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Proclamation of the Faith

Posted by Orazio on 01/23/17
To the Faithful:

Recently, very public allegations of fiscal malfeasance have been directed at the Most Holy Fawkuhl, Closest to the Gods, Voice of the Pantheon, and Dominus of the Faith. There are other accusations made, but as they are closer to personal dislike made manifest, I will not be addressing them here - although the idea of it being an offense worth of public condemnation to be “boring” and “mundane” did cause some mirth. These accusations originate from the Princess Lark Grayson, Princess of the Bastion, leader of the House of Grayson, recently excommunicated for willingly supporting blood sacrifice in an open meeting of the Assembly of Peers, at the behest of then-Regent Dawn Grayson, who has since that time also been both excommunicated and had her birth legitimized and raised to the rank of Princess by Princess Lark.

For the Faithful, there may be an urge to react to these accusations with righteous anger and out of hand disbelief. However, as Legate of Concepts, I instead urge that we look upon Princess Lark Grayson with compassion. To be severed from the loving embrace of the Faith is a spiritual and emotional shock. For the unrepentant, the urge is not to examine one’s own behavior, but rather to rage against the judgement of others. Usually, this part of the spiritual cycle takes place in private, among friends and family, rather than in front of the entire Compact, but when one is invested with the great power and responsibility of being the High Lady of a Great House, what one can do sometimes exceeds what one should do. From the Faithful, I ask prayer and hope that the Princess can grow and learn from this experience - although she may not be able to benefit from the sacraments of the Faith, the gods have not abandoned her, and neither should we.

Despite the origin, the accusation itself is serious enough that it must be addressed, lest the Faithful lose their trust in the gods, and in the Faith that speaks for them. Although no formal charges have been submitted, as I understand it, the accusations regarding finances are twofold: One, that the Dominus has erred in the use of Faith funds to outfit a particular Templar with arms and armor. Two, that the Dominus has erred in the claiming of too much of the Faith’s funds for his own use. Let us address them in turn.

First, on the accusation that the outfitting of a particular Templar is somehow outside of the Faith’s remittance or ability, regardless of that Templar’s standing or duties, I must disagree. Templar Preston has been marked from the time the Faith took him in as favored by the gods, and has been accorded honors commiserate with this favor, including being assigned as the personal guard of the Dominus. It is my understanding that many of the High Lords also have personal Champions and guards, which they are able to outfit as they see fit to protect themselves. Does the Princess then submit that the Faith should not be allowed this, in kind? If not, I am uncertain of the actual claim of malfeasance. However, since it does seem that the outfitting of the Dominus’ guard has caused some distress, I will personally donate my own savings back to the Faith, that none in need should suffer for the safety of the Most Holy.

Second, on the accusation that the Dominus, leader of the Faith, is taking too much from the Faith for his personal coffers. It may be of interest to know that, over a month ago, the Dominus voluntarily halved the personal salary which he receives from the Faith. In personal communication to me, he mentioned that this “small matter” was of secondary concern to the danger the Compact finds itself in, and I agree completely. Furthermore, I am uncertain what law the Dominus is being accused of breaking; the accusation does not cite one, and my own research does not uncover a relevant Crown Law. Does this law, if it might be found, also apply to the High Lords of the Great Houses? Perhaps each could submit their own personal finances to the view of the public of the Compact, and allow the people to judge which expenditures are justified, and which are frivolous and unnecessary.

Finally - accusations of this sort are matters for grave reflection. Understand that the Faith has heard the accusations, and despite their origins and nature, will not ignore them. However, the Faith will not bow to attempts to publicly shame our institution for political gain, nor in retaliation for our holy judgments. In the past few months, the Faith has stepped in to support the Iron Guard after the betrayal of the Lord Commander, appointed by a Grayson King. We have tended the sick and the wounded after the battles fought in Grayson lands, we have protected Grayson refugees fleeing the chaos, we have sheltered the poor, the hungry, and the abandoned in all the lands of the Compact. We have even worked with House Grayson to create a new memorial ground for the citizens of Arx. It deeply grieves me that this is how the actions of the Faith have been returned.

By my hand and authority,
Father Orazio, Legate of Concepts, Shield of the Faith