Publius

RETURNING to the Raev, a courier bore this message;

Resignation of Rigoberto Rigoberto serving his final shift at the Fairweather Cafe, 1971 Lo to the people of Petra! Over these past few decades, I have had the pleasure of serving our people. From gate guard to barman, to Mayor and Vice-Chancellor, it has been my greatest honour and pleasure to serve. Now that I am older, it is the simple things that bring me greater pleasure - and I hope soon to start a family. My focus on these endeavors require that I resign. For the ownership of the Fairweather Tavern, I will be giving it back to the diligent and wonderful Cassius Javaron @MeteorDragon. A true man of the people, a true friend of mine. Regarding the Mayorship of the city, as hard as it is to walk away after a decade, I see a clear successor in my Deputy, Pym Volkov @MrMojoMordor. May he bring life to the great Vallagne! As for my position as Vice-Chancellor, I am sure fair Sir Wilford will choose an able compadre! I wish him and the government enduring good fortune, so our Queen may enjoy a long and prosperous reign, and thank him for the opportunity. To said government, I will leave a second missive. Should you need anything of me, I will still be available to the people of our fair nation - but as a Ranchero, and nothing more. God Bless us all, God Bless the Petra, God Bless the Crown of St. Emma! Faithfully yours, Rigoberto de la Cruz

[!] Across the realms of Man, a missive spreads. It’s read aloud by criers, and left in heaps at taverns and banks. [!] THE FIRST CONVENTION OF THE SOCIETY OF THE EXALTED HOREN A CONVENTION OPEN TO ALL SOCIETY FELLOWS AND ASSOCIATES “Thus mankind was united in virtue, in the highlands and the heartlands, and in the farthest homes of the sons of Horen.” Gospel 6:33 PRINTED BY THE IMPERIAL SOCIETY OF THE EXALTED HOREN PREAMBLE To further our goals, we hereby call upon the members of the SOCIETY OF THE EXALTED HOREN and its fellow associates to a public meeting that shall take place in the [LOCATION REDACTED]. The agenda of the Convention shall be the following one: I - On the Imperial Society of the Exalted Horen THE SOCIETY OF THE EXALTED HOREN, also known as the IMPERIAL SOCIETY, shall be officially formed as a religious society in honor of the Prophet Horen, which shall be a society of equals open to all Canonist individuals, be they laity or clergy. II - On the Headmaster of the Society THE SOCIETY OF THE EXLATED HOREN is a Society of equals, with an individual elected amongst its members serving as its HEADMASTER and, as such, as its effective leader as first amongst equals for organizational purposes. At the same time, given the religious nature of THE SOCIETY, the position of HONORARY CHANCELLOR of the Society is held by His Holiness the High Pontiff on an ex officio basis. - The current Headmaster of the IMPERIAL SOCIETY is His Excellency Rigoberto de la Cruz. III - On the Holy Orenian Empire THE PURPOSE of the SOCIETY OF THE EXALTED HOREN shall be to achieve a more perfect Union amongst the Realms of Man, both in Virtue and Spirit, and, in consequence, the Restoration of the Holy Orenian Empire, as the Exalted Godfrey’s Crown, ancestral symbol of a United Humanity. IV - On the Imperial Chapter Houses The members of the IMPERIAL SOCIETY shall act in all the Realms of our Canondom, and shall open Chapter Houses in every Canonist Realm, which shall represent our Society and serve both as a hub and meeting place for Society members and associates. Each Imperial Chapter House shall be required to regularly report on the state of their chapters to the Headmaster of the Society. V - Reaffirmation and Commitment of the Society Fellows The members of the IMPERIAL SOCIETY OF THE EXALTED HOREN shall reaffirm themselves in the Society’s purpose and in the missive The Throne of Man formerly published by the Society. At the same time, the members of the IMPERIAL SOCIETY shall adhere to the RIGHTS OF MAN consecrated by Emperor Joseph I in the NENZING PROCLAMATION and to the GRADIC RIGHTS that were given to the Imperial City of Felsen by Emperor John II. VI - Rallies and Debates The members of the SOCIETY OF THE EXALTED HOREN shall actively hold rallies and organize debates open to the public in all the Realms of Man of our Canondom in favor of Human Unity and in favor of a Panhuman Imperial State. Furthermore, they will endeavour to make themselves available to the Canon Princes, to both advocate for the Society, and to answer for it. At the convention itself, a final debate on the core tenants of our Society will take place. From the conclusions drawn there, our lasting tenants shall be proclaimed. We wish to remind everyone that in order to be admitted into the Imperial Society it is required to send a letter or approach our Headmaster Rigoberto de la Cruz (@Olde_Publius) or any other relevant member. THE CONVENTION SHALL TAKE PLACE DURING SUN’S SMILE, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD GOD 1971. [[SUNDAY, APRIL 7TH, [REDCATED]; AT 2PM EST]] This we submit for the furtherance of Humanity, Rigoberto de la Cruz, Headmaster of the Society of the Exalted Horen

Username: Olde_Publius Persona Name: Rigoberto de la Cruz Persona Age: 36 Place of Residence / Street Address: Commonwealth Lane II

Rigoberto was on hand as Marcus explained things on the top floor of the Fairweather. @MeteorDragondid another great job taking care of the main level's bar service. Beside him many other good taverneers as the two spoke on things back and forth. "We've a few fools to sack."

By a Balianite courier, a copy of the missive reached the Fairweather Cafe in Petra. Smiling broadly, Rigoberto would step to the balcony overlooking the square, and allowing the sunlight to illuminate his morning paper. "Our compadres are keeping busy, the passion - I feel it on the page! The will, the urgency... I will call a meeting of the Society soon, I must meet with the Cardinals first."

Rigoberto looked over the final draft, smiling to Caspian and Tiber, before handing it back to Kristoff. ‘This is not just a major event, but a historic one hermano.’

[!] Across the realms of the old Covenant, riders left the office of a commoner diplomat from Vallagne. His writings bore on them the Sixth seal of Paridisus, reading as follows… [!] United Through War, and Onward Into Peace Auspice 3:11. Now the final command of GOD, which is the perfection of the world: Auspice 3:12. Thus the virtuous of other tribes are marching down from heaven, and the Skies are given over to the sons of Horen. Long have we fought for and sought security in the Canon realms, and long yet seems the fight and search for it. Word swirls across the many states across Aevos, urging us back to arms so soon after the mortal struggle the Covenant found itself locked in against the League of Veletz. Word swirls, declarations and proclamations called into question when tested again. These words swirl, as old treaties and affirmations are sucked down the drain. Wildly differing national interests pull apart our once robust allies, no principle guiding us. Where war once saw us stand together, peace sees us wander further away. Why must this be the case? Should it not be easier to stand united in Peace? Our Covenant must not be rendered impotent, lest we lose our unity and purpose in conflict. Once already, we witnessed it waver. Its purpose is not to be our spoils, that in which we fight for. It is our sword and shield - and what do we use it to defend now? It cannot be the pressure of conflict, unity forever only possible in war, for us to meet only at the edges of a pool of blood. It ought instead to be in shared institutions, in developing beyond our feudal structures that make us hardly anything more than warlords with crosses. To contribute to more than a mortal realm - to create something in the image of His Kingdom. Upon the Crowns bestowed by our High Pontiff, from our Canon Princes and laymen, I beseech you to look upon the example of the Exalted Horen, who united humanity. We are many eons removed from his example, yet his lessons seem lost on most - our Kingdoms no larger than those tribes he once brought together, more divided than they ever were since the Prophet’s time. To each of you who looks upon His righteous example, feeling the urgency in this endeavor, send word to me in Vallagne, by way of the Fairweather Cafe. We must establish, for the benefit of humanity, a society that reminds our people of the virtues and principles. Faithfully yours, His Excellency Rigoberto de la Cruz, Mayor of Vallagne, Vice-Chancellor of Petra

‘Caius I? Very strong name!’ Comments a zealous Julian! (will edit in a more elaborate response when I’m hone)

Monk Matsuda Sakuraba was disturbed by the tower, bearing both aurum dust and salt as they scoured it. Bodies in vats and all sorts of horrors were found, before the knights saw to burning it all down. He and the Julians in attendance, all in their habits, returned to the Monastery. The fires glowed deep into the night, visible to the monks, priests and pilgrims. These monsters hid right underneath their noses... He prayed that his order would be allowed to oversee who became their new neighbours, growing ever more suspicious of the many wanderers that passed through. To the Cardinal Rhosyn, he would write a missive detailing the events...

Monk Matsuda Sakuraba heard of the incident from the Monastery of St. Juli'el. He received this news as he wrote a new morning prayer for his fellows, the Julians - he felt a pang of guilt and regret, hearing the circumstances. He dedicated it to the late Sixtus VI: This morning my soul is greater than the world since it possesses You, You whom heaven and earth do not contain. Lord, take the blindness from my eyes, the hardness from my heart, and draw me nearer to you than ever before. Amen.

"How did you think it went senor, did it ring true with the people?" Rigoberto de la Cruz asked Father Davide @Nectorist. "Perhaps I should have served them drinks before the debate... Nevermind, it was rowdy enough."

"This is amazing - the people of Numendil are not just good neighbours, but reliable amigos..." Rigoberto de la Cruz said to his patron, trying to charm the Adunian lady sat at his bar in Vallagne. "... If you had of told me we were already allies, I would say 'obviously!' - but now that its official, we must celebrate!"

Rigoberto de la Cruz was humbled by his nomination. He reached out to his family and friends to talk, to plan his next moves… ”Hermano, they put me against one of the good ones - a man of the people! They do not make my job easy.’ Rigoberto said to his brother, Eugencio. ’What made you think anything about being chancellor would be easy, cabron?’ Eugencio replied.

Monk Matsuda Sakuraba was told of another man of the cloth at the Monastery of St. Juli'el who had written on marriage, and took to looking over his work. After a few moments, he had realized that Father Davide had written perhaps the first ever comprehensive Canonist reflection on the possibility of homosexual marriage! The piece caught him completely off guard and challenged his sensibilities... He reached out for further discussion with the young man.

Monk Matsuda Sakuraba read the missive, dismayed. Across Aevos, it was now commented on - the failures to contain the Darkspawn threat. He began to pack his bags... He was headed to Haense.

Monk Matsuda Sakuraba read this, and was completely dumbfounded. What was the point of this missive? It seemed this lady had just announced to the world she managed to pass a Darkspawn test, then attributed her acquittal to hard work DESPITE dark magics being used to hamper it, and to trust the process, that this in itself was not an act of conspiracy? Befuddled, he noted the bias' of the woman, and her openly suspicious background. To her, he wrote this: _________________________________ Dear Lay-lady Sermi, You have been through a trying experience, traumatic - my sympathies to you to sit center-stage to a dehumanizing show of whether or not you are a Darkspawn. Thoroughness saved you, because there is active interference from Iblees even in the matters of testing, as you yourself attest to in this missive. Following such an event, I can understand being scared and needing to express yourself, but you say to blindly trust the process when you openly admit the means of testing are being hampered with. Furthermore, it is the scrutiny of that process that saw you acquitted anyhow. Had they trusted the salts in your test, you would likely be dead. Your points also run contrast to your solutions. It was the intervention of others that saved you, that proved the process true. Using this same logic, would we not encourage the intervention of the Church in Jorenus' work to ensure the same results? You belabor the point of how unlikely it is that you would have triumphed without thorough intervention, without more scrutiny, yet you allow bias to triumph instead when you say we should not be as thorough or intervene in the affairs of Jorenus and Haense, as a Church, which you also encourage us to trust whole-heartedly. You are right to note that the truth can only be found through the Tribunal. To say all of this, to go on at lengths about how evil magik interfered with the ability to test you for being a Darkspawn, while saying we are being lied to when people tell us to be suspicious, is honestly an insult to anyone who can read your missive. You admit to having been under the influence of Darkspawn in Haense, and that the intervention of Jorenus' clergy in your testing - which had been tampered with by Magik of Iblees (In your own words) - ensured your acquittal. You then suggest us being suspicious of such matters is what Iblees wants. Your points are muddled. You ask us to trust individual Diocese during this crisis, then detail how it was only through intervention that you were saved. You say to believe in the testing without reasonable scrutiny, after detailing that your testing was tampered with by dark magik, making it unreliable. Why do you say those who are doubtful are spreading misinformation when you yourself are an unreliable source? When you contradict your own points? How naive can you be? Your testimony only heightens my doubt in the current state of affairs. You are right - we are to trust the Church, but thoroughness will show who in our faith who would side with The Great Betrayer. May you not stray from His Light again, Monk Matsuda Sakuraba, SSJP

Monk Matsuda Sakuraba read this at the Monastery of St. Juli'el, having sequestered himself away after a hectic few days of writing and travel. He nodded, smiling - he respected the earnestness of the Bishop. Taking to his desk at the study, he would pen his reply... ________________________________________________________ Good tidings to you from Casica, Bishop Amleth, When I was told by the sisters here an address to the situation had come from Jorenus, I held my breath - I feared attacks on my person, I worked myself up into a fit. Your points on how there is otherness, even within our Church, rang immediately true to me. I feel some shame over this anxiety; we are brothers. Let me be the first to say that my blood had been running rather hot after what I had observed, what I had been tasked with addressing. I do not consider Jorenus an enemy - no, I think I would be correct in saying it is the most productive and populated of all of our Diocese (It is an Archdiocese in recognition, no?) They are not my enemy, they are not the church's enemy, and I should have been more choice with my words to make that clear. I do NOT think the King ought to be deposed; that is not my judgement to pass. But if he ought to be deposed, I believe it would be after investigation and address by the Auditor of the Tribunal. If what you say is true, it may still yet be a crisis and issue within the court, but not a corruption of the Crown - but a matter that imperils it, that our Church ought to endeavor to aid Haense and Jorenus with. Your connection of the Comet, the commission and the tale of St. Tobias was really astute, and it made me smile. I was very happy to read such a fine example of the irony of the situation, how it characterized our plight here. I would ask you not to despair and worry about attacks or accusations from me about your people. We ought to meet and discuss this world we inhabit. I think we share similar views, frustrations, reservations, and despite my temper in my earlier writings, outlooks. Love, respect, and peace upon you! May we have the luck of St. Tobias, Monk Matsuda Sakuraba, SSJP

Monk Matsuda Sakuraba prayed at the Orange Chapel at the Monastery of Juli'el. He had mediated there for days, intent on joining the Society of Saint Julia of Parasidius, the 'Julians'. After his third day, he climbed down the mountain and returned to the main hall of the complex, where a courier delivered this very missive to him. In his many years on Aevos, the aging elf had not interacted much with his kinsmen, the Oyashimans. Reading, he was filled with pride an melancholy. It was not easy for this man, who practiced his faith much more comfortably as a hermit, but knew his work was not yet finished. As he took on a new habit, he would reach out to Father Callahan as the missive advised, and another to Father Villorik. His thoughts lingered on a potential pilgrimage to see the wise Denzen...

Rigoberto de la Cruz worked the Fairweather Cafe in Petra, looking over his Ausecan helm. It was a slow day it seemed. Peering towards the once ever-closed gate, a courier stepped by and dropped a stack of papers off, ordered a drink, then went on his way. This very missive was that stack of papers. "Wait... They surrender to the Covenant? The war is over?" At that, the happy Hyspian poured himself a shot, and enjoyed his peaceful afternoon!