The right answer
Alypia held a neutral tone, in the way only Urizeni Questions can make absolutely infuriating. "You do realise, that Empress Richilde herself has no signs?"
"That's probably Nicovar's fault, so much was lost in the fires." Ygraine easily turned the comment around, it came natural to a Troubador like her.
Alypia maintained her polite, cool etherealness as if she were made of the heady air of her home. "Nicovar burned the libraries in 209, Richilde was recognised in 219"
"...oh, well surely she has signs then?"
"Nope."
"She's Empress Richilde! She's the very embodiment of Pride!"
"Ok, how?"
"She was the one who crystallised the ability of everyone to feel a sense of belonging to the Empire! She was a ground-breaking figure in the history of the Way!"
"So what are her signs?"
"Ask a Pride Priest!" Ygraine snapped, her patience finally exhausted.
Overview
The Way Assembly have found the highest calling of those priests who commit themselves to discussing and promoting the faith as a whole rather than any single virtue. Bryn Tendfallen's statement of principle regarding the importance of the assembly's custodianship of the canon managed to convince their fellow theologians and has sought to focus on that sacred duty.
Formally the Assembly of the Way is expected to be responsible for the integrity of the Way itself, Many in the Assembly see themselves as responsible for the faith itself, dedicating themselves to creating a more perfect understanding of the Way, even as they strive to maintain the fidelity of the Doctrines of the Faith. Bryn's statements chimes with these sentiments, as it urges the faithful to strengthen the faith by questioning and challenging what is known.
Such questioning is never without risk. Revelation can shake the foundations of the Way, as it did with shocking discovery about the true nature of Vardas. To test a thing you must put it under stress. However, by making the need to test the faith their highest calling, the Assembly of the Way has an opportunity to examine the faith in a controlled way that ensures that nothing disastrous can happen. There are costs, you cannot question the faith without shaking people's confidence in it, but the stewardship of the Way will ensure that those costs cannot spiral out of control.
Revelation in this way, may test the faithful, but it won't permanently damage their dedication to the Way. And with the support of the other Virtue assemblies it may leave the faith stronger than ever at the end.
The Imperial Way is a beacon to the entire world, showing the path to Enlightenment. The light of that beacon must be tended and renewed to keep it burning bright. Virtue calls us to test what we know. Building a Way that is strengthened by questions, challenges, and revelations rather than being threatened by them is the Highest Calling of this Assembly.
Brynn Tendfallen, Way Assembly, Spring 388YE, Vote: Upheld with a Greater Majority 268-30
Question, Challenge and Reveal
- For the next year, the Assembly of the Way can pass one or more statements of principle that raise questions about an exemplar or paragon
- If a statement of principle passes with a greater majority, then the Virtuous will question what they believe about the inspirational figure
The most common way for priests both lay and of the synod to explain and reinforce the seven paths of virtue is by the stories of the paragons. Tenets and auras are virtue in the abstract, but the practical ways in which those recognised lived their lives is always easier to understand any apply ones own experiences to. When one asks how they might despise the thieving bandit, the lazy wastrel, the grasping miser, and those who take without giving, one need only look to the example set by Good Walder. When a pilgrim of Wisdom asks how they might go about finding the right question, tales of the lives of Zoria or Kala give useful examples that can be applied to their own thinking.
Beyond this, those Exemplars who are recognised while still living serve as a focal point of inspiration and increased devotion; they are people you can actually meet, who you can ask about their experiences and seek guidance from. They become real manifestations of the faith people hold in their hearts that have a much more immediate connection than a storyteller regurgitating the sayings of a figure separated from you by history, culture and circumstance.
It is no wonder then, when revelations about those who the synod have raised up as beacons of virtue come out (as recently happened with Vardas) and damage their reputation that their is such turmoil across the ten nations. A fundamental part of the self-identity of the followers of that virtue and trust in the synod itself is fundamentally shaken. But the Courageous face unwelcome truths - it is one thing to discover out of the blue that a beloved paragon never existed, it is another thing entirely to openly debate the nature of the paragons and exemplars in the knowledge that all knowledge is incomplete. It is welcomed then, that the Way Assembly is looking to test what they have learned and ensure that the faith may be protected against such events in the future.
For the next year, the Way Assembly can pass any number of statements of principle, each naming a single exemplar or paragon and stating any question or concern they have with their elevated status in the faith. Perhaps they are missing key signs, or that it is unclear as to how precisely they embody the virtue they were recognised for. Whatever the issues are, as long as the concerns are clear and the statement achieves a greater majority, then it will cause adherents of the inspirational figures virtue to ruminate upon them.
Only Fools Accept Hearsay
- Legitimate questions about a paragon will impose a penalty of two votes on the relevant Virtue assembly if they are not answered at the following summit
- The Virtue Assembly can answer the questions if they pass a clear statement of principle with a greater majority that addresses the concerns
- The General Assembly could answer the questions if they pass a statement of recognition that derecognises the inspirational figure
As was seen with the recent revelations and following the derecognition of Vardas, such change coming from outside the Synod and forcing the body to act reactively trouble the general population and can cause a severe crisis of faith. By taking this proactive path, the Way can ensure that does not happen here. The laypeople of the Empire will see the Synod as rightfully discussing and debating the faith, and that will ensure that the consequences are guaranteed not to spiral out of control unless further complicated by subsequent opportunities.
There will still be consequences however, especially if there is no evidence that the questions being raised or being engaged with or answered. If the relevant Virtue assembly does not respond to the concerns with a statement of principle of their own at the subsequent summit then it will shake the faith of the Virtuous. If there is no response of any kind then the Virtue Assembly will experience a loss in voting strength and influence in the wider Synod until they do respond. (OOC Note: They will experience a two vote penalty to all congregations that preach that Virtue in the downtime following the subsequent event, until the Assembly passes a statement of principle in response).
These concerns will linger until the Virtue assembly finds a way to provide a clear, convincing response. If the assembly confidently passes a statement of principle that clearly address the concerns in the minds of the populace, then that will restore the trust of the faithful and remove any penalty. If the Assembly faul to agree a response with a greater majority then the alternative would be for the General Assembly to de-recognise the chosen exemplar or paragon. The General Assembly could do that with a lesser majority for an exemplar or a greater majority for paragon. While that would be a drastic step, it would also settle the matter and remove the penalty.
This system of internal review will renew trust and adherence to the teachings of the forebears of Virtue who have been questioned and come out stronger then ever. The canon of the Synod will ultimately be strengthened by cutting any who do not truly deserve to be lifted up as an embodiment of the seven. Crucially this approach will ensure the Synod does not find itself facing an unexpected crisis of faith. It is possible that if the Assembly of the Way raises probing questions or the response of a Virtue assembly provides a compelling response, that it may generate renewed interest in the particular figure to the point it may generate a new opportunity to take further action, but the situation won't grow more challenging unless the Synod actively pursues those opportunities.
OOC Design Note
When it comes to answering any questions posed by the Way Assembly, it is not necessary to provide hard, physical evidence of the truth of any given facet of these figures. That is not how faith works in Empire. What the Virtue assembly will need to provide are compelling arguments, reasons and explanations that cover the issues raised. It might mean expanding on or identifying relevant signs or explaining how the story of a given figure is inspirational and relevant to the lay-people of the Way.
This is an opportunity for people to roleplay around those themes, rather than asking Leviathan or historians for definitive fact regarding every historically recognised person. (You can still ask Leviathan questions, or carry out historical research, about these figures, of course, but that shouldn't be the only way to respond. The only thing that definitely won't work is trying to claim that the questions themselves are not valid.
Further Reading
- Judgements
- Winds