A letter for Aerienne (private)

Nell du'Galle · January 14, 2007, 10:51 PM

TS: 32nd Cryxatum, Spring, Era XIII

A messenger wearing the colours of the Imperial Government delivered the following letter bearing the seal of the Imperial Vicegerent to Aerienne Sarista.

Secrets :

From the Office of the Imperial Vicegerent,
The Imperial Palace
Alleria Prime

To Her Exalted Emminence, Lady Aerienne Sarista
Archprelatess of the Church of Faith

Thera, in the third cycle of Cryxatum, Era XIII

Dear Aerienne,

I write with some hesitation for I know that you have given the care and administration of the Church of Faith to your loyal Captain of the Archprelatine Guard, Sir Dimitri – however if what I am about to request is something that you would prefer Sir Dimitri to take care of, I fully understand. I hope and pray that you have found some peace since that dreadful brightening in Kalendryas. Lack of word is sometimes a blessing and sometimes a curse, but some indication of your current state of health would ease my mind.

Since last seeing you, my position has changed, and Milo has seen fit to raise my fortunes and install me as his Vicegerent – and with that many responsibilities have come my way. One of these is to address the Imperial Government’s actions towards the church of the Sacred Three. So far, there has been no official response from the Imperial Government since the establishment of this church at the start of last era, but we now wish to rectify this.

However before this can happen, I am trying to gather all information possible regarding the establishment of the church of the Sacred Three and its current activities – and to this purpose, I have notified all Governors of each Province to deliver me news of this church’s progression within their borders. I am also familiarising myself with how the church of the Sacred Three came into existence, although I am at the moment reliant on information disseminated through the Herald.

I must admit, that the task currently feels overwhelming, for I lack knowledge of how the Church of Faith itself is structured and operates apart from what I can gather from out-dated tomes on the Church of Faith. To then go on to try and speak with authority to those who would attempt to dislodge the Church of Faith from delivering the spiritual guidance to the citizens of the Empire becomes a difficult task.

Therefore I ask for your assistance on clarifying the following points:

1) What was the hierarchy of the Church of Faith within Diana at the time of the schism two eras ago when the College of Prelates attempted to remove your good self from the position of Archprelatess? I have heard some say that the College of Prelates had been dismissed prior to this, and others tell that they were dismissed afterwards. However, from looking at the Herald in the month of Immanis, three months prior to the Prelate’s rebellion, they are referred to clearly by yourself in your decision to change church policy regarding the donation of two thirds of the prelates’ wealth and other changes within the Church.
2) What is the role of the prelatine guard within the Church of Faith?
3) How is the Church of Faith funded?
4) Would you clarify the Church law regarding the election of the Archprelate by the College of Prelates? From what I have garnered from reading legal opinion and my own perusal of the Articles of Imperium, there is nothing stated within Church law that the Prelates have the power to dismiss an Archprelate – and I would assume that such would be only be in the power of the Monarch, the sovereign god’s chosen ruler who is head of the Church in Alleria. Also as the Monarch is the ultimate power in the Empire, he or she may technically refuse the elected Archprelate.
5) Whilst the allegations that were initially brought against you are strange and seemingly based on opinion, would you clarify the situation surrounding the near appointment of Archbishop Cazellia to Cardinal of Carmelyn?
6) Did the attempt for mediation in Port Constantine take place and if so, what occurred there?
7) In the aftermath of the schism, Medonia and Silrosia declared support for the Prelates. I am aware that this support still holds in Medonia, but do you know if Silrosia continued in this vein?
8) Are you aware of any further cities where the church of Sacred Three maintains control of the welfare of the citizens’ spiritual care?
9) I know also that we have corresponded already on the accusations by the church of the Sacred Three that were published in the Herald in Ponutis of last era, and that you gave reassurances that the Church of Faith does not condone the worship of Aeternians, but that the Church of Faith instead tries to reach out to those who follow these detested gods in an attempt to guide them back to the righteous path. But I must ask, Aerienne, even if it pains me, why such accusations might be made – what actions that may have been misunderstood to lead to such an accusation.
10) What were the circumstances leading to the disbanding of the Inquisition?

Finally, Aerienne, I know it will be painful, but, I must ask about the events that were shown to you by Diana. You mentioned Tirisfal and Zerdargia, and I have read in the Herald about the dismissal of priests in Imperia. Please, anything you can tell me about these events which will serve to educate me on the involvement of the Church of Faith will only aid me, for forewarned is fore-armed, and I wish to avoid being led astray by false presentation of the facts, as I anticipate might happen, when I contact Praesul Prelatus Jodus.

These are a lot of questions, but I hope you will know that I ask them only so that when the church of the Sacred Three is called to account, I have a thorough knowledge of the history leading up to the schism along with an understanding of how the Church of Faith is organised and administrated. I would like to also offer reassurances that the initial approach of the Imperial Government will be in the spirit of reconciliation, for I believe that many who have turned to the church of the Sacred Three, be they priest, bishop or cardinal, have done so under the shadow of ignorance. You once wrote to me that you try and educate those who are ignorant and turn them from dark paths and I will try and live up to such a standard. I hope that through reasonable negotiation, a pathway to clarity and unity may be wrought.

Also know that I will be writing our good friend, Imperial Consul Palacrisis Jones, so that he is aware of this move by the Imperial Government to begin to rectify the situation, so that his advice and aid may be garnered to the hoped for fruits of this endeavour.

I leave you now, Aerienne, with the best wishes for your health and the hope that the great task given you by Blessed Diana is one that you will bear with fortitude and wisdom,

Deepest Regards,

Nell du’Galle
Imperial Vicegerent

Aerienne Sarista · January 22, 2007, 11:59 PM

Aeri read over the letter for a long time, trying to compose her thoughts. She knew that this information could really help Nell. It was just a matter of thinking back on those confused days and making sure everything was in proper order to help her friend. Finally, she set pen to paper.

"Serale Nell!

Congratulations on your promotion! How have you and Milo been? I know things have been stressful lately with all the problems. Are you two holding up okay? How is everyone there?

As for me, I am adjusting, day by day. I still miss the joy of speaking mind to mind with others, and the loss of the other spheres of arcana is something I'm not sure I'll ever get used to. I still hear the voices and live the memories, but the hardest loss of all has been the loss of my little Fiabeth. It is for her sake that I struggle to master this. The memory of her smile and laughter give me hope and keep me going during the darkest times of the night.

I am glad that there will be an official response to the Church of the Sacred Three. My friend Tradieus Kha'serith rightly pointed out that the division created by the Church of the Sacred Three has the people confused and frightened in a time when we need to be trying to bring them together and unifying to save our Empire. I will do all I can to give you the information you need, and pray that whatever decision is made brings peace back to our land and restores the faith of the people. I'll take your questions in order.

1.) The College of Prelates did exist shortly before the Schism. There used to be two Colleges: the Concilium Prelatum, or College of Prelates, and the Concilium Sodalitatis, which assisted in govering the Province. Because Carmelyn's a Theocracy, there were Church Prelates on both Colleges. During the time of Julos, I went to Alleria Prime to determine if the Gods had indeed selected him to be Emperor. While I was away, the Concilium Sodalitatis acted on a problem that had sprung up here. A woman named Dawn had escaped from a slave ring being operated from Tirisfal. Before I left, I had ordered the Provincal Justicar, Cardinal Benedict Simosus, to investigate the matter and bring the slavers to justice. I later learned that Benedict, Gods rest him, was poisoned by then-Lady Thane Glory, the head of the slave ring. In my absence and without my knowledge or orders, the Concilium Sodalitatis ordered an attack on Tirisfal, using residual Provincal troops (many troops had deserted during Alex's regency). Tirisfal was destroyed and the Concilium employed brutal tactics to quash dissent in Diana. I returned home, and, with the help of some brave and kind citizens, exposed the truth and banished the Concilium Sodalitatis to life exile on Terramarique for their crimes. People often mixed up the two Colleges, but just before the Schism, the Concilium Prelatum still existed, despite a failed effort to make a new and better Concilium Sodalitatis. I had ordered that the entire College of Prelates be arrested for being involved in corruption that an independent investigation of the Church had revealed. It was right after that that the Schism began.

2.) The Prelatine Army has always served as an army for the Church, which was allowed by the Empire. The Prelatines are the regular troops and the Paladins are the elite knights.

3.) The Church is funded through the tithes of the Faithful, and I think some revenue comes from the theocratic governing of Carmelyn Province. For a long time, the Church controlled all business in and out of the city of Diana and got revenue from that, but I opened the city to independent business, so I don't know how much revenue is still gained from that.

4.) The rule was that when an Archprelate died or resigned, the Concilium Prelatum would comb through all the candidates, decide who would be a suitable successor, and then nominate that person to the reigning Emperor or Empress. If His or Her Imperial Majesty approved the choice then that person became the next Archprelate, and if they rejected it then the Concilum went back to step one until they found someone suitable. The Prelates don't have the power to dismiss a sitting Archprelate. Only the reigning monarch or the Gods can do that. The Concilum Prelatum felt that, since I had been kidnapped and held prisoner by my sister Lilienne for four eras, that I wasn't ever coming home, so they tried to elect one of their own, Jodus, to be the new Archprelate, but I returned in time to prevent this. At the time, the Empire was in the regency of James de Rothchild and the Aethergem had just shattered. The Prelates decided that they had to act without guidance from the Crown, and they later claimed that since they had "chosen to restore" me to the Archprelatecy, that they could then remove me without the approval of the Crown.

5.) Cazellia was a mistake on my part. At the time, I realized that Diana had no Cardinal. Archbishop Gregorio Cazellia seemed like a good person and someone I could trust to care for the people, but it turned out that he was an ambitious liar. Some time before his near-appointment I had commissoned an independent investigation of the Church in an effort to weed out corruption and waste. The investigators learned that Cazellia took bribes and was responsible for assassination attempts on rivals among other crimes. He had a magical device which enabled him to fool telepathic and empathic scanning, which is why I didn't pick up on his true nature. The investigators, which included my friend Duncan Sythe, battled him, knocked him out, and brought before me evidence they'd found in their investigations and in an incriminating document from Cazellia's office. I had Cazellia stripped of his position and arrested for his crimes, then ordered the Concilum Prelatum to be arrested for their role in corrupt acts.

6.) I arrived for the meeting and spoke with the people of the city beforehand, but the Prelates' delegates never arrived that I know of, so there were no talks.

7.) I haven't heard anything about Syl'rosya changing its' mind. It might have though. You should probably ask Elle Trellian Kaldres and her husband Aderyn te tuin Lothain. They live there so they would know more. Besides, they're really nice people and I think you would like them.

8.) I am not certain. I know that, despite my efforts, they have maintained a stronghold here in Diana. I haven't heard of any other places they might have gone to, but then, I've been more focused on trying to repair the damage than to keep tabs on them.

9.) I believe that it might have come from my outreach programs for those deluded by the lies of Aeternia. My older sister, Lilienne, was a Necromancer. She was deluded by the lies of Jorel and committed many foul deeds before she died, including killing our parents and trying to kill me. I believe in healing and redemption. I feel that Necromancers and those who have been tricked by the lies of Aeternia should be assisted in finding their way back into the Light. Fear, condemnation, and execution only drives those who are lost deeper into the Darkness, out of resentment and bitterness. Some people also took issue with my open-door policy to those of the so-called "dark races" in all areas. I've never believed that a person is evil just because they were born to a certain species or in a certain place. I think a person should be judged by what they do, not what they were born as. There was much opposition to this at first, and some still seem upset over it. Many of the Prelates were upset that I was trying to get the Church out of political affairs. There were voices in the Church who argued that the Church should have tried to take over during the time when there was no monarch. Some wanted to create a theocratic Empire, where the Faith would be enforced with rigid orthodoxy, Imperial law, and Imperial troops. I clashed with those people often, and with those who felt that the Church should be more concerned with maintaining and enforcing orthodoxy.

10.) Before I became Archprelatess, Emperor Valerian had ordered that all armed forces not part of the Imperial military were to be disbanded. Some of the Prelatines didn't like this, and they joined up with a faction of the Holy Inqusition that wanted to crack down on heresy. To them, heresy was anything they didn't like. Together they became the Archonic Force, and suppressed all who questioned them. They enforced their idea of orthodoxy across the Province with brutal force and wanted to spread their rule elsewhere. A resistance movement fought back against them though. It took all summer, and some help from Imperial troops in Prime and Centripax Province, but eventually the Archonic Force was trapped in Diana. I was only the Governor then, and I had been away in Lauryl Province aiding my friend, Professor Ambrose Devere, with his Mysticism training. When I learned what happened, I gathered as many from the Mages' Guild as I could and came back to Carmelyn Province. I joined up with Kane Garrison, the artist turned resistance leader, and his ally Sorrin, an Archmage Necromancer. Together, we retook Diana. Kane, Sorrin, and I fought against Torquemada, the leader of the Inquisition, and his ally, a masked warrior who called himself the Holy Protector. The battle ended when the Protector fell and Torquemada committed suicide rather than be taken alive. Without their leaders the rest of the Archonic Force just gave up, which I was glad for since that meant there would be no more bloodshed. I made Kane Lord Thane of Archadoon and put him in charge of rebuilding the city since the Archonic Force had blasted the old city and made it into the Black Lake. Sorrin was given a complex on the outskirts of the new city, as he had requested for his aid. I had such hopes that the experience of working together could have led to Sorrin's finding his way back home to Aetheria, but sadly it just didn't work out that way. Well anyways, soon after that I became Archprelatess, and my first act was to disband the Holy Inquisition. I don't feel that we'll make any progress towards reaching out to our misguided brothers and sisters if we have an organization dedicated to hunting and punishing them around. I am aware that some have started a secret Inquisition, but they are renegades who are hunted and arrested whenever we find them.

As for Tirisfal and Zerdargia, well, I told you about how the whole Tirisfal disaster started. Afterwards, the Church and government tried to repair what had been done. Aid caravans with workers and food were sent in, and Prelate Calaniri temporarily oversaw the city for a time after Palacrisis resigned but before Darian al'Aramak de Lythia Darumyan was appointed Lord Thane. Afterwards, the Church lessened its' presence there so the healing process could continue. Zerdargia was a tragedy. I had learned that the city was under siege by undead and so I sent Prelatines and Church Magi to try and aid the people there. From what I have been told by survivors, the immense magical energies harnassed by the Church magi and other magi present combined to create some sort of freak arcanic storm that destroyed the city and many on all sides. I grieve the loss of so many souls, and pray that they have found happiness in Aetheria.

Imperia was a case of my trying to end corruption in the Church. I had decided that it would be best if I made surprise visits to local churches about the Empire, to encourage the faithful, support priests that were doing good, and weed out bad seeds. Well in Imperia I found a whole garden of bad seeds. My telepathy and empathy picked up on selfishiness, greed, and corruption in every priest but one there, so I removed them all so that they'd not be a threat to anyone ever again. I also discovered that there's something beneath the city that is projecting waves of hatred, despair, and evil into the people above, but I didn't have a chance to investigate it further. I decided it was time for new priests there, and I found one in a kind woman named Bethel Beanhopper. I asked her to rebuild the priesthood in Imperia, but then the meteors hit. If I had known this would happen, I would have personally transported healers there ahead of time, and gone myself, to save as many as I could. I am so sorry that people died there. I don't think words can express how much I grieve for the loss of life there, and in Tirisfal and Zerdargia too.

Thank you for your kind words Nell, and I hope that whatever solution is found is one that will bring healing to our people. I pray that the Gods help you and Milo to guide us in our time of need, and that they protect you both as well. Please keep me informed of what is going on, and I'll try to help you as best I can.

Blessings of the Gods upon you my friend."
Aerienne Sarista

Nell du'Galle · January 23, 2007, 01:21 PM

TS: 42nd Cryxatum, Spring, XIII

A cycle had passed and more thoughts arrived for Aerienne's attention from the Imperial city, borne by a messenger who presented the parchment with smart attention.

Secrets :

From the Office of the Imperial Vicegerent,
The Imperial Palace

To Her Exalted Emminence, Lady Aerienne Sarista
Archprelatess of the Church of Faith

Srennia, in the fourth cycle of Cryxatum, Era XIII

Dear Aerienne,

Thank you for your reply to all my enquiries regarding the Church of Faith and the various events that have occurred connected with the Church of the Sacred Three and its establishment. I know that my questions were extensive and I greatly appreciate the time you have taken to provide me with this background which fills in the holes of my knowledge. I had little idea of the extent of obstacles that you have had to surmount during your time as Archprelatess and the high esteem I previously held you in has only increased as a result of learning what you have had to contend with as leader of the Faith. I can only assume that it is your humble nature that has stopped you from openly declaring all you have done through the Herald in a bid to quieten your detractors, for any who would read your letter would surely realise that all your actions have been done with the best intentions and in the hope of guiding those who have strayed back to the righteous path of the Sacred Three.

It is a great comfort to know that you remember Milo and me in your prayers. Thank you for the congratulations on my promotion to Vicegerent – I must confess I find it a daunting task but when Milo proposed the position, I could do nothing else but accept, for to be able to serve the Empire and provide support to Milo during his time as Regent is an honour I willingly bear. We are holding up so far. The stress of the winter season was eased somewhat by time taken away during the period of mourning for Empress de Lylles. It gave both of us space to breathe and reflect on what had passed since the start of Kalendryas, to try and find a footing on which to begin again. I still harbour fears for the future but we have put our faith and trust in the Gods that they will aid Milo in his position as Regent, and that a successor to the throne is appointed by Diana soon. The Empire needs an Emperor, or indeed an Empress, and while the state of Regency continues, there is always the chance that divisions will occur.

Please know that you are constantly in our thoughts. Although you say you are making progress, I could not help but read in between the lines of the struggle it is to do so. I hope that it is not too long before you are reunited with Fiabeth, for I’m sure she would be a great comfort to you. Children are a great blessing. Persevere, Aerienne! Do not give up! You are in my prayers.

As promised, though, let me bring you up-to-date on my thinking regarding the division created by the Church of the Sacred Three. In between our correspondence I have been discussing the way ahead with His Imperial Excellency, Consul Palacrisis Jones, and as you will no doubt know, he has been as forthright and helpful as ever. In light of his advice I plan to release an announcement of the Imperial Government’s position towards the Church of the Sacred Three, on gaining the Regent’s approval, so that the citizens of the Empire are no longer confused as to where their allegiance should lie. However, this announcement will be non-aggressive in tone, but instead will offer the chance for the Church of the Sacred Three to discuss their position with myself and other delegates, with an eye to re-integration back into the Church of Faith. Hopefully this will move forward to initial talks, no doubt the first of many steps.

Pala did raise an important issue though, and that was the involvement of the new Archprelate in these talks. Now, my views on this are as follows. Firstly that there should be no pressure on you to rush the decision as to whom should replace you. You need no reminding of the responsibility of finding the most worthy person, and to appoint someone for the sake of alacrity would be a false step. Therefore, I am proposing to move ahead with the reconciliation with the Prelates even though there may be no Archprelate in place. Indeed, I think it would be preferable, if only to press the point home that this issue is not an internal church matter only, but that they must acknowledge the Church of Alleria is the Church which is headed by the Sovereign Gods' monarch.

Secondly, that when the Church of the Sacred Three realizes its position is untenable, only then would the Church of Faith, and the new Archprelate if one has been found, be involved in the actual re-integration of the Prelates – if they are deemed worthy of such position within the Church of Faith. I take note that you had ordered the arrest of the entire College of Prelates just before the schism on charges of corruption – and these charges will still have to be answered. The motivation for the Prelates revolt becomes clear with the knowledge that they were to be arrested – that their revolt was a desperate act to prevent having to face such charges. If I am wrong in my assumptions here, please do correct me! I am also quite sure that when a new Archprelate is found, there will need to be some time for him or her to consider how they will be carrying out their duties, along with speaking with the Regent, or if the Gods have so spoken by then, the new Emperor or Empress.

This therefore leaves me with two requests to ask of you, Aerienne.

Firstly that I may have a copy of the independent report which uncovered corruption amongst the Prelates and secondly if I may enquire as to your progress in finding the person who will be the new Archprelate.

In the hope that this letter finds you well,

~Nell du’Galle
Imperial Vicegerent.

Aerienne Sarista · January 30, 2007, 04:51 PM

Secrets :