Publius

[!] As one would carry about their business, missives would be handed out through a crier by way of the Meadowlands. Those who would take a copy would read as follows… [!] JORENUS: A REASONABLE DOUBT Lo to you, brothers and sisters of the cloth, kinsmen and laymen of Haense and Jorenus. Openly to His Holiness, I wrote a missive on how bewildered I was, and worried my parishioners were about the infiltration of Darkspawn into our covenant, and its investigation. His Holiness revealed in his open missive that he has been given no authority over this investigation. That not even our Church’s own Auditor of the Tribunal has been allowed to investigate this affair. Furthermore, that it is the clergy of Jorenus, those with the most conflicted interest and likelihood of being compromised in this case, who are in charge of this investigation. Why have you refused inquiry from the Tribunal? If you are innocent, then welcome investigation, for it will prove your innocence true. [1] How are you to investigate the conduct of a missing man, and why was the King not reported as missing? He is a leader of our covenant, and his whereabouts should always be accounted for - yet he disappeared the moment the finger of suspicion pointed his way. Why you would not choose to disclose this information to his allies, our Covenant, so that we may help or try to account for him ourselves, is even more suspicious. [2] What suspicious nonsense, that he 'disappeared into thin air'. If a thief 'disappeared into thin air' interacting with a suspicious merchant after being accused of theft, he then returned to your jurisdiction bedraggled after months, is he not still a suspect? Because this is the situation that has happened, basically ver batim, according to the Pontiff. But we are not dealing with an accused thief, we are dealing with a KING of a CANON NATION accused of consorting with a DARKSPAWN! Furthermore, it is after this interaction with this 'artifact merchant' that he is said to have 'lost' his sacred blade. Why do you not address this? How are we to believe your investigations when they are not open to our own Curia for cross reference and scrutiny? Do not pretend that our Auditor of the Tribunal is welcome to 'investigate', as he is not allowed to bring his own commission, to issue arrests, or act independently of Jorenus and its investigation! [3] You are not welcoming him to do his job, but to simply act witness to further absolve yourselves of any responsibility for your fallible conduct. Are we honestly to believe that somehow the integrity of our Church and the sanctity of the Haenseni Crown is a private matter, and not one of fundamental international importance as we carry out a war under its leadership in the name of GOD? This war is now only waged because the people of Winburgh have risen against the Haenseni Crown over these very issues, not the Church. We are not even facing Ser Gaspard, who we had excommunicated for having a vassal that was a Darkspawn. What if it is not just the Crown of Haense that is infiltrated by Darkspawn, but its very Church? And how are we to ever honestly know if it can simply rebuke every measure our Church has for dealing with such crises? These decisions are at best, negligent, naive, and suspicious, and at worst, devious acts of cover up about crimes against our Church. Even a fool knows that both an honest and guilty man will acquit himself for a crime. So do not treat us like fools, because we would still know better than to simply accept your conduct. Allow the Auditor of the Tribunal to conduct his investigation. Haense and Jorenus are not above the Church. Signed, Monk Matsuda Sakuraba ___________________________________ Cited work:

[!] Monk Matsuda Sakuraba received this missive in better spirits, wandering around the Monastery when he was approached by the Courier. Noting the contents with satisfaction, he penned a quick reply! [!] _______________________________ Lord-Magister Haus, I pray this reaches you in good health. I would be happy to sit and discuss these matters. I did not pen this missive to slander Valindra, or the arcane arts. I penned it to highlight the absurdity of the situation in our faith. Magic is a realm I understand on only a basic level, like many devoted Canonists. This commission was to be a handy tool. But the work is not finished. This report was submitted in the time immediately following a horrible scandal in which the King of Haense and his family stand accused of being darkspawn. Our Pontiff released this commission, unfinished, rather than addressing this immediate crisis. You surely should understand how absurd it is for us, as clergy, to even comment on magic right now, considering the state of affairs. My observation of Valindra was done, primarily, to highlight both the unclear nature of her exemption, the concern we as Canonists feel that it is done arbitrarily because there is no proper elaboration. Furthermore, that her relationship with and regarding the Church is the one the Pontiff has chosen to recently observe. How if we are to exempt an individual on an issue that is otherwise very clear, how we are to assuage the concern that an exemption may be given to a King who represents the largest army in the Covenant, may also be handled despite clear doctrine with far greater consequence. We should meet soon, and I would even be willing to meet and speak with Valindra. I apologize if my address seems to attack those of you who take up arcane studies. With a complete commission, I think the issue will be laid to rest entirely. Again, my reference to it is simply to highlight how absurd it is that a darkspawn might be leading a whole Canonist nation, during a war led by both it and the Church, and how an incomplete address to Arcanum ends up the priority. Write to me any location, time, I will try to arrive at a time suitable to you. I would love to dispel any perceived ignorance. Warm regards, Monk Matsuda Sakuraba

[!] Across land of Covenant and Canon, the people re-armed for war. Scandal rocked His Church though, and with victory at hand, the faithful began to assess themselves and issues. From a monk in the Diocese of Casica, copies of a missive made their way across the lands, reading as follows… [!] OUR POSITION AS CANONISTS Lo to His Holiness, for we need an address. Laymen of my Diocese in Casica question me like never before, as we tend to many mages in Hohkmat, and we prepare now, again, for war. That is the issue though, they do not ask me questions, but question me, they question Our Holy Church. Our Commision on Magic leaves me stumped. There is one exception that really baffles me - this one about Scions. It is strictly forbidden, and for good reason, with what seems to be one exception, this Valindra. Why is she exempt? How can something be at once corrupting and intolerable, yet we are willing to make a single arbitrary exception? I do not know how to justify this as a Canonist, and I need this position clarified if I am to explain this to my parishioners. I do not think striking a deal with an individual is becoming of our Church, especially when we expressly note it as being able to destroy someone’s mental faculties. You allowed the person practicing this, who attests to it being able to DESTROY their mental faculties, be the authority on this exception. There is a conflict of interest here, a very clear one. There is no doctrine or explanation I am able to provide, and this requires clarification. There have been questions levied at me about how we are to address curses only observed to be lifted by Xanism and Shamanism, and this I simply do not have any experience in, and need further clarification on. I pray you take these questions seriously, as you chose to address this instead of the crisis facing our Covenant and Haense, and the very widespread speculation that the Royal Family consorts, or even are, Darkspawn. Jorenus, the most likely of our Diocese to be compromised and with conflicted interests, has decided to deal with this on their own. Why are we allowing this? What precedent is there for this? Why are you addressing issues of magic, when there is an ongoing crisis in our Faith and Covenant? You prattled on a huge, seemingly unfinished Commision on Magic, when we are in the midst of a war, with the Secular representative of our Faith and Covenant accused of being a darkspawn. Does this not alarm you? Does it not alarm you that Jorenus is now mobilized and demanding to address it on their own? Do you not see an incredible staggering conflict of interest to put the accused nation in charge of its own self investigation? Thereby permit it, should it be compromised, to destroy all evidence and declare itself totally righteous and face absolutely no consequence? Why can you not spare one breath to tell our Auditor of the Tribunal, “Investigate this matter”? I am questioned every day about our response to these issues, I am questioned about Our Position As Canonists, and my frustration grows. You were personally willing to excommunicate and wage battle against a nation for the same charges, so why are we passively allowing it now? Can we not at least allow YOUR CHOSEN AUDITOR OF THE TRIBUNAL TO DO HIS JOB? I pray you have grown since I first arrived in Petra, where base and petty squabbles with your family, the leaders of the nation, led you away from guiding the faithful of our lands. Because your role is a lot more important now. Is it Sloth, Your Holiness? Or have you really not considered deeply the greatest crisis of our Faith since your elevation? Because your inaction has emboldened those that would question the legitimacy of our Church. Signed, Monk Matsuda Sakuraba

Rigoberto de la Cruz sat at the tavern, working a double shift as a server and gatehouse guard when his brother Eugencio came running over. "Hermano Berto, you get the news?" Said the man, breathless as he happened by. "No - what, Gio, did the war end?" "Berto, you won - you are the Mayor!" The two brothers looked at each other, mouths agape, smiling and barely able to squeak out a word as they roared with laughter and collided into an embrace. They laughed and they laughed until they were nearly in tears. After a few moments though, the duo took a moment to relax and assess. "Time to do more than just spin ideas then, Gio. Let's put together a celebration, let's put together a plan..." Quickly, they would send out letters to several of their compadres...

Rigoberto de la Cruz spent the evening serving drinks at the tavern and working the gates, suggesting to patrons and passersby alike to read the transcripts and to vote for him!

Username: Olde_Publius Persona Name: Rigoberto de la Cruz Persona Age: 30 Place of Residence / Street Address: Commonwealth Lane II

"A secular institution has oversight on the church itself - it's called the Kingdom of Haense. Grow up."

Wiping his hand over his shaved head, the monk Sakuraba looked over the perch at the Monastery of St. Clement. He squinted, nearly brought to tears with frustration over the squabbles the church faced as the skin-walkers were prodded towards justice. "GOD help us."

Remaining in his quarters, the Monk Sakuraba paced about. He had forfeited everything he had raised in charity for his Monastery's inaugural sermon to buy aurum, to commit to measures to drive the darkness away. In God he sought some refuge.

[!] Panic spread across the realms, groups of malicious skin-walkers posing as nuns carrying out misdeeds of great renown. Within the Monastery of St. Clement, Sakuraba found no peace, sending missives across Petra and its lands. It read as follows... [!] All Our Sisters LO TO YOU, BE YE FAITHFUL! Over these past few days, swindlers, evil-doers in our sister's robes have wrought alms from good laymen and poisoned fair people. Praise to thee who would smite them for these crimes, for these impersonations, BUT WOE TO THEE WHO WOULD PURGE AND MAKE SUSPECT OF ALL OUR SISTERS! Ever so recently, the fair RENILDE I has commissioned the building of a fair Monastery outside of the walls of Vallagne. Let us test all suspects here, with aurum and all means necessary, and us fair clergy be endangered rather than the innocent citizens of the fair city. Let us be endangered for fixing this issue, rather than endangered by such indiscriminate suspicions! SHAME on you, those who would let witch hunts lead them into our fair Church. Without GOD, you will be lost to these demons, and they will lead you first to slay us, then astray further to your own demise. I pray that the fair Queen of the land, RENILDE I may soon intervene and put quiet these bounties, that the nation might make official decree to curb this nonsense! It is upon our Church, this burden, to not just rise above this suspicion, but to aid the faithful against such wickedry and woe! OUR PATH ILLUMINATED DESPITE THE ENCROACHING DARK, MONK MATSUDA SAKURABA

Sakuraba read about these opportunities from the nearby Lemon Hill. Thinking on it for a time, he would send a letter to the Duchess! "Your Grace, My name is Matsuda Sakuraba, I am a Canonist Monk serving under Mother Lorina at the Monastery of the Sacred Heart. I wished to offer services to you, as either a tutor or chaplain in your fair court. Let me know if this would suit you. May GOD smile upon you and your path, Monk Matsuda Sakuraba"

Sakuraba attended the court where the Chanzlé officially resigned, handed this missive after leaving. Though a recent arrival to the city, he associated much of its splendor to his and the Archduchess' work during his tenure. To Laurens, he sent an ornate rosary, some wine, and a fruit basket from Lemon Hill.

Without delay, the monk packed his bags and set out for his next journey! Ahead of himself, he sent a small message: "Good Lady, I have met honourable men of the League, some Adrians, at Lemon Hill. They conducted themselves well, alongside the other dignitaries at our feast. It would be my pleasure to travel to your lands and learn what I may while I am there. My keep I can pay in labour. It is almost harvesting season after all! Regards made warm in GOD's Light, Monk Matsuda Sakuraba of the Monastery of the Sacred Heart

Pondering Civility over a Swordfight Or An Evening Duel at Witt’s End, a Treatise on Petran Fencing The Dance, art piece done on stained glass by Matsuda Sakuraba, 139 SA Penned by Monk Matsuda Sakuraba Printed at the Monastery of the Sacred Heart, Lemon Hill ______________________________________________________________________ Author’s Statement Peace is easy to come by on the beautiful Lemon Hill, but any trip into the markets of the surrounding cities leaves little room for interpretation; agitations in the Canon realms careen our laymen towards a bloodletting. For this reason, as a monk of the Canonist Church, I seek to learn from each of these nations - lessons from their history. What made righteous our Warrior-Saints of old, and what mortal powers they possessed that we could mimic on our paths to a good life. These lessons, I pray, to pass on to our laymen, so they may triumph over the wrath we face. Amen. ______________________________________________________________________ Standing opposite sides of Lord Nicolas in the halls of Witten’s end, an evening of hard questions and philosophizing brought us to the logical conclusion - a duel. Our ordeal though was not that we disagreed, but could not find a single issue with the other’s reasoning: If, GOD forbid, Canonism were to fall again into conflict, it ought to at least be done with honour and dignity. As a monk though, I know little of even honourable and dignified conflict. Sword as my scroll, I was to take this lesson with the Baron of Wittenbach. Our battle did not start with horns, but salutes and gestures of respect, the Lord refusing to take up arms without proper decorum. As sinful as squabbles may be, I could not even describe this as a brush up. Uncertainty ruled me initially, finding my footing to even stand before my opponent was a task that vexed me. Encouraged to widen and lower my stance, I waddled into conflict like the most furious of crabs. The utility of this alien stance dawned on me as we slid and stepped towards one another. Within a battle, it is imperative for a combatant to strike and not be struck. For this, we often use shields, praying we have the fortitude to withstand a barrage. We only had one focus - to land a strike at all, or to force a retreat. Our only defence was control and evasion, and this to me was a demonstration of skill and restraint not often associated with the brutal business of war. Refraining from offering a single signal to our next move, we rose our blade high to the skies, darting in quickly, pricking at each other's near sides. I will admit with no shame I lost each of our 3 matches, but in each I gained skill - no longer lunging and stumbling about, I could bear witness to all factors that I had to be mindful of in attack and defence. My assessments of his actions were like reading a story as it unfolded. In such a closed, pleasant setting, it is easy to mistake such an exhilarating experience with a true battle. Admittedly, it took me a few hours of rest to change my perspective. Lungs burning, tunic drenched with sweat, arms burdened after overuse, it is difficult to ponder on a nuance greater than the flavour of water. It is our GOD given instinct to seek it out after all, but desperation may cloud our foresight and ability to reflect even after our thirst is quenched. Worse yet, blood is viscous, and those who thirst for it may only know thirst. Philosophizing about conflict is often done by those who do not suffer its consequences, and even less often by those who eagerly participate. Our instincts drive us to action, not to think. Petra Fencing represents a compromise between secularism and morality. Compromise that acknowledges the inevitability of conflict, but the restraint to take it only as far as it needs to go. Virtuous living ensures our salvation, but there’s nary a man who lives safely without the security of a sword. Let us at least be civilized in our conduct when we bare arms. My sincerest thanks to Lord Nicolas Wittenbach for the wonderful conversation, hospitality, and lesson in swordplay. AS WE JOURNEY, OUR PATH ILLUMINATED GOD’S LIGHT, MONK MATSUDA SAKURABA OF THE MONASTERY OF THE SACRED HEART

Rather than meming about any of this I just wanna say this is is a good idea