Nectorist

The status of your claim to being the head of the household is a matter for the family, and perhaps at most the Imperial authorities, to determine. We shall demonstrate no partiality towards matters such as claims unless it pertains to the Faith or to the Church. The matter of Queen Amarantha's descendants, and the feasibility of the removal of the stain of her excommunication and unwillingness to repent, shall be left to the oversight of the Cardinal Du Loc. HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD

What is the best way to teach a child? Teachings from a book came easier than those at the end of a hand-whip, but the latter was all that filled my mind when I attended my lessons each and every day. A single verse wrong, a passage misinterpreted, or a rule questioned would bring me a look of damnation and bloody knuckles. It made me nothing short of one of the most devoted to the Lord, but devotion to an idol is hollow. We give our lives to God, the Almighty, the ever-loving, He Who Brings Good, not the foreboding instructor glaring from the corner. Often lost in rigidity is the experiential: to live a virtuous life above performing individual acts of virtue. So I was molded as a boy by the sharp hand that took glee in correction and feared only the day that I would bat it away. When my education in the Faith was later overseen by my predecessor, I was instructed far more productively. Corrections to my errant thought still came, both more frequently and in greater depth, but his voice was not the whip of rebuke. Mistake was opportunity, and with opportunity I became eager to learn and apply myself. Beyond just understanding the principles of the Faith, that which I would dedicate my life to, I came to love it and my place within it. My love for the Lord had never wavered, but my love for the life given for Him blossomed. So I was made a man by reason, logic, and faith, whose avenues are not to be exercised in the violent setting, but instead through a gentler, kinder way, that being discussion, instruction, and reception. HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD

In light of Ghislain d'Anjou's vampiric corruption, an affliction which We have confidence that the honorable House Alstion had no prior knowledge of, this union is considered ANNULLED and VOID alongside all binding terms of this contract. We commend the efforts of Cardinal Burgundy, Holy Sir Corswain, and Sergeant Lucius, in slaying this twisted monster. HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD

high ranks should receive more and cooler rewards. good addition +1

It is not the domain of the Church to intercede in secular law, lest it be in such grievous violation of what is holy and natural. There are many secular reasons to require the punishment of death, for the state must dissuade criminal elements from exercising the worst aspects of their behavior, and thus must add more weight to the cost-risk of committing a crime. As you have rightfully implied, it is best that we focus our efforts on the jurisdiction of the Church, rather than attempting to influence state policy, which would be received with a hostility I care not to imagine. I concur that the interests of the Church are to see the abolition of the death penalty as a means of penance, save in those cases where a repentant is afflicted by an irreversible, dark malady. An immediate of the folly of the 'penance by death' is the attempted execution of Heinrik Sarkozic (and his subjects) by Pontian IV. Not only were the floors of the Haeseni Basilica stained by the blood of the Faithful, those not excommunicated yet still sworn to the Duke of Adria, breaking one of the oldest, most important promises extended by the temple, that of sanctuary, but it became a political catastrophe. The repentant Duke of Adria escaped, hardening his heart against the Church and its allies, and leading his forces to victory. The relations between the Church and Adria, later Veletz, were strained for years after, and while the latter did return, it did so warily. The exercise of extreme measures, such as death, but also excommunication and interdict, muse be done wisely and sparingly, for they are weapons within our hands, but when does a shepherd need a weapon if not only when protecting his flock? HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD

As holy as the number Seven is in our Faith, and as large-looming as its place in the secular culture of humanity, there are two more important numbers: The number three, in reference to the of Scrolls and the sons born to Horen and Julia, is associated with diversity. The traditions of our Faith, though old, are not static. We cannot hope to keep an unchanging Church that is not influenced by the same world it seeks to influence. The Church is an interpreter and interlocutor of the Holy Scrolls and the tradition of the Church of the True Faith, but we may only guide and never impose. One's own experiences, the culture they grew up within, and the people that have instilled their values, with color the scripture within their mind. While we must guard against misreadings that would endanger the soul, we cannot be so dogmatic as to provoke reflexive rebellion. The number four, in reference to the Exalted, the Four Brothers, and the four corners of the world, is associated with foundation and balance. The ideal society is a well-ordered one, where the confluences of nominally-opposing forces is not a place of turbulence, but rather of progress, learning, and compassion. Our Faith speaks to a wide and disparate people, adherents that come from the mountains and the valleys, people of much and of little, yet they are all Faithful and they are all members of a human society. One of our necessary roles is to mediate the differences that regularly arise and threaten to damage the Church's peace, which means that we are best when distanced from the partisan intrigues and politics of humanity. It is the Faith that establishes the boundaries of the acceptable society, the state which orders within those boundaries, and the Church which ensures that it is not broken. HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD

Even in straightforward interpretation of a direct creed, there is much to be said about the necessity of contemplation even in the most common and vastly-repeated of creeds, prayers, and verses. If one is to demonstrate a purposeful, intentional life of faith, it must be guided by contemplation. Think of the commendable piety that is shown by converts to the Faith, who gave their lives to God despite the cultural and familial currents which they swam against. Few converts demonstrate a lack of understanding of the basic principles of the Faith, and fewer treasure the worldly bounty of their sin over the bounty of the spirit that comes with virtue. It is of little doubt that a principle reason for this is that their faith, provided it was not compelled by force of arms, was the product of deliberation undergone over time, or the witnessing of a miracle so great that the glories of the Lord could not be denied. Inversely, we have many who were born into the Faith, taught their prayers, given the Scrolls to read, yet exercise only the mind of memory. It is an easy thing to keep to one's faith when they are born in it and are expected to remain in it, but it is an unfulfilling life, to not think once of the mysterium of the Lord, nor of its place in our lives. Even our daily prayers and creeds, words that have become engrained memories, are positive affirmations, carrying with them promises that are central our very existence. Continue this good work, for it shall serve as a most useful reference in future teachings, so that Faith may be instilled within the heart, rather than solely recited from the tongue. HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD

You do well in the eyes of God. The Kingdom of the Virtuous must not be corroded within from those who would challenge the natural ordering of the world he has given us. Unsouled creatures are not endowed with the ability to consent to matrimony, and any attempts to regularize relations between the two must be rebuked firmly and swiftly. You have acted well here, and for this We commend you and your people. HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD

Even the most wicked of the flock are to be offered their place beneath the Lord, should their contrition prove true and their later intent righteous. We implore you, Adrian Greye, to not forget the latter of these. The measure of sin is not by the sum of its constituent parts, but instead by the measure of man's heart and mind. Prove your devotion to our Lord through the presence of virtue, not solely the absence of sin. Be the father, the son, and the brother that you wish your children to be proud of, and you will do good in the eyes of God. HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD

We are charged with the exercise of mercy, to be given when able, under no presumption or undue condition, for in our world of darkness, the light of Virtue must be fed with the flames of the righteous souls. When one sins, it is our place to show them to the path of penance, that which will cleanse them, but we cannot force them to walk. We await House d'Artagnan's resolution of this lamentable tragedy, pray for their health, and pledge to guide their wayward daughter from the path enshrouded in darkness to the path that leads towards the light. HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD

Caius II immediately slips a copy under Valentina's door, assuming the title is referring to her! @kuerbis However, when he takes the time to read over it, he smiles approvingly.

Caius II, assured of the journey of the man's soul, finds little need to care about the body of Peter Rovare. As he returns from depositing the man's head, he looks upon the pigsty of Alba, where the animals feast unceasingly.

Godspeed, Father Maurus. I shall join you when I can in these endeavors, but when I cannot, the resources of the Church shall be at your disposal. His Holiness, Caius II

11th of Sun’s Smile, 642 A.A HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD ┏━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┓ SECTION I - Opening Prayer SECTION II - Diocesan Restructuring SECTION III - The Restoration of the College SECTION IV - Curial Appointments SECTION V - On the Styling of the True Faith SECTION VI - On Sigismundism SECTION VII - On Reforms to Holy Law Section VIII - On the Holy See Section IX - On the Moricuesir and Cursed Children SECTION X - On Romance Literature SECTION XI - The Penance of Hadrian Horen SECTION XII - Beatifications SECTION XIII - Venerations ┗━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┛ SECTION I - Opening Prayer O’God above all things. We supplicate ourselves to You in all times, be they of steady waters or of twisting gales, for it is in Your doing that we unwaveringly devote ourselves, finding the solace of reverence and worship not in that which You may do for us, but that which you have done and will do. As we find guidance within the Scrolls and orient our beings towards that higher purpose which You have given us, the Life of Virtue, ignite in our hearts the vibrant flame of purpose, so we may be enlivened in our service and never falter from the goodness which you command us to make manifest upon this world. Burn away those urges which would lead us towards the dark demesne of insouciance, for we celebrate all that is Holy and made within Your image and love it with all our hearts. Amen. SECTION II - Diocesan Restructuring It is through Our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto Us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that We thus appoint the following members of the priesthood to shepherd and be pastor of the Church’s Dioceses: THE DIOCESE OF ST THOMAS OF GAEKRIN, to be shepherded by His Eminence, Lothaire Cardinal Montcollier THE MAGISTRY OF ARTIFAI, to be shepherded by His Eminence, Iudas Cardinal Numenost THE DIOCESE OF PETRUS, to be shepherded by His Eminence, Godfrey Cardinal St. Tylos THE DIOCESE OF OLTREMONT, Sede Vacante THE DIOCESE OF DU LOC, to be shepherded by His Eminence, Enrique Cardinal Du Loc THE DIOCESE OF MALINOR, to be shepherded by His Eminence, Nerium Cardinal Idunia Additionally, each Bishop shall be permitted to appoint three Vicars, to aid in the oversight and leadership of the diocese. The Vicariates are as named: Vicariate of Virtue - To see to the conduct of the diocesan flock, ensuring their well-becoming conduct and rebuking those who willingly invite sin. Vicariate of Theology - To cultivate literacy within the diocese, sponsoring the publication of theses and other scholarly works, public sessions wherein questions regarding the Faith may be answered, and debate societies to promote higher thought in all matters. Vicariate of Peace - To assist in managing the relationship between the diocese and the secular authorities within it, typically by attending local courts, aiding the population in mundane tasks, and assisting in regional festivities. SECTION III - The Restoration of the College It is through Our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto Us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that We proclaim the restoration of the College of Cardinals, to resume the responsibilities of electing a new High Priest upon the death or resignation of the incumbent. IUDAS CARDINAL NUMENOST Magistry of Artifai GODFREY CARDINAL ST TYLOS Diocese of Petrus ENRIQUE CARDINAL DU LOC Diocese of Du Loc NERIUM CARDINAL IDUNIA Magistry of Malinor LOTHAIRE CARDINAL MONTCOLLIER Diocese of St. Thomas of Gaekrin Two vacancies within the College remain, to be filled at Our leisure. SECTION IV - Curial Appointments It is through Our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto Us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that We make these affirmations, alterations and additions to the Curia. We decree the Curia to be constituted of the following offices: Vice-Chancellor, His Eminence, Godfrey Cardinal St. Tylos - To serve as the first deputy of the High Priest, aiding them in the administration of the Church. Auditor of the Tribunal, Vacant - To serve as the first legal authority of the Church, arbitrating Holy Law and punishing those in violation of it. Pontifical Secretary, His Eminence, Lothaire Cardinal Montcollier - To serve as the first secretary of the High Priest, aiding them in the drafting of golden bulls, treaties, and other authoritative documents. Prelate of the Priesthood, His Eminence, Iudas Cardinal Numenost - To serve as the censor of all acolytes and newly-ordained priests, ensuring the righteousness of their conduct and the purposefulness of their mission. Ecclesiastical Butler, His Eminence, Nerium Cardinal Idunia - To serve as the personal assistant of the High Priest. Commandant of the Pontifical Guard, Holy Sir Corswain - To serve as the commander of the armed forces of the Church. SECTION V - On the Styling of the True Faith The styling of the True Faith, when used as an adjective, is a matter of uncertainty. We confess the inelegance of the forms ‘Faithful’ or ‘True Faithful’, which are unwieldy and possibly-vague descriptors. Owing to the difficulties of finding a suitable endonym, many continue to refer to the Faith as ‘Canonism’. It is common colloquial practice for adherents of the True Faith to refer to themselves as ‘Canonist’, or to refer to the body of the faithful as ‘Canondom.’ While We would prefer elongated forms that do not conflate the Church’s Canonist past with its present (i.e ‘an adherents of the True Faith’; ‘the Faithful’), it is inevitable that even the most devout will, at times, articulate their thoughts in the briefest, most comprehensible manner possible. Until a suitable endonym has been found for the True Faith, We shall permit the continued usage of ‘Canonism’ as a general term, so long as those employed the term remain knowledgeable that the highest ecclesiastical body in the Empire is the Church of the True Faith, and that they, as its flock, are adherents of the True Faith. SECTION VI - On Sigismundism The varied nature of our faith begets volatility among those who consider themselves interpretive authorities of the contents, translations, and higher purposes of the Holy Scrolls, and also of the canonicity of the texts that form the corpus of our literary tradition. Before the widespread literacy that is now commonplace within Humanity, it was in the halls of monasteries that theology, philosophy, science, and history were transmitted and shared. Before the mass-politics of electoral democracy, it was within the heart of the temple that lively debate and discussion was had among those removed from the trappings of political power. However, as the doctrine of the Church calcified throughout the Eighteenth and Nineteenth centuries, and the exercise of rhetoric became a vehicle by which one could achieve political power and actualize their agenda, the animating essence of disagreement, debate, and discovery, which propelled the investigation of our faith and the practices derived from it, ceased to be a permitted, much less predominant, facet of one’s vocation as a priest. The brightest minds in the world shirked from the Church, for it was a place that refused to entertain all but the most superficial variance in the practice of our faith, nor did it allow room for its great theological minds to whet their logic, their reason, their studies, on the grindstone of civil, structured, and educational argument. It was in this context that many of the adherents of Owynism, the last-permitted interpretation of the Holy Scrolls that could be said to seriously challenge Church orthodoxy, finally suffered persecution during the Twentieth century by the more dogmatic factions within Canondom. In reaction to this, and the failings of that Church, Owynists regained power during the Pontificates of Caius, Deunoro, and Leviticus (though only the latter of these could be considered an Owynist). It was promised that a change in the existing dogma within the Church would end the ongoing persecution, that the removal of the believers of Sigismund, who could not be trusted to act in the interests of Canondom as a whole, would alleviate the growing tensions within the Church. Initially, this experiment boded well, and the peace was maintained between the two camps. Caius and Deunoro, though themselves not Owynist, shepherded the Faith wisely and moderately, allowing the tensions that had been boiling during the controversial reign of Sixtus VI to dull to a simmer. Even the ascension of Leviticus, a man far less accommodating of Sigismundism than his immediate predecessors had been to Owynism, directed his attention towards the reclamation of the Church’s power and the waging of war against its immediate enemies. When the foes of the Faith were felled, the suppression of Sigismundism became a temporary necessity, for it became the exercise not of those truly devoted to the Scrolls, bearing an understandable, if errant, interpretation, but rather the rallying cry of elements that sought to plunge humanity into war and chaos once again. However, as the Sigismundites reconciled themselves to the Empire, and moderated their principles to accept a Church led by the most righteous, our energies were nonetheless expended to eliminate their presence, even though it was soon proven to be a fruitless endeavor. As they continued to prove themselves to be no great enemies of the Faith, and their mark was made as allies and vassals of the Faithful in the war in the south, they earned their place within the Empire and saw themselves held in the high esteem of the people. Their continued repression became an impossibility due to their own moderation, yet as the forests of Valwyck saw the sword of the Church held over it, while their children bled alongside the Faithful in the battles south, the misallocation of the resources of the Church became evident. From this moment forward, We shall permit the adherents of Sigismundism to keep to their faith within their lands, clans, and homes. They shall be permitted the rites and ceremonies that have been denied to them, and will be permitted to send their sons and daughters before Us to be made priests of their flocks. So long as they do not seek to spread their interpretation of the Holy Scrolls outside of their natural communities, nor call for a rejection of the Mother Church on the grounds of its rightful and truthful recognition of the absence of the Fourth Exalted, We shall allow them free association and worship. SECTION VII - On Reforms to Holy Law We intend to host a session in the near future in order to establish the basic principles that We will enshrine in the new Holy Law. After this council, we shall appoint a drafting committee, which will present a new draft of Holy Law to the wider council. In the interim, we affirm that the 𝐂𝐎𝐃𝐄𝐗 𝐈𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐔𝐒 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐈 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐔𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐄𝐗, to be understood and interpreted in good faith, in respect to the doctrinal differences, remains in effect until this process is concluded. SECTION VIII - On the Holy See The itinerancy of Our predecessor befit the nature of the Church he administered, one that came into a new land with a flock scattered widely across a foreign, unfamiliar continent. It was necessary that the Church refrain from committing itself to a single home, and thus remain able to respond immediately to any crisis of the Faith where it arose. Now, as We organize a permanent administration of the lands of the Faithful, and delegate the stewardship of the flock to Our legal bishops and vicars, it is necessary to establish a residence to serve as the Holy See. This matter will be debated at a future council, wherein the people of the lands of the Faith will be allowed to put forward their own proposals for the future home of the Church. Until then, We have established Our residence at the Monastery of the Wayward Heart, where the business of the Church shall be conducted in the interim. SECTION IX - On the Moricuesir and Cursed Children The place of the abominable species, both familiar and unfamiliar, is a constant question of the Church, one that has been answered varyingly by Our predecessors. While it is Our intention to convene an early council to determine the standing of these peoples of infamy, We do not wish to do so while unarmed by the knowledge of their cultures, practices, behaviors, and other such indicators of the true nature of their intentions, and the feasibility of their place within the lands of the Faithful. To begin the process of reaching a final conclusion of the natures of the Moricuesir and the Cursed Children, the following activities are permitted of all priests of the Holy Mother Church of the True Faith in legal contexts: I) Interviewing the Moricuesir and the Cursed Children, II) Studying the history, cultures, and deeds of the Moricuesir and the Cursed Children, III) The collaboration with secular scholars in obtaining information on the Moricuesir and the Cursed Children. SECTION X - On Romance Literature The proliferation of literature in the ‘romance’ genre, promoting amorous relations in a conduct unbecoming of the model life of Faith, has brought it to the borders of the Kingdom of the Virtuous, seeking to infiltrate the minds of the Faithful and infect them with indecency. It is the responsibility of the Church to promote Virtue and combat Sin, and there is no clearer case of the necessity of intervention, to levy the authority of the Office of the High Priest over the Faithful, than this one. From the time of this document’s promulgation, all romantic literature is to be banned from the lands of the Faithful, with any extant copies burned. Those found in possession of romantic literature, whether as a recipient, author, or distributor, will be forced to undertake penance to be cleansed of the moral filth with which they stain themselves. Exceptions to the rule include literature that depicts the Virtue of the Family, to be found in the example of a loving, kindly husband and wife, or for knight’s tales that depict scenes of chaste, tasteful, and dignified courtly affection between those of pious disposition and exemplary conduct. SECTION XI - The Penance of Hadrian Horen No man, no matter how high, escapes the judgement of the Lord. Verily, brother, the Lord GOD is the wisest GOD, and he knows all things, in darkness, in light, in the din of the market, in the silence of the mind. What judge is there but the all-seeing? Who shall advocate against surety? (Spirit 2:16-18) Hadrian Horen, a man of wealth, power, and accomplishments, is a sinner, as are we all. Although he fights for the cause of the righteous, bringing the steel of the Empire to bear against the pagans of the south, his hands are stained with the blood of Our predecessor, His Holiness, Bernard II. His role in the opposition to, and the death of, Our predecessor’s most Holy command cannot be washed by the rains of the Goldleaf, which fall over that gentle place now removed from the barren wastes of the heathenry, brought by the victories of his armies. It is not Our intention to see the strife between the Church and the Empire continue, though the pronouncements of Our predecessor must remain recognized. For his rejection of the authority of the Church, Hadrian Horen is called to rectify the standing of his soul and return himself to the light through deeds of penance: I) To construct a temple, large shrine, or large cross on every region of conquered paganlands. I-A) To allocate one of these sites as an extraterritorial demesne of the Holy See, under the sole sovereignty of the reigning High Priest of the Holy Mother Church of the True Faith. II) To visit the home of the hobbits, the people from which Bernard II came, and fast for seven days and seven nights, remaining in a state of prayer and contemplation. The journey may be undertaken with an armed entourage for his protection, but it must be done afoot. SECTION XII - Beatifications It is through Our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto Us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that We affirm the following beatifications: BLESSED ANASTASIA O’ROURKE BORN 1770 IST - REPOSED 1828 IST An officer of the Imperial State Army around the time of the Tenth Norlandic War. Made blessed in recognition of her steadfast opposition to the sudden emergence of the Red Faith within the city of Providence, most notably for personally preventing the conversion of citizens and municipal officials who had shown an ill-advised interest in its rites and teachings. As well as for having suffered martyrdom at the hands of a rogue mage. This martyrdom serves as a miracle enough. BLESSED GASPARD OF BLACKVALE BORN 1817 IST - REPOSED 1860 IST The progenitor of the House van Aert and famed captain of Philip III, though of a far more goodly and pious nature than his wicked liege. Played a principal role in the reconquest of the Lower Petra from the occupation of the worshippers of Yemekar restoring the lands to the rule of the Faithful for the rest of Almarian history. Made a martyr by a stray Urguani cannonball, which decapitated him mere minutes before the final assault on the city of Haverlock, the site of the Novellen Empire’s final great victory, wherein the liberation of the region was complete. SECTION XIII - Venerations It is through Our Apostolic Right, bestowed unto Us through the Laurel derived from the Exalted that We affirm the following venerations: VENERABLE ADALIA OF THE PETRA Born in the year 1966 IST and reigned as Queen of the Petra from 1977 IST until her repose in 2006 IST. Made venerable chiefly for her pious conduct during the Struggle for the Heartlands, reciprocating the efforts of the Holy Mother Church to bring that conflict to a peaceful conclusion during a tumultuous time when others were eager for needless violence, as well as demonstrating general piety throughout her life. VENERABLE CATHERINE OF FURNESTOCK Born in the year 1838 IST as a Princess of the Holy Orenian Empire, and later throughout her storied life created Duchess of Westmark, invested as a Dame of the Order of the Petrine Laurel and appointed Chancellor of the Commonwealth of the Petra, which she had helped found. Reposed in 1926 IST. Made venerable for her lifelong pious conduct, her work for peace and stability in greatly troubled times, and in recognition of the Covenant of Saint Julia, known throughout Petra as Saint Julia’s Promise, which was first disclosed to her through the intercession of that saint, which she dutifully safeguarded and made known. VENERABLE NÚMENATÂR OF NÚMENDIL Born in the year 1847 IST and originally known as Uther Pendraic, Lord of Barrowton until his ascension as whereupon he took the name Tar-Númenatârof Númendil upon that Kingdom’s creation in 1906 IST. Abdicating from that position in 1938 IST, he served as a renowned elder and guide until his repose in 2042 IST in defense of the innocent. Made venerable in recognition of his redemption of the Idunian people, whom he helped to convert to the True Faith; for establishing them in a pious kingdom of their own; and for the extraordinary deeds and sanctity that marked his life, including his valor as a Templar in the struggle against the Dark. VENERABLE ROBERT STROHEIM Born in the year 1878 IST and known under a variety of names throughout his life, most notably Robert while undertaking his duties in Minitz and Reinmar and Father Gregor while undertaking his duties as a priest. Reposed in 1992 IST. Made venerable in recognition of his service to the world of Canondom; having been among the first of the Templars that would go on to spread the blessing of St. Michael to those faithful to the Lord and a chief supporter of the efforts of St. High Pontiff Caius I’s pontificate, most notably his many crusades against the Dark. THE HOLY MOTHER CHURCH OF THE TRUE FAITH Under GOD maintained by His Holiness Caius II THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS GODFREY CARDINAL ST TYLOS Diocese of Petrus IUDAS CARDINAL NUMENOST Magistry of Artifai ENRIQUE CARDINAL DU LOC Diocese of Du Loc NERIUM CARDINAL IDUNIA Magistry of Malinor LOTHAIRE CARDINAL MONTCOLLIER Diocese of St. Thomas of Gaekrin VACANT Vacant VACANT Vacant THE CURIA GODFREY CARDINAL ST TYLOS Vice-Chancellor of the Church of the True Faith VACANT Auditor of the Tribunal of the Church of the True Faith LOTHAIRE CARDINAL MONTCOLLIER Pontifical Secretary of the Church of the True Faith IUDAS CARDINAL NUMENOST Prelate of the Priesthood of the Church of the True Faith NERIUM CARDINAL IDUNIA Ecclesiastical Butler of the Church of the True Faith HOLY SIR CORSWAIN Commandant of the Pontifical Guard of the Church of the True Faith DIOCESES OF THE TRUE FAITH DIOCESE OF ST THOMAS OF GAEKRIN Encompassing the Imperial Crownlands, including Rittersburg, Alba, and their surrounding territories. MAGISTRY OF ARTIFAI Encompassing the Crownlands of Idunia and its surrounding territories. DIOCESE OF PETRUS Encompassing the lands of Petra and Adria. DIOCESE OF OLTREMONT Encompassing the Imperial Heartlands, including the lands of Metz, Lorraine, Reinmar, and Valwyck. DIOCESE OF DU LOC Encompassing the whole of Kurai-Kuni. MAGISTRY OF MALINOR Encompassing all lands outside of both the Faithful Humanity and Kurai-Kuni.

it's tough to make a good list, so instead i'll make an "lotcer of the year" for the past 10 years, reflecting the prominence and irp consequences of the character(s) they played 2015 - esterlen (john i) 2016 - vegetarianism (tobias staunton) 2017 - raomir (verthaik frostbeard) 2018 - mogroka (aurelius) 2019 - yoppl (joseph marna + alexander ii) 2020 - dibley (simon basrid) 2021 - ivory (elizabeth anne) 2022 - xarkly (sigismund iii) 2023 - beamon4 (heinrik sarkozic) 2024 - levy_spearman (callahan) 2025 - tide (tiberias i)

I won't put other people's words into your mouth, but it does need to be understood that abrasive attitudes and back-and-forth insults are generally par for the course in an environment like this, and I can bring up years' worth of things people have said that is MUCH worse than pretty much anything WW has said. Now, the counter-argument here might be "well it doesn't matter what people said in the past, this is about what's being said now," but even in this case, I'll just be real, WW's comments generally fall in the "rough trolling to being a mild dickhead" range. Not liking someone being rude is reasonable enough grounds to not want to interact directly with them, but WW isn't going into people's DMs or directing harassment towards them behind the scenes. He's really only done this in the public setting, almost always when people have started an argument, and it's basically never gone beyond that. The easiest part about this is that it is very easy to not engage OOCly, or if you do, give the same sort of thoughtful critique that you expect out of them. Making your first comment an accusation that the Empire is acting in bad-faith and driving people off the server is just inviting confrontation. Respect is a two-way street, and there are several examples I can point to of people who brought up legitimate concerns in a well-reasoned manner and were met with the same decency that they extended first.

try to ham-fistedly implement my agenda and get removed by the other admins after a yelling match 2 weeks in

It must not be mistakenly-believed that all societies outside of humanity, or more appropriately, the lands of the Faith, lack the means or the will to wield the pen as easily as they do the spoken word. The wise-woman, Sonna Vulnrith (@Junoix) has extensively-documented the core tenants, practices, and beliefs of the 'Wild Faith', which I, merely a layman in my studies of the Wood Elves, believe is some element of Aspectism. Few within the Church can claim the match the breadth of documentation that she, and presumably a committee of disciples, for it is a great undertaking for a single soul alone, has provided for those who wish to learn about the 'Wild Faith'. What distinguishes our faith from that of Sonna Vulnrith's is that she is among the few to understand that religion is not the product of rote memorization, of ceremonies and practices that are done emptily, made real by the inadvertent recollection the body has for tasks it performs repeatedly, but is instead a corpus of history and of people, whose collective efforts have, over the course of centuries, if not longer, been undertaken in the effort to answer the questions God has asked us, orient our lives around what He would find most satisfactory, and shape our societies according to the virtues which He has imparted with us. It would be illogical to expect everyone to undertake the priest's vocation, but those who do are called to reach a greater understanding of the principles of the Faith through the thesis. The conversation made by this intellectual landscape allows us to challenge old norms which may not align with the Holy Scrolls as previously thought, establish new ones that reconcile tradition with societal change, and find answers to the questions that we seek. Without an unceasing dialogue among its adherents, faith will be reduced to an old custom, still present in body but lost in heart.. HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD

Full Name of Man - Marlon Lorens d'Asturias Date of Birth of Man - 606 A.A Name of Woman - Joan Marinara Horen Date of Birth of Woman - 609 A.A Location of Ceremony - Cathedral of the Fifty Skulls, St. Godwinsburg, Alba Date of Ceremony (Year) - 632 A.A Name of Clergyman who performed ceremony - Fr. Zeno

Without those to guide, the priest is without purpose. Without a priest, those to be guided shall be lost. It is the difficult work of the parish priest to understand the nuances of the community they serve. They must be sensitive to local beliefs, practices, hierarchies, and other facets of culture and society that will necessarily filter their understanding of the Holy Scrolls and any teachings made from them. A community aggrieved by the lack of tact displayed by those who claim to guide it is one that is dually-deprived, the first of a spiritual leader, the second of the necessity of the teachings of God, communicated through the trained voice of His clergy. However, God may exist without the flock and without the shepherd, for He is all things, and should all the things in the world die, He will remain. While care must be taken to attend to the needs of the people a priest serves, they must not be so lenient as to permit fundamental violations of the Faith. Although our mission is to serve, we do so at the behest of God. Although we are to respect the Faithful, we are to be commanded by God. Although we must show a willingness to renegotiate our methods of instruction in order to reach the hearts of the many, we must not deviate from the truth. Should their be a total incompatibility with the instructions of God and the wishes of the many, we must be unwavering in our choice of the former. Take the example of the parish priest who services a town that is God-fearing and pious, adhering to the laws of the Faith and attending mass frequently. If this town were to have a festival that contains an element that relates to some pagan elements of the past, it would be understandable if the priest was discomforted, but if this town were not treating these elements as central to their religion, and rather quaint remembrances of past culture, it would be unwise of him to attempt to forbid them. Instead, he would be better-served by continuing to serve them and celebrating the good that they do, while allowing old customs to remain. However, if a parish priest in a neighboring town were to find himself among a people who decry the name of Owyn, in respect to a local tradition that can be heralded back to a time when they opposed the Faith, it would be the foremost duty of that priest to rebuke this, for it is a profanity upon the Faith that they adhere to, and a blaspheme against the Ex. Owyn. Their souls would inhabit sin by this deed, and its toleration would only serve to alienate them from virtue, even if in all other respects the priest attempts to ensure they are good and faithful, for no right deeds that are done can wash out the ill that is wantonly done. The balance between what is right for the people and what is necessary for the soul is difficult. It is the hallmark of a good priest to know how to maintain it. HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD

The fewer things regarding weapons, armor, etc, that 20-something college students and office workers have to look up online to interpret, the better

To the Acolyte Lucien, I answer your thesis with a dialogue: A Holy Woman, and a Man who wished to be Holy, spoke within the halls of a chapel. The Man who wished to be Holy told the Holy Woman 'I come to pray in the temple of the Lord, this place that is most solemn, most sacred, and nearest to Him, for when we are within the temple, we brought close to the spirit of God.' The Holy Woman laughed and said to him 'but have your forgotten the Epistle of the Elves, wherein, the verse fourteen, it is told to us that the Lord God is in all things? To remove the presence of God from things that are far from his temples is to diminish his grace, which has no limits, and his judgement, which has no boundaries. The Man who wished to be Holy asked then 'but why, then, are we told of being near to God or far from Him? If it is not a measure of the distance of our body to that place in which He dwells, then is not the world our temple, each rock our tabernacle? 'The distance spoken of is that of the soul, for it travels to a place that cannot be measured as one would the length between two cities, for this plane is of the Lord, but the Lord is not of this plane, else we would climb to the heavens by a ladder high enough to reach it,' explained the Holy Woman. 'The soul resides within the body, moving with it, yet alignment of the heart and the measures of deed made by the body may allow it to grow nearer and further from the Lord. As said in the Canticle of Diligence, verse six, we draw nearer to His Throne by our labors, both as a literal act, but also as a reflection of the virtue we possess and utilize in service of Him.' 'What still, of the temple?' Asked the Man who wished to be Holy. 'What still is its purpose, if we may be near to Him no matter where we are?' 'It is within these walls that we are near Him, not as a condition of the inherent qualities of the space, but of our consecration of it as a place of worship, of prayer, of contemplation, and of the orientation of all things towards that which is Holy, as we are called to do so from time to time, so we may leave our worldly pleasures and struggles and devote ourselves entirely to Him,' spoke the Holy Woman. 'It is in the temple that Him and only Him is present, irrespective of state, society, and power. It is why we preserve its sanctity, and see in the bodies of the Faithful naught but the souls which seek to near themselves to the Lord.' HIS HOLINESS, CAIUS II High Priest of the Temple of the True Faith, Successor of Clement and Evaristus, High Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Servant of the Servants of Heaven, Servant of the Holy Flame, Apostle of Saint Lucien, Envoy of Aeldin, High Servant to the Prophet’s Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD

Caius II, while ascending the walls, witnessed the shot and steel of House Whitewood break a company of dwarves. They really do deserve that forge..