontifical estate can be established. We hope that the Crown will consider this an exchange of favors, and not demands returned with demands. With the greatest of regards, His Holiness Daniel II.

The halls of Felsen’s cathedral remain mum as the enthronement ceremony takes place. Bishop Humbert presides the ceremony, an assembly of acolytes and brothers by his side. His low voice triumphs in the newly constructed Church as he reads out the ceremony. “The Lord Creator, our God , father of all creation, sustainer and maintainer of the realms aplenty, had long ago made with Horen a covenant to spread the revelations of His Truths. And we, the keepers of God’s Will, the shepherds of his flock, are to continue to preserve his covenant, from the wickerdy and heathenry, the ill-minded and the mad. And as His Will, our Allfather has blessed one among his flock of man to lead and preserve the ministry. Wardens of the Church, these High Pontiffs are to keep our communion and covenant with the Lord Creator, and to bind the mortal races together in face of true threat, subservient to none but His Will which graces him. Our church has been long in the darkness, balkanized by politic and the petty grievances of man; and in order to keep His Truths and His Grace aflame in the hearts of both sinner and saint, it has been time to anoint a new father of our church to preserve His Way and His Truth.” Humbert then begins to recite the Prayer of Penitence "Almighty and most merciful Creator, we have wandered and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things that we ought to have done; and we have done those things that we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But you, O Lord, have mercy upon us sinners. Spare those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to mankind in Horen our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Creator, for his sake, that we may live a disciplined, righteous and godly life, to the glory of your holy name. So say we all." . It is then when the elderly Cordal was presented to the clergy, bearing an immaculate white frock. Bishop Humbert continued; “With the Lord Creator our witness and guide, it has been divined that the Pentarch, Cordal of Herendul, born Cordal Winter, has been willed to fulfill the seat of the Church Pontificate. Do you heed the call of Our Creator to bear this vocation? “I do so believe.” “You have been ordained in our church, your household names forsaken and your life devoted in sole service to the teachings of our Creator. The vows of your past vocations remain firm; now you must make the declaration of assent.” Bishop Humbert then reads the Assent, preserved from a different time. “The Church of Faithful is the One, Holy and Rightful Church of the Creator , worshiping the one true God, The Creator. It professes the faith uniquely revealed in the Holy Scrolls and set forth in the Faithful creeds, which faith the Church is called upon to proclaim afresh in each generation. Led by the Holy Light, it has borne witness to Faithful truth in its historic formulates, the Articles of Faith, The Book of Saints. In the declaration you are about to make, will you affirm your loyalty to this inheritance of faith as your inspiration and guidance under God in bringing the grace and truth of Horen to this generation and making Him known to those in your care?” “I, Cordal of Herendul, do so affirm, and accordingly declare my belief in the faith which is revealed in the Holy Scrolls and set forth in the Faithful creeds and to which the historic formularies of the Church of The Creator bear witness; and in public prayer and administration of the sacraments, I will use only the forms of service which are authorized or allowed by Canon.” replies Cordal. Do you accept the Holy Scrolls as revealing all things necessary for eternal salvation through faith? "I do so accept them." "Will you be diligent in prayer, in reading Holy Scrolls, and in all studies that will deepen your faith and fit you to bear witness to the truth of the Word?" "By the help of God, I will." "Will you lead your people in proclaiming the glorious Word of Horen, so that the good news of salvation may be heard in every place?" "By the help of God, I will." "Will you teach the doctrine of Horen as the Church of Faith has received it, will you refute error, and will you hand on entire the faith that is entrusted to you?" "By the help of God, I will." "Will you be faithful in ordaining and commissioning ministers of the Church?" "By the help of God, I will." Will you be gentle and merciful for Horen’s sake to those who are in need, and speak for those who have no other to speak for them? "By the help of God, I will." "Will you endeavor to fashion your own life and that of your household according to the way of God and make your home a place of hospitality and welcome?" "By the help of God, I will." "Will you work with your fellow servants in the Church for the sake of the kingdom of God?" "By the help of God, I will." "Will you accept the discipline of this Church, exercising authority with justice, courtesy and love, and always holding before you the example of Horen?" "By the help of God, I will." "Will you then, in the strength of the Holy Light, continually stir up the gift of God that is in you, that the good news of God may be proclaimed in all the Realm?" "By the help of God, I will." "Speak thus then the oath of the Pontificate, with the conclave and God as witness." "I vow to change nothing of the received Tradition, and nothing thereof I have found before me guarded by my God-pleasing predecessors, to encroach upon, to alter, or to permit any innovation therein; To the contrary: with glowing affection as her truly faithful student and successor, to safeguard reverently the passed-on good, with my whole strength and utmost effort; To cleanse all that is in contradiction to the canonical order, should such appear; to guard the Holy Canons and Decrees of our Saints and Pontiffs as if they were the divine ordinance of Heaven, because I am conscious of Thee, whose place I take through the Grace of God, whose Vicarship I possess with Thy support, being subject to severest accounting before Thy Divine Tribunal over all that I shall confess; I swear to God Almighty and the Favored son Horen that I will keep whatever has been revealed through Horen and His Successors and whatever the Saints and my predecessors have defined and declared. I will keep without sacrifice to itself the discipline and the rite of the Church. I will put outside the Church whoever dares to go against this oath, may it be somebody else or I. If I should undertake to act in anything of contrary sense, or should permit that it will be executed, Thou willst not be merciful to me on the dreadful Day of Divine Justice. Accordingly, without exclusion, We subject to severest excommunication anyone -- be it Ourselves or be it another -- who would dare to undertake anything new in contradiction to this constituted Tradition and the purity of the Faith and the Faithful religion, or would seek to change anything by his opposing efforts, or would agree with those who undertake such a blasphemous venture." As his oath come to close, Humbert washes the face of Cordal and anoints his forehead with scented oils. "Cleansed of worldly taint, you are reborn in the Creator's vision. Your heart blessed in the eternal compassion and truth of Horen; your soul aflame with the benevolent justice and fervor of Owyn; your body awash with the incredulous miracles and charisma of Godfrey; your mind attuned to the unworldly wisdom and vigor of Siegmund." Humbert then garbs Cordal in the pontifical cloth, and bestows the pontifical ferula. "By this you are known to all as preserver of truths and lord spiritual." Humbert then retrieves the ring of St. Lucien, before sliding it upon the right ring finger of the anointed, and afterward, takes the pontifical mitre and rests it upon his brow. "I announce to you a great joy: We have a High Pontiff! The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord, Cordal of Herendul. High Pontiff of the Canonist Faith who takes to himself the name DANIEL II."

Come All Ye Faithful to the funeral of His Holiness, Sixtus III Now is the time, sons and daughters of the Church, to mourn the dearly departed High Pontiff Sixtus III, who was taken from us too soon by murder most foul. During this time of war and strife, the funeral shall be held in neither Brelus nor Felsen, but in the chapel of Vanaheim. No weapons nor violence shall be tolerated at this most holy of occasions. All are encouraged to come, so long as the strife between the two warring factions is left at the door. Any breaking of the peace will be met with Expulsion from the event and possible Excommunication. The Funeral will be held two saint's days from now ((Thursday the 6th, at 5 EST)). May the Creator bless you in these dark times, and we hope to see you there.

Cordal breathes a sigh, saying a quick, private prayer in thanks to the Creator. "Thank you, my friends." he says, rubbing his temple, "Now we can attend to the matter of a funeral."

Bishop Cordal approaches the pulpit, looking mournfully up at the Lorraine cross as he ascends. He has done this before. It is his second time, to be exact. Always the politics, always speeches. He tires of it. His elderly bones, not as spry as they had once been, carry him to the top, where he faces the assembled members. "Brothers." he says, taking a deep, ponderous breath. "You know why I am here. I will try to keep this speech concise, for the benefit of our departed leader, Sixtus." his serious gaze hardens. "Who was murdered in cold blood. Such a travesty, such an outrage, cannot be allowed. Certainly not now, in this time of strife and war." "My friends, I am the oldest serving member of this church. I have seen everything happen. I was there when Pontiff Paul was hunted like an animal, and I was there when Simon of Kvaz posted his theses. Indeed, I led this church through the dark times of caesareopapism, and ended that tradition. When it ended, I peacefully stepped down to allow a true election of the High Pontiff, and so was Pontiff Daniel elected, a good personal friend and better High Pontiff. I missed much of his reign during my pilgrimage, and I greatly regret it." "I will guide this church as I have before. Deus Magnus."

Cordal shrugs. "A frivolous falsehood. I have no inkling as to why anybody would believe this or publish something like this."

You assumed correctly, this is indeed a thread for the entirety of human history. I would be more than happy to take down the history of Salvus and the Caliphate, if you provided me with that information.

Edited.

I've returned from my hiatus. If someone would like to give me a long, comprehensive update of history it will be recorded.

Bishop Cordal de Herendul, 43, Bishop of Aananburg

Cordal sighs as he watches all the votes tally up for Bishop Siguine. He stands. Not a single vote for him. "Bishop Siguine will be coronated as the High Pontiff. God wills it! Deus Magnus!"

((You were the one who pushed for it to be removed lol)) Noting the large amount of negative feedback towards the decision on predestination, it has been restored as a founding principle of the faith. "Merging faiths means blending traditions, not forcing one over another." says Cordal to sky.