Sanctus Acies/main

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Sanctus Acies Ad honorem, Ad mortis In Honour, In death

Core Beliefs

The following are the core beliefs of the church of Sanctus Acies.

• All natural beings deserve treatment of respect, from the animals to the region populace, to the knight, nobles and Lords who look after them.

• It is hard to show respect and love thy enemy, but the Knight or noble could be your brother. Also all members of Sanctus Acies are classed as brothers and sisters.

• Sanctus Acies knows that in war time some unpleasant things are necessary, some hard orders to follow and it is up to the Member to decide for him or herself if they can follow the order given. Following an Order that involves Rape, pillaging and burning is not condoned by the church and neither will the member, it is part of war, an ugly side but part of it.

• Sanctus Acies will not preach in regions where we are not allowed or welcome, our religion though is based on Knights and Nobles not the populace. Preaching will only occur for the Lords who request it. We are not any one Realm Church but a continental Church and all are welcome to join from the lowly adventurer to the the ruling classes. (**Note the populace may complain if their Lord does not hold with there own religious beliefs).

• We believe that part of the soul will never make it to the "Hall of Heroes" but that part will be reborn in a cycle of life being added to your family when a new Noble comes forth to take your place, certain memories and actions will be the same as the family member departed.

How we Perceive Other Religions

Sanctus Acies believes that all religions have a semblance of truth behind it, so we do not judge or condone any other Noble religions. However, those who would follow the forces of evil and chaos are a different matter, as they are only looking for the mass destruction of regions and realms. They will be handled without quarter or mercy.

• If you worship Daemons, you shall recieve no quarter.

• If you practice Necromancy, you shall recieve no quarter.

• If of a destructive nature that puts the continent at risk, you shall recieve no quarter.

Places of Importance

Of course Partora will be a place of importance as this is the original birth place of Sanctus Acies, although the original concept was conceived in Domus.

As the religion grows and temples are built these will become important places as well, but also natural places can be used to commune with the "Hall of Heroes" for example places of natural beauty in which you fell comfortable and peace flow over you.

Where the name "Hall of Heroes" appears this covers a multitude of halls, this includes Elysium, Hades, The Halls of the Dead, etc, the "Hall of Heroes" is a General term but does exist in its own right, those who are members of the church may state which hall the prefer to be remembered in. Those who do not state which hall will be entered into the communal "Hall of Heroes".

The Holy Gardens

• Garden of Contemplation

Partora, Caligus The Garden of Contemplation is a long standing structure that due to the original design and the passage of time, appears as a part of the natural surroundings. The entrances are long and shady. The central courtyard is where Nobles, Knights, and even Commoners are able to come and commune with their deceased ancestors here. Flowing brooks stream throughout the central area near the statue of the Shield and Sword, that denotes a center of worship. No harm can befall anyone within the confines of the garden, as the Warrior Elite of Sanctus Acies stand ready to defend it. Mystic Priest Woelfen von Richthofen is the caretaker.

• Garden of Honour

Perdan, Partora The Garden of Honour lies atop the multiple story building that houses the temple of Sanctus Acies. A railing made of wood from the forests of Dimwood lines the edges, keeping worshipers safe from falling off. The view from the garden is spectacular, showing the Ducal palace, the Ocean to the North, and a good view of all gates of the city. On the Northern edge of the garden stands a black Shield and Sword statue, dedicated to the fallen in battle that have hailed from any of the regions nearby. The loving mark of Queen Balkeese is shown throughout the garden, with beautiful floral arrangements and quiet places for contemplation. Mystic Priest Woelfen von Richthofen takes care of the grounds.

• Garden of Serenity

Hamadan, Caligus The Garden of Serenity lies within a network of caves under Hamadan that leads to a large open natural balcony overlooking the river's mouth. It is an impenetrably safe place, where many heroes have come to pray, and several have been laid to rest. A rust coloured Shield and Sword statue stands bravely on the brink of the cliff, surrounded by blood roses. The smells of the incense burnt by the Priests permeates the whole network, from entrance to Oceanside. All who have come here find themselves with a higher level of contentment than before. Prophet Grivak Stryfe keeps the populace content, and the temple clear.

• Garden of Fortitude

Domus, Caligus The Garden of Fortitude lies within the courtyard of the Large Temple in the center of the city. The high walls, done in pale stone with their battlements lend a sense of security to any who wander about the many rows of flowers and ponds. When the sun hits it's zenith, the rays spread from the Crystal Statue of the Sword and Shield that stands in the middle of the grounds. The way the light radiates out spreads into the cathedral around it. Properly placed mirrors and windows allow for full natural light saturation inside the imposing structure, allowing for the scholars and Priests within to read their scrolls without hurting their eyes. Mystic Priest Eagles Reach Rebirth Ran'ryni is the local caretaker.

• Garden of Solitude

Morshes, Westmoor Beside the temple in Morshes is a small forest. Inside the forest is a shallow pond where the garden is built around. A four foot white brick wall defends the perimeter with one gate for entrance. A shrine is built in the north corner of the wall where candles are lit and offerings are made to the dead. The sounds of the forest and the stream of the pond give the area a calming serene atmosphere. Its distance from society and temple life contribute to the feeling of peace. Politics and combat can be trying actions for the nobility and so they escape their worries by visiting the Garden of Solitude. The White Knight Armstrong Ironsides is the patron of this garden.

If any other Duke or Lord joins the religion we hope to build a Garden in each of the regions for the betterment of the lives of all.

Customs & Laws

The Doplian tree is rare but the chewing of the leaves helps the spirit to directly commune with the Hall of Heroes. Some will find they do not need this leaf as the hold the natural ability to commune with the "Hall of Heroes" The Holy Gardens are not to be defiled but left as is, any who take up the mantle of Priest will look after the Gardens as well as any Temples and shrines. No gold is to pass hands in joining the religion, anyone who asks for gold must be reported to the High Council of Sanctus Acies. Every realm that has members of Sanctus Acies will get a seat on the High Council. No discussion of war is to be mentioned inside the church, any that do will be expunged immediately.

Marriage

Marriage is holy and beautiful. Those wishing to be married will be, only one spouse per person though, Sanctus Acies does not condone bigamy or the taking of lovers. The offer of marriage is open to all not just members of the church. Any of our priests will carry out the ceremony in any region you select.

Death

Although death can be an unhappy time for family members, it should also be a time of rejoicing, to remember the brave deeds the departed have done in their lives, until the time comes when the soul is taken to the "Hall of Heroes". The departed will be named in the "Scrolls of the Dead" were they will be remembered for ever.

Priesthood

Priests are welcome from all realms of the Continent in fact it is encouraged. Each Priest from each realm will carryout the duties of the Church in their own realm, although they are not fixed to that realm.

Each Priest will be actively seek new Knights and Nobles to become members although a balance must be adhered to. No making a nuisance of yourself with the Knights and Nobles of any realm. All new priests will be placed in an acolyte position as an act of probation. Once a certain level is achieved the priest will advance through the ranks.

The ranks are yet to set but many levels will exist within the church, no Knight or Noble can demand a Priest to be advanced this will done from inside the Council.

How Sanctus Acies was Born

Revelation, was an orphan. He was found on the steps of the Con Doin family home. A search was initiated to find the mother or family of the child but it met with no success. Revelation was excepted into the Con Doin family, he was treated no differently than his new brothers and sisters.

Where his other brothers and Sisters lived and learned about war, Revelation was drawn to the priesthood. (Although he still had to learn about war, tactics and battle) At the age of fifteen he was accepted into the priesthood in Akesh. He enjoyed the classes but felt there was always something missing.

The war between Yssaria and Caligus had escalated with the appearance of Itornut troops in some of the battles. Revelation kept his eye on what was happening in the war as his brother, Eagles Reach, was General of Caligus. The war raged on for many years until a stalemate was reached neither realm making advances. In one of the battles the General was killed, it was a sorrowful time for the young priest, especially when he had to leave the priests and journey to into Caligus. It had been the family promise that a Con Doin would always serve in the realm of Caligus.

Revelation joined the realm with a heavy heart, almost as soon as he had a rebellion broke out to dispose of the Queen, Gwynyth. Disgusted with the treatment of the queen and realm, Revelation broke the family law in serving Caligus and went to Light of Fountain. Here things were quiet. While being an acolyte he had learned the meditation technique used by the priests.

This Revelation used each day until one of the days in his trance he came across the hall of heroes, here he communed with his brother and others who had fallen in battle, he did notice that many in the hall were of different realms but all had shared the same fate, they died in battle but there soul was lucky to have come across the hall of heroes, many had not made it. Over the next few weeks Revelation found he could commune directly into the hall of heroes. He listened and learned to those in the halls of tactics and war. At this point he decided to move home in Caligus once more, on his last communication with the hall his brother had added his consciousness into Revelation, it almost sent Revelation mad as Eagle Reach seemed to take over his body especially when the Lady Gwynyth was in his presence.

Eventually the old General left and returned to the hall, but this is where Sanctus Acies was born. Revelation had thought long and hard on those who had died but never made it into the "Hall of Heroes" the lost souls who deserved the peace and comradeship of the Hall.

So Sanctus Acies was born, organised and now a proper recognised religion.