scholarship of erenth: \Cronos II

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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 I

5109 Gamasiel - originally a priest of the Decadon, Gamasiel had been convicted of heresy and only the mercy of Heimar, High Priest of the Grand Temple, spared him his death sentence. In an extraordinary act of clemency, he was permitted to indulge in the worship of his so-called Forgotten God, for fear of offending an unknown deity. He was also assigned to work as a shepherd for the temple priests. In 5107 he had gathered seven acolyte-pledges to his god and raised them to the priesthood. Then Gamasiel and his Seven Followers 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 Gamasiel's the Forgotten God. When the last of the battles was won, the remaining priests either converted to monotheism or deserted the Grand Temple. The Church of Westrun was born and Gamasiel was then recognized as the Patriarch of that Church.
5124 Planos I - the first Patriarch elected after Gamasiel. A humble man, he seemed ill-suited for the position of grandeur that the High Priesthood of the Grand Temple had established and that the Patriarch would eventually enjoy. He downplayed his own importance, allowing the faithful to refer to him only as "Father" instead of the more appropriate, "Eminence." He was highly educated and a polyglot, but decidedly informal. He was greatly loved by the common people and by his example did more to spread the faith than the combined efforts of those who followed after.
5136 Halded the Militant - he had been a noted soldier before entering the church and becoming its Patriarch. His influence saw to the creation of the Orders of Paladins -- religious knights whose vows would become the basis of their might and power, unlike the "empty words" of so many knights.
5140 Cronos I the Blessed - a holy man and worker of miracles, Cronos served as an acolyte to Gamasiel and had risen to Cardinal Prefect under Halded. He was elevated to the Patriarchate in 5140. He codified the first 15 Canons and established the Scriptoriums which saw to their production.
5159 Planos II the Silent - a good man and able administrator, Planos II is somewhat unfairly termed the silent, owing only to the lack of recognition he had in comparison to Planos I -- a patriarch whose name he took to honor the forebear. Both he and his successor also had the unfortunate distinction of being eclipsed in their reigns by a minor cleric, but highly acclaimed one in Jerebola the Hermitess.
5180 Cronos II the Short - by all accounts a very tall man, he was a Northruner convert to the Church of Westrun. Both he and his predecessor had the unfortunate distinction of being eclipsed in their reigns by a minor cleric, but highly acclaimed one in Jerebola the Hermitess.

The Official Roll of the Canonical Orders of the Church of Westrun and All Erenth

Henceforth, the priests of Westrun will officially called, Clerics. While they are all servants of our ecclesiastical hierarchy, there are nonetheless several Orders that an individual priest might join. Each Order has its own emphasis which it may maintain, provided it does not compromise the central teachings of the Church. Each Order will be headed by a Cardinal Prefect who is nominated and elected by the Order, but whose appointment must be ratified by myself, Ulric, Patriarch in Peakshadow.

The Orders Are: