From: GMSkarka@aol.com Date: Tue, 6 Jul 1999 15:49:03 EDT Subject: [7thSea] From the Sea Chest: Vatacine Orders, Part I Ahoy-- Here is the first of a series of articles discussing the various orders within the Vatacine Church in my campaign. Feel free to comment as you wish: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Orders of the Vatacine Church The Vatacine Church is a nation without borders. Within its ranks, there are distinct groupings of clergy and lay servants, each of whom has their own individual perspective on the teachings of the Prophets, yet all bending to the will of the Heirophant and the greater Church. With the vacuum created by the death of the Heirophant, the past two years have seen greater division between the Orders. This increase in sectarianism has contributed both to the lack of consensus among the Cardinals voting for a new leader, as well as the increase in the power of the Inquisition, which is rapidly rising to fill the void in power at the top of the Church. While there are many different Vatacine Orders, this document examines only several of the larger ones. THEUS IRAE: The "Wrath of Theus". This is a largely military order of clerical soldiers, created during the Crusades. For a long period, they acted as the personal guard of the office of the Heirophant, but with the recent absence of that position, they have devoted the majority of their time to protecting Church property, both on land, and especially on the sea-TI monks usually accompany Church vessels, as protection for the passengers and cargo. Rumors are rampant regarding attempts by the TI to seek out the fabled Vatacine Kindom of Prester John, supposed to exist somewhere near Cathay. It is said that they seek this legendary ruler as a candidate for the Heirophancy, untainted by the politics which have plagued the Church since the end of the War of the Cross. Being a military order, members of TI are given dual titles denoting their clerical and military ranks, respectively. For example: Father-Captain, Brother-Sargeant, etc. Primary Nationalities: Vatacine Eisen, Vatacine Avalon, Montaigne THE BENEDICTUS: "The Blessed". This order is the strongest proponent of education within the Vatacine Church, and most often comes at odds with the Inquisition over its stances on scientific experimentation and the definitions of heresy. The Benedictus are most often found teaching at universities, spreading knowledge, as well as the words of the Prophets. There are the beginnings of rumblings surrounding the Benedictus, specifically in regards to what the Inquisition has planned for them. It doesn't take a scholar to understand that the more the Benedictus place themselves opposed to Inquisition, the closer they come to being branded as heretics and hunted down. As such, the Order is currently attempting to walk the tightrope between following their beliefs (that the increase of intelligence brings one closer to the ideals of the Prophets), and appeasing the powers-that-be. Primary Nationalities: Castillian, Vendel, Vodacce THE IUSTITIUS: "The Just". The oldest of the current Vatacine Orders. The Iustitian Order (as it is also known) are a cloistered Order, seperating themselves from humanity in distant, inaccesable monasteries. Members of the Order live their lives in contemplation of the mysteries of the Prophets, and many take Vows of Silence to turn their attentions inward, away from the corrupting world. The Order is revered for its wisdom, and in times past, Thean Kings would make pilgrimages to Iustitian monasteries to ask for judgements regarding matters of diplomacy or law. They would stand outside the monastic gates, while their written plea was carried to the monks by a servant. Often, many days would pass before the written reply would be received. It was this practice that gave the Order its name. It cannot be said with certainty, however, what goes on today behind the walls of the Iustitian monasteries. The rulers of Thea no longer come to them for wisdom. As with all Orders, they open their gates for other clergy-the rules of hospitality still apply, after all. But none of the visiting monks of other orders have been permitted into the cloistered towers, and so none can say what occurs therein. Primary Nationalities: Vodacce, Castillian ------------------------------------------------------------------ There ya go. More to come, as time permits. Gareth-Michael Skarka aka Fionn McGuinness, Unrepentant Inish Bastard -- Contents Copyright (C) 1997,98,99 by ALDERAC ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.