Ordinis Potestas
Apollonius rushed around the corner, skidding to a halt as he paused to catch his breath. Loose pebbles tumbled across the ground, threatening to expose him and the light of day made hiding impossible. The narrow alleyway stank, filled to the brim with refuse and beggars who had not been to a bath house or seen a cleansing rain in weeks. Perhaps he could hide among them?
From behind, the clatter of metal boots on stone warned him of the Confessors before they could reach the alley. Apollonius began to run again, head bowed and legs pumping as he leaped into the air, cresting a small cluster of beggars and sprinting towards the crowd that surged at the other end of the alley. The Confessors shouted behind him as he ran.
"Stop that man! He's a thief and has broken the fourth tenant of the God's law!"
Weak hands reached for his arms and legs, eager to cease the potential reward, but none could find grip on Apollonius as he turned left. The leather straps of the sandals on his feet threatened to break as he leaned into the turn, feet scrabbling across gritty stone. In the next moment he was up and running, a sharp pain in his leg suggesting perhaps he had pulled a muscle or been cut by one of the grabbing beggars. Apollonius ducked and weaved through the crowd, hands clutching tightly to the small bag of money, Silver Stags and Copper Bulls, enough to feed him and his family for a month if he could just get away.
Apollonius ducked into a small street vendors shop. It was lined with all manner of cloth, dyed in brilliant hues of blue, red, yellow, green and myriad other colors. The vendor looked at him, frowning as he stumbled into the shop, huffing and puffing from his run. The Korinthian man seemed hesitant, ready to shout, before Apollonius pulled two stags from the bag at his chest and offered them to him. The vendor's eyes widened, before he nodded and snatched the rings from Apollonius's hand, turning to act as if he hadn't seen anything. Apollonius breathed heavily, moments of tense anxiety hanging on the air, paper thin. After several minutes, Apollonius began to breath normally again, sighing in relief.
The metal was clapped around his neck before he could shout, two glyphs glowed brightly on the steel that now surrounded Apollonius's neck. One a deep yellow, a moving glyph that silenced Apollonius each time he tried to yell. The second was a bright red, a volatility glyph that sent an arc of agonizing pain through Apollonius's body as he crumpled to the floor.
Three figures stepped over him, looking down at him in his numbed state. "You thought you could run sinner, but the Confessors have marked you and you will pay for your thievery."
Apollonius tried to scream, to explain that he hadn't stolen the money for himself but for his family so they could survive. Food was scarce and work scarcer and they would die without him, but all that dripped from his mouth was wordless fear and stunning pain.
Structure
The Structure goes as follows
The Patriarch (elected from among the Bishopric)
The Bishopric (Council of 12 elected representatives of the Order)
Confessors (men and women, raised to the status by the bishopric to be watchers and priests over the people whether in secret or openly)
or
The Ordained (those whose purpose it is to run the Churches and provide spiritual sustenance for those who openly seek their aid)
Adherent (recently inducted into the order, these are they who perform menial tasks until they achieve a level of respect high enough to join the Ordained or the Confessors)
Public Agenda
Spread the tenants of the Ordinis Potestas and convert the entirety of Korinthos. Spread the words of the Reborn God to all that will listen and lead the straying souls onto the correct path.
Assets
Money
Political Power (Main church of the realm)
Carry the word of the Reborn Gods
City of Thetos
Hold a spot on the Queen's council as Chaplain
Large church with many faithful followers
History
Established directly following the Rebirth of Tiberios, the first Patriarch Alexios Galatas, was a close friend of Tiberios and became an advisor and aid to the newly reborn man. (In fact, Tiberios died saving Alexios's life which made him the God of Courage and Victory)
When the second Basileus, Constantinos II, adopted the Order of Dominion as his religion it ignited a religious spark in Korinthos that lead to the conversion of vast amounts of people. Shortly following this spark, Mykale Goddess of Sacrifice and Servitude, was born lending more power to the already growing religion. To this day, their position as most adopted religion in Korinthos remains undisputed.
Demography and Population
Owners of the City of Thetos and the Court of the Gods therein
Hold a seat on the Council of Korinthos for Chaplain
Protectors of the Moon Shrine (a place of great blue lumina)
Religion
There are five main sects to the organization of the Ordinis Potestas. They are detailed below:
The Choir: The Choir serves as great channelers of the power of the Reborn. Officially recognized as a clerical order, the Choir also serve primarily as missionaries of the Ordinis Potestas. Their saying is "Alone we are strong, united we are mighty."
The Confessors: The Confessors are the religious police and enforcers of the Ordinis Potestas. They patrol the streets, hunting sinners, and then castigate those they find in Ordinis dungeons. Their saying is "To break under the might of God and be reborn is to not break at all."
The Exemplars: The Exemplars are a holy order of knights and paladins sworn to the defense of the Ordinis Potestas and the Reborn Gods. The Exemplars stand as paragons of both power and virtue, embued with great skill in combat and force of will. Their saying is "Forged in the fire of divinity."
The Chain: The Chain serve as the merchants and diplomats of the Ordinis Potestas, organizing trade deals and treaties. Additionally, the Chain oversees the "teaching" of sinners and potential disciples of the church as well. Their saying is "A Chain may protect just as it binds."
Crimson Council: The Crimson council comprises the elected officials of the Ordinis Potestas who serve at the head of the church. They oversee the church in its entirety, delegating and leading it towards prosperity and success.
The Choir: The Choir serves as great channelers of the power of the Reborn. Officially recognized as a clerical order, the Choir also serve primarily as missionaries of the Ordinis Potestas. Their saying is "Alone we are strong, united we are mighty."
The Confessors: The Confessors are the religious police and enforcers of the Ordinis Potestas. They patrol the streets, hunting sinners, and then castigate those they find in Ordinis dungeons. Their saying is "To break under the might of God and be reborn is to not break at all."
The Exemplars: The Exemplars are a holy order of knights and paladins sworn to the defense of the Ordinis Potestas and the Reborn Gods. The Exemplars stand as paragons of both power and virtue, embued with great skill in combat and force of will. Their saying is "Forged in the fire of divinity."
The Chain: The Chain serve as the merchants and diplomats of the Ordinis Potestas, organizing trade deals and treaties. Additionally, the Chain oversees the "teaching" of sinners and potential disciples of the church as well. Their saying is "A Chain may protect just as it binds."
Crimson Council: The Crimson council comprises the elected officials of the Ordinis Potestas who serve at the head of the church. They oversee the church in its entirety, delegating and leading it towards prosperity and success.
The Tenants of the Order of Dominion
1. Kill not, for a life may only be taken if the bearer will not give up their grievous sins.
2. Lie not, for a lie is a sin that cannot be forgotten and stands against the truth of the Gods.
3. Forget not, that in the service of the Gods and in their holy light our will and life is forfeit.
4. Steal not, for taking that which you have not gained is equivalent stealing from the God who gave it.
5. Commit not acts against the body, do not harm your own body or the bodies of others either mentally or physically for the body is a gift and the Gods shall judge those who mock their gifts.
1. Kill not, for a life may only be taken if the bearer will not give up their grievous sins.
2. Lie not, for a lie is a sin that cannot be forgotten and stands against the truth of the Gods.
3. Forget not, that in the service of the Gods and in their holy light our will and life is forfeit.
4. Steal not, for taking that which you have not gained is equivalent stealing from the God who gave it.
5. Commit not acts against the body, do not harm your own body or the bodies of others either mentally or physically for the body is a gift and the Gods shall judge those who mock their gifts.
Symbol of the Ordinis Potestas
Note from a Repentant sinner
Through the pain, I was brought to the light. Flagellation is how it started and with each stroke of the whip, my mind reeled until I saw the error of my ways. I was then delivered to earnest prayer, placed among fellow sinners, and given the Mandatum Deorum (Mandate of the Gods) to read in silent contemplation. My mind was opened and after a bout of isolation and confession, I now see the lies I told myself. I have been transformed in the light of the Gods.
Aurem commodare ne se ad voluntatem Deorum. (Let them lend ear to the will of the Gods.)
Saying of the Confessors of Ordinis Potestas
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Alternative Names
Domineers, Chosen.
Permeated Organizations
Controlled Territories
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