Declaration of Triumph

I, Sir Emeric Sanguine, am saddened that those who prey on the desperate and so depend on their exploitation that they burned down a church. A church that did nothing but help and feed the downtrodden with its Refectoria.

But I will not allow this to stymie God’s will in helping the people. By the Grace of God, I swear that I will arrange for the Church to be rebuilt and Refectoria to be re-established and running again by the end of Autumn. For nothing can stand in the way of Mankind when we work together.

Convalescence

The white clad man’s hopes weren’t high. Each time he approached he had heard a muffled dismissal from inside. After the first week, he had started leaving boxes of food on the doorstep. The neighbors reported that the occupant came out some time later to retrieve them. It was some small comfort for the guilt that the Paladin felt.

It had been ten weeks now and Sanguine devotedly approached the door and knocked softly, expecting another terse rebuke. But this time it was silent. Worried, Sanguine knocked again. What if something had happened? What if his friend was hurt, or worse? He turned around looking for someone nearby to see if there was any news- and just then the door creaked.

Whirling around, what met his eyes was a sorry sight. A long and dirty beard with streaks of grey. Grimy lines on the poor man’s face around his eyes, streaked by tears. Torn clothing still stained with blood.

The two men stared at each other for a long moment and tears welled in both their eyes. “We’re even,” the poor man finally croaked with a wry smile hidden behind his beard. Sanguine practically tackled him into a hug with something between a sob and a laugh. “We’re more than even,” Sanguine agreed in a whisper, holding him tight.

That night, Sanguine cooked Connor a hot meal and helped him clean his home and then himself. Connor’s neighbors gave him clothes in true Gothic tradition and they told stories back and forth of happier, simpler times. As the hour ran late, Sanguine poured Connor a cup of wine and the neighbors said their goodbyes.

Connor sipped at it as they sat alone before the fire. “Am I gonna be ok?” he asked quietly, looking down into his cup. His voice betrayed the hurt the hurt done to him and his doubt at his own recovery.

“You are, my friend,” Sanguine answered with determined warmth, watching him. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Citizenship and Staffing

The Citizenship system adapts and improves, as do we all.

Beginning today, all those staffing a building or room that directly fulfills a city need will receive the benefits of Citizenship for the duration of their duties there, rather than just their training period.

The city is also looking for more such individuals for the following locations with the following requirements:

Delicatessen: basics of cooking (performance) and farming
Cheesemonger: basics of cooking and farming
Meadery: basics of farming and slightly more experience in cooking
Dairy: basics of farming
Apiary: basics of farming

Anyone performing these tasks will be keeping hundreds of people fed and will be honored accordingly.

On behalf of Grafin Hezke Heidrich and the ruling council of Stragosa,
Sir Emeric Sanguine, Knight Protector of the White Lions

The Beacon of Dawn

I am happy to report construction of the monastery is complete. The architect, Marcellus, along with Sif Farstrider, Bishop Adeodatus, Master Alonzo and their many friends joining them in labor have done tremendous work and the structure is beautiful and functional.

Marcellus has somehow managed to survey and construct the tower in such a way that it reflects the sun at dawn and creates a shining beacon in the western mountains visible from Stragosa. I’ve decided to name this place the Beacon of Dawn after its appearance at that time. Hopefully, it will be seen as an inspiration to the whole valley.

The pathway up to the monastery is still somewhat rough, but I’m sure it will be widened over time and perhaps a road can even be built.

I’ve moved some of my older notes and testimonium research out to the Abbot’s quarters here, though I’m spending my evenings at the castle. I’ve set up a hall for debate with inward-facing pews and desks. It feels empty yet, but it will be filled with voices soon enough. The courtyard is also a bit bare, but we have a stable and high walls and we’ll start moving in arms and training equipment and decor to inspire the faithful soon enough.

I plan to spend the summer training with my shield and will hopefully be ready by the autumn to turn this place into a true redoubt. In the meantime, I’ve been studying with a few itinerants and with Heinrich, Ansel and Lysander. All three have different insights and it’s rewarding to be able to work on exegesis, hermeneutics and homiletics with the ordained when so much of our time is taken up with praxis at forum.

Homily on Self Improvement and Sin

Homily: Self Improvement and Sin

I want to talk to everyone today about Self Improvement.

From the Testimonium:

“the world that we occupy is a vessel in which, when God be poured, forms Humanity” -Covenants
“Within the Word there was Meaning, and God became that Meaning.
God sought to expand the Meaning of the Word” – Rebelleonem

The world was made for God to grow, and when he put himself into it, he became Mankind- millions of us all at once.

Each of us experiences different challenges and sometimes are challenged by each other. Surviving the winter. Surviving the streets. The dangers of travel. Political disputes. Scarcity. All of these things are physical challenges that are intended to grow our spirits- to grow God’s spirit. In a perfect world, we would debate and make peace to solve our disagreements. Those with much would share freely with those who lack. There would be no temptation to be wicked. Indeed, the testimonium tells us:

“If the world were whole, wickedness would be impossible.” -Covenants

But the world was damaged. The Triumvirate rebelled.

Sin is that damage, and it is the cause of all of the monsters and curses we are plagued with, as well.

“The wound which the world suffered at the hands of the Triumvirate robbed it of some unknowable essential aspect which allows wickedness to be” -Covenants

Instead of debate and compromise, we are tempted to simply solve our problems with force and murder- but this doesn’t resolve our disputes; it just makes more. When we lack, we are tempted to steal rather than humble ourselves by asking for help- but this doesn’t eliminate scarcity; it just hurts someone else. We seek brief carnal pleasure because we crave love and intimacy- but we are hurting our chance for true intimacy when we do that. We seek the solace of alcohol to distract us from our woes- but our woes grow while we drown ourselves, and sometimes we create even more of them in our stupor.

Sin does not make us grow. It makes us less. It diminishes us and makes us weak and wounded in spirit, and that is what the demons wanted when they damaged the world.

But we can grow despite them. We can heal the damage they cause. We can defy those demons and be free of the shackles of sin. We just have to be cautious of our path. We have to work at it more to improve ourselves. We have to understand sin so we can identify and avoid it.

Covenants tells us: “It is mankind’s duty to make the world whole and replace that which was taken.”
It is our duty to grow and make the world a better place.

I’m going to go over a couple of those sins that seem commonly misunderstood.

First is Greed. Greed is the sin of lack. Of scarcity. We fear starving. We fear loss of our shelter, of our success, of our possessions. But when you take something that isn’t yours, you are taking from yourself. You are that other person. We are all God.

But we all know that theft is wrong. There is more to greed. Greed is also not giving to others when you can. It’s keeping those few silver in your pockets that could be helping the people around you.

“What if you need it later?” ask the demons. “Didn’t you earn it? Why can’t they get their own? Couldn’t you wait for someone else to help them? Couldn’t you do this more efficiently later and keep more to yourself?” The demons clutch your pouches of silver and gold with your own hands. “There isn’t enough for everyone,” is the lie they tell you, playing upon your fear.

There is enough. Each of us work in our own ways. Each of us works together to make more when there isn’t enough. We build and we invent and we ask each other for help. That is how we grow. There will always be enough because together we can overcome *anything*.

Do not harm yourself by not giving. The one you are denying is you. The hoard you are keeping is poison to your soul.

The other sin I’ve been asked to speak on, with the blessing of Prosecutor Markus, is Heresy.

Heretics come to us and they tell us they know the secrets of the universe. The Rime Clans and the cowardly northerners who follow their myths tell us that we must be slaves to their demons and harm ourselves and make ourselves small so the demons don’t see us. The Vecatrans put nature above themselves and callm down curses upon humanity. The Triumvirate tell us that debasement itself is virtue.

All have one thing in common- they want you to tear down humanity and yourself. They want you to be less. *That* is the essence of heresy. They lie to you. They want to trick you. They offer easy answers because they want to tempt you away from the hard ones- that humanity is meant to improve itself, and it can do that only by avoiding the pitfalls of sin.

That’s the *only way* you can become a better person

Easy answers are tempting. Secrets that seem to say that all of the toil everyone else is doing is unnecessary and that you are being privileged with a “true path” that skips you ahead of everyone else. The truth is that self improvement is hard, but it’s also the only *real* reward. In the end, there are no happy heretics. Even if they never die, they are consumed by a spiral of misery and spite and false promises. They draw on demonic power to prove themselves, but if you really look at them- you can see they are unhappy, broken things. And the only way to save a heretic is cleansing fire to save their soul and return them to God.

None of you are ever going to be heretics. None of you are witches. I trust that because I know each and every one of you wants to actually grow. Each of you wants the truth.
But heresy is dangerous because it’s so believable. They are lies specifically crafted to tempt you and draw you in. They play upon what you know and what you don’t know. They find that line, and answer your questions and uncertainties with lies. And if you listen, they are cutting into your soul to make you less.

Do not let them. Do not listen. If you recognize heresy and end the conversation or stop reading the text, you are whole and undamaged. You have seen the corruption and refused it. If you know someone, and find out later they are a witch or a heretic, your soul is still whole provided you do what you can to end their debasement of humanity. Call upon the inquisition. They are rough at times, I know, but it is only because they carry a heavy burden to guard all our souls.

“I’m ok”

It happened infrequently, but with a regularity that was easy to predict. A few days out of the month before or after forum, the smile disappeared and the man soon followed.

Sheafs of paper and books. Building plans, citizenship rolls and early drafts, a half written journal and an unfinished song. A rumpled shirt stained with sand from the fighting pit. A sword and shield lying askew under a perfectly good weapon rack. The clutter of the room was getting unmanageable.

The man lay in bed, occasionally taking pen to paper only to crumple it and toss it aside a few pen strokes in.

The gentry of the manor left him to his melancholy during these spells- he’d been there long enough for most to have seen them before and those who hadn’t were told. Water and tea were brought along with plain bread, and dishes were taken, but the man told them to touch nothing else with guilt in his eyes.

Hours before the forum began, he would finally rise, wash his face and stare at himself in the mirrored glass. Silently he’d clean his mess and put on a fresh shirt. And when he emerged his room was neat, his smile was back, and his stride was sure again.

Citizenship in Stragosa

The Citizenship system for Stragosa rolled out just before Forum and I hope to here address several questions I have heard most often:

Why should I be a Citizen?
Citizenship guarantees you with food and good quality housing such as a Townhouse, and also involves in the community of Stragosa. We are attempting to take the burden off of the individual for those things which are needed to survive so everyone has time to work on their own goals and prosper together. Being involved in the system makes you a part of the team.

Will this cut into my business?
I should hope not. The Magistrates operate the Housing in Stragosa and have all agreed to work together toward this vision. If your business is food, Stragosa is happy to buy it from you to keep our supplies high. Beyond that, feel free to seek your fortune and success in all the ways you normally do.

I’ve heard there’s an Oath. I’m worried about the wording.
The Oath you’ve heard of is to obey the Reichsgrafin of Stragosa. Throne law dictates that you will already do this for any noble whose land you are in. The intent here was to formalize your membership in the community that is Stragosa. This Oath does not increase or decrease that responsibility. That said, anyone who thinks they must forgo this Oath should speak to the Eparch, Father Superior Velius, who has the authority to make exceptions if he deems you to be acting in good faith. We want everyone to be part of the community so don’t hesitate to contact us with your concerns.

What happens if my own House, Order or Organization that I am already sworn to tells me to do something against the Reichsgrafin’s laws?
That would be very awkward. But not more awkward than your House, Order, Organization asking you to commit any crime. We trust that you will do what your heart says is good. And remember, it is always best to be honest. If you approach the Reichsgrafin and tell her about the conflict, for the good of the Throne she will work with you.

I can cover my own food and housing. Why should I care about this?
Because we care about you and we want you to be a part of what we’re building. Stragosa is going to become mighty, wealthy and safe and we want you to be a part of that and reap the rewards. Also, one silver for food and good quality housing is a pretty good deal.

My time between forums is precious and I can’t give it up.
No one is asking you to. That option is for those who have very busy forums and don’t want to engage in another way, but you are more than welcome to:
-pay coin toward the good of Stragosa
-donate a mere hour of your time to help us with things like chasing the thieves away from the cabins during Convocation or making patrols at dusk to find and warn others of the Malefic
-helping the rulership (and hearing what they talk about during meetings) and taking notes
-keeping an eye out for sin so you can help others seek atonement.
There are many ways to contribute and you shouldn’t let one being distasteful dissuade you.

If you have other questions or concerns don’t hesitate to talk to us.

With respect and hope for a bright future
-Sir Emeric Sanguine, Knight Protector of the White Lions

The Nature of Sin

The Triumvirate’s rebellion is what brought sin into the world.. When these creatures destroyed their Meaning to create a new Purpose they discarded their Divinity and allowed paths of wickedness to be walked. This was their childish, spiteful act against their creator- to lead Mankind astray and say “See! Your way isn’t perfect!” Were their acts not so destructive they might even be pitied as one might pity a child throwing a tantrum, but that time is long past and any sympathy for these creatures is merely the product of their twisted manipulations. Eons of stewing in their hatred and belief that they could not possibly be wrong have left them bereft of anything of value.

Regarding the nature of the damage they have inflicted, it would seem to me that sin exists in two intertwined, but separate ways. The first is the wound upon the soul of the person taking the sinful path, and the second is the wound inflicted upon the world. Here in Stragosa, I see people struggling with both and that highlights the need for wisdom, courage, and strong atonements for all.

The capacity for a person to sin is a product of the subversive Purpose that the Triumvirate have created. In the world as it was meant to be, God would test themself with all sorts of circumstances and in a world without sin, he would choose a sinless path every time. The most difficult conflicts would be solved and with each, God would grow and Meaning would be gained from the results. In the world that was wounded, we must guard ourselves for paths of darkness exist and they are tempting and easy. They draw us into Meaningless successes and Pyrrhic victories where nothing is truly learned, gained, or resolved and every man and woman looks upon what they have wrought and feels only anxiety or anguish. These paths can range from the venial like drawing you into conflicts and mistakes with too much alcohol, to the deadly of seeking to resolve a feud with an assassin’s blade. The lie that avoids conflict does not resolve it, and the lie will always be found out and make the eventual conflict harder. The Triumvirate have designed their wicked spiral to draw you in with the smallest missteps and you must be watchful to avoid them and right yourself swiftly when you stumble.

This is why atonement is so important. An appropriate atonement should include three parts. The first is the healing of the soul. The penitent should engage in an activity that’s purpose is to rehabilitate, not punish. The penitent should be shown, in this time of openness to the path of Meaning, that their sin is unnecessary and not as rewarding as taking the sinless path. The thief must be shown that their needs will be met by their community. The violent must be shown that conflict can resolved in other ways. The lustful and the gluttonous must be shown that fulfillment and happiness comes not from momentary, distracting pleasures, but from living a good life with good friends.

The second part of sin is that which damages the world, and an atonement must also help to heal the world. Sin manifests in the world as those monsters we call the Night Malefic. These are our sins made manifest.- our Divinity twisted and corrupted by unhealed sin and expressed as Acts upon the world. The world needs healing, too, and so our atonement must not just help ourselves, but our community and the world itself. All of our Acts must do this, but atonement especially is the time when you have most opened yourself to expanding God’s Meaning and are listening to his words in your heart. Therefore, protect yourself and others from the Malefic, but also work with those wise in the faith to resolve them. Give the orphan love and the soldier peace. And seek to right the wrongs of the living and help your neighbors so no more do they turn to sin.

The final part of atonement is simple, but also easily overlooked. Atonement may be difficult, but it must always be possible. There is no shame in seeking new guidance about an atonement to make peace with an enemy who has passed beyond your reach. Seek a path to healing in the wisdom of the clergy and trust them to help you.

Together we can find Meaning and become great- greater than any other race or deceptive creed. Together we are God. We are the Form God takes when poured into the world. Do not be taken in by the tantrums of the Triumvirate. Their paths have no Meaning and their rewards are false. Only the path of Divinity leads to a true victory.