Presentation of the Grand Church of the Virtori Faithful

Internal Struggles of faith and rivalry and how that makes for a strong, evolving and interesting Church.

*Originally the Church of Thearyn, we have changed and re-branded to grow as a Faith organization for all of Elyria. *

Searching for Virtue and balance in dividing paths of the same institution allows those that wish for perhaps differing playstyles of Theocratic Roleplay the opportunity to do so, in the same church for one Land.

So we of the Faithful present: The dynamics of the Grand Church of the Virtori Faithful

We believe the following will show you how we wish to start an interesting narrative with an added bit of rivalry, intrigue and even debate on theology. At the same time constructing strong points within the church to ensure a strong kingdom and religion lore with ample room for your roleplay and the start of a developing future story you'll create with us.

We've developed three basic anchors for morality tendencies within our church history to allow your role play or character choice to feel part of an organized religion. We wanted it to feel organized, but not so organized that it stifled play.

Due to the lack of info on mechanics, this will lack some of the organizational branches, except for an entry a on theology debating, which could serve as part of a church structure. Future mechanics may even help, however...

...these ideas are constructed to exist without any formal structure. As they are the story of the the very founding thoughts of the Church itself, Virtori and the delicate balance that is Virtue and Vice, and how different sections of the church focus their pursuit of Virtue to balance the vice rampant in the world.

Also there is no TL:DR Sorry!

Introduction of the Grand Church of the Virtori Faithful

Highlighting some of the Church's structure. Membership and ideals that craft the narrative and role play opportunity within a religious association. Crafting that with your interests in mind and the mission to keep the faithful and their neighbors well and safe in the light of Virtori.

"We believe the following will show you how we wish to start an interesting narrative with an added bit of rivalry, intrigue and even debate on theology. At the same time constructing strong points within the church to ensure a strong kingdom and religion lore with ample room for your role play and the start of a developing future story you'll create with us."

I hope to offer you congratulations and welcome to the Faithful. For all who join The Grand Church of the Virtori Faithful, your pledge enters you into the Faithful. For those who wish to join the faith, enjoy it's narrative and story, and the help and charity that comes from individuals who embrace the Virtue of Virtori. Voting for their settlement's Council member, being the very people the church works to protect though culture, medicine, aid and mutual defense.

For those who wish to work in the Church directly. To give their time to render that aid and charity, and to have The Church assist you and become the hearth to warm your soul you may do so as the Faithful, however a Church sect may have even more to interest you if you wish to do even more for and in the church and thus, the Faithful

Faithful:

All whom join the church are the Faithful. Should you join a Sect, become a member of the council or Office of the Priest magistrate, you are of the Faithful still.

Faithful is the term for any member of the church, in a Sect or not, whom wishes to be part of the Church, a Virtori Religion or to contribute to the church in their daily lives. What is asked of the Faithful is what they can spare to assist the church in assisting the faithful as a whole. Their contributions are the engine of the Church itself.

There is no official hierarchy among the Faithful themselves. No outside rank is weighted by the Church within the Faithful. The church is for the Light of Virtori and the Goodness of Virtue. Those who rise of the Church will be incarnations of such values with the desire to see a strong and able church.

The Church requests as much participation as you can afford in the gathering and locating of charity, the assistance to your family and neighbors, and your presence in the occasions, festivities, and ceremonies of the Church.

Faithful and voting council

Settlement Faithful may decide the method of voting as they wish, however for the vote to be accepted by the church, the rule remains: Every Faithful whom resides in the settlement receives then gives their vote within the same (week)year. A vote can have no other value of more or less than 1. Disputes should be brought directly to the Office of the Priest Magistrate. A representative of the Church can be requested to oversee any voting if requested by the faithful of the town, or Council body.

"Let it be the Faithful in theirs homes and their places of worship, who choose of those they love and love the words of Virtori itself to embrace to search for virtue" - From The Mad King Falls, Virtue Rises. - Unknown Author

In conclusion of the vote, and membership to the Virtori Church verified, Are then welcomed into the Faithful council. Made up exclusively of the voted Church faithful, representatives of the participating settlement's membership. They work closely with both the High priests and Sect heads to ensure what is needed, is provided and what is given is collected. In any Church action requiring a vote, this is the body that brings that vote to bear. They are also the primary source of the Grand Debate arguments. And represent those arguments in that very festival.

Outside the church they maintain good relations with town mayors, if they are not already or one themselves, and see to the needs of the people whom are their neighbors. They are also tasked with the close help of the Priest Magistrate and Three Leaves of Virtori Sects, to the storage and sanctioned use of Charitable supplies to see that settlement is protected, defended, ready and well.

The three pursuits of Virtue have a historical point of lore in the Church.

Within them are the commonality: Search for Virtue

And a differing Morality point: How they feel they exact or obtain virtue.

This allows personal variation in a religion that feels like an organized and time worn theology and institution.

Three Leaves of Virtori.

While there are Thee Sects within the church, the opportunity in each is wide. Understanding there is a place for virtue in every heart and love for Virtori in every faithful who gives their time and skill to The Church. The Sects are built to have a place for any whom come to the church with the desire to serve the faithful and Virtori.

The "three leaves" or sects are broken up into basic ideals with the hope that the faithful will find the sect, or the fellow faithful within a sect, that will warmly welcome their skill set and interests to the tasks of the sects.

A strong arm to hold the shield of the faithful.

A wise mind who seeks and collects knowledge and its wise use.

A beating heart that Spreads Virtue and Charity through skill, art and care with the Faithful and Their neighbors.

It is our hope that within these sects, you will not only find a direction that suits you, but also a group of players with similar pursuits, even if methods differ. The sum of all those interests when aimed at the prosperity of the people or the purveyors of Vice will be strong, simply by the range of skills the Faithful have worked hard to hone.

All walks of life come together in faith, and may find new ways or or routes in the pursuit of virtue:

The Chevalier could be home both to an overly armored knight with a 20 foot sword, as it would a shrouded figure with short blades ready, if the protection of the faithful is their matching desire.

Where that same shrouded Faithful may be more interested in the collection and wise use of knowledge and information, and thus the Inquisitors may be more to their desires.

And perhaps that shrouded faithful wishes to retire those daggers, and heal those who are poisoned instead, thus the Impassioned would welcome their warmed heart a flush with the virtue of Virtori.

The sects are designed broadly to encompass a lot of general interest and fulfill a specific need of the Church and Faithful. Self defense is a need of any group as well as is an outlet for those interested in the martial side of Elyrian life. Collection of information and its study, use or sharing, and the tending aid and cultural impacts are all contained within the three sects.

More specific endeavors will be taken up by the sect members and faithful on Church need and their own interests.

My intention is to ensure as much possible room for all who are interested in a religious association, while being responsive to your own interests because those interests, and your excitement for them, could become a great asset for the Faithful.

Chevalier:

Made up of primarily armsmen, hunters, militia, retired soldiers, scouts and of those Faithful who are willing to face vice on the field of battle or the span of their walls.

Tasked with the protection of the Faithful in hearth and travel. The Chevalier are the faithful who bring skill at arms and the martial prowess to protect and respond to the side of the faithful and their neighbors defense. Escorting the aid as it is spread throughout the faithful's settlements and defending those unable to defend themselves.

Rallied by the Marshal Chevalier and his sergeants, They include armsmen pledged to the church, whom join the faith and have sword to spare for virtue, knights who ride, and nobles who protect, seed this holy Sect with a strong and virtuous shield to ward off those who would do all harm.

Council members who represent their settlement within the church should share information or requests for help to the Marshal Chevalier, who will coordinate within the Three leaves to levy all branches to respond as needed to assist in the primarily martial exercise of becoming the wall of faith to shield from the charge of vice.

Made up of local militias and those who live in the settlements, and those who live or travel with the church itself, their life in and among the faithful ensures their ability to mutually defend, no matter where other elements of the Chevalier may be, and can rally to the nearest settlement in need.

Their name exemplifies the the gracious kindness and unequaled bravery by those who ward of the sharpest and most blunt of threats to the Faithful and brings forth virtuous heros that shine in the light of Virtori..

Inquisitors:

Those drawn to the word of Virtori, the desire for knowledge, the search and collection of lore, or skills to obtain it no matter its location or legend. The scribes who write or record, travel to document and retain knowledge for the church, the Faithful and Virtori's Virtue.

Those who seek, acquire or even wield information. Though many members of the Inquisitors choose a group focused on interests or pursuits they have interest, their love for Virtori, desire for virtue, interest in knowledge or experimentation sciences are all at their core, desire to know what Virtori has made.

Those who pursue knowledge and wisdom for the faithful to prosper in mind and soul, secure in the knowledge meticulously recorded by their predecessors. Discover and recover the relics or Virtori for investigation and debate within the church.

From the consumate researcher who works both heart and mind for Virtori to discover that which will aid the Faithful and ensure health and prosperity for all mann. To the scribe who records each step taken observing mann, Soul or scenery.

The Faithful who joins the church to pursue cataloging their focus of study. Quill in hand, and desire to show the discoveries made possible by their Faithful friends and church who assist them.

And of course, the Church's most driven to find or discover all the realm touched by Virtori, and record its every detail to spread Virtue.

Under the wise leadership of the Sage Inquisitor the sect is tasked with the knowledge and information of Elyria. Expeditions to recover religious artifacts, to cataloging and knowing the world as Virtori has made, Inquisitors seek truth in Virtori's Light.

Impassioned:

While the Chevalier shield the faith, and the Inquisitors expand the mind, the impassioned are the beating, caring heart of the order. Those who give healing and succor, Or perform craft and creation for the church or in the name of the virtue of Virtori. Primarily made of those who create or care and spread the kindness, charity and skill in creativity to church, faithful and all within Elyria.

Influenced heavily from song priest tradition itself, Included in the Impassioned are the public speakers, charitable preachers, poets, and artists throughout the Church. Those who show the passions for virtue in their art or tongue. Or in the heavenly devotion to quality and form from artisans in their trade. They may create the fine devoted artworks that brings the light of Virtori to the mortal realm.

With the guiding voice of the sect leader, Aria Impassioned, the small town herbalist and priest who tends the people, and perhaps gives services as well. The Church trained Doctors and medics, who tend your wounds both in war and peace guided by virtue and kindness to see suffering snuffed from the light of Virtori.

The public speakers artist and singers who speak the gospel, or give it aria, or those who travel the world, spreading virtues, and exemplifying it in the aid and charity they bring. The adventuring cleric who with passion for health and faith keep those who delve ever deeper strong and moving forward. The Alchemist who treats the sick by day, and follows the Inquisitors in their collection of knowledge, hoping to find knew cures.

And the Town preachers and Priests, Who give love for Virtori, and his people. The very Faithful and neighbors whom come together to know each other, and prosper together.

The impassioned concern themselves with the peace and health of the faithful and neighbor and to ensure they are healthy and well to face the world and its perils. They encompass the kindness and charity that lives right next to you. You will know them as the very pillars of a strong and prosperous town community.

The Narrative could be built by this:

Some Internal struggle makes for good stories.

Inquisitors glaring and spitting at the Half believers of the Chevaliers. The Impassioned whom move about the kingdom, dealing with all peoples, and maybe the prior two, in differing ways.

It can open up the opportunity to debate on the interpretation of scripture. giving some structure and the chance for players to fight a theocratic "War of Words" on how the church should act based on scripture.

I can imagine the fun of the many sides debating heartily in the halls of a great cathedral

The inner Church intrigue allows a "Dance of Popedoms" for those who may want a different flavor to nobility alone, like those who want to take full advantage of a Theocratic system

The Chevaliers could develop Indignation at the harsh methods of the Inquisitors, Joking amongst themselves that the Inquisitors love the Vices as much as the Virtues, which brings us to…

Role Play opportunity built by this:

"The Character"

By giving three Consistent anchors to vary your roleplay on for those looking for a holy pursuit

We're looking at 3 Church history/lore divisions. Allowing a very broad range aligned on a combination of the Virtori Lore along with some interpretation to meld all this in a style that doesn't depend on mechanics. The differences could really be as simple as what style of Clergy do you want to be.

Even in just the three there are many possibilities, and this will help define only the vaguest of lines so players will have indication to which parts of the church hold like role players or styles of play, but still have a recognizable church structure, as any church would have. Giving it a consistent stability to allow the development of it's storyline.

The intent here is to give a permanency to the church that will allow it to survive the 10+ years we have ahead of us from live.

For instance Under Inquisitor alone you could have Torturers and Executioners who embrace the "darkest" side of the Church and its practices; or those who track down and expose those who lie in the church's name or commits crimes against those in the church.

You abhor the more grisly, yet defend the Word of Virtori and the good of Virtori and Church.

"The Environment"

By having different sides of the same coin it allows the roleplay to be more fluid as even the robes someone wears can allow the spark of role play.

Lessening the need for people to so clearly state their allegiances before being able to continue the role having established those much needed reference points in the lore of the churches divisions.

A Simplified Example:

If we assume red robes = inquisitors, Blue robes = Chevaliers

A portion of information has already been presented to the role player. While not specific information, If you are wearing the blue robes of the Chevalier, your encounter and most importantly, how you act before interaction is even begun with someone in red robes, has assisted greatly in a the smoothing of the experience.

You don't have to enter the conversation smiling if you detest the Inquisitors, to find out if they ARE an inquisitor, and then frown/spit.

You also don't have to enter those encounters completely neutral, which may not fit your roleplay style/Character until you discover his/her connections.

"The living breathing Church"

Inquisitors may inspire players to cheer them as they are about to find a wicked betrayer of Virtori or run in their houses, close shutters, for fear the Red Robes have come for them.

Having these anchors to allow role play to evolve past the chat box, and construct a world that responds even visually to the story line of the Church we collectively make is what i believe this will foster.

What Mechanics does this depend on? Few if any. This is a framework to give some solid ideas how a Theocratic theme can be built to inspire Role play, Narrative, tension, interaction and most importantly fun for those interested in such a theme.

...This of course depends on You! The prospective Impassioned Priests and Priestesses, Inquisitors and Chevaliers or merely the lovers of Virtori to make real. As well for those of other faiths to flower or wilt in the stories explored with a state favored religion.

We want to give you interesting choices such as this in addition to those that will be offered by the great people who join us.

We're working hard to help build the experience on top of a most exciting game.

Grand Church of the Virtori Faithful and Saint Rothgard Solstice Discord

May you walk in the virtuous light of Virtori.

• Paragon of the Faith, Flawliss of the Grand Church of the Virtori Faithful. Mayor of Saint Rothgard's Solstice.