Venerism

The Venerable Order of the Citadel

Creation

For millions of years there were the gods and there was the void. The gods became bored with only the company of each other. From the chaos of the void they created the world and men to be their entertainment and joy. As a result of the gods use of the chaos, a dark creature was awakened. This creature hated the gods and everything they created.

The Noble Line

Man, the creature created by the gods, became unruly. The world was plagued by small groups competing for power over one another. To establish order and rule, the gods created a noble line to rule over all men and bring order back to the world. It is this noble line which lead to the establishment of Eston.

The Great Dragon and the False Nobles

The dark creature, in effort to sadden the gods, spawned from the chaos of the void a Great Dragon that separated the gods from their creation. Because both were created from the chaos, the gods could not destroy the Great Dragon without unraveling creation and destroying man. The gods were forced to wait for a man who was strong enough to smite the dragon. To the further dismay of the gods, the dark creature also created a false line of nobles to compete with the true nobles created by the gods. The world is once again unruly and full of men competing for power.

(We might want to add something here about how the Dragon was joined with the heart of a man, and this is why the gods could not spite him)

The Destruction of the Great Dragon and the Path to Harmony

An Eston noble by the name of Marouane rose to great power. Though Marouane had shortcomings as a man, as a warrior he was unmatched. The gods used Marouane's spirit to fight the Great Dragon. Marouane defeated the Great Dragon's spirit thus allowing the gods to smite the dragon. Without the Great Dragon's intervention, the gods can now contact their creation. The contact cannot be direct, for no mortal can stand in the presence of a god and survive, but the gods can speak to men through departed spirits. The gods wish now to undo the damage which was caused by the false noble lines and reestablish Eston as the true noble line.

Organization of the Church

Holy Father:

The Earthly Head of the Church of Venerism. At this time this is Marsyas Ariston, who is also serving as High Priest of Massillion.

High Priest:

There will, in time, be one high priest for each geographic region of the church: perhaps this will be by duchy or perhaps it will be by nation. Only a priest can be high priest.

Keeper of the Temple:

This is either the person who is responsible for the day to day running of a City Temple in the Church, or any person who built a temple and sponsor's it.

Speaker for the Dead:

This is the chief mystic in the church. This must be a person who has had multiple visions from the dead and speaks with them regularily. His duty is to study the heavens for signs, and to seek guidence from the departed of Eston. This person must be a priest who has served Eston well.

Defender of the Church:

This rank must be held by a person who has been called by the departed of Eston to serve the church either miltarily or financially. (By sponsoring the army, or by donating at least 250 gold to the Venerist Paladin's War Chest.)

Venerable Father/Venerable Mother

The Rank held by any Priest who has served long and will be honored in perpetuity by the church.

Priest/Priestess

This rank will be granted to any person who is a priest in the Order.

Paladin Primus

The Rank of Paladin Primus will be granted to the current Marshall of the Venerist Paladin's. Knights will be promoted to and demoted from this rank frequently.

Paladin

The Rank of Paladin will be granted to any Knight who choses to serve the Venerist Paladin's of Eston.

Cleric

The Rank of Cleric will be granted to any member who has expressed a desire to serve the causes of Venerism while continuing in their present service to Eston.