by David Hall and Nick Brooke
History
The Holy Church was born amidst the spiritual turmoil and chaos that reigned in the time after the God Learners and the destruction of Old Seshnela. During that time there were many petty states and no organised or theologically unified church. Warfare and heresy were rife.
In 1310 Saint Rokar was born in Leplain. As a young apprentice priest he was visited first by Hrestol, and then by Malkion. They imparted to him the knowledge of the old laws which had been lost during the time of the God Learners. Their message was of One God, One Church, One King, One Peace. Hrestol also prophesied that a hammer would be forged in Rindland that would itself reforge the ancient Kingdom of Seshnela.
Rokar's insight and knowledge was at first scorned by his fellow monks, and when he continued to espouse his views he was defrocked as a priest and cast out of his monastery. However, outside of the official church he continued to preach his message to all that would hear, and a popular movement grew up amongst the peasants of the land who tired of the war and constant change in their lives.
In 1349 Rokar was arrested by the church, tried, and condemned for heresy. He was burned at the stake, but when the flames reached their height all who were there saw a holy messengers, Solace and Joy, come down from the sky and lead pious Rokar to the Creator. After this his teachings spread rapidly across Seshnela and beyond. Often its preachers were persecuted and killed, but the message could not be stopped.
In 1410 Bailifes the Hammer, Duke of Rindland, was converted to the ways of Rokar. With the war banner of Saint Rokar he then lead a holy crusade across Seshnela to bring the Faith to everyone, and to fulfil the prophesy of the hammer. His opponents were finally defeated at the First and Second Battles of Asgolan Fields in 1412 and their leaders put to the stake. In 1413 Bailifes was crowned King of Seshnela by Mardron, the Archbishop of Leplain, and the newly-appointed Ecclesiarch of the Holy Church of Rokarism.
Since that time the descendants of Bailifes have ruled the Faithful by divine right and in the name of the Invisible God, and his prophets Malkion, Hrestol and Rokar.
There have been some attempts in the last one hundred years to subvert the Laws of Rokar and Malkion by heretics who have played on the fear and ignorance of the peasants. Therefore in 1547 the Inquisitorial Order of the Golden Lance was set up to seek out such heresies and heretics and refute them. The order is composed of devout members of both the knight and priest castes.
Theology
At the Sixth Ecclesiastical Council of Malkion the united churches of Seshnela and Loskalm declared unanimously that there is only one god and he is the Invisible God and his prophets were Malkion, Hrestol and Rokar. All good Malkioni accept this decision.
We follow the Laws of Malkion including the prescription on tapping of those which we love. However, Tapping of animals by the wizard caste to provide sustenance is permitted, in the same way that the other castes obtain sustenance through the milk, wool, skin, bone, sinews and flesh of animals. Since it is well known that animals do not have souls, they are therefore incapable of being loved in any meaningful way and so tapping of them is wholly acceptable.
We value the peasant and knight's loyalty to their lord.
We believe that there should be no caste mobility. Each person is born into his class, lives in his class, does the tasks of his class, and dies in his class. A man need only master his own station in life to achieve salvation. A great farmer is as much value as a mighty knight or a wise king.
In the past the God Learner's heretical preachings were made easier because our caste rigidity had been broken, and we must all make sure this is not allowed to happen again. We are proud that under the guidance of Rokar our church has expunged all traces of God Learnerism from its creed.
The problem of sin is of great concern to us. Sin is the breaking of the laws of Malkion and Rokar. This includes the breaking of caste taboos, tapping, impure thoughts, theft, adultery, falsehood, drunkenness, gluttony, immortality spells, heretical thoughts, envy, slander, avarice, inane speech, indecency, and arguing with a priest or your lord. Sin is wrong! One small sin today is one more small step toward hell and damnation!
Beware, sinners! In the Underworld the Devil lives in Hell. It is a cold place of darkness creatures and horrible Krjalki monsters who delight in torturing pagans, murderers, heretics, witches, caste breakers, tappers, sexual deviants, and habitual sinners for all eternity. Only strict adherence to the Faith can save you!
We also hold the following views:
Women are inferior to men in spiritual terms. They lack the intellectual capacity of men, as well as their strength. Due to a lack of spiritual backbone they are also susceptible to Devilish influences and can therefore be dangerous. The cult of the Deceiver, Gbaji, was mainly led by women who had been seduced by Gbaji's Krjalki incubi. Never trust a woman's word: they always change their mind. Due to their inferiority, women can only obtain salvation within the Peasant and Noble castes; they are not capable of becoming priests or warriors.
Alchemy is a demonic practice that has no part in the worship of the Invisible God. Similarly Astrology has recently been the subject of an investigation which has found that its practitioners worship demons to get their results.
There is also a report in progress concerning the issue of marriage within the wizard caste. Many view marriage as weakening the faith and potency of priests. Indeed, some priests and bishops no longer marry.
Hierarchy
At the head of the Church is the Ecclesiarch of Rokarism who is traditionally also the Archbishop of Leplain. This position has been held for the last 150 years by Theoblanc the Pious.
The next level of the church are the bishops who each hold spiritual sway over a part of Seshnela. In those lands they answer only to their Count, the Ecclesiarch, and the King. The Holy Bishoprics are: Arnlor, Deu, Dangk, Estau, Gilboch, Leplain, Noyelle, Seguraine and Voi. The Ecclesiarch also has spiritual authority over the Bishops of Nolos, Pasos and Pithdaros.
The Inquisitorial Order of the Golden Lance is a body which reports directly to the Ecclesiarch. By ancient right, given by Romaine IV, King of Seshnela, it has the power to investigate anyone in the Rokari church and act as it or the Ecclesiarch sees fit. It is lead by the Knight Commander of the Order, at this time he is Sir Alverius Canardain.
Important Saints
Saint Gerlant Flameking ruled Seshnela during the time of Gbaji. He was the perfect ruler, and he even sacrificed Arkat, his greatest friend, to save his people. He is worshipped by our wise rulers and by those who are content to be rules by our rightful overlords.
Saint Hrestol was a Talar who had a vision of the Malkion, the holy prophet. He taught many of the rules and laws which most Malkioni follow to this day. He introduced the vows of knighthood and chivalry and gave the responsibility for them to the nobles. He ruled that serfs and wizards could not bear arms, but that knights and nobles should.
Saint Mardron was the disciple of Saint Rokar who brought King Bailifes to the faith and became the first Ecclesiarch of the Holy Church. He spent much of his time as Ecclesiarch building many monasteries and cathedrals across the land, the finest of which is in Leplain, the Holy See. He also hosted the Sixth Ecclesiastical Council of Malkion in Leplain, where he was canonised. He embraced Solace and Joy when he was 103 years old.
Saint Rokar was a priest from the city of Leplain who was visited by Malkion and Hrestol and taught the ancient laws that had been lost in the time of the God Learners. Though he was martyred by his enemies the truth of his words could not be silenced. He is everyone's patron saint.
Attitudes to Other Sects
Hrestoli
The Hrestoli hold the dangerous belief that there can be mobility between castes. This is very dangerous, given the uncertainties of this time. It is possibly the reason why the Kingdom of War has emerged - the Creator is punishing them for their sins.
The Hrestoli have an unhealthy regard for women. They have even allowed some of them to join their church and become bishops. Churches ordained by women are in fact unholy and sinful whore-houses.
Stygians
There are many small sects that believe that Arkat discovered greater secrets when he betrayed Malkionism and was excommunicated. This is obviously so spurious and untrue that such sects are worthless. The Third Ecclesiastical Council of Malkion ruled that there are no higher secrets beyond the worship of the Invisible God.
Galvosti
This sect believes that tapping is permissible if only non-Malkioni are tapped. Their heresy originated with the Kingdom of Nomia, which was friendly to the God Learners. When the wrath of the Invisible God fell upon the God Learners the Kingdom of Nomia was destroyed as well. Yet these heretics still fail to see the light!
Borists
This is a secret heretical organisation that seeks to tap Chaos creatures so that its followers may follow the Devil in his image. Their agents are everywhere, and they must be rooted out at every opportunity. If you suspect that anyone, your wife, your lord, or your children, are Borists then you must inform the inquisition.
Sedalpists
We do not have any information on this sect, except that it comes from the southern continent.
