Reliquary Order
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Reliquary Order | |
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Order | |
Pronunciation | Reliquary Order |
Origins | City of Regalia |
Grandmaster | High Administrator Geneviève Baroness of Ellefaire. |
Symbols | Religious symbols, Ithanian fleur-de-lis, varied by Chapter. |
Colors | Pink and Magenta, but varied by Chapter. |
Race Limits | Varied by Chapter, see Chapters. |
Magic Usage | Varied by Chapter, see Chapters. |
Stances |
The Reliquary Order or Relic Order is both one of the oldest and yougest Knight Orders in the Regalian Empire, with its founding chapter the Villiers being established early on during the reign of Prophet-Emperor Theomar, and the more recent addition of the Blackmark chapter being added to the Reliquary Order in the reign of Emperor Cedromar I. The Reliquary Order as the name suggests is an order hyper-focused on faith and religion, both in terms of the protection of holy places and clergy of a variety of religions, but also in the prosecution of blasphemers and and anti-theists who would attack or destroy the tranquility of spiritual life in the Empire. The Reliquary Order has often been mistaken for the Regalian Inquisition, but the two groups are unrelated, with the Regalian Inquisition only periodically being called into action to hunt down blasphemers, while the Reliquary Order maintains different more humane methods than outright burning transgressors, and has a permanent mission of protection instead of prosecution.
Core Identity
The Reliquary Order functions a little bit differently than all other Orders, because it functions more like an alliance of a dozen or so much smaller knightly Orders, instead of one big order with smaller chapterhouses. Within the Reliquary Order, several Chapters (often with competing ideologies) elect to set aside their differences to fight for the common good, which is the piety and virtue of the people, the freedom of conscience and faith in the Regalian Empire, and the protection of spirituality and holy places from those who would seek to erode or corrupt them. In order to understand the constituent parts of the Reliquary Order, one must first understand all the various chapterhouses and their quirks. Each of these is represented on the Council of Chinon (pronounced she-non) which roughly functions as an authority for all the chapterhouses and preserves the peace between them all.
Chapters of the Reliquary Order
The Reliquary Order is more decentralized than other Knight Orders. All members of each of the Chapters are all still Reliquary Knights and should be interpreted as such, but each Chapter has a slightly different appeal and rule set than the others, and may change their role in Knightly Functions. Note, technically the Reliquary Order has 12 constituent Chapters that make up the whole Order, but only 6 of them have lore and are playable.
Name | Description | |
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The Villiers-Eclair, often also just called Villiers, are arguably the most important and dominant member of the Reliquary Order. The Villiers-Eclair is the original founding member of the Reliquary Order, as well as the oldest out of all of them, dating back to the rule of Prophet-Emperor Theomar as a means to protect the clergy from historically repressed religious violence from the pagan faithful who refused to convert in the early days of the Empire. The Villiers proved crucial in defending these early missionaries as they spread out into the world, giving them safety and protection to do their work, and no doubt contributing to the spread of Unionism as a whole. The Villiers main chapterhouse is in the Ithanian city of Chinon, thus being outside the Regalian Archipelago, called Palais de Chinon. This “castle” is by far the largest knightly chapterhouse of any Order, because it also doubles as a seminary school in Ithania, as well as a Temple to not only Theomar, but also one of Juvin. The Palais de Chinon also hosts the Chinon Council, which is a council which has representatives of all other members of the Reliquary Order, as well as the High Administrator vested in it. The following requirements are set for Villiers Reliquary Knights:
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The Oranjen, sometimes also referred to as the Oranges, are one of the smaller members of the Reliquary order based in Anglia. Their most important chapterhouse is the Temple of Lost Memories on a lake in the northwest of Anglia. At first glance this castle is a complete ruin, however the interior is much larger than the outside implies, and has large tunnels and cisterns running underground where the Oranjen Reliquary Knights train. The Temple of Lost Memories was once a Dragon Temple centuries ago, but fell in ruin, and has since been claimed by Duke Maurits van Oranje-Bauburg, the founding leader of this Reliquary Chapter which it was also named after. The Oranjen in contrast to the Villiers is strongly dominated by atheist members as well as Dragon worshipers, and notably has many Archon in its ranks. The following requirements are set for Oranjen Reliquary Knights:
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The Blackmark is the youngest of the member Chapters of the Reliquary Order, but one that has made quite a name for itself in a very short period of time. It was formally created as an independent mercenary order several decades before the rule of Emperor Cedromar I, who in turn granted it a Knightly Charter merely years ago. Since then, the Blackmark were integrated into the Reliquary Order due to their inherently compatible ideology, even if their methods are strange for the other members of this Order. The Blackmarks have a reputation for emotional bluntness and physical cruelty. They can best be described as the bulky tank-knights of the Reliquary Order, carrying heavy tower shields and severe-trauma weapons to smash through any front line they come across. The most well-known Blackmark currently is the Iron Duke Ryker Lampero of Vultaro & Montania, who has many Blackmark Knights in his service to enforce obedience on the often cynical and critical Vultarins. Their chapter headquarters is Castello Nero in Testerro, Vultaro. This castle appears black from the use of volcanic ash and pumice in its construction.
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The Parthas Chapter is a relatively new chapter introduced to the Reliquary Order that nonetheless has a long history in Etosil. Originally created as an Undead hunting Knightly Order before Etosil was even made a part of the Regalian Empire, the Parthas Chapter went through several identity crises. When the patriarchy of Etosil created a faith militant army for itself, the Parthas Knights became redundant, and switched their work from hunting Undead, to hunting escaped slaves, as slavery was still popular in Etosil. Since the abolition of slavery in Regalia, they changed their work from slave-hunting, to blasphemer hunting, and were subsequently incorporated into the Reliquary Order when they requested to become a part of it. The Parthas Reliquary Knights have their most important chapterhouse in Tallas, Etosil, called the Kitrini Akropolis which was once a vast slave trade outpost, but since turned into a Temple dedicated to Kithemon, yet still houses the Knight’s Chapter headquarters. The Parthas Knights are known for using very heavily armored horses making them so called “Cataphracts”, wielding flexible weapons like flails, whips, chains, and other threshing weapons.
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The Chatellane (pronounced "Sha-tell-a-ne") Chapter is a direct answer to the racial exclusion of other Knightly Orders, both in Regalia and Ithania. While Knighthood is intrinsically a very Ailor thing and it is absent in all other societies, the Elves in Ithania quickly felt excluded from something that was so culturally relevant to them. Chatellane was founded by Elves, and continues to be administered by Elves, and is primarily also concerned with the issues of Elves and Estellon by extension. The Chatellane Chapter is often considered the younger sister of the Villiers, given its cultural proximity and similar ideologies, and it is true to say that in many ways the Chatellane are considered junior to the Villiers. Yet, they fulfill an important role within the Villiers, as they are the only Magic-using Chapter in the Villiers. Unlike the other Chapters with history before being a member of the Reliquary Order, the Chatellane were made specifically to join with the Reliquary Order, and as such has no history outside of it. It was founded by the Duchess Marinon de Chatellane, of the region of Chatellane, where the palace-castle is also positioned in the Toulonne region of Vixhall, the Regalian Archipelago.
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The Valldal Chapter is a bit of an oddity. Knighthood is technically something of the “south”, as Velheim Ailor put it, and this remains very true for the Bloodcast Order Castle in Drixagh, which the locals see as a form of colonial occupation. The Valldal Chapter is something else altogether however, in a very curious place even. The Valldal Chapter castle is in the Juteburg region of Calderliga, far outside of Drixagh, where it trains Velheim and Old Gods oriented Reliquary Knights. The Valldal Chapter was a chapter established by a group of Calderliga merchants who made a lot of money off the backs of the Velheim people, colonizing their resource rights in Drixagh, having a sudden bout of moral conflict afterwards about their behavior in Drixagh. They essentially funded the Valldal institute of Velheim culture, which is a group of primarily Wirtem Ailor who advance and protect the teaching of Velheim culture to Velheim people, and insist that Velheim culture has a right to exist in the Empire and be protected. In the modern era, the Valldal Chapter is mostly occupied by Velheim Knights, but some Wirtem Knights there-in still remain. The Valldal Chapter castle is considered a prime example of Neo-Velheim architecture, a style that respects the intricate wood carvings without making wood the dominant feature of the structure, and integrating modern construction methods with traditional design.
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Other unmentioned chapters are the Berkenbos Chapter of Anglia, the Monzon Chapter of Girobalda, the Marinha Chapter of Bragacao, the Herebrand Chapter of Calemberg, the Vierzehn Chapter of Calemberg and the Cavaler Chapter of Baldmark. These Chapters however have weak lore or simply don't have a strong aesthetic going for them, and as such, they are merely mentioned, but not playable by players. To provide a quick summary of all the Chapters that make up the Reliquary Order:
- The Villiers Chapter is a chapter of dignified protectors of Unionism in particular, but protecting others also.
- The Oranjen Chapter is a chapter of Dragon Worshipers, Archon, and Atheists protecting everyone and everything.
- The Blackmark Chapter is a chapter of rugged, cruel and brash knights who protect the divine right of the ruling family.
- The Parthas Chapter is a chapter of ex-slaver very heavy cavalry knights who track down blasphemers on the run.
- The Chatellane Chapter is an Elven-dominated chapter of Estellon protectors, and other Race inclusions into Knighthood.
- The Valldal is a neo-Velheim interest group with particular focus on Old Gods, and protecting the cultural rights of the faithful.
Common Knights Code
The Common Knights Code applies to all Regalian Knight Organizations, but is also mentioned specifically on each Order page for reference. This Common Code is additional to the Reliquary Knight Functions. It is however important to note that the Reliquary Order may have some exceptions to the common rules.
- Knights are expected to be loyal to the Emperor and the Empire without complaint. Unionism is not required, but obedience to the Crown is.
- Knights are expected never to attack the unarmed and defenseless, and to not resort to dirty fighting tricks or attack others from behind.
- Knights are expected not to complain, moan, or self-deprecate, Knights should never degrade themselves or be an annoying bore.
- Knights are expected to follow the laws of the land and not become a Criminal. They should assist Guards in apprehending criminals.
- Knights are expected to enforce the Law, but must hand Prisoners over to Constables immediately, and cannot be involved in Prison processes.
- Knights are expected not to lie, but never express every truth that needn’t be known. Knights should not deceive unless for the greater good.
- Knights are expected to give alms to the poor and care for the needy, and to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and punish dishonor.
- Exception: Blackmark and Parthas Reliquary Knights are exempt from the rule not to attack the defenseless and use dirty tricks in a fight.
Reliquary Knight Functions
Order Functions are a set of roleplay goals and activities that one can engage in while being a Reliquary Knight. These are functions more-so than rules, but some rules are implied in the functions. For example, while Reliquary Knights don't need to attack those who are critical of religion on sight, being friendly with someone who has attacked or is continuing to attack and vandalize a holy site or temple, even of a competing religion, will result in trouble with the Order.
- Reliquary Knights are expected to protect the sanctity of any religious site in Regalia, regardless of what religion they are, and what the Temple is, even Void Worship and Ordial Worship. What this means is that they cannot tolerate anyone occupying such a structure or place and denying the faithful the freedom to worship there. If any force occupies a Temple or Holy Site in Regalia, this results in a Reliquary Raid, this system has not yet been implemented and will follow somewhere after new year.
- Reliquary Knights are expected to be bodyguards of the clergy within the religion assigned to their chapter (For example, Villers act as bodyguards to Unionist Celates.) Secondly, they should also protect priests and preachers who are preaching peacefully and respectfully in public, if they are attacked physically. They should additionally protect the freedom of conscience of the people, prevent the state from regressing into state-sanctioned religion, and religious prosecutions, and offer shelter to those who are prosecuted for their beliefs. Reliquary Knights never judge the morality of a religion, that is for the Gods to judge.
- Reliquary Knights are expected to be repositories of religious information themselves. Each Chapter has a specific religion that strongly influenced their creation, and as such, the members are expected to be aware of this religion, and answer questions or tell people stories of these religions that put them in good light and teach the people more about them, without overtly sounding preachy or coming across as a missionary.
- Reliquary Knights are expected to declare those who vandalize religious sites or religious figures as blasphemers, and chase them down, while also giving them such a thrashing that they will never disrespect religion ever again. In general, Reliquary Knights are also expected to preach about respecting other religions and spirituality, even to those who do not believe, because spirituality is a necessary component to happiness in their eyes, and to be a "whole" person.
- Where possible or necessary, State Law trumps Knightly Codes, Functions. If a Knight would be committing a State Crime by following their Code or their Functions, they should refrain and follow State Law instead. There are some exceptions to this expectation, as Lothar Knights play fast and loose with the Law, and Viridians are sometimes compelled to commit Low Law Crimes to protect higher interests like the Princeroyals or the Crown. Where possible, Knights should follow the Law, unless their moral compass dictates that in good faith and good conscience, the Crown will clear them of any blame after the fact. If they cannot be certain the Crown will forgive them, caution is recommended.
Privileges
Reliquary Knights have specific legal privileges that remain active so long as they are not disgraced. A Reliquary may become disgraced by part of backstory writing, or in roleplay because they break the Knight’s Code and are found guilty of treason within the Order. There is no further civil prosecution of a Knight for being expelled, but they do lose all privileges. Some privileges require higher ranks. In order to be approved for higher ranks, consult a Discord Ticket for accessibility.
- Faitharm and up have automatic rights to wear armor up to plate quality in the city.
- Faitharm and up have automatic rights to bear arms of any kind in the city, and even open-carry such weapons. They must however stand down if commanded by Metropolitans.
- Only Holyarm Knights have automatic rights to receive a God Magic Artifact that doubles as a religious relic, is un-stealable per Artifact Rules, and clear of Aelrrigan involvement.
- Only Holyarm Knights have automatic rights to receive a Knightly Manor in the Noble District. This Estate is not as large as a Noble Estate, but provided for free in Uptown.
Structure
The Reliquary Order has a hierarchical structure that defines the ranks within their Order.
- The Reliquary High Administrator is the ceremonial leader at the top, a place matrilineally inherited from one High Administrator to the next.
- The Chinon Council is the actual leading function of the Reliquary Order, each Chapter having one representative to decide on common policy.
- The Relic-Saviors Knights are the highest ranked Reliquary Knights who roam the world finding Relics, they are Progression Event NPC.
- The Holyarm Knights are higher ranked Reliquary Knights with special privileges in Regalia that require review from Lore Staff.
- The Faitharm Knights are the rank and file Knights of the Reliquary Order that most players start at when making a Reliquary Knight.
Recognized Temples in Regalia
This list is not yet complete. It still lacks a Void Worship, Estelsoor, Ordial Cultism (The Sewer Temple is not a recognized location) and an Esra Temple.
Name | Description | |
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The Unionist Allbeacon Temple is the largest of the Temple properties belonging to Unionism, and the shrine dedicated to Emperor Theomar primarily, though it also has shrines to all the other God Emperors and Empresses, including the living Emperor, or Dogmatic Unionism. The Allbeacon Temple is the tallest building in the city save for the Imperial Palace, as there is a city ordinance that bans anyone from building taller than it. The Allbeacon Temple can be seen all across the city and its huge heavy brass bells are often used to sound alarm or all-clear signals of victory. The Allbeacon Temple is near Regalia's Spawn, opposite the Regalian Greygate Prison. | ||
The United Family Temple is the sole remaining Old Gods Temple not on private property in the Regalian Capital, a Temple that has resisted repeated attempts from Unionist Hardliners to tear it down, but always prevented in doing so by the Emperors. It was closed for nearly a century during a religious conservative period, until religious freedom was enacted and the temple was re-opened. The Temple contains alcoves of all the Unions and solitary Gods, but is primarily also dedicated to Halfvel, though it is not dedicated to the Aesir, who have their own Temple elsewhere. The Alcove of Gro and Jord remains closed, as the Temple priests observed the religious teachings on rejection of this Union a long time ago. The United Family Temple is in the Fairbanks district, quickest reached with /tp Fairbanks. | ||
The Middle Solace Temple is the second oldest religious building in the capital, only somewhat younger than the Dragon Temple. The Middle Solace Temple is only dedicated to the Aesir, however the structure was destroyed in a riot many centuries ago, causing most of its roof to to collapse and the interior to suffer severe weathering. This destruction also saved it from further attempts by religious fanatics to wipe it off the map, as it was in such a ruined state that all attention went to the United Family Temple. The Middle Solace Temple is far out of the way, in the road between Hangmanroad and Highmanroad, there is no fast teleport to it. | ||
The Temple of High Charity was once a Dogartan Shrine, which has since been converted into a Unionist Emended Temple after it was given by the Dogartans to the Supremoclacy, who in turn merged with the Anglian Emended movement to form the Emended Community. The Temple of High Charity is perhaps the smallest of Temples in the Regalian Capital, dedicated to a much smaller Unionist Schismatic Community. The Temple of High Charity is located in the Regalian Park, directly opposite the Arena in Arena District, perched over the lake in said park with a single access way in the back. | ||
The Temple of the Golden Compass is one of the newest Temples in the city, having only been built recently by a wealthy Aetosian donator after the Evintarian Religious Community saw a large explosion in population over the recent decades. The Temple however remains one of the most quiet Temples in the city, largely owing to its very dark interior, many of the faithful still preferring the Allbeacon Temple since there is a great deal of overlap between the Dogmatic and Evintarian pantheons. The Temple of the Golden Compass houses a mask of Amandaros which can be borrowed by the faithful, and a conduit statue of Kithemon, which if a person currently under the effects of Mind Control is shoved in front of, causes the eyes to glow bright blue. The Temple of the Golden Compass can be found between the Aetosian District and the Asha District and the Songaskian District, on the road leading away from the Regalian Prison. | ||
The Dragon Temple, its real name having been lost to time, is the oldest building still standing in the Regalian Capital, and it shows. Most of the building has weathered away over the centuries, chipped at by storms, fanatics, or other disasters. Even a sinkhole recently opened in its middle, and although payments have been made to repair it over time, bureaucracy keeps stalling the full reconstruction, somehow. The Dragon Temple is perhaps one of the most social religious sites, being mostly used as a social gathering place for the Dragon-Aligned, and treated more like a networking place than an actual place of worship. The Dragon Temple is in New Town, on the way to Lion's Quarter, and next to the Knights Headquarters which are soon up for demolition. | ||
The Asaredu Temple is a relative newcomer in Regalia, having refurbished an old library when worship of Eronidas gods was made legal in the Empire. There are few noteworthy things to say about the Asaredu Temple, because there are not many Eronidas in the capital, and so the Lyceum speaking place in front of it lies mostly abandoned, with the majority of the district's visitors spending their time in the bath house instead. The Asaredu Temple is at the end of the Eronidas District, bordering the road leading into the Noble District. | ||
The Baskarr Shrine is housed in a Morathes Estate that was abandoned some months ago, making this the youngest recognized house of worship. This Temple as of yet lacks statues, because Baskarr as a religion does not count on many faithful in the city, and the Asha District is also one of the smallest districts in the Imperial Capital. The Baskarr Shrine can be found in the old Morathes Estate, directly behind the Prison, and leading into the Asha District. | ||
The Mana Tree is the only currently recognized worship site of Estellon in the Capital of Regalia. A vast Estellon Temple is currently under construction, but in its complete absence, the Mana Tree is designated as a Temple instead, even if most faithful resort to shrines in their own home. Where the Mana Tree worship site begins and ends is often hard to tell, some Reliquary Knights think the whole park counts, while some think only the tree and direct surroundings count. The Mana Tree can be found in the Rosecourt District, which is next to the Qadir District and Fairbanks Borough, and behind the Regalian Park. |
Trivia
- Nobles who are Reliquary Knights permitted to hold a title, but must always be referred to as Lord-Protectors instead of any other titles.
- Where-as the Viridian Order has so-called identification tags, two metal plates with their identification number and rank strung on a thin metal chain around their neck, Reliquary Knights each have their own custom signet ring that also bears their rank and identification number, in case they are lost or their body is unrecognizably damaged.
- Reliquary Knights mainly focus on religious matters, but they have been known to express themselves or act politically. The most recent of such expressions, was the support of King de Gosselin's conquest of Ithania from the previous sovereign, thus putting them at odds with Unionist soldiers in Ithania. The Reliquary Knights justified this with the need for an Ithanian army to protect the faithful of Ithania from religious prosecution and invasion from the south.
- Reliquary Knights and Viridian Knights are considered the two top respected Knightly Orders in the Regalian Empire, and a tournament is not complete without at least a Reliquary Knight and a Viridian Knight competing over the top 3 positions along with all other contestants.
- Holyarm Knights do not get to choose what Relic they receive, though the player may request a "weapon, piece of jewelry, off-hand item (such as an orb or wand), shield, or wearable (such as armor or coronet)". These Relic Artifacts only have 1 Ability or set of Specials depending on the religion chosen.
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