by Nick Brooke and David Hall
History
The Church of Syanor has existed since before the Red Moon, when the heroic Saint Talor saved the whole land of Fronela from the evil Deceiver. He spread Truth and Piety throughout Fronela. All the cities of Loskalm, Dona, Junora and Syanor worshipped Malkion according to the rites he taught.
For most of the Second Age, however, Syanor was dominated by the God Learner rulers of Loskalm. It was liberated at the end of the Second Age, and the Church was revitalised when the great Fronelan hero, Jonat Big-Bear, went on pilgrimage to ancient Seshnela. He rescued many priceless artefacts of the true religion from the corrupt God Learners who held them, and returned to his homeland in Syanor, bringing with him these great relics and spiritual treasures.
The reborn Church of Syanor was widespread and united in the early Third Age. In the fifteenth century, however, a great migration of Pelorian refugees came down the Janube to settle in Dona, the central expanse of the Janube River. They brought with them the illuminating light of the Lunar Way, and won the hearts and minds of the people of Eastpoint, Southbank and Riverjoin. The Syanoran Church in those cities gladly embraced the new revelations of the Red Moon Prophetess.
A hundred and twenty five years ago, the evil wizards of Loskalm cast a great Enchantment known as the Ban over the whole of Fronela. This created impenetrable, cursed borders, separating the different parts of Syanor from one another for almost a century. The bishoprics of Dona could no longer support each other or bring the Lunar Light to their upcountry and less cosmopolitan confreres in Jonatela, Junora, Karstall and Timms. The rulers of these regions still follow the old Syanoran beliefs, bereft of the Healing Light of the Red Moon.
Alas! Without this invaluable aid, the evil Kingdom of War is sweeping across Junora, conquering every city it comes to; while the King of Jonatela, an unjust and grasping man, has ousted the pious Count Belathgert of Karstall from his rightful seat, and now moves against the free and independent county of Timms. King Congern is no friend of the Church; he is a lustful man, and a sinner. His priests and bishops have many times remonstrated with him, but to no avail. Unless these archaic remnants of the Church of Syanor accept the spiritual unity and harmonious perfection taught by the Red Moon Prophetess, they may be doomed to defeat and destruction.
Theology
There is one Creator God and he is the Invisible God. His prophets were Malkion, Talar, and the Red Moon Prophetess.
There are many other spirits and gods of the land, which can be appeased and used by man. All are part of the natural bounty of the realm of the Creator. It is wrong for bishops or priests of the Invisible God to give these lesser deities worship, though it is wholly acceptable for the members of their flock to do so.
Our priests and bishops follow the Laws of Malkion, including his absolute prohibition on Divorce for the clergy. "Do not ruin that which you Love," said the Prophet. The holy state of matrimony between two blessed individuals is a perfect expression of spiritual Love: those who are joined in God's service must let no others come between them.
We value the loyalty of farmers and soldiers to their elected lords.
Social mobility is made possible to all through the Lunar Way: all men are born equal, and can (through election, acclamation and appointment) rise to the station they prove themselves worthy to hold. Our bishops are elected by the priesthoods; our captains by their soldiery; our lords by all of the people.
We also hold the following views:
Women are fully equal to men in all ways, spiritual and physical. They can become priestesses and bishops, knights and lords.
Bishops must marry, so that through the sacred rites their sundered nature may be reunited. Priests and priestesses should marry, and raise many children to succeed them.
Hierarchy
There is no recognised head of the Syanoran Church. Its bishops determine doctrine as a collegium, in which they meet as equals.
The highest officials of the church are the Bishops who each hold spiritual sway over a part of Syanor. The Holy Bishoprics are: Einpor, Molene, Okarnia, Riverjoin, Karstall, Southbank, Timms, Eastpoint and Galastar. Because of the evil influence of Loskalmi sorcery, the Churches of Einpor, Karstall, Timms and Okarnia have yet to enter the light of the Lunar Way, while those in Molene and Galastar have been destroyed by hordes of barbaric pagans.
Important Heroes
Hrestol was a Prince who had a vision of Malkion, the holy prophet, and taught many of the rules and laws which we follow to this day. He ruled that all men are equal, regardless of birth, and that they can aspire to any role in society they are appointed to by popular consent.
Talor, called the Laughing Warrior, liberated the land of Fronela at the end of the First Age. He cast out the minions of the Deceiver, an evil cult which came from the East, and united the Church of Fronela. His followers were eventually driven out to Carmania, whence their pure doctrines returned to Syanor with the Arrolian Migration.
