Written By Preston
Feb. 19, 2018, 3:56 p.m.(3/21/1008 AR)
Increasingly I grow concerned at the dedication of the nobility to the Faith. When the Faith Militant is met with indifference from even Oathlander lords, how should we think? There is no obligation on the Faith to come to war, to die in the field with levied troops of the compact - even though many may indeed be disciples. We do so because we think it just, because we think it right, and because if it is the fate of some to die - and it shall be - then we would not have them alone at the end, we would give them comfort and company such as we can. A way to the shining lands and that which awaits. If you truly do not wish us, then we will go elsewhere - that is no problem. There are pious enough lords who will have us. But consider the impact on your armies and their morale if you turn from the Faith and the Faith from you. This is not the time for division. But unity. And you shall only find that in, and with, the Faith.
Written By Preston
Feb. 13, 2018, 10:35 a.m.(3/2/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
Is there any ne'er do well in this city you don't know from your former life, Dame Thena? And they are all so....noisy.
Written By Preston
Feb. 13, 2018, 10:34 a.m.(3/2/1008 AR)
As father Orazio indicates, it is perfectly easy to both disagree with the actions that led to Esra's death, and also see no virtue in Esra either. Ultimately the crimes he committed were against the Faith - whatever it is he said, or we heard, we can agree that it was an attack on the Faith. It is true, an attack on the Faith is in many ways an assault on our traditions, an assault on all good people of Arvum. But, if any had the right to pursue this to such an end as Esra met, it was the Faith and few else. I can understand the events, indeed had my Templars found Esra first and he chose to resist I cannot say a similar fate would not have found him, but it would not have been I as Guard of the Dominus who was there, because the Dominus must have that distance, and it would not have been Banisher that I drew, the blade given to me by the last Dominus to defend his sacred position and Arvum.
Written By Preston
Feb. 8, 2018, 5:33 a.m.(2/20/1008 AR)
For the first time in generations the armies of the Faith are assembled in their full. Thousand upon thousands of troops, tens of thousands even, in the colours of the Templars and of Solace. Some are simple pious disciples from far flung lands, who wield spear and sword as they wield pitchfork and scythe in the field, whose only military experience is the training they have undertaken over time with their parish Templars, others are sworn knights, scions of noble families and indeed nameless commoners like myself who joined the Faith as Godsworn to fight to defend our values, trained and bloodied veterans of previous skirmishes mounted in full plate on Valardin warhorses. Like the Faith, our army is diverse. Like the Faith, we draw strength from that - for no single soldier will win a battle except as part of an army.
Hopefully our enemies, and I do not count just the pirates of the east in this, will understand our resolve and our strength from this. The Faith is the traditions and the conscience of Arvum, the heart of our people, and will not allow any threat to that position or to the protection it allows us to provide. Make no mistake, as we look out at the ranks of the Templars, if the word Crusade has not left the Dominus' lips then that does not make this any less a Holy War.
Hopefully our enemies, and I do not count just the pirates of the east in this, will understand our resolve and our strength from this. The Faith is the traditions and the conscience of Arvum, the heart of our people, and will not allow any threat to that position or to the protection it allows us to provide. Make no mistake, as we look out at the ranks of the Templars, if the word Crusade has not left the Dominus' lips then that does not make this any less a Holy War.
Written By Preston
Feb. 6, 2018, 9:49 a.m.(2/16/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
No matter how beautiful your singing voice, you aren't a Grayhope now Thena Godsworn!
Written By Preston
Feb. 3, 2018, 10:12 a.m.(2/10/1008 AR)
There seems to be a misunderstanding about the Oathlands Orthodox strand of the Faith. People seem to see us as hardline, as extreme, as cruel even. It is true, there are hardliners - as there are in all things. People who wish Tehomic worship not just shunned or ignored, but actively persecuted. Those who wish us to attack the Lycene, and purge Shamans. That is not the majority though. Most of us would offer paths to the Shamanists to come to proper worship, equally though I disagree with the Lycene style of worship and I tend to avoid Tehomic events I still view them as family, and love them all the same.
What we do know though is that the world is harsh. Enemies threaten us from all angles, from within and from without. And we have choices. Sometimes those choices are between doing the right thing or avoiding death and suffering. Where we differ is that the pragmatics will take the latter course, they will save lives now and accept the drift from the will of the Gods, from the laws and demands of our Faith, from the morals and traditions that have held us strong for so many centuries. To the Oathlands? If we seek a final victory, if we seek the perfection of the Gods, of a society and of a world that makes us worthy of them, then we must take the hard choice to follow our morals and beliefs. I do not blame the pragmatists for choosing other, their choice is the one that offers a clear chance for our people to progress - but to gain that, they give up control of the destination. And that is a price I cannot accept that we need to pay.
We see these choices in large events, in the blood sacrifices that resulted in the excommunication of the High Lords, but also in the small. Remember, when we allow abandoned tribes who reject our ways to stay close to our roads, it makes us feel civilised. Kind. Better. Yet, these people continue to be preyed on by our enemies, by their own people, by nature, and in turn they prey on us. Our tithe trains, our brothers and sisters on pilgrimage, their deaths are the price we pay for a sense of kindness.
So we must provide a path back to the light to those who have drifted, but we must remain in control of where that path leads for all of us. We must move closer to the Gods, we must find a way to be better, to do better, and we must purge ourselves of those elements in society who actively work for our enemy, not waste our time fighting with our brothers and sisters of the faith because they insist on mirrors. For our brothers and sisters of the Faithful, we must have only debate, and if we cannot carry the debate, we must fortify our minds and come back refreshed. For our enemies, for those who reject the Gods in anyway, we must have only steel.
What we do know though is that the world is harsh. Enemies threaten us from all angles, from within and from without. And we have choices. Sometimes those choices are between doing the right thing or avoiding death and suffering. Where we differ is that the pragmatics will take the latter course, they will save lives now and accept the drift from the will of the Gods, from the laws and demands of our Faith, from the morals and traditions that have held us strong for so many centuries. To the Oathlands? If we seek a final victory, if we seek the perfection of the Gods, of a society and of a world that makes us worthy of them, then we must take the hard choice to follow our morals and beliefs. I do not blame the pragmatists for choosing other, their choice is the one that offers a clear chance for our people to progress - but to gain that, they give up control of the destination. And that is a price I cannot accept that we need to pay.
We see these choices in large events, in the blood sacrifices that resulted in the excommunication of the High Lords, but also in the small. Remember, when we allow abandoned tribes who reject our ways to stay close to our roads, it makes us feel civilised. Kind. Better. Yet, these people continue to be preyed on by our enemies, by their own people, by nature, and in turn they prey on us. Our tithe trains, our brothers and sisters on pilgrimage, their deaths are the price we pay for a sense of kindness.
So we must provide a path back to the light to those who have drifted, but we must remain in control of where that path leads for all of us. We must move closer to the Gods, we must find a way to be better, to do better, and we must purge ourselves of those elements in society who actively work for our enemy, not waste our time fighting with our brothers and sisters of the faith because they insist on mirrors. For our brothers and sisters of the Faithful, we must have only debate, and if we cannot carry the debate, we must fortify our minds and come back refreshed. For our enemies, for those who reject the Gods in anyway, we must have only steel.
Written By Preston
Feb. 1, 2018, 8:19 a.m.(1/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Aleksei
I am sorry if others are being unkind - I have always been happy to say that though we might disagree on methods of worship and style, I have never had any reason to doubt your piety or your good character, and will forever be humbled to know you.
Written By Preston
Feb. 1, 2018, 8:13 a.m.(1/27/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Alexis
Though finished to my designs, it was Dame Alexis' forge in the Dragon Hearth that served to create my set of armour and her skill that ensured the high quality of it. Though the helmet is perhaps more fiddly, and the gauntlets more old fashioned, the quality of the work shines through. And the design is not too far from Templar norms. The red steel is covered white, with the edges and ridges made gold. But, a small line of the Rubicund is left between the two to shine. And perhaps it will help me stand out on the field to those that need to find me. It will certainly look appropriately impressive when I must guard the Dominus for events. I cannot thank Dame Alexis for her skill enough in this.
Written By Preston
Jan. 26, 2018, 1:29 p.m.(1/15/1008 AR)
Perhaps it must be made clear to some in the temporal world. If you wish to continue to rule in order that you can celebrate misdeed, so you can celebrate turning from the Gods, from their rules, their justice, their commands, from their good grace, to celebrate and be grateful to one of you who has done so, then that is your freedom, your right. But it is also not what we will fight for. Once, you were warned. All bar one of your high lords cast out, excommunicated from the Faith's love. You were forgiven. But do not presume the crime was forgotten, as the lesson seems to have been. Sometimes doing what is right has harsh consequences, and it is easier to do what is evil to preserve your power - but a virtuous noble is not tempted. Father Orazio expresses sorrow - let me express anger.
The Templars march to save the Compact and our people because the people are righteous, they are loved by the Gods and they love the God in turn. Even those who worship shamanistic ideals within the compact hold to the morals and ideals of the Faith, and are granted tolerance for as long as they do. If nobles turn from the values of the compact, the values of the Faith, and break the Compact, then when the enemy comes to your gates, and no army appears on the horizon to relieve you? Your people will know to thank you for your kind support of murder and disease. And the Templars will preserve what is good.
Now, the enemy comes to our shores. He comes to our very gates. We have tens of thousands faith militant in the field as we speak, gathering to defend the compact - now is not the time for silly desires to praise ill deed to risk unity. Because by the Gods, I will march on the enemy, if I must do so alone with my Brothers and Sisters, then so be it - but we will certainly tolerate none of the barbarity or evil some seem willing to allow.
The Templars march to save the Compact and our people because the people are righteous, they are loved by the Gods and they love the God in turn. Even those who worship shamanistic ideals within the compact hold to the morals and ideals of the Faith, and are granted tolerance for as long as they do. If nobles turn from the values of the compact, the values of the Faith, and break the Compact, then when the enemy comes to your gates, and no army appears on the horizon to relieve you? Your people will know to thank you for your kind support of murder and disease. And the Templars will preserve what is good.
Now, the enemy comes to our shores. He comes to our very gates. We have tens of thousands faith militant in the field as we speak, gathering to defend the compact - now is not the time for silly desires to praise ill deed to risk unity. Because by the Gods, I will march on the enemy, if I must do so alone with my Brothers and Sisters, then so be it - but we will certainly tolerate none of the barbarity or evil some seem willing to allow.
Written By Preston
Jan. 22, 2018, 6:35 a.m.(1/7/1008 AR)
Those of the Faith need to be very careful when dealing with the Great Houses of Arvum and their vassals. Never should it appear that we work for them or on their side as members of the Faith, for then we forfeit our place as neutral arbiters of their disagreements. It is easy perhaps to do this for the Godsworn - our life is easy, we simply reject positions that place us in that bind. For our disciples, who run two lives - that within and without the Faith - it is more difficult. I would encourage them to separate those two lives as far as they can. If you refer to yourself as disciple in an act, refrain from then acting on behalf of a house. Even if it seems like a small crossover, the concept of the Faith as a Temporal power is a dangerous one. If we were to became so, I do not think many would allow for the travel of our Templars, our Knights of Solace, our Mercies or others across their lands. They would question why they must pay tithe to what they now see as a rival. And it is mistrust that causes such great harm to the Compact. You only need to look at Thrax, and ask yourself what the mistrust between their nobility and the Faith cost them and the Goddess Mangata, when had we instead trusted and worked together - as good Prince Victus now guides - then perhaps we would be in a stronger position now. And lives might be saved that must now be spent in defense of the realm. I suppose what this ramble says is that Trust is precious, and when you act as a disciple, as a godsworn, as even the Dominus, you spend and gather Trust for something much larger, much more important and as part of that, your small slight that seems unimportant may become large.
Written By Preston
Jan. 22, 2018, 6:28 a.m.(1/7/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Orazio
With the kind support of Father Orazio and the Faith, the new armour is complete. It about emptied my bank account, and took more coin than I feel comfortable with, but hopefully it should ensure some greater longevity for guarding the Dominus in case the enemy should come to Arx. It is also the first non-standard Templar armour I have owned, which should help others find me on the field. Which I suppose they must do now.
Written By Preston
Jan. 6, 2018, 12:17 p.m.(12/1/1007 AR)
So many demands in so many directions - we may gather the largest force assembled in some time, only to have a thousand demands nibble its numbers down to nothing if we are not careful. I would tend to rather win one or two battles on the terms I set out than lose in a hundred places. Now was not a good time for the Legate of Arts to leave us - we could have needed his guidance, and it will be missed. His was always a clarion voice in council, simple and direct, and speaking up for the needs of the Orthodoxy.
Written By Preston
Jan. 2, 2018, 6:21 a.m.(11/19/1007 AR)
Time. It seemed like we were just about to manage things, just about to get on top. And then the enemy comes before we are ready. So now we must rush to get done what we can, to try and finish our tasks. And in the meantime, gather out troops. But that again takes time. How long for the levies to gather in their parishes? How long for the parishes to gather at the marshaling points? How long then to march? And then from Arx, we will need to split our forces further to cover all the routes of attack.
Perhaps there is time yet to finish this task, to restore some part of our tradition. In the meantime, I suppose it is time to prove to the Grandmaster that his faith was not misplaced in me as his former squire.
Perhaps there is time yet to finish this task, to restore some part of our tradition. In the meantime, I suppose it is time to prove to the Grandmaster that his faith was not misplaced in me as his former squire.
Written By Preston
Nov. 5, 2017, 6:24 p.m.(7/12/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Caras
I am sorry to see Brother Caras removed - not because I think what he did was right, or that I think the Most Holy was wrong, but because I know Brother Caras to be a good man. There are few in the archlectors these days that have his background, with so many of the more recent archlectors coming from other areas of the Faith than the Oathlands. In that he gives an important voice to those who worry at times about the pace of progress, and the costs it brings. A voice that needs release from time to time.
Written By Preston
Nov. 5, 2017, 6:20 p.m.(7/12/1007 AR)
Thralldom is not an ideal practice - it is in fact problematic and if I must make a judgement, wrong. What is also wrong were the people we lost during the recent attack on Maelstrom. The pilgrims who are attacked every week, along with their noble guardians of the Knights of Solace, travelling the roads of Arvum to holy places. What is wrong are the tithes of hard working people of Arvum being stolen as the treasure trains of the Faith are pillaged by bandits from within the abandoned. It is wrong when children go hungry. It is wrong when good ben are kept behind while bad men flourish. It is wrong when the laws of mortals are placed above the laws of the Gods. The world is full of wrong, and suffering, and horror.
Blessed Aleksei is not a man theologically I agree with always. In fact, I disagree quite often with him. What he was doing though was not to force change. It was to use the existing structures to deliver an outcome we can all consider good. No-one, including those in Thrax, can think paying off these debts - debts that originate in crime and death - is bad. It must be good. In setting this example though, Kennex and others leapt into this change and it hurts them. It is always so tempting, to see goodness as a beacon on a hill and run to it - ignoring the swamp inbetween you and it. It is a failing I often have. I see so clearly the result I desire, and the straight forward route to that. But, alas, the world does not forgive good intentions. We must remember that there is so much that is wrong in the world, and so much we tolerate, that change will come over time.
The failing of Navegant though was in changing the rules as well - they saw Aleksei's use of their custom as a challenge to that custom. Understandable, but mistaken. Their response was exaggerated, and it bordered on targeting Blessed Aleksei and the freedom of his people. They should look next time outside threats come to their soil. They will see men and women in the tabards and armour of the Faith, of the Templar, standing at their side. And they must understand our first desire isn't to fix all wrongs immediately. It isn't to change them over night. Our first concern isn't even changing them at all. Our first and foremost desire is that they live so they can make that choice to live a more pious life if they wish it.
Blessed Aleksei is not a man theologically I agree with always. In fact, I disagree quite often with him. What he was doing though was not to force change. It was to use the existing structures to deliver an outcome we can all consider good. No-one, including those in Thrax, can think paying off these debts - debts that originate in crime and death - is bad. It must be good. In setting this example though, Kennex and others leapt into this change and it hurts them. It is always so tempting, to see goodness as a beacon on a hill and run to it - ignoring the swamp inbetween you and it. It is a failing I often have. I see so clearly the result I desire, and the straight forward route to that. But, alas, the world does not forgive good intentions. We must remember that there is so much that is wrong in the world, and so much we tolerate, that change will come over time.
The failing of Navegant though was in changing the rules as well - they saw Aleksei's use of their custom as a challenge to that custom. Understandable, but mistaken. Their response was exaggerated, and it bordered on targeting Blessed Aleksei and the freedom of his people. They should look next time outside threats come to their soil. They will see men and women in the tabards and armour of the Faith, of the Templar, standing at their side. And they must understand our first desire isn't to fix all wrongs immediately. It isn't to change them over night. Our first concern isn't even changing them at all. Our first and foremost desire is that they live so they can make that choice to live a more pious life if they wish it.
Written By Preston
Oct. 29, 2017, 7:43 p.m.(6/26/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Thena
A very impressive little sister, Dame Thena, I promise.
Written By Preston
Oct. 29, 2017, 6:47 a.m.(6/25/1007 AR)
It is comforting that Father Orazio and Blessed Aleksei met with the Seraph of Sanctum, and looked into building bridges within the Faith. People see a monolith, but the Faith is a culture like any Fealty. We have our disagreements, we have our debates, we are indeed a Faith made of Parishes, each diverse and different to each other in some way, small or large. I do not pretend that recent changes came easy, nor that I necessarily agree that the pace of change was right, but in reaching out to the Seraph of Sanctum - who holds great sway amongst the Oathlanders and thus in the Godsworn Knights of the Templars and the Faith Militant - Father Orazio and Blessed Aleksei once again prove their wisdom, and why they make these decisions and I simply serve.
I shall pray that this understanding continues and the debates on theology might continue. In the meantime, it allows the Faith Militant to consider more relevant threats - our pilgrims and tithe trains still face predation from the Abandoned, there are still secular forces who would erode our responsibilities, and there are still threats greater than any power, secular or religious. Thankfully I have faith in my brothers and sisters, in our Grandmaster and in our Archlector, in all our archlectors and legates, and of course in the Most Holy. Even perhaps faith in our little siblings in the Knights of Solace.
I shall pray that this understanding continues and the debates on theology might continue. In the meantime, it allows the Faith Militant to consider more relevant threats - our pilgrims and tithe trains still face predation from the Abandoned, there are still secular forces who would erode our responsibilities, and there are still threats greater than any power, secular or religious. Thankfully I have faith in my brothers and sisters, in our Grandmaster and in our Archlector, in all our archlectors and legates, and of course in the Most Holy. Even perhaps faith in our little siblings in the Knights of Solace.
Written By Preston
Oct. 12, 2017, 3:21 p.m.(5/20/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Victus
By his journals, Prince Victus seems most dedicated and devout. Having heard from the Seraph of the Palace of his words and deeds, there is a part of me that wishes the Faith had managed to claim him rather than his duties to his family. If his cousin is anything to go by, we would have gained a champion without equal.
Written By Preston
Oct. 12, 2017, 10:04 a.m.(5/20/1007 AR)
There seems to be some confusion in recent announcements still. People believe that because Father Orazio has stated the revisions to the Fourth Law of Limerance, that the Faith is forgoing its rights to investigate accusations around these things. The Faith has always taken investigation of breaches in these laws and the question of the use of magic seriously. Before their betrayal of the Faith to pursue secular power, it is what the Inquisition did. They however abandoned the Faith, and with it their duty to explore accusations of heresy and any right to speak on matters of the law of the Gods. We have never challenged their right to pursue secular justice however, to investigate chicken theft or other such crimes. But, on matters heretical, matters related to violations of the Gods' laws? That falls to the Faith, and with their abandonment of their duties all that time ago, that duty falls to the Templars. Items which claim descent or powers drawn from such things should be examined, their claims checked, any risk assessed, and that must be done by the Faith.
We in the Faith love the faithful. We love the King. We love those who always follow the path of the Gods. We love those who have strayed but found their way back. We love those who abandon their heresy and come to the light. We seek to protect those we love, that is natural is it not? And you can see it now. Hundreds of Templars march to the call of the Graysons, along with dozens more Knights of Solace, Mercies, The Lodge of Petrichor. We will not allow temporal politics to ever prevent that, and that is why we do not tell any how to rule their lands other than to ask them to rule them in the name and with respect to the Gods. But in turn, we will also not allow temporal powers to assume any of our rights and obligations. The gods must never be subjected to interference by any power - the subjugation of the Faith and its rights that occurred during Crownbreaker will be repeated only over the body and blood of every single Templar at my command.
We in the Faith love the faithful. We love the King. We love those who always follow the path of the Gods. We love those who have strayed but found their way back. We love those who abandon their heresy and come to the light. We seek to protect those we love, that is natural is it not? And you can see it now. Hundreds of Templars march to the call of the Graysons, along with dozens more Knights of Solace, Mercies, The Lodge of Petrichor. We will not allow temporal politics to ever prevent that, and that is why we do not tell any how to rule their lands other than to ask them to rule them in the name and with respect to the Gods. But in turn, we will also not allow temporal powers to assume any of our rights and obligations. The gods must never be subjected to interference by any power - the subjugation of the Faith and its rights that occurred during Crownbreaker will be repeated only over the body and blood of every single Templar at my command.
Written By Preston
Oct. 8, 2017, 5:13 p.m.(5/12/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Leona
The Lord Commander arranged a rite of Gloria - and put me, quite fairly, out after a few blows. I was quite proud to score a hit on her though, even if I didn't manage to draw first blood. She is remarkably skilled, and devout. Of all of those I've worked with from the secular side, she is perhaps one of the most reliable.
Please note that the scholars may take some time preparing your journal for others to read.