Dwilight University/History/The Duchy of the First Temple
The Duchy of the First Temple
For the inauguration of the Duchy of the First Temple this article will detail the extraordinary status of the special region of Caiyun. Sources for this article include Grandmaster Bustoarsenzio Peristaltico, the current Marquis of Caiyun Pierre von Genf, and with special thanks to Caiyun’s former Marchioness Varchilde Esotericus and the Holy Prophet Mathurin Hossenfeffer. Also, facts have been collected from the variety of public sources at the Dwilight University’s library.
The Region of Caiyun
At first glance the townsland of Caiyun is not unlike other regions. It is defended by a motte and bailey and it has a thriving rural and urban economy. Much of the surplus food produced in the region is transferred to feed its neighbours in the Duchy of Donghaiwei. Those who have visited the region, including myself, describe it as a progressing scene of activity and development. Unlike other regions, however, Caiyun is the first townsland of Dwilight ever to be formed into its own Duchy. Such a significant status could not have come without the region’s important stature amongst its faithful. The history of Caiyun is intimately tied to its position as the founding region of Astromancy.
Amidst the town of Caiyun rests a modest but monumental building, the High Temple of Sanguis Astroism. The High Temple is open twenty four hours to all pilgrims and faithful. Contrasting the material ordinarily used in the village, the medium sized High Temple is built with a distinct marble quarried nearby. Built in 1 YD by Marquis Mathurin Hossenfeffer, this was the site that founded the most populous and furthest spread religion of Dwilight. Historically speaking, much is not known about the early days of Caiyun except that it was a region of Morek. Whether the Holy Prophet was the first Marquis of the region is unknown, and I should remark that the list of governing Lords of the region except the ones noted here is lost.
The Holy Prophet remained Marquis of the region until he joined Astrum and became the Duke of Mimer, roughly in 3 YD. In 4 YD, Morek reached its largest territorial peak when the Duchy of Springdale joined the realm. But this height would quickly falter in the same year as Morek’s satellites Muspelheim and Aegir seceded to form the realms Virovene and the Raivanlands respectively. During this time Caiyun was trusted to the hands of Marchioness Varchilde Esotericus. Caiyun became an imperial region of Morek. This was done to reflect its dual status as region of the Realm and sacred site of Astromancy. Throughout this time, an Astromantic militant order called the Warders of the Temple existed. It was said that only members of this Order could be knights of Caiyun and that because these knights belonged to this army of the faith they did not hold ranks in the military of Morek. The Warders of the Temple are no longer active and their influence on Caiyun has dissolved.
In 5 YD, at the beginning of the Secession Wars (5 YD to 9YD), the Holy Prophet, former Marquis of Caiyun turned Duke of Mimer, formed the theocracy Corsanctum. Rebellions, warfare, new colonies and secessions marked this a time of turmoil and change for High Toprak. The tide of the times did not show favour to Morek when in 6 YD its Grandmaster, Deverka Cryfdwr, was killed in Nimh defending the newly formed colony of Summerdale. Shortly after the death of the Holy Grandmaster, Morek succumbed to a drastic change when the Duchies of Donghaiwei and Springdale seceded to form their own new realms. Xinhai was formed out of Donghaiwei in 7 YD and the Libero Empire was formed out of Springdale in 8 YD. The theocracy of Morek would continue in Nifelhold until conquered by the Libero Empire in 9 YD. Under Xinhai, Caiyun became a region of Donghaiwei. It retained its religious significance but now had to contribute to the Realm in the same way as other regions. Xinhai continued as the Realm containing the Holy Land until it successfully spread northwards and reunified the Dongese and Dalian duchies into the Morek Empire in 10 YD. It is likely that around this time, possibly before or probably a bit after, when Lord Pierre Von Genf became the Marquis of Caiyun. As the Empire marched to war and handled internal and external concerns Caiyun remained quietly nestled in the Duchy of Donghaiwei.
The Bishopric of Caiyun
Until now, within the Faith the Lord of Caiyun was referred to as Steward. This title reflects their position as the caretaker of the Holy Prophet’s original fief and of the most Holy Temple. Usually, the Lord of Caiyun is an upstanding and high ranking member of the religion held in esteem by the Realm and the Faith, often the highest ranking member of the faith in the Realm but not always. They are chosen with the consultation of the Grandmaster and the highest authorities of Astromancy. It is expected that the Steward of Caiyun upholds the relationship between the Church and the Empire and balances the needs and wishes of both accordingly. I recall there being a Lord prior to Marquis Pierre and after Marchioness Varchilde but their name, rank and significance is lost to everyone’s memory.
Not until the Autumn of 16 YD would the sacred townsland be awarded its highest recognition in the form of an outright duchy. This ascension returns Caiyun to the forefront of Astromancy in that it is both the first region to preach the faith and now the first region to be given special autonomy as a religious site within a theocratic Realm. Now, the Steward of Caiyun is crowned Duke of Caiyun in the region’s very own Duchy of the First Temple. Having the authority of a duchy allows the region to determine its own course in affairs, although of course it will do so with the consent and consideration of its home Realm and founding Faith.
Winter of 16 YD (or the 7th of October, 2011)
