Templum Manus Dextri

I come to you in Faith and in Ignorance. I come to you having Seen and having Listened: what I Saw I Perceived and what I Listened to I Heard. Now it is for you to Perceive what I Saw and to Hear what I Listened to.

The Early History of the Templum Manus Dextri

The Templum Manus Dextri is the oldest religious institution in Arconis, and one of the oldest still extant in the Empire itself. It is dedicated to thaumaturgic as well as non-magical healing of the poor and sickly. It was founded by a man of great faith who went by the name of Brother Dexter: Dexter was of unknown background, but when he came to Arconis he was worshiped as a blessing from heaven, for many found healing beneath his hands. It is rumoured that he was a soldier of some renown in the Aelyrian Army massed against the Cyraxians and that he witnessed at first hand the might of the Goddess Diana.

Thereupon were the Hordes of Evildoers expelled by the Will of the Goddess. Cringing they shrank away from her Indomitable Might and fled from her Blessed Hand

After the battle, when the Cyraxians had been beaten and Diana's army dispersed, Dexter wandered for a time among the various human Kingdoms existing at that time. In his travels there gathered around him a group of followers. Toward the end of his life, when he could no longer submit to the harshness of such a wandering life, he settled with his followers in Arconis - little more than a town in those Patters. Thus the nucleus of the Templum Manus Dextri was formed; the building of their first Temple is traditionally dated to era 8340. A collection of Brother Dexter's sayings and sermons was written down at this time as well - some in his own hand and some from the memories of his disciples. These are called the Religionis Disciplinae, and form the Discipline - or Rule - by which the Templum is organized both spiritually and physically. After Dexter's death the order continued, with a new member being elected to the position of 'Brother Dexter' - as the leader of the new Order is ever called.

Live in the Righteousness of the Goddess who came down with a Blessed Hand. Follow in Her Footsteps, and you shall not go Astray

The Late History of the Templum Manus Dextri

It was not until a thousand eras later - in era 9500 - that the Church of the Faith was formally established as the principal religious organization of the Aelyrian Empire. The Templum, along with many other religious organizations of the time, was swiftly and quietly subsumed by the Church and its power-mongering Archprelate Maximillian. The Brother Dexter of that time became the Deacon of Arconis, answering now to his superiors in the Church hierarchy. The Templum itself became part of the newly arisen Hands of Diana, took up the Hands' white gold-trimmed robes, and flourished in their worship of Diana. But they kept many of their own traditions as well, grown familiar from long usage: the memory of Brother Dexter lived on through his Religionis Disciplinae and the power of the Blessed Hand was an everlasting reminder of ancient customs.

Thus, whereas the Hands of Diana grew greedy and forgot the tenets upon which they were founded, the Brothers in Arconis did not. Furthermore, remembering that their roots were more ancient than that order, they sat by quietly as the Cardonolets split from the Hands of Diana and the two parties fell to petty bickering. Though the Brothers of the Templum agreed with the Cardonolets in their social goals, they were closely allied, still, to the Hands in religious fervor towards Diana. Thus under the direction of Brother Dexter the Templum Manus Dextri wound its own path through the fray, and has survived in quiet independence but inactive insubordination ever since.

In hindsight, however, it was a blessing indeed that the Templum became part of the Church at this time. For when the city of Arconis fell to ruin the Templum and its order were saved from disintegration by the financial strength of the Church of the Faith. Under the wings of this mighty power the priests of the Templum were able to stay tied together as a small wandering unity until the Duke Serra-Kane undertook to rebuild the city of Arconis, and the Templum Manus Dextri along with it.

The Path is clear for the Eye. Let it be also for the Mind. For sometimes it is obstructed by our Enemies, by our Friends, and by Ourselves. Though the Path is dimmed, the Goal shines ever clear.

When Thane Iseril Al'lende announced in Era IX that Arconis was breaking away from the Church of the Faith, there were some parties in the Templum that feared this change as a harbinger of their excommunication from the Church. Miraculously, however, Archprelatess Aerienne Sarista chose to ignore the pronouncement and life in the Templum continued smoothly. Except for the fact that Brother Dexter was no longer called Deacon and did not have to report to superior authorities in the Church of the Faith, nothing within the structure or the customs of the Templum changed. In fact, the Brothers have found that this separation has brought them added prestige, as they are now entirely unconnected to the Hands of Diana - in name as in principle. The Brothers and Sisters consider this boon clear evidence of their favor in the eyes of Diana. One other corollary to this break is that mendicants of the Templum tend to avoid the Church of Faith centers, preferring to keep a low profile in the countryside in order to keep the tentative peace now subsisting between the two factions.

Offer your Hand to those in need. For at such times this is not your Hand but the Hand of Diana, She who gives with an Empty Palm what She has taken with a sword-laden Hand

The Organization of the Templum

The members of the Templum are free suppliants, both male and female, as Brother Dexter I's followers were of both sexes. It used to be the case that these were kept separate and celibate through the decree of Brother Dexter. But since the coming of the Church of the Faith - which has no such laws - this rule has been relaxed and the members of the Templum no longer have to live celibate. It is still, however, fairly common for the High Priests and the Deacon to reject marital relationships in favor of total devotion to the art of healing.

Put away all else but your Purpose. Live Hand in Hand with your Brothers and Sisters, and you shall live Hand in Hand with the Goddess

Novitiates of all races and ages are welcomed; these must prove themselves true by living for the duration of an era in the Templum, celibate and subservient to the Brothers and Sisters. During this period they will begin the training necessary to become Brothers and Sisters. They must acquire basic skill in either Thaumaturgy or herbalism, as well as learn the history of the Order and make themselves a copy of the Religionis Directionae, that book which contains the sayings of Brother Dexter I, the early history of the order, and the rules by which the Brothers and Sisters must live.

After that period they are allowed to live outside the Temple walls so long as they perform their duties and even to wander the empire as mendicants, serving the people free of charge and living by begging as had the first Brother Dexter. Because of this tradition mendicants are extremely important and are greatly valued and honoured by the Templum. Mendicants may travel alone, but it is much more frequent for them to travel in groups of two or more (and this is necessitated, in fact, for those of younger years).

Let us journey as Brother Dexter journeyed: from the Darkness to the Light, from Ignorance to Knowledge, from Suffering to Healing. Those who have the courage to follow in his footsteps will be beloved by the Goddess

All the Brothers and Sisters reconvene at least twice per era: once on Imperial Brightening (Kalendryas 9th), when the ascension of Diana to the Aelyrian throne is celebrated throughout the Empire; and once on Dexter Brightening (Optia 20th), the traditional date of Dexter I's death.

During these Councils official business pertaining to the whole Order is discussed and voted upon. All Brothers and Sisters are allowed a single, anonymous vote in any and all matters brought before the Council. Proposals may also be brought forward by any member of the Templum, although a younger Brother and Sister will usually ask one of the High Priests or Priestesses to propose a new issue before the council.

It is at these Councils, too, that members of the Order can be elected to the position of High Priests. At any given time there are a total of ten High Priests in the Order (this number not including the Brother Dexter), one for each of the first disciples. High Priests are elected by popular vote from the ranks and serve for life. It is possible to demote a High Priest if he has been convicted of a gross crime toward the laws of the Empire or the Discipline, but this is a very unusual and painful occurrence. The more common procedure is that, after the death of the old a motion to elect a new High Priest will be brought forth at the next full convention of the Council. Then a new High Priest will be promoted from the ranks of the Brothers and Sisters. High Priests should be both well-versed in Templum History and adept in their field of healing, whether magical or non-magical - High Priests will usually begin de-specializing, studying the techniques of both natural and arcanic arts of healing. High Priests have no particular duties except helping the Brother Dexter run the Order and keep track of mendicants. High Priests, if they were mendicants before, will usually lay this practice aside and spend much of their time within the Templum - this is, however, not a requirement of their position.

Twofold are the Ways, as Two-Handed stands the Goddess. The one is held out with the Power of Thaumaturgy. The other is held out with the Power of Herbal Healing. Which is the Right Hand is for Each to Choose

When the current Brother Dexter feels that death is nigh, they will call a High Council of all the High Priests to elect a successor. This is the only time a High Council will ever be convened. The succeeding Brother or Sister - called the Intendant - is elected from the ranks of the High Priests. The Intendant must be a master of their art, whether thaumaturgy or healing, have some knowledge of the other healing art, be minutely familiar with the history of the order, and be thought by the rest of the High Council to have the necessary leadership skills to fill such an important and influential position.

The Council is also in charge of hearing complaints and charges, judging those accused, and dispensing proper punishment as exacted in the Religionis Disciplinae. In the event that a member of the Order is accused of an act against the laws of the Empire, the accused is turned over to secular authorities; otherwise his judgment and punishment will be meted out by the Order itself. Common punishments include fasting, periods of enforced public service, flogging, and - finally - banishment from the Order.

Dress and other Defining Characteristics of the Brothers and Sisters Dextri

As previously stated, the Brothers and Sisters Dextri have taken to wearing the white robes edged in gold that are peculiar to the Hands of Diana. As gold thread is expensive, only the High Priests and the Deacon wear robes edged in real gold - simple Brothers and Sisters have their robes edged in yellow, while the Novitiates have no such borders at all, their robes being pure white. It is considered quite unlucky for a Novitiate to sully their robes, as the white colour symbolizes their mental and spiritual purity.

Every Brother and Sister is required to carry with them a copy of the Religionis Disciplinae. This is no burden, as the book is small and Novitiates are required to make themselves a copy of it during their era-long training within the walls of the Templum.

Carry the words of Brother Dexter next to your heart. Remember them well, for they will guard you like High Walls a Citadel and guide you like Midnight Stars a Mariner.

The quintessential defining feature of the Templum Manus Dextri, however, is an ancient wooden staff carried by the Brother Dexter. It is a bit over six feet high and branches out at its top to take on the appearance of an outstretched hand. It is said that this is the staff given to Dexter by the Goddess Diana when she came to him and sent him upon his mission of healing. As such, it is called the Manus and is the icon of the whole Order. It is quite common to hear Brothers and Sisters swearing faith upon it.

She came and She gave me Her Hand. She said: "Manus Meus Tibi Est."

Funding

Partly subsidized by the government, the Templum Manus Dextri derives most of its wealth from donations by the rich - particularly the Dukes of Serra-Kane. While this may not seem like much, since Arconis has no public hospital and no other Church building the Templum sees a lot of activity and is widely known as well as honoured throughout the city. It is the only venue in Arconis for the study of healing, whether natural or arcanic. As such it is sometimes at odds with the Academia and Collegia of the Regio Eruditionum, as the latter caters to the upper echelons of society while the latter seeks to alleviate the plight of the average citizen. Nevertheless, as long as neither tries to infringe on the other's territory, a tenuous peace exists between them.

(All quotes have been taken verbatim from the Religionis Disciplinae)