University of Dwilight/Theology/The Link Between Mysticism and the Fall of Sanguis Astroism

Jonsu Himoura is name well known by every Astroist, and while many revile the name, there are some still today this day revere the name. The official stance of the Church is that she is a condemned heretic, but there is no evidence that she held unorthodox belief when she was condemned, and magistratum records compared to historical events suggest that this was politically motivated. However more evidence of unorthodoxy surfaces after her departure from the Church, as she went on to found multiple faiths afterwards, but then abandoned them to return to the Church and usurp supreme power.

Enoch Dishman was the Regent of the Church at the time of what some call the Jonsu Apostasy. Regent Enoch used his position to promote Jonsu Himoura to the top ranks of the Church and declared her the Second Prophet. Enoch Dishman was later known to have been a member of the mysterious cult known as Mysticism. How is it that Mysticism, a relatively obscure cult, could have such an Earth-shattering effect on Dwilight's most prolific organization? Recently uncovered journals and letters combined with known historical events have shed new light on an old conspiracy.

First however, most readers may find themselves wondering "What is Mysticism?" Mysticism was a secretive cult that believed mortal beings of High Birth are capable of becoming divine beings through a variety of methods, such as near death experiences, magic, and through the founding of Mystery Cults. Mystery Cults, on the surface were just religions like any other, but lead by a Mystic, a member of Mysticism. The more cults cultivated, and the bigger they grew, the more powerful a dirty the Mystic would become.

It has been revealed through the journals of Rabisu Daycryn and Jonsu Himoura, that during his time as Light of the Maddening, Rabisu commanded his Luminary, Jonsu, to investigate the rising tide of religious unorthodoxy in the Church. Recent events surrounding Allison Kabrinski, the Bloodmoon Cult, and a movement to reform the Church's Charter had caused both to suspect something larger was brewing. The Charter reforms proposed would do away with the traditional ascension of Lights, who had traditionally been Luminaries of their respective Office, and changed it to a voting system, allowing anyone regardless of proper training to become a Light and wield massive power in the Church. Rabisu is quoted in an exchange with his Luminary as saying "An Inquisition would naturally be under the Office of the Maddening. For what is a dagger but another form of the Sword?"

Jonsu's journals reveal that she was eventually approached by Bowie Ironsides, later to be revealed as the mysterious Rogue Mystic, and leader of Mysticism. Under direction from Light Rabisu, she joined Mysticism and began her investigation. It was clear several nobles were involved, and given the cult's gathering places were located in territory possessed by the Theocracies, it became evident that members of the Church were actively involved. Their identities however, remained secret.

Bowie Ironsides was an unscrupulous scoundrel how had travelled far and wide, and for some reason had been given leave to reside in theocratic territory, even given titles, despite Church Law. It is interesting to note that he had spent a significant time in the Maroccidens, a region many Church Elders had once resided in prior to emigrating to the Northern Theocracies. Of further interest at the time was the Church's interest in the war between the secular realms of Asylon and the Farronite Republic. Realms close to the Maroccidens, this war was of interest to the Véinsørmoot, and to the rising tide of Theocrats with Maroccidental origins and sympathies.

Both Asylon and the Farronite Republic were home to members of the Faithful, yet many in the Church cried out for a Crusade to save the Farronite Republic. Light Rabisu would not declare a Crusade and have the Church interfere in a purely secular matter. His Luminary, Jonsu, also rejected the calls for Crusade as mere attempts by others to abuse Church Powers. Within the Church, the Maroccidental sympathisers had gained enough seats on the Elder Council to force a change in the Charter, changing Church Law to have Lights elected by popular vote, instead of ascending through the Office of Luminary.

In the midst of Jonsu's investigation into the identities of the Mystics, Light Rabisu announced his retirement, and stepped down as Light. His replacement was elected, another Maroccidental sympathiser, and a supporter of Crusading against Asylon. He demanded Jonsu reveal the status of her investigation into heresy within the Church, and Jonsu refused, citing her concerns that the new Light was a suspect. Jonsu was then stripped of her title as Luminary of the Maddening, but she publicly proclaimed her investigation would continue, the Charter reform was illegitimate and she was the rightful Light of the Maddening.

The next move that came was the Farronite Republic attempted to declare itself a theocracy of the Church, but public outcry, led by Jonsu, forced the Church to deny the Republic status as a full Theocracy, instead declared the Farronites a "Theocratic Republic" despite its failures to comply with any basic requirements of a theocracy (non-faithful lords and government members) and a Crusade was declared to defend the Farronite Republic. The Crusade did not enjoy popular support, and eventually failed. The Farronite Public was destroyed, giving rise to the name "The Crusade of Follies".

Following the failed Crusade, and under attack by a rising faction not happy with the political manipulation of the Church lead by Jonsu, the Elders launched a Magistratum against Jonsu, finding her guilty mainly of heresy and refusing to comply with the Orders of the Light of the Maddening to reveal the status of her investigation. No arguments in favor have been preserved, and none can say conclusively why Jonsu was declared a heretic at this point, except to cite her later actions.

Following her expulsion from the Church, Jonsu founded Summus Ecclesia Luria, a short lived faith that attempted to become a state religion in Luria Nova.