The Holy Church

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The Holy Church
holy
Deus Omnit, etc
Prayers for the Wicked
Agenda Serve God's will
Government Theocracy
Techlevel Neoindustrial
Trade Food, hope and saints
Out of Game
IRL Counterpart Linköping
Contact arke_100@hotmail.se
"You have been judged. You have been tried. Now your real work begins."
- Mother Johanna the Purifier

The Holy Church saw its foundation laid during the events leading up to the great apocalypse, where thousands flocked to the cross. Today the Church is a network of religious settlements with its shining centre in Linköping. Their goal is to help humanity, to build and maintain their ever growing society.

For a quick capsule understanding of the Holy Church, compare it to the Imperium in Warhammer 40k, the (fictional) protestant and catholic church in Hellsing, the society in Priest and so on.

History

Muffeld Elvis Presley plays in the background
When the comet appeared and the world started to crumble, more and more people found comfort in God (and the bunkers under church ground). When the world started to recuperate there were Christians spread across the world with a high concentration in Linköping. Different factions of the old belief emerged and in-fighting was a fact. A few splinter groups surfaced but eventually the civil war was ended, the first trial in this new world was conquered. Despite their differences, a multitude of different Christian faiths united and laid the foundations of the Holy Church. It was decided that a new testament was to be added to their scriptures, a testament that told of the apocalypse, the war and anything of significance in this new world, in this post apocalypse.

Today

The Holy Church is a society as much as a religion, if not even more. Faith is something that is so natural that most people don't "believe" as much as "know" that God is watching over them. Just like radioactivity or people dressed in old bicycle tiers it's a deeply rooted part of their everyday lives.

The Church is a constantly growing Imperium where food is never in short supply. Even before the comet acolytes of the Church gathered knowledge and tools for farming and animal keeping. Today their fields stretches for miles and are laded with corn, wheat, oat, potatoes, greens and so on. This of course results in their main export being food in all of its varieties.

As of today, there is little need in trying to recruit more citizens and villages, they come by themselves in increasingly bigger numbers. The Church is stronger and more prosperous than ever before and its markets are full with traders from all over the land and beyond.

The Church and its Inhabitants

There is a strong hierarchy in the Church where your rank reflects on how close to God you are. The Archbishop is the spiritual and political leader and at her disposal she also has a council of bishops to advice her. She is also the one who is believed to be closest to God, so close in fact that rumours say that when she prays she truly has a two-way communication with God, as if the Lord was just across the table. Her word is law and to go against her is to go against God and the Church.

To live and work within the Church is hard but fair. Everyone is expected to contribute to the best of their abilities. In exchange for your work you receive ample amounts of food, shelter, communication capabilities (both radio and mail), caps and protection.

The Church maintains many trade routes, keeps them safe and invites anyone with friendly intentions to use them. Anyone with a justifiable purpose is allowed within Christian territories and has access to its markets.

Believe and let Believe

"Believe and let believe" is a policy adopted early by the founders of the Holy Church. It states that there will be no harassment or discrimination of others based on their believes. Everyone gets to find their own way in life, there will be no forced baptising and no forced conversion. To teach the religion is of course encouraged but the rest is up to the individual.

This also means that contracts and deals may be made with anyone, not just other believers.

Beliefs

God is in everything, anything that happens, good or bad, is the will of God, sent as a message to teach us something. If the crops die, if you stumble upon a treasure, if you get shot, if you find your true love etc is all the way God intended it, either to test you, to teach you to reward you or to punish you.

Dices and games of chance

This view on God has resulted in the use of dices and other games of chance to interpret the will of God. Can't reach a decision? Ask God if you should/shouldn't do something and then throw a dice. If you roll a six, you should most definitely not do it. If you roll a three you should consider it but perhaps put more thought into it and if you roll a one you should definitely do it (due to this, many dices are produced with a cross instead of a one).

Other rites

Many aspects of the old religions remain in the new belief for example the holy communion, the confession, marriage, baptising and so on.

Biblical nicknames

When you are baptised as a priest you receive a biblical nickname based on your abilities and personality. The newly baptised priest decided for her- or himself if this is to be the name by which they are know. The new names are always positively meant and there is no weight being placed regarding if the name is male or female, a man may for example be named Maria and a female Johannes.

If a child is born within the church it is not uncommon for the parents to choose a biblical name for their daughter or son. Others change their name when they join, they leave behind the old name and person to find a new life within the Church.

Common employments within the Church

In addition to farmers there are a few professions that are more common than others.

Bishop. Another word for the bishops is governing leaders. Every bishop is in charge of something, a village, a major factory, a group of priest (who in turn can be in charge of something), a library and so on. There is also a council of bishops who serve in conjunction with the Archbishop.

The Priests are numerous and fill a large variety of roles. They can serve as diplomats, administrators, librarians, project managers, commanders, secretaries, teachers and so on. They are sometimes followed by an Adept, a person training to one day become a priest.

The Army is the police, security and soldiers of the Church. They are ordinary women and men who carry arms in the name of God and risk their lives for the protection of the Church.

The Templar Knights is an elite order of well trained and expertly equipped soldiers. They are few in numbers but even a single one can turn the tide of battle, which they have proven many times over.

Looks

The Church has five main concepts, these are the Bishops, the Priest, the Adepts, the Templars and the Army

- The Bishops are dressed in white and gold as a signature of their status. Their clothes are kept relatively clean and whole, some are even dressed in completely newly produced cloth.

- The Priest cloak themselves in robes of black that reach almost to the ground and adore themselves with crosses and holy scriptures (a practise utilized by most who serve the Church). They close to never are seen armed with anything bigger than a handgun or a sword.

- The Adepts wear similar robes as the priests but they are brown instead of black. Other than that their gear is the same as the priests.

- The Templar knights are clad from top to toe in armour and grasp large shields in their hands. They have tabards of white with a red cross across their chest and not uncommon also across their backs. At their side hangs a sword, club or axe and at their hip usually a handgun.

- The Army doesn't have a uniform in the same fashion as the others instances but all wear grey on their torso and adore themselves with details of red, a scarf, a hat, socks or similar. They are armed and clad with anything between heaven and hell that can be used in combat.

Priests

Mandatory - A black coat/vest/duster coat that reaches the ankle (or longer) - At least one clearly visible cross, preferably white - Purity seals with prayers, holy texts and so on.

Optional - More crosses - Light or a few pieces of heavy armour - One handed weapons, swords, pistols, knives and similar - Bible (encouraged) - Grenades and smoke bombs

Feeling The priests are the faces and eyes of the Church. They deal with negotiations, administration, food distribution, strategy and so on. In an expedition there is usually one or more priests who are in charge.

Adept

Mandatory - A brown coat/vest/duster coat that reaches the ankle (or longer) - At least one clearly visible cross, preferably white - Purity seals

Optional - More crosses - Light or a few pieces of heavy armour - One handed weapons, swords, pistols, knives and similar - Bible (encouraged) - Grenades and smoke bombs

Feeling These are the priests of tomorrow, sent out to learn their future profession. They can be anything from tried veterans to almost children sent on their first assignment.

Templar

Mandatory - White tabards with red cross - Heavy armor or juggernaught classified armor - Big shields (think riot- or Roman shields) - Purity seals - One handed melee weapons, swords are encouraged

Optional - More crosses - One handed firearms - Bible - Grenades and smoke bombs

Feeling The Templars are the church's heavy shock troops. They themselves can hold back a smaller force and turn the tide. They are well trained, well equipped and highly praised. They are easily recognizable with their almost impenetrable armour, their massive shields and their desire to fight in close combat.

Army

Mandatory - Grey sweater/jacket/coat/vest on the torso (optional length but reaching no farther than right below the knee) - Red visible features , such as a scarf, bandanna, sleeves , buttons , linings etc etc. - At least one visible cross - Armed with anything thing that can be utilized in combat, guns, heavy weapons, emps, shields, melee weapons etc.

Optional - Armour (not juggernaught) - Purity seals - Bible - Grenades and smoke bombs

Feeling The militia consists of anyone who is willing to bear arms for the church. They have different backgrounds , personalities, equipment, training and clothing. What unites them is their faith and a desire to do God's work. A soldier in the army looks up to the church's other casts.

Territories

The Church is at its strongest around Linköping where the government is located. There are settlements all over Scandinavia and also distant villages reaching as far as Germany. The importance of the faith varies in the different societies, especially the further away from Linköping you get. Communications can be hard and some are almost never in contact with the government. What is most tangible in areas under the protection of the Church is that trade is plentiful and raiders are less likely to attack.

Missionaries

Missionaries are what a group sent out from the Church on a mission is called. Their assignments varies and can involve anything between exploration, diplomacy and combat.

A missionary group always consists of at least two people, with usually one or more priests. Major decisions made by the priests with majority rule. If there are no clear majority a dice throw is utilized to reach a decision.

International Relations

The Holy Church is conducting trade and has standing contracts with a number of nations and organizations, but are also hostile to some.

The Water Federation

Meetings and discussions have been held with the federation regarding trade of water purification technology in exchange for open trade routes, sales permit and transportation on roads controlled by the Church. (BBR1)

Former citizens of Russia

After of S:t Petersburg was destroyed by a giant pillar of light from the heaves (events during BBR1) a large number of Russians has sought out the Church and joined its ranks. I large parts of the north tales are told of how God finally decided to end the mockery of having atheist controlling a city named after a Saint. This was the Lords way of sending a message, find the true faith.

Disclaimer

The Church as a Off-group is against sexism, discrimination and racism. There is no intention of glorifying or to condemn any religion, faith, church or belief. There is no other motive behind this group than to create and enact a cool religious group during the larp. The group consists of people from different backgrounds with different nationalities and there is no organisation behind us, religious or otherwise.