Draconic Catholicism

Public Agenda

To enlighten the people of the world to the true nature of Dragons as embodiments of the divine.

Assets

Almost the entirety of the wealth and knowledge of the Vatican, several orders of knights dedicated to the defense of the religion, and the right to use magic beyond that allowed to the court mages of the Council of Kings

History

Originally a widely variable collection of cults dedicated to the idea that Dragons were Angels sent by God to cleanse the world, it was usurped by the Dragons soon after their restoration of the Holy Roman Empire, and installed as the state religion after the founding of the Second Papacy and the election of Pontifex Drakonikos II.

Mythology & Lore

While it is based primarily upon the Bible, particularly Catholic interpretations, Dragons and their enemies have been inserted in key portions. Dragons often take the place of Angels, and Jesus is replaced by a powerful Dragon mage in disguise sent to bring about the end of the Roman Empire. Krakens take the place of Satan, although he is split into three different characters, separately representing trickery, destruction, and Hell.
There is also a third book, which can be summed up as a religious interpretation of Emperor Dragosi's conquest of Europe, claiming his status as an Archangel who is ultimately split in two by the trickery of a Kraken in disguise, with the two parts becoming the current Dragosi and and Pontifex Drakonikos I. In the second half of this text, it is revealed that Drakonikos I was corrupted by the Kraken's weapon, becoming an "dark reflection" of Dragosi, who kills his "twin," and founds the Council of Kings to name his successor, who becomes Drakonikos II.

Divine Origins

What Draconic Catholicism lacks in subtlety, it makes up for in the unwavering faith of believers, as the Dragons have killed or recruited many that would publicly question them. While it began as simply explaining the sudden appearance of Dragons and such as punishment from God in a small number of fringe groups, it was encouraged to grow by the Dragons and was eventually co-opted by them once they had established a mostly stable government.
The idea that Pontifex Drakonikos is the second of his name arose after a disagreement in who should rule the newly reformed Holy Roman Empire started a short-lived civil war between Dragosi and Drakonikos, who can best be described in human terms as his brother. This civil war was ended by Dragosi declaring Drakonikos the spiritual leader of the Empire while he was the temporal ruler. They then worked in tandem to create the "Third Testament" which explained the civil war as being started by a now-destroyed being, rather than the one now in charge of the religion.
In the intervening years, they have worked backwards to edit religious texts, completing their work in 103 AE.

Cosmological Views

According to the revised Old Testament, God created the world as a place for his Angels, the Dragons, to work their will and interfere with as they see fit.

Tenets of Faith

1. The Dragons stand above all Beings of this World, and before all Gods but One
2. Do not speak the Names of Dragons apart from their Titles
3. On the last day of the Week, remember the lives sacrificed for the Dragons to reclaim the world, and Rest
4. Honor the Dragons at every opportunity
5. Do not Slay the Dragons' Subjects
6. As all Things belong to the Dragons, to Steal from another is to Steal from a Dragon
7. Do not Speak with False Believers, nor listen to their Words
8. To tell a Falsehood before a Dragon is to Defy God
9. Do not Covet the Artifacts of the Old World, as they are Tools of the Deep Ones
10. The Power of the Dragons is the One True Power

Ethics

Most things that are pious or sinful are determined by what the Dragons think is dangerous or useful. Technology, Psionics, and Druidism are always banned, and are among the High Sins, directly going against the Ten Commandments. Heresy is obviously opposed heavily, though the exact definition of heresy can vary somewhat based on how practical it is to denounce or convert a certain population.
Most non-humans are seen as innately unholy, though some exceptions can be made, particularly in Hungary, where a number have settled to escape the Mythic Empire of Greece, ruled with an iron fist by Medusa and her cabal of mythical monsters.

Priesthood

Under the Pontifex is Arch-Cardinal Father Drake, Cardinal of Rome. Below him are the High Cardinals, each of which represent one of the ten Kingdoms in the Holy Roman Empire, besides the Papal States. Each High Cardinal has between four and seven Cardinals under him or her, with the exception of Venice, which only has two of the so-called Lesser Cardinals.
Besides the upper echelons, all of whom are powerful Channelers, there are a number of lesser priests, roughly mirroring the Catholic Church from Before. The High Cardinals are appointed by Father Drake, and the Lesser Cardinals are appointed by their superiors. Important priesthoods are appointed by the Lesser Cardinals, though lesser priests are generally appointed by local religious councils from the population of literate peasants, extra children of nobles, and monks that make up the strata of non-priestly members of the religious structure.

Granted Divine Powers

Channeling is seen as divine by the clergy, and many are gifted the power by their Draconic masters. Other boons include ancient weapons and artifacts such as Durendal and Joyeuse.

Render All Unto the Dragons

Founding Date

~2 AE, Organized 38 AE

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Leader

Pontifex Drakonikos II

Permeated Organizations

• Holy Roman Empire

Location

Vatican City

Notable Members

• Pontifex Drakonikos II