Stone"Lord Captain, the world of Foulstone has been upset by a conflict between the followers of the Order of the Hammer and the refugees from the Winterscale dynasty's domain. An argument broke out near the tomb of the renowned holy man Nicomedes Keefe, and the tomb was damaged in the fray. The pilgrims revering Keefe's rival, Philopimenes of Malpi, claim Keefe to be a thief who had stolen the relics of Saint Cognatius and violated the sacred mystery of his resting place to sate his greed. The Order of the Hammer is furious at the heretical statements and the desecration of Keefe's burial site."
YOU"Who is this Nicomedes and Philopimenes? What is the issue here?"
Stone"Saint Nicomedes Keefe is a missionary who arrived in the Expanse alongside the founders of the Order of the Hammer, offering them valuable guidance for colonising Foulstone. He converted many worlds to the Imperial Creed, but his most famous feat was his search for the burial site of the legendary preacher, Saint Cognatius, who conquered the Expanse thousands of years ago, leaving behind scores of relics. Keefe was able to track down some of those relics. The Order was named after the power hammer of Saint Cognatius, Piety's Charge."
Stone"Philopimenes of Malpi is a priest from Winterscale's Realm. He preached in the same times as Nicomedes Keefe and denounced him for the false veneration of Saint Cognatius. He believed that Cognatius preached the incomprehensibility of the highest wisdom to the people, and that any attempts to learn it would only lead to heresy. He called the search for Saint Cognatius's burial site blasphemy and the collection of relics looting and soliciting. In his opinion, the sacred objects should not be congregated in one place but should find haven across the many worlds. The relics are power, and their aggregation gives way to pride."
YOU"Who is this Nicomedes and Philopimenes? What is the issue here?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What say my advisors?"
Stone(sequence)
Stone"For a group that has just arrived in a foreign realm, the Malpians' conduct is insolent at best. Penance should be imposed on them. We will send them on a pilgrimage to find the relics of Saint Cognatius and to learn the ways of Saint Keefe. In this way, they would be of use for returning the lost relics, and the Order of the Hammer would be satisfied with a just verdict."
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Stone"There was a similar theological dispute at the Fifth Ophelian Council, and the conflict between the two cults was resolved in sacred duel. Twenty champions from each side came forward, both sides vowing to accept the victor's teachings if they lost. I propose to invoke the council's edict and settle the dispute in the same way."
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Stone"Hmm... They believe that their faith is superior? Then let them prove it. Subject them to a severe test of faith. If they survive it, they will have proven their steadfastness. Even if the Order of the Hammer does not accept their arguments, it will be easier for them to recognise the newcomers' right to interpret the way of Saint Cognatius if they prove it with their own blood and pain."
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Stone"The Malpians have renounced the concept of possession. Their vows are true and similar to ours, but they lack humility and reverence for the dead. The Bloodspun Web could embrace their leaders. We could teach them. We could soothe the turmoil."
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YOU"Heinrix is right. Let us send the most zealous ones on a repentant pilgrimage to retrieve the relics."
Stone"They will not cause us any more trouble."
StoneSeveral thousand refugees have been sent on a pilgrimage of penance to search for the relics of Saint Cognatius. Many believed that it was just a way to get rid of these inconvenient people.
StoneThe Order of the Hammer thanked the Lord Captain for his/her protection and staying true to the agreements between them.
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YOU"The Malpian preachers belong to the Bloodspun Web now. Bring them aboard."
Stone"From this day forth, these people serve the Undying One."
StoneA grim and solemn procession of preachers came aboard and made a vocal renunciation of their former lives. Disturbed by the loss of their spiritual leaders, the refugees quieted down and no longer defied the Order of the Hammer.
StoneThe Order of the Hammer thanked the Lord Captain for his/her protection and staying true to the agreements between them.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"These guests who seem to have forgotten their manners will be summarily punished — one week without water rations. We share the indignation of the Order of the Hammer."
Stone"It shall be done, Lord Captain."
StoneThe rebels were severely punished. Several dozen of the insolent renegades have died of thirst as a result of this penance, and the rest have been subdued.
StoneThe Order of the Hammer thanked the Lord Captain for his/her protection and staying true to the agreements between them.continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We should follow the edict of the Fifth Ophelian Council. Let might decide whose beliefs are just."
Stone"I will arrange for the duelling grounds to be prepared in the monastery."
StoneFour dozen fighters clashed in a bitter struggle. The forces were an equal match, and thus the duel righteous. By the end, only the indomitable Hectarchius, the prelate of the Order of the Hammer, was left standing, and, honouring their vow, the Malpians bowed down to him and accepted the teachings of Saint Nicomedes.
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YOU"Let them bring forth their representatives and try to negotiate some form of coexistence."
Stone"It shall be done, Lord Captain."
StonePutting forth two dozen wise men from each side, the two cults have sought to find a common interpretation of the way of Saint Cognatius. They may not have achieved dogmatic unity, but they have at least managed to find a way to coexist on the same world.
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YOU"We shall allow the Malpians to prove the strength of their convictions through a severe trial of faith."
Stone"Let them show the weight of their words and teachings."
StoneOne hundred Malpians have volunteered to undergo the trial of faith. Sixty-two have survived, proving the steadfastness of their beliefs and earning the respect of the Order of the Hammer.
StoneThe indomitable teaching of Philopimenes of Malpi laid down deep roots upon the hard soil of Foulstone. The followers of his teachings were zealous and determined.
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YOU"The Malpians display impressive zeal. I charge the Order of the Hammer to welcome one hundred of the new arrivals into their ranks. Let them learn one another's ways and come to accept their distinct paths toward the reverence of Cognatius."
Stone"It shall be done, Lord Captain."
StoneOne hundred Malpians were tonsured into the Order of the Hammer, and the two teachings were forced to coexist within the walls of one monastery.
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YOU"What say my advisors?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Heinrix is right. Let us send the most zealous ones on a repentant pilgrimage to retrieve the relics."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Malpian preachers belong to the Bloodspun Web now. Bring them aboard."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"These guests who seem to have forgotten their manners will be summarily punished — one week without water rations. We share the indignation of the Order of the Hammer."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We should follow the edict of the Fifth Ophelian Council. Let might decide whose beliefs are just."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Let them bring forth their representatives and try to negotiate some form of coexistence."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We shall allow the Malpians to prove the strength of their convictions through a severe trial of faith."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Malpians display impressive zeal. I charge the Order of the Hammer to welcome one hundred of the new arrivals into their ranks. Let them learn one another's ways and come to accept their distinct paths toward the reverence of Cognatius."continues where this line first appears above