Showing posts with label \Salan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label \Salan. Show all posts

History of Man -- Book 1: Westrun Part 15

Thelstan of Treft was sentenced to the High Throne in 5101. He was a good man and a strong leader by all accounts, but he was cursed to live in a tumultuous time that saw many changes. Heimar the Compromising was the High Priest of the Grand Temple at that time, and he vied with the Archmage Vecna for the ear of Thelstan, who seemed to prefer to keep his own counsel.

Heimar had been merciful to a young priest, writing him a pardon from the charge of heresy and permitting him to indulge in the worship of his so-called Forgotten God. In 5107 the priest, named Gamasiel, had gathered seven acolyte-pledges to his god and raised them to the priesthood. Then Gamasiel and the Seven ignited the War of the Gods against the other priests of the Grand Temple. The war took place in a series of ten battles of miracles, which were challenges to the power of the elder gods and ended with signs that showed the power of the Forgotten God. When the last of the battles was won, the priests either converted or deserted the Grand Temple and the monotheistic Church of Westrun was born. Gamasiel was then recognized as the Patriarch of that Church. 

In 5121 Edmun of Menea succeeded Thelstan to the Throne. During his reign, Planos became Patriach upon the death of Gamasiel.

In 5128 Edmun was followed by Eadred of Menea whose reign was only two years, but was best known for the Edict of Supremacy in Faith of 5129.

Eadred was followed by Aleranus the Pious in 5130. Halded the Militant was the Patriarch during Aleranus' reign. The High Throne and the Patriarchy saw to the creation of the Orders of Religious Knights, or Paladins, from the most devout and most charismatic from the sworn knighthood. 

In 5140 Serolgar of Rath followed Aleranus and during his reign Cronos the Blessed was Patriarch over the Church.

In 5150 Clanute of Treft was sentenced to the High Throne and he was followed by Hareld of Menea in 5159, During Hareld's reign, Planos II the Silent and Cronos II the Short served as Patriarchs and both are notable for being eclipsed by the influence of Jerebola the Compassionate -- a hermitess of Sakish royal blood who forsook her riches and lived in a mountain cave in the manner of some Hierophants. The faithful of the Church of Westrun journeyed from near and far to hear the words she spoke and encouragements she offered.

in 5187 Braolas of the Guilds became High King, following Clanute. He is known for having strengthened the guild system, securing the legacy and integrity of trades. He also reinforced the rule of law across the Eight Kingdoms, especially concerning commerce and labor. Because of his contributions, a new middle class rose from civic or mercantile leadership rather than from noble or religious backgrounds. Braolas helped to stabilize Westrun society after a century of religious upheaval and shifting loyalties by grounding authority in law and tradition. Patriarch Salan was head of the Church of Westrun at that time.

Procession of the Patriarchs of the Church of Westrun Part II

  • 5201 Salan - a largely forgettable Patriarch, Salan was a man widely suspected of indulging carnal desires. He was also the first Patriarch to serve with no record of miracles to his credit.
  • 5231 Anastorin - was brother to High King Aleranus II. It is believed by many that his appointment was a political one, and owed nothing to his clerical bonafides.
  • 5237 Myrmid the Champion - a one-time Paladin who became a cleric and was eventually elevated to the Patriarchate. He went into battle with the forces of the Iron Duke, though no love was lost between them. He was a popular Warrior-Patriarch and beloved of the people. 
  • 5242 Elbar - formally established the first three orders of the Church of Westrun, the Most Learned Brothers of Worthy Planos; the Devout Order of Clerics Regular of the Penitent Knights of Poverty; and the Laboring Order of Worthy Gamasiel.
  • 5254 Brod the Diplomat - formally established an order of the Church of Westrun in the Observant Society of Worthy Cronos, he moved the Arcade of Formation from Peakshadow to the Theocracy of Talir and appointed the High Priest Elect as its Prime Docent and Holy Guardian -- titles some consider to be mere wordplay to mollify the latter's ego.
  • 5273 Otmar - a somewhat prickly man whose poor disposition and distinctive scowl is credited with beginning something of a rift between the Patriarchate and the Supreme Holy Council of Talir. He was the Patriarch who identified and typefied "the Trials" -- a supreme trial of faith which began to afflict many quarters of the church and is experienced even to the present day.
  • 5282 Ulric - an accomplished musician of some regard, and a master of eight languages, Ulric was well-educated on a variety of topics. He also contributed, in his early career, several works on Halflings, Gnomes and Elves. He would serve two years as Patriarch before actually joining himself to combat at the Battle of Wanderhalt. In that conflict he proved himself a powerful miracle-worker and Warrior-Patriarch exceeding the reputation of Myrmid. He formally established an order of the Church of Westrun in the Compassionist Society of Worthy Jerebola. He gave his life in the service of the Church and his God, expending his very life energy in working of his last miracle.
  • 5287 Philbert - the present Patriarch of the Church.