Sanguis Astroism/Charter

Here follows the Severine charter, proposed by the Prophetess Severina Erickson and enacted by a vote of the council.

Preamble

We believe that the Maddening Star influences our raw emotions and impulses.

We believe that the Auspicious Star influences our reason and capacity for logical thought.

We believe that the Austere Star influences our soul and capacity for serenity.

We believe that above all else, men should seek to reach a state of Harmony with the influence of all three Stars, so that we may act with Wisdom according to our knowledge.

We believe that to succeed at this is to attain Enlightenment, as the First Prophet Mathurin did.

We hold the spiritual writings of the First Prophet Mathurin to come from the greatest understanding of the Stars we have yet achieved. All should study them so we can better understand and study the Stars themselves.

We believe that everyone should know and believe this creed to be true. We do not shun those who seek honest enlightenment, and we seek always to spread our knowledge of the Truth to the unenlightened.

All this we believe.

Article 1 Elders

A. Arbiter of the Stars

The Arbiter of the stars is tasked with safeguarding the church against abuse of power by other elders. "Abuse of power" is defined as taking any unilateral action that would normally require the council's approval by vote, or otherwise defying a council vote, or failure to follow proper procedures for official action. The arbiter may also participate fully in council votes. The arbiter should be an individual who is regarded as trustworthy and above corruption. The arbiter serves for life, or until they resign. A resigning Arbiter may name a successor. In absence of a named successor the other elders of the church may appoint one.

B. Prophet/Prophetess

The prophet/prophetess is the spiritual leader of the church. Like the Arbiter the prophet serves for life unless they should step down. The prophet alone can acknowledge another as being sufficiently enlightened to ascend to this office and under those circumstances can name a successor. The prophet has the sole power to establish orthodoxy, heterodoxy, impiety, and heresy. They may also choose official views of other faiths with the exception of designating another religion evil (see article 3, voting in the elder council).

C. Consul

The consul is a representative of the lay members of the faith and is the only elder councilor that must be a non-priest. Consuls serve indefinitely with the exception that they are subject to a vote of "no confidence", any full-member in good standing may call for a vote of "no confidence", a repeal vote. This vote is to be tallied by the Arbiter with all full members in good standing being eligible to vote. If 2/3rds of all votes cast are in favor of repeal the consul is removed. A new consular election takes place where all lay members of the church in good standing may vote. The new consul is chosen by simple majority. If the consul dies or steps down a new consul is chosen by this same method.

Article 2: Universal Powers of Elders

A. Actions not requiring a formal vote

This charter recognizes the need for elders to be able to act with some autonomy. The following actions do not require a council vote and may be undertaken by any elder:

1. Building a temple or shrine 2. Enlarging a temple or shrine, or hiring or firing temple guards 3. Issuing a call to replenish the global treasury 4. Transfering funds from one temple to another 5. Creating a new full-member or aspirant rank which answers to their office.

B. Procedure for official acts of elders

When an elder wishes to make an official action, they should announce what they intend to do to the council asking if there are any objections. If no objections are raised within two days the elder is free to act. In addition both elders may respond "no objection" so as to give them immediate power to act. If an objection is raised a council vote should take place before the elder takes any action, and their ultimate actions, if any, should be in accordance with the vote.

Article 3: Universal Powers of Elders

Certain actions are deemed by this charter to be of greater significance and therefore require a council vote.

They are as follows:

1. Formally punishing a member of the church, including by demotion in rank, levying of a fine, or expulsion

2. Shrinking or closing a temple, or dismantling a shrine

3. Creating, destroying, or otherwise modifying an elder rank.

4. Destroying or modifying any rank which members of the church already hold

5. Declaring another faith evil.

6. Amending this charter

Article 4: Decrees of the Elder Council

The Elders should keep a running document "Decrees of the Elder Council" wherein official decisions will be recorded for posterity.

Previous Charter Documents and Proposals

The Turin Charter

The Sanguis Astroism Charter as developed during the time of Lights Turin, Rosdan, Katrina, and Obelix, after the removal of the Justiciars.

First Post Justiciar Charter

The Charter after the Justiciar rank was removed.

Luminary Merger Proposal

The proposal to merge the Luminary and Luminary Assistant ranks in the Elder Council.

The Helm Charter

The Charter during Helm's time as Justiciar.

Second Major Revision

The second Major revision which was superseded by Helm's & Alaster's emergency powers reforms.

First Major Revision

The first Major revision which was superseded by Helm's reforms.

Helm's Proposal

Helms's proposed changes to the current charter.

Brance's Proposal

Brance's proposed revised version of the Old Charter.

Eoghan 's Proposal

Compiled by Eoghan Ofaolain, proposed revision of the Old Charter.