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 Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 6:24 pm
--Interior and courtyard--
--Images forthcoming--
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 3:10 am
--History of Church-- The Church's origins are a constant source of intrigue, it has been present within the lives of many for many a year and yet no written record exists to speak of it's birth. Instead, the only tale of its birth extends from word of mouth, the tale passed down from generation to generation of the church so that it might be remembered for it's glorious creation and the joy it brought in the process. It is only now that alocytes have finally begun to record it down upon parchment for the free reading of all those curious enough to explore the origins of the Church.
As legend would have it, the church was founded by a wandering scholar or more appropriately, an outcast. It was said that his name was Erik Leonsbane and due to his radical ideas, the rulers of Xanolonia (who were nomads at this time) grew threatened and cast him out into the Wilds of the world...It was during these travels as an outcast that he was said to have grown weak and desperately ill until at last he colapsed upon the borders of the Ring of Fire where no compassion was said to have been found...
It was in this vulnerable state that it is said that loving eyes did turn upon his weakened form and in this state he was cared for and comforted as no other human could have been - it was in this loving yet unseen embrace upon the Ring of Fire that he was at last 'reborn' - the entity that had saved him proceeded to instruct and reshape him until he was of a suitable mind to return to Xanolonia so that he might return to his people and perhaps even rescue them from the 'tyranny' of those who forbade free thought.
This journey home was soon what we began to know as the pilgrimage, during his journey Sir Leonsbane spoke of this entity in the Ring of Fire who had cared for him so well, he spoke of her with reverence until at last she began to attain god-like status amongst the small villages and outposts along the road to the walled city of Xanolonia.
It should be noted, that during this time criminal activity was rife within these lands and bandits roamed more freely across them than they do in this present day to such an extent that during his travels Erik Leonsbane was subject to an attack by a group of bandits who kidnapped him for his 'celebrity' status in the hope that somebody might cough up sufficient gold - unfortunately they didn't but the entity who had saved him previously did promise that she would protect him.
This protection came on the day of the deadline, the kidnappers had placed a ransom upon his head and it had not been fulfilled - angered, they made preparations for his 'execution' to demonstrate that they were not to be questioned and as he was led to the podium within the courtyard of their hold and his neck was pressed against the tree stump where so many victims had been rested before he did but one thing.
In response to their honourable enquiry as to whether or not he had any last words he called out towards the sky, his tone pleading through fear of death and he was answered - from above there came a gentle whisper followed by what appeared to be a roar of disgust. The bandits grew silent and then, with little warning the blade upon the guillotine shattered and the wooden planks that bound him were torn assunder.
"Rise..." The voice has whispered into his ear as the shaken being had clambered to his feet, trembling at just how close he had been to death, "Shhhh..." The voice had said once more before he came to realise that the bandits were staring at him in absolute awe.
It was following this demonstration of power that the bandits within this keep had chosen to follow him, their leader known as Robert Danslow well aware that there was something very special in this man pledged to ensure Erik's safety and thus the Militia of the Church was born, Robert at its head and his bandits as soldiers...following this promise they too were gifted with skills by the nameless entity and soon, Erik was given many more to teach the words of this entity too.
One would think that with the birth of the militia and the messenger, there would be little more to this tale however following the birth of the militia the priesthood soon emerged, those within the villages fascinated by the entity who gave so much to those who had been considered a lower class - this force soon became so extensive that they became more of a threat to the rulers of Xanolonia than Erik had ever been before...
[--***--]
Our story continues further on across the Wilds, having battled the brutal barbarians that lurked within mountain, forest and desert the walled cities of Xanolonia were soon visible and with them came the thread of the nomadic guards and the repressive regime that lurked within the walls.
Outside these walls and away from the eyes of those we now know as the nomads, Erik and Robert proceeded to plan exactly how they would enter, leave and otherwise explore the city without being caught and otherwise punished - it was only during this time that Erik simply smiled and pointed upwards to emphasize the fact that someone who loved them dearly would ensure they were protected until at last the plans were set.
The 'militia' and a few priests were to enter every sector of the city masquerading as entertainers, merchants and many other skilled workmen. During this time, they would be expected to hold their own 'loud mouthed' discussions that spoke of the entity until at last those in the city began to seek them out to hear more of the tale - curiosity of mortals was somethind that could be relied upon, any being (whether they be mortal or immortal) could vouch for that.
This plan worked surprisingly well, those within the city who heard of the loving entity who promoted freedom of thought soon flocked to hear more - a change from the oppressive regime was deeply desired and this entity appeared to have given them the ticket to acquiring this or so they thought for as unrest brewed the rules of Xanolonia became restless and angered by the meddling outcast they proceeded to 'cleanse' the population of the city - the entity could do only one thing and that was to instruct her following to leave immediately until the time to strike came.
Nevertheless, despite the disappearance of the other 'true priests' who had first come to the city, they had left in their wake a series of Alocytes who were given quiet instruction by the unseen voice who in turn provided hope to those within the regime, a promise in their words that this entity would return - in this promise the entity spoke of her 'child', someone of noble and honourable blood, true of heart this child would seek her out and when she did the battle for freedom would begin...This 'child' was named Infallia.
[--***--]
It was on the eve of the harvest moon that the young woman known as Infallia fled the walled city, as part of the nomadic nobility she would later be known as a traitor for the aid she gave and the position she took within the following of the new Entity - she fled to the mountainous regions where the religious following lay and to her utmost surprise was greeted and welcomed with little question - she had been expected after all.
Infallia, was to be the greatest asset yet, having heard the call of the entity herself she had openly abandonned her noble ways and had come as instructed to the following - she knew all the weaknesses of the city, all the strengths and thus gave the following a military advantage against their enemies...it was upon her arrival that the time of war was upon them.
The tension in the air was stifling, following the dawn of the harvest the clouds had grown dark and the traditional belief of a 'day of beauty' was replaced by a grim day of darkness - the sun didn't even appear to rise as the winds became more ferocious and battered against the homes of those within the walled city while the rains that now tore down upon it appeared to bite and tear at all the delicate statuettes that littered the streets...
This was not a day when the entity was angry, merely she prepared for war and in this foul weather sent her warnings as opposed to destroying crop and lifestock that would otherwise harm the people who dearly needed them - not surprisingly however the nomadic leadership didn't even see it.
For weeks, this foul weather continued until the great white walls were deeply scoured and weakened by the bitter rains. They were severely weakened and even the massive wooden gates had been torn asunder by the unforgiving powers above until at last it became apparent to these nomadic leaders that they had little defense and that their outcast had outsmarted them - too late was their defense though as the militia battered down the many gates of the city and slipped into the rain soaked streets.
The fighting upon the streets was miniscule, those within the districts awestruck at the truth behind the words of their clerics to the extent that they did not come out to aid the guards...rather, they watched in wonder as the militia and priesthood descended upon the palace within the very centre of Xanolonia and in a series of strikes...destroyed the nobility of the castle.
This success could only be contributed to the fact that throughout the 'war', the entity above them had watched over each and every one of her children as well as those who were lost - she knew their weaknesses, their strengths and in turn she knew how to pressure them into leaving with very little bloodshed however she could not prevent the bitter resentment towards her when those of the nomadic nobility were forced out of the city and into the Wilds where they had forced so many of their outcasts.
Following the destruction of the nomadic royalty - the church was born in honour of this entity who was later addressed as "Maori" following her revelation to her three devout. Erik Leonsbane was knighted and became the first leader of the church, Robert Danslow was knighted to become the first leader of the militia and Infallia was crowned as queen of Xanolonia in recognition of her aid to save her people from oppression.
It can be said that following this birth peace reigned in Xanolonia but that would be quite untrue - resentment is still rife amongst the nomadic tribes who curse the name of Maori and her 'foul magic', accusing the entity of being nothing more than an over powered Dhimari and bandits still exist across the plains however to some extent their is peace and happiness elsewhere...it is simply a matter of catching sight of it...
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 3:11 am
--Heirarchy Within Church--
--Picture of Heirarchy Here--
[Religious Sector] Definitions____.
Cardinal Bishop - Insert Definition Here.
Cardinal Priest - Insert Definition Here.
Cardinal Deacon - Insert Definition Here.
Archbishop - Insert Definition Here.
Auxiliary Bishop - Insert Definition Here.
Parish Priest - Insert Definition Here.
Curate - Insert Definition Here.
Deacon - Insert Definition Here.
Alocyte - Insert Definition Here.
[Militia Sector] Definitions____.
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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 3:12 am
--Rules of the Church-- Ettiquette of the Church____.
1. One must swear upon the book of the All Mighty that they will honour her word and do no harm to others.
2. One must swear to carry her words across the lands so that those who stray might hear her voice.
3. One must swear not to force these words of wisdom upon the unwilling, for in time those who are lost will find their way home.
4. One must be respectful of those who offer their hospitality.
5. One must never accept monetary rewards for teaching, at most hospitality and small slips of food are sufficient.
6. One must take a vow of chastity for their first five years of service, in this time it is expected that you will hear her voice more clearly.
7. One must, as an alocyte follow the words of your master exactly - you must not question unless you believe they have broken the code in which the teachings given are forbidden.
8. One must never take the All Mighty's name in vain for she is kind and calls no harm upon anyone.
9. One must aid any in need. --Initiation into the Church-- It is of the utmost importance that you understand that joining the priesthood is a very set way of life, in your first years you will have nothing of personal value to you and will live solely off the generosity of those you encounter on your pilgrimage as well as what the church provides for you on a daily basis - if you assume that you can deal with these tasks then you must first seek out an alocyte with a master and from there allow the alocyte to introduce you to a being of authority who can initiate you into the Church...
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