Abriel
Nelafayn Hundred, Meselyneshire
Holder: Bishop of Nurez, Ilor Hadan
Liege: Archbishop of Kaldor, Edine Kynne
Population: 216
Abriel grew from the ruins with the small kingdom of Nurelia into a large settlement. Sanric II ,a devout Laranian, granted the lands to the Laranian Church in 170 and commissioned the construction of the abbey. The prosperous years preceding the migration wars resulted in a considerable investment of wealth in the grounds.
King Brant shared his father’s love of the religion and continued substantial grants to the church, commissioning many of the theological art-works at the abbey, including the signature work Our Lady of Reluctance.
The village was eastward enough to avoid much of the migration wars, but was sacked by the Western Taelda in 235. The abbey miraculously withstood the battle, but Lotin the Gray was killed in a retaliatory assault on the barbarian hordes.
It is commonly rumored that Prince Brant of Nurelia was cloistered in seclusion at Abriel by Kalabin of Kaldor shortly after Nurelia’s Barons gave the throne to Kaldor’s King. Few outside of Abriel believe this, as the story of the unfortunate prince’s death at Olokand is more romantic.
When Kalabin took the throne, the Archbishop of Nurelia became the Bishop of Nurez. Abriel has continued as an important theological center for the church in Kaldor.
Abriel is the Hundred moot for Nelafayn Hundred, and a commercial center of agriculture.
The Bishop downplays the importance of commerce.
The lands surrounding Abriel are rich, and produce a variety of agricultural products. Good wheat, strong barley; the swine are some of the best in the region. Small cattle herds are also kept in parts of the Hundred.
The Miners Guild operates a stone quarry west of Abriel for fees that provide additional resources to the bishop.
Abriel’s political climate is dominated by the theological beliefs of the Bishop. Ilor Hadan is a deeply spiritual and idealistic man. It is said that his fervor clouds his judgement, and that it is unfortunate that he lacks the benefit of a more practical viewpoint to deal with the coming crisis.
Abriel serves the dual purpose of Bishopric, and Hundred Moot. As such, Ilor serves as both Bishop and Bailiff of the Hundred. Secular court (Hundred Moot) is held on the 14th of each month, the 15th is reserved for the religious matters.
Ilor’s Devotion to Larani is unmatched within the Kingdom, and it is widely held that he is the most gifted priest in Kaldor. Many in the hierarchy consider him the most likely successor of Archbishop Edine Kynne.
Ilor’s deeply committed theology manifests itself as a meticulous, even obsessive attention to the dogma and ritual of abbey life. Priests are strongly encouraged to rise early and spend an extra hour in prayer each day. Confession is encouraged daily. Even the routine tasks of running the abbey have been steeped in religious lore.
While the priests at the abbey have come to see Ilor’s doctrine as a disciplined but livable way of life, the Knight’s of the Order of the Lady of Paladins, see even temporary assignment here as the gravest of punishments
.
The dominant dogma of Laranianism often referred to as “The Reluctant Way” that holds sway in this region is a shift from the more moderate some would say temperate views of the Order at large.
Ilor and his kind are forging a rift in the order, and the debates at ecclesiastical gatherings are often heated. Ilor is among the leaders of this movement, and one of its highest-ranking proponents.
Others include Larin of Uder the influential Abbott at Welur abbey in Kanday and Varik of Delsyn the Sulotesa (Grand Master of Archives) in Thay for the Clerical Order of the Spear of Shattered Sorrow.
The movement is popular among the younger, ideological priests. Priests with a more secular view, particularly those with a taste for political power look upon the movement with disdain and oppose it strongly.
Edine Kynne, the Archbishop of Kaldor is among the most vehement opponents of The Reluctant Way, and
He is particularly concerned with the strength of the movement at Abriel and the need for the sword arm of the church against Sir Maldan Harabor, should that probable situation arise.
The Primate is not yet aware of the extent of this schism, and would likely be disturbed by it. Whether it is based in the true desires of the goddess or the fanatical beliefs of zealots only Larani knows.
Abriel holds significant importance to this Clerical Order, each year in early Larane, many clerics of the order travel to Abriel for theological debate followed by fasting and prayer in preparation for the Feast of St. Ambrathas.
In recent years Ilor and his followers have dominated these meetings. The debate ranges from tempered discussions to the dangerous verge of heresy.
Ilor and his brethren have been holding secret meetings in conjunction with these debates. In 720 they plan to establish a secret order for the purposes of spreading the dogma of their beliefs among clergy.
Manorial courts operate under the same structure. Abriel holds its Manorial court on the 10th of each month. Abriel’s steward holds this court.
The manorial court has no authority over felonies, civil suits brought by freemen, and professional pleaders are not admitted.
Court matters are dealt with in a specific order.
First come the Lord’s pleas or matters to which the Bishop was a party. This includes any dispensation of royal justice in addition to more mundane matters such as trespasses against the bishop including withdrawal of rents and services, fines or “amercement” for various minor transgressions or permissions.
Heriots paid, relief sought and so forth. Manorial officers are elected or appointed as appropriate, and take their oaths.
When court is held, all villeins must attend or send a suitable excuse.
Freeholders are also required to attend. Those having matters before the court are referred to as suitors, the remainder are the jurors. Anyone unable to attend may send a substitute suitor known as an essoin in their stead. Lower courts prohibit professional litigants.
Court begins with the listing of the jurors followed by a listing of the essions. The jurors then present the offences. Next the village pleas are heard, or matters involving the whole community. Such as dealing with stray cattle, harboring malefactors at harvest, and breaking the laws of husbandry.
Finally matters between villagers are handled, including slander, trespasses, transgressions, debts, covenants and pleas of land.
Courts have the authority to issue writs. When the issue at hand is a civil matter, courts may send up to three summons to appear before the court, and the party in question may send up to three essoins (excuses).
In such cases, the court is entitled to issue destraints a practice of collecting valuables and holding them until the party in question appears.
Matters before the court are handled in a specific pattern. Following presentation of the matter by the jurors, the suitor or the party bringing suit would argue the plea stating in a straightforward matter the facts in question.
The defense then may argue its case, often doing nothing more than flatly denying each statement made in the original plea.
Each side receives a rebuttal, and the jurors issue judgement both as to the facts, the custom of the land and the law. In some cases an inquest or special jury may be called for a specific purpose. Freeman may demand a jury of peers.
Courts are important part of the feudal structure, and the Hundred Moot at Abriel is no exception.
Generally held on the 15th of each month, the Bishop has chosen to move the date to the 14th in observance of the Laranian Holy day on the 15th. An Ecclesiastical court is held on the 16th.
Abriel is in effect a Royal court, as the Bishop serves as Bailiff of the Hundred in the King’s name. As such it is the most powerful court in the Hundred.
Holder: Bishop of Nurez, Ilor Hadan
Liege: Archbishop of Kaldor, Edine Kynne
Population: 216
HISTORY
Abriel was settled by the devastated peoples who survived Lothrim the foulspawner’s reign of terror.Abriel grew from the ruins with the small kingdom of Nurelia into a large settlement. Sanric II ,a devout Laranian, granted the lands to the Laranian Church in 170 and commissioned the construction of the abbey. The prosperous years preceding the migration wars resulted in a considerable investment of wealth in the grounds.
King Brant shared his father’s love of the religion and continued substantial grants to the church, commissioning many of the theological art-works at the abbey, including the signature work Our Lady of Reluctance.
The village was eastward enough to avoid much of the migration wars, but was sacked by the Western Taelda in 235. The abbey miraculously withstood the battle, but Lotin the Gray was killed in a retaliatory assault on the barbarian hordes.
It is commonly rumored that Prince Brant of Nurelia was cloistered in seclusion at Abriel by Kalabin of Kaldor shortly after Nurelia’s Barons gave the throne to Kaldor’s King. Few outside of Abriel believe this, as the story of the unfortunate prince’s death at Olokand is more romantic.
When Kalabin took the throne, the Archbishop of Nurelia became the Bishop of Nurez. Abriel has continued as an important theological center for the church in Kaldor.
ECONOMICS
Abriel is the Hundred moot for Nelafayn Hundred, and a commercial center of agriculture.
The Bishop downplays the importance of commerce.
The lands surrounding Abriel are rich, and produce a variety of agricultural products. Good wheat, strong barley; the swine are some of the best in the region. Small cattle herds are also kept in parts of the Hundred.
The Miners Guild operates a stone quarry west of Abriel for fees that provide additional resources to the bishop.
POLITICAL & THEOLOGICAL CLIMATE
Abriel’s political climate is dominated by the theological beliefs of the Bishop. Ilor Hadan is a deeply spiritual and idealistic man. It is said that his fervor clouds his judgement, and that it is unfortunate that he lacks the benefit of a more practical viewpoint to deal with the coming crisis.
Abriel serves the dual purpose of Bishopric, and Hundred Moot. As such, Ilor serves as both Bishop and Bailiff of the Hundred. Secular court (Hundred Moot) is held on the 14th of each month, the 15th is reserved for the religious matters.
Ilor’s Devotion to Larani is unmatched within the Kingdom, and it is widely held that he is the most gifted priest in Kaldor. Many in the hierarchy consider him the most likely successor of Archbishop Edine Kynne.
Ilor’s deeply committed theology manifests itself as a meticulous, even obsessive attention to the dogma and ritual of abbey life. Priests are strongly encouraged to rise early and spend an extra hour in prayer each day. Confession is encouraged daily. Even the routine tasks of running the abbey have been steeped in religious lore.
While the priests at the abbey have come to see Ilor’s doctrine as a disciplined but livable way of life, the Knight’s of the Order of the Lady of Paladins, see even temporary assignment here as the gravest of punishments
.
THE RELUCTANT WAY
The dominant dogma of Laranianism often referred to as “The Reluctant Way” that holds sway in this region is a shift from the more moderate some would say temperate views of the Order at large.
Ilor and his kind are forging a rift in the order, and the debates at ecclesiastical gatherings are often heated. Ilor is among the leaders of this movement, and one of its highest-ranking proponents.
Others include Larin of Uder the influential Abbott at Welur abbey in Kanday and Varik of Delsyn the Sulotesa (Grand Master of Archives) in Thay for the Clerical Order of the Spear of Shattered Sorrow.
The movement is popular among the younger, ideological priests. Priests with a more secular view, particularly those with a taste for political power look upon the movement with disdain and oppose it strongly.
Edine Kynne, the Archbishop of Kaldor is among the most vehement opponents of The Reluctant Way, and
Show spoiler
.
So far he has taken no overt action, but he is poised to do
so should it become necessary to maintain control of the
church in Kaldor. has
gone so far as to place spies among the sect’s followers
He is particularly concerned with the strength of the movement at Abriel and the need for the sword arm of the church against Sir Maldan Harabor, should that probable situation arise.
The Primate is not yet aware of the extent of this schism, and would likely be disturbed by it. Whether it is based in the true desires of the goddess or the fanatical beliefs of zealots only Larani knows.
The Order of the Spear of Shattered Sorrow
Abriel holds significant importance to this Clerical Order, each year in early Larane, many clerics of the order travel to Abriel for theological debate followed by fasting and prayer in preparation for the Feast of St. Ambrathas.
In recent years Ilor and his followers have dominated these meetings. The debate ranges from tempered discussions to the dangerous verge of heresy.
Ilor and his brethren have been holding secret meetings in conjunction with these debates. In 720 they plan to establish a secret order for the purposes of spreading the dogma of their beliefs among clergy.
Manorial Courts
Manorial courts operate under the same structure. Abriel holds its Manorial court on the 10th of each month. Abriel’s steward holds this court.
The manorial court has no authority over felonies, civil suits brought by freemen, and professional pleaders are not admitted.
Court matters are dealt with in a specific order.
First come the Lord’s pleas or matters to which the Bishop was a party. This includes any dispensation of royal justice in addition to more mundane matters such as trespasses against the bishop including withdrawal of rents and services, fines or “amercement” for various minor transgressions or permissions.
Heriots paid, relief sought and so forth. Manorial officers are elected or appointed as appropriate, and take their oaths.
When court is held, all villeins must attend or send a suitable excuse.
Freeholders are also required to attend. Those having matters before the court are referred to as suitors, the remainder are the jurors. Anyone unable to attend may send a substitute suitor known as an essoin in their stead. Lower courts prohibit professional litigants.
Court begins with the listing of the jurors followed by a listing of the essions. The jurors then present the offences. Next the village pleas are heard, or matters involving the whole community. Such as dealing with stray cattle, harboring malefactors at harvest, and breaking the laws of husbandry.
Finally matters between villagers are handled, including slander, trespasses, transgressions, debts, covenants and pleas of land.
Summons
Courts have the authority to issue writs. When the issue at hand is a civil matter, courts may send up to three summons to appear before the court, and the party in question may send up to three essoins (excuses).
In such cases, the court is entitled to issue destraints a practice of collecting valuables and holding them until the party in question appears.
Pleas
Matters before the court are handled in a specific pattern. Following presentation of the matter by the jurors, the suitor or the party bringing suit would argue the plea stating in a straightforward matter the facts in question.
The defense then may argue its case, often doing nothing more than flatly denying each statement made in the original plea.
Each side receives a rebuttal, and the jurors issue judgement both as to the facts, the custom of the land and the law. In some cases an inquest or special jury may be called for a specific purpose. Freeman may demand a jury of peers.
Hundred Moot
Courts are important part of the feudal structure, and the Hundred Moot at Abriel is no exception.
Generally held on the 15th of each month, the Bishop has chosen to move the date to the 14th in observance of the Laranian Holy day on the 15th. An Ecclesiastical court is held on the 16th.
Abriel is in effect a Royal court, as the Bishop serves as Bailiff of the Hundred in the King’s name. As such it is the most powerful court in the Hundred.
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