Nobilitatem Deus
The Beginning of Nobilitatem Deus
Claude Finsternis is the youngest brother of the Finsternis house,and he became a member of The Church of Sartan immediately upon his arrival on the Far East Island. He spent most of his young adult-hood as a faithful member and advocate of The Church of Sartan. Even through his meteoric political rise he was a devoted follower of Sartan. After a time away from politics due to the death of Claude's mother, he returned to the Far East Island and was appointed as Lord of Azros. This time though, things seemed to be different. The Church of Sartan had become a theocracy, a powerful realm that seemed to be straying from the intense discipline Claude believed Sartan required. Soon, Claude began to be visited by powerful visions sent by The maker, visions that spoke of true nobility and honor, visions that would not let him keep living the way he was.
This book is the first collection of writings Claude has put together since his visions began, and is intended to be an introduction to Nobilitatem Deus.
The Name
In the second vision, Claude was presented with the name Nobilitatem Deus for the new religion The Maker indicated Claude needed to found. The name, Claude was told, refers to the absolute nobility of God, and is designed to remind nobles constantly that their lives are a test of their character and nobility.
The First Vision
One day Claude was sitting in his library in the great castle of Azros when he suddenly realized that his limbs refused to move and he had been struck dumb. Soon, in what he thought at first must be total madness, he began to experience revelations about the nature of nobility and humility. These revelations lasted for six and a half hours, and when they had finished, he fell asleep for two full days.
The Second Vision
About a week after the first vision struck, Claude had reached his limit. He couldn't understand whether he had truly lost his senses or whether he possessed enlightenment far beyond anything he had known before. What worried him was the tough nature of the first revelation. Now, everywhere he looked he could see nobles abusing their so-called nobility by living self-serving lives of little distinction and quiet desperation. While taking a walk in his garden, he was struck again by another long vision, one that would change the course of his life. Whereas before Claude thought he was simply supposed to call others to account, it now became clear that he had been given the responsibility of creating a new faith for nobles to follow, a new faith to call the world to true humility and nobility.
The Third Vision
Two weeks after the second vision, Claude was reading in his study when he was given a vision that was simply called "The Creation." This vision made it clear that the universe came from One Maker, that the abundance of the worlds and continents all came from the same unified Creator. Since daimons cannot have the power to create, this vision was given in order to provide the proof that the visions were not demonic delusions, but rather a divine gift direct from The Maker, and no other.
The True Principles of Nobility
Introduction
One of Claude's first visions contained The True Principles of Nobility, a collection of principles that when followed, lead a noble on the path towards true glory, true humility, and true nobility. It was made clear in this vision from The Maker that these principles are at the heart of Nobilitatem Deus
The Vision
- The Maker is due all glory for the creation of the world and the cosmos.
- Nobility are due glory for their humility to The Maker, their fulfillment of their oaths of fealty, and their care-taking of peasants
- Peasants are due glory for fulfilling the simple tasks of their life, as they were created to be a test for those who claim to be nobles.
- Nobility are to be the stewards of the earth, gaining glory and renown for their actions, but only insofar as they uplift the peasants they actually serve.
- Nobles gain glory through faithful service to those above them and below them in the social hierarchy, a hierarchy ordained by The Maker to order the earth and test nobles in their duties
- Honor is found in humility through obedience to those you have sworn to. Obedience is not always an easy path, but that is why great honor is found in it. Choosing a hedonistic life is always an option, though no honor for nobles is found in simply following the desires of the flesh.
The Ibladeshi Gods
Nobilitatem Deus does not deny Sartan, nor the other Ibladeshi gods. The Maker is The One whom the four Ibladeshi gods embody, that all four are facets, are windows, are embodiments of the unity of The Maker from whom all came. Creation came from oneness, and that oneness of The Maker is the heart of the Ibladeshi gods.
Temples and Shrines
The first Temple of Nobilitatem Deus shall be constructed in Azros.
Priests of Nobilitatem Deus
- Claude Finsternis Finsternis_Family
Ranks
Novice
A novice is one who has begun to explore his or her commitment to Nobilitatem Deus. At this stage it is expected that a novice dedicate him or herself to reading the canonical writings, asking questions, and preparing for the test to enter the Order of the Spectatus.
Spectatus
A Spectatus is one who has passed the test required of Novices. This growth in responsibility means that the Spectatus is now held accountable for following the principles of true nobility and humbling themselves before The Maker.
Magnus
A Magnus is considered a full member of Nobilitatem Deus. Reaching this rank is a true achievement, for it requires a time of following the principles of true nobility successfully and becoming a noble who is clearly trustworthy and dedicated to pursing a life of nobility.
Summas
A Summas is a Priest of Nobilitatem Deus. Held to the highest standards of humility, decorum, and behavior, Priests are the leaders of the nobility, as they have sacrificed many earthly pleasures to dedicate themselves to Nobilitatem Deus.
Positor
The Positor is the founder of Nobilitatem Deus, Claude Finsternis, who is charged with creating and building the infrastructure of religion for Nobilitatem Deus.
Oaths and Rites
When one joins Nobilitatem Deus, one takes an oath that overlays the standard oaths nobles take as servants of a realm, duchy, and region. An oath to The Maker is not to be taken lightly, as it is assumed that there are no circumstances in which it is acceptable to be broken. True obedience to The Maker is the calling of Nobilitatem Deus, and it is a calling that demands more than lip service - it is a calling that demands life itself.
