Knights of the Black Cross, a Chronicle
Dec 2, 2016 14:40:50 GMT -8
Emperor Rexus Aleksander likes this
Post by The Kingdom of Audria on Dec 2, 2016 14:40:50 GMT -8
Knights of the Black Cross
Author's Note
The author intends to record the creation, purpose, achievements, and end goal of the Brotherhood. The reader's goal should be to indulge themselves in the knowledge found within these pages. To properly record the chronicle of the Knight Brothers, the author must explain the origin of their belief: Angelism; the author also intends to explain the nature of their conquests, which are often construed as sacrilegious.
Part I: Angelism
Many years ago when the Divine One still walked this world as a mortal he was known as Saint John. John's full name and origin cannot be identified, for he did not record his life before turning to Angelism. John's original profession involved medicine and surgery, acting as a doctor. It was during his time that the Cataclysm struck the world. Famine, plague, and harsh conditions beset the world; Despair reigned and Hope became diminished. Hope is the sole intangible force which can drive away Despair.
The Old World crumbled into anarchy and John saw this. He set out to find the answers, for he questioned why the Angels in Heaven would abandon them, why Hope would give away to Despair. Wherever he traveled he found those in need. The people were sick, hungry, thirsty, tired, and lost. He healed them, fed them, gave them water and rest, and guided them. The people put their faith in him, for they believed he alone could lead the world out of the darkness of the Cataclysm. But John was a humble man, and after doing all that he could, he set out to find the answers he sought.
There was no priest, no mage, and no seer in the world who could offer him what he wanted. They spoke of Fiery Hells, Fallen Angels, and Corruption, but never offered a way to find Hope. And as he continued his journey he found more people in need. Once more, he helped them, for he knew if he was in need he'd wish to be helped too.
And then there came the day when John's word and very person become the embodiment of Hope. He underwent a sense of realization and transcendence. It was he who gave the people Hope, and he alone who gave them purpose to live. When he came to this conclusion he recorded all his morals, life experiences, and teachings. His followers came to call this book the Scripture. John was venerated as Saint John, Bringer of Hope and Vanquisher of Despair. His flock grew and he became its shepherd, but he still made enemies.
In his final days, as he finished the Scripture, John set out with his Disciplines to find a suitable homeland for his people. While besieged atop a mountain by his enemies, John and his greatest warriors, known as the Brothers, from which the Brotherhood took its name, stayed behind to hold off the enemy. The Brothers all died as martyrs, and Saint John himself was taken to the camp of his enemies, wherein he was burned before his people upon a cross; that which was left was a black cross. Saint John's soul ascended to the Heavens to join the Angels, and there he has become venerated as the Most Holy, our Lord and the Divine One.
When news of his death and ascension spread, his enemies found themselves beset on all sides by friends of the Most Holy. They smote them and pursued all who would oppose his people to the ends of the earth. His morals, teachings, and life experiences recorded in the Scripture, and the unity that he inspired in his people allowed the world to claw itself out of the cold grave of Despair, giving way to the Light of the Present.
The author intends to record the creation, purpose, achievements, and end goal of the Brotherhood. The reader's goal should be to indulge themselves in the knowledge found within these pages. To properly record the chronicle of the Knight Brothers, the author must explain the origin of their belief: Angelism; the author also intends to explain the nature of their conquests, which are often construed as sacrilegious.
Part I: Angelism
Many years ago when the Divine One still walked this world as a mortal he was known as Saint John. John's full name and origin cannot be identified, for he did not record his life before turning to Angelism. John's original profession involved medicine and surgery, acting as a doctor. It was during his time that the Cataclysm struck the world. Famine, plague, and harsh conditions beset the world; Despair reigned and Hope became diminished. Hope is the sole intangible force which can drive away Despair.
The Old World crumbled into anarchy and John saw this. He set out to find the answers, for he questioned why the Angels in Heaven would abandon them, why Hope would give away to Despair. Wherever he traveled he found those in need. The people were sick, hungry, thirsty, tired, and lost. He healed them, fed them, gave them water and rest, and guided them. The people put their faith in him, for they believed he alone could lead the world out of the darkness of the Cataclysm. But John was a humble man, and after doing all that he could, he set out to find the answers he sought.
There was no priest, no mage, and no seer in the world who could offer him what he wanted. They spoke of Fiery Hells, Fallen Angels, and Corruption, but never offered a way to find Hope. And as he continued his journey he found more people in need. Once more, he helped them, for he knew if he was in need he'd wish to be helped too.
And then there came the day when John's word and very person become the embodiment of Hope. He underwent a sense of realization and transcendence. It was he who gave the people Hope, and he alone who gave them purpose to live. When he came to this conclusion he recorded all his morals, life experiences, and teachings. His followers came to call this book the Scripture. John was venerated as Saint John, Bringer of Hope and Vanquisher of Despair. His flock grew and he became its shepherd, but he still made enemies.
In his final days, as he finished the Scripture, John set out with his Disciplines to find a suitable homeland for his people. While besieged atop a mountain by his enemies, John and his greatest warriors, known as the Brothers, from which the Brotherhood took its name, stayed behind to hold off the enemy. The Brothers all died as martyrs, and Saint John himself was taken to the camp of his enemies, wherein he was burned before his people upon a cross; that which was left was a black cross. Saint John's soul ascended to the Heavens to join the Angels, and there he has become venerated as the Most Holy, our Lord and the Divine One.
When news of his death and ascension spread, his enemies found themselves beset on all sides by friends of the Most Holy. They smote them and pursued all who would oppose his people to the ends of the earth. His morals, teachings, and life experiences recorded in the Scripture, and the unity that he inspired in his people allowed the world to claw itself out of the cold grave of Despair, giving way to the Light of the Present.