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by Binsetsu on Wed Aug 07, 2013 2:31 pm
The Triumvirate Faith
Description: The Triumvirate Faith, despite being first and foremost a religious order, is at the same time also a nation. One of humanity's military and economic superpowers, the Triumvirate Faith has combined politics, military force and religion into one force, much to the chagrin of the non-humans and indeed, some of the other human nations as well.
Religion: The Triumvirate Faith is based on the worship of a trio of deities, each representing their own virtue.
The first is Garganth, who represents strength. Garganth is described as a mountain of a man, with arms the size of tree trunks and with enough strength to crush castles in a single blow. Despite the often imposing depictions of this man, his greatest strength is said to be his strength of will. Garganth is said to cherish those with the strength to defend others and only smiles upon those who use that strength to do exactly that. He opposes those who use their strength for their own gain and the scriptures say he is particularly offended by the sight of dwarves. Followers of Garganth pride themselves in their strength, both physical and mentally and are known to be extremely headstrong. Serving Garganth directly is the Black Shield Order, a group of militant minded nobles and prestigious soldiers who defend the many churches, cathedrals and pilgrims of the faith.
The second is known as Kain, who represents loyalty. Kain is described as a man of moderate size and features, with thin arms and a kind smile. Kain cherishes loyalty above all else, especially those who are loyal to the faith. Brotherly, familial or friendly loyalty is considered important but second to loyalty to the faith and its leadership. The scriptures say he despises the Fae, though both priets and scholars have never been able to figure out exactly why. In direct service to Kain is the White Sword Order, a group of soldiers who have been promoted because of their loyalty to the faith. They serve as the heavy infantry in the holy armies of the Faith.
The third is known Abilmel, who represents purity and is the supreme deity of the Triumvirate Faith. Abilmel is notoriously poorly described in the scriptures, to the point it is unknown whether Abilmel is a man, a woman, or both. Therefore he is usually described with a male pronoun, as his compatriots are both male. He is often praised for being the purest being the world has ever known and he favours those who are pure in their faith. The Fae are uniquely despised by Abilmel. Abilmel is served directly by the Black Cross Order, an elite force selected from the ranks of the Black Shields and White Swords Orders.
Politics: The Triumvirate Faith is led by a trio of chosen representatives, who are not only heads of the state, but the religious leaders of the Faith as well. Although seemingly democratic in nature, the three religious leaders are chosen by the myriad bishops of the faith, rather than the populace as a whole. Each of the three governs a different part of life and represents one of the trio of deities.
The representative of Garganth takes care of internal affairs and civilian matters. The representative of Kain manages the military and external affairs and the representative of Abilmel handles religious matters and the conversion of heretics.
Relations with other nations: The Triumvirate Faith has relatively good standing with most other human nations, provided they follow the Faith as well. Their religious nature has led to numerous churches and cathedrals to be established even beyond their own lands, in a way that some opponents of the faith have called religious colonialism. Indeed, these churches in other human lands are known to not only nearly subvert the established political leadership of a given region, but also to house a unusually large military force. Most human nations accept this however, as the Faith is well-known for being an extremely reliable ally. They are quick to ally with nations whose leadership is also of the faith and quick to abandon, or indeed, attack those who are not.
Non-human races are for the most part extremely hostile to the Faith. The Faithās stance that non-humans are lesser beings and their tendency to call a crusade on the lands of non-humans have made them extremely unpopular. The fact that the faith will also immediately join any human against non-human war on the side of the humans have only exasperated the hostility shown towards the Faith by non-humans.
Military: The Triumvirate Faith is known, perhaps more so than their religious beliefs, for their military. Obscenely large, well-equipped and properly trained, the Triumvirate Faithās military, better known as the Faith Militant, is one of humanity's largest and greatest fighting forces. Everyone, provided they are human, can join the Faith Militant and promotions are based on merit, rather than blood or wealth, which has led to a well-managed and strategic capable fighting force. The Faith Militant is split up in four different orders, each populated by a different type of soldier. Leadership is well known to be fluid and easy, each of the orders works by the same chain of command and only one of the orders stands above the others, the remaining three are expected to always follow the orders of those of higher rank, whether or not they are of the same order or not.
The first and greatest of the orders is the Black Cross Order. An elite group of warriors who have proven themselves on the battlefield and have shown their faith is unshakeable. They are known to be elite warriors, armed to the teeth in the finest weaponry the Faith can produce and to be zealous to unfathomable degrees.
The second and third of the orders are the Black Shield and White Sword Orders. These warriors are often noble born, but promotion into their ranks is a common occurance as well. Those who can afford the expensive equipment are expected to buy it themselves, but the Faith provides for those who canāt. Technically both orders are comprised of heavy infantry and heavy cavalry, but the Black Shields are more focused on defensive combat, whereas the White Swords focus on offence.
The fourth of the orders is the Faithful Many Order. Of the Faith Militant, this order makes up the bulk. Comprised of both volunteers, professional soldiers and conscripts, the Faithful Many are a large fighting force whose weaponry is provided for by the deep coffers of the Faith. Each who desires to serve must be able to adhere to strict physical requirements and show they are truly faithful and capable of following the chain of command. Well-equipped and well trained, the Faithful Many are known to be an army to be reckoned with.
Besides the four main orders there is also the Order of the Cloth, which is populated by everyone who didnāt fit in one of the four other orders. Criminals, physically unfit, rebellious youths, the Order of the Cloth is populated by them. Technically larger than even the Faithful Many Order, the Order of the Cloth is not considered part of the regular Faith Militant and as such, fall outside the chain of command. As a side-effect, the rest of the Faith Militant is known to be utterly disinterested in the fate of those who serve in this order and their utter annihilation would not even result in lifted eyebrows from the other orders.
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