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Interview with King Jor Tanos 8 February 1013
Today it is with great satisfaction that this paper is able to publish an interview with his highness King Jor Tanos. In it he highlights answers to questions this paper proposed about various elements involving Westmoor and the Church of Humanity across the continent. We hope you readers of this paper enjoy reading this interview in these uncertain times!
Q1. You will soon be Westmoor's longest reigning Monarch. What would you consider the highlight of your tenure on the throne?
The highlight of my reign? Bringing stability to Westmoor, seeing her purged of the more... Chaotic elements. I have always attempted to give people chances, but some spurned such offers. Yet for the first time in years, there are no mass protests. There are no rebellions. Westmoor finally has a chance to breathe and grow. Without the need to focus solely on inside dissent, we may turn our eyes outward so that we may be vigilant against the Darkness.
Q2. As the longest serving leader of the Church of Humanity what is the current view on other religions across the East Continent?
As Arch Cleric of the Ecclesia Humanitas, known commonly as the Church of Humanity, I have had the honor of overseeing her missions and expansion, even to other shores, since mid 1010. The other religions only in Eastralis? Beyond Holy Church, there are only five other formal religions.
The Flow of the Balance has long been decreed as evil, for their blatant attempts at forced expansionism and their willingness to be used as a mere tool of war. Add in their echoing of Fontan's decree that Holy Church would be destroyed at their hand, they have never exactly been in the Church's good graces. Though they have some remnants in Sirion, the majority of the Flowists are in Eponllyn.
The Triumvirate is a faith that was decreed to be misguided by myself early on in my leadership. Though they have not taken direct attempts to assault Holy Church, they have a history of utilizing faith to attempt to seize territories from their lords. Holy Church frowns on such things, which is why it is prohibited except under very special circumstances. They actually have at least one adherent in Westmoor, Prince Corwin of Oligarch, which saddens me as he was once among the Church's faithful. The bulk of their presence is based in the Kingdom of Eponllyn.
Dagdaism is the faith of the Obsidian Islands, established by Caitlin Stormcrow in an effort to offer a local alternative to Holy Church. Amusingly, their Prophet Caitlin later emigrated and joined the theocracy of Sint in Beluaterra, becoming a priestess of the King of Daimons, Hemaglobe. Truly makes her aspirations here in Eastralis questionable. I digress, however. Dagdaism has also long been viewed as misguided. Their view that all are equal under 'the spirits' likely was seen as a blasphemy.
The Holy Sacred Grove is the native religion of Sirion. In truth, I personally would have once viewed them as a variant of Holy Church. At least until then-priest Zakilevo began the destruction of their theology to impose his own panthenon of gods onto it. Their use in the war against Fontan to counter the Flow of the Balance, and their abuses of faith, led to Beatific Father Benedictus to declare them misguided during my own period of injury after being assaulted by followers of the Flow after a sermon.
The Order of the White Tree today is not the same as the one that existed within Old Rancagua. No, that original faith was destroyed by Erik Eyolf when he banished the elders from Sirion for they would not bow to him or the 'elves'. As the original Order collapsed, Sirion allowed more malliable nobles from Rancagua to re-establish it. This is the Order that exists today in Nivemus. While their theology is comparable to our own, their close ties to Sirion makes their freedom as a faith questionable. Officially they are ignored by the Church, though I view them as a potential variant. I will even confess here, I approached their leading priest in the early days of Nivemus and offered them a chance to enter into communion with Holy Church. Alas, the leaders of the Order chose to keep themselves in power rather than offer themselves wholly unto the Divine. In brighter news, a recent convert from the Order gave us several seeds of the White Tree. One each shall be planted at each of the four Basilicas and, once they spring to life, seeds will be planted at every temple to the Divine here in Eastralis and across the sea.
Q3. How fairs the Church of Humanity outside of Westmoor?
The Church here in Eastralis is growing. Beyond the strong following we enjoy in Westmoor, it has once more flourished in Perdan. This, mind you, is where the modern Church was formed. We also have a small but influential following in Eponllyn and the Queen of Armonia has pledged to convert the realm to follow the Divine. Caligus also has a member of the Ecclesiarchy, known as elders in other faiths, and even Sirion has at least one noble who is among the Faithful. As far as the peasantry, we have Faithful in every single nation on these shores. Even on other continents, Holy Church is slowly growing and gaining strength. Praise the Divine, for all shall know Her name.
Q4. How do you feel about the re-election of Zakilevo as Prime Minister of Sirion?
I believe it says quite a bit about the mindset of the Sirionites. They have re-elected a man that has thrown down their goddess and replaced them with his own. They have re-elected a man that has long sought to find any excuse to go to war that he can, no matter how sad it truly is. They have re-elected a man who assisted in the destruction of a realm that Sirion co-created with Caligus. I hoped Sirion, as a republic, would have named someone progressive, open, and forward thinking. Instead they looked to the past.
I honestly cannot help but question if the destruction of Dunnera was part of Zakilevo's plans. His co-conspirator is now safely nestled away in Nivemus, Sirion gained further lands when Dunnera collapsed, which I will remind you are lands which they have always claimed as theirs, and Zakilevo returned right away to his previous position. Truly makes one wonder.
Q5. Is Westmoor maintaining a good relationship with Perdan and it's other allies?
I would like to believe so. I have recently reminded our allies of this and will do so again: Westmoor stands with you. Should you ever request our aid we will do all in our power to deliver it. I hope all of our allies remember that.
This has been a universal constant. Until we are betrayed, we will always see to it we honor our friendships. If we are betrayed, we will do all we can to see justice is dealt. The Fontanese paid for their betrayals, yet even then we repeatedly offered them mercy.
We aided the Obsidian Islands when their territories began going rogue or were raising our banners. We have aided Perdan in the past. If Caligus ever requested it, we would aid them as well, even though our traditional alliance has not yet been reformed. Some may bring the Sultanate up in this, however they never requested aid from Westmoor. Not in food, not in gold, not in soldiers. I was always a bit shocked at that.
Q6. What can we expect from the new alliance with Armonia and Westmoor?
As I touched on earlier, Armonia will be joining the Faithful. They have also pledged to defend Westmoor should the need to arrise. Though Armonia has had the most... Issues with Ibladeshi remnants, they are the most willing of the former Ibladeshi states to seek true friendships with neighboring realms. Their Queen is quite level-headed, honest, and diplomatic. She has my respect and I believe the new King of Perdan is starting to feel similar. If only more realms could have rulers such as her.
Q7. What would standard procedure be if Hergoervik Drakarne was brought into Westmoorian dungeons?
Now THAT is a troublesome question. In truth, such decisions are entirely under the jurisdiction of Lord Justice Antonious. However, I believe most of the House of Lords would be in agreement: The man must pay for his crimes. Multiple acts of treason. Multiple attempts to undermine the government. Espionage. Sabotage. Aiding the enemy... That does not even account for the crimes against the people of Hagley that he personally committed. The man was a monster and I will do all that I can to see to it that he is hanged like a common horse thief with his head then severed after death and displayed from the gates of Westmoor, overlooking the hills of Hagley. Perhaps gruesome, but he was given many chances to attone, each time professing innocence while betraying Westmoor even further.
Q8. Any plans for tournaments/celebrations etc? It would be hard to match Caligus' latest effort.
There are always plans, yet there are... Let us say rumors of brewing trouble. Westmoor will gladly host a tournament, once peace and security may be guaranteed. To do otherwise would be to condemn us all.
Divine bless you and all your readers.
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