ORDER OF THE COMBAT SAGES
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The I’Loa of Dharen’Rhylo
The I’Loains, known throughout Eht’Moriah as alchemists, are said to never venture into the borders of Dharen’Rhylo. But that did not mean that their influence withered away and died out. The I’Loains learn, adjust, and adapt. They also appreciate knowledge, no matter where it comes from. Just because Dharen’Rhylo ousted them during the First Great War did not mean they would give up so easily.
To reside within Dharen’Rhylo was never the ideal for a pure blooded I’Loain. They were learned and loved to teach. It was their goal to record, rediscover, redistribute, and reinvent the world and its knowledge. The vast majority made New Mathus their home; others erected educational facilities throughout neighboring countries, including Ahri.
But Dharen’Rhylo was always overbearing in their religious quality. They stifled the development of genuine knowledge, science, and technology in hopes to keep their population docile and malleable. People who think can prove to be dangerous to the establishment. Therefore, Alchemists have been banned from the countr.
Aside from religion, there was something that Dharen’Rhylo had a deep appreciation for: war. Their military was world renowned. They were second to none in skill, armament, tactics, and pure unadulterated numbers. Only the Ahri posed a threat to them, but even their military was too heavily dependent on newly designed bolters.
When it came to hand-to-hand combat, the traditions established by the Father’s Sword have thrived and have been continuously refined. It was here that the I’Loains found there opportunity. If Dharen’Rhylo would not partake in knowledge for the good of mankind, then they would certainly indulge in knowledge that would be suitable for war.
But that road was only for an enlightened few. Most I’Loains did not want war to be their legacy. Yet there were those who felt they could have some influence over the fate of people by appealing to a select few. By targeting those who would one day be charged with influencing hundreds, if not thousands of lives — what of their choices? Would it not be wise to try and imbue some semblance of humanity within them?
Enter the Combat Sages. These were men and woman who found that they could tailor the minds of military leaders. Subtly was everything. The pupils they took in would have to be, and remain, unawares that they took tutelage for a greater sense of good. They’d be taught how to fight like no other, how to think like no one else, and how to overcome all odds.
It was a risky proposition. On the one hand they were teaching their potential enemy to excel at military combat, but in the other they were influencing them to not put those skills to use. Instead of being quick to arm the sword, they wanted their pupils to seek diplomacy first and foremost. It was their duty to exhaust every possible route before war was even contemplated.
The League of Combat Sages has existed for some time, but not once were they ever discovered to be I’Loa. They were founded in Alexandretta in 747AB, amidst the Pilgrimage of Despair. At the time they had won over the Three Wings and impressed them with a unique proposition.
They would help craft and train the most brilliant minds for the military. There were several academies already devoted to teaching whole class rooms full of tacticians. But what the Sages offered was a one-on-one experience. They would take under their wing only a few pupils in their lifetime and teach them to achieve more than just greatness.
But the League of Combat Sages had, and always was, faithful to those beyond the boundaries of Dharen’Rhylo. They were in constant communication with their fellow I’Loa and created means to deliver upon them new and unique forms of knowledge. Intelligence, both practical and military, was shared. This provided the I’Loains with a unique position. They have intimate access into the inner workings of Dharen’Rhylo’s military.
They keep an eye on things. Quietly record, learn, and study the ebb and flow of the people of Dharen’Rhylo. They pass the information on to their brethren, who eventually feed the information back to New Mathus, and then finally the Ahri.
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The Shadow of Dharen’s Light
The Tower of Dharen’s Light housed the Great Central Library and the Grand Cathedral, it stood as the center of Gabriel’s Hold and the heart of its government operation. To dwell beneath its shadow was considered a blessing and an honor. Connor had come to know this as he joined Theodore. The aged man had decided to take the young Connor under his wing and give him shelter within his house. That was nothing short of a luxurious offer, as Theodore enjoyed a spacious manor near the heart of the city.
Flanked by two churches, Connor knew the chimes of bells day in and day out. As a Combat Sage, Theodore had a lot to offer Connor, but the first thing they discussed was the politics of Gabriel’s Hold. Apparently the city itself housed a unique ecosystem. The people within the walls had little interest for the outside world. They existed to service themselves and those of superior ranking. There were none guiltier of this than those most devote to the church.
Three factions had formed over the years; each one loyal to one of the three Archbishops that sat on the council. Next to the High Archbishop, the Archbishops were the epitome of power within Gabriel’s Hold. They each had the potential to become High Archbishop. If they ever managed to attain that position it would guarantee power and wealth to the individuals most loyal to them.
Because of this the distribution of power throughout the city was well balanced between the three. There were an equal number of churches, bishops, and priests who would stand to benefit if one of the Archbishops ascended in rank. Theodore warned that even the church was not immune to corruption. And the façade of holiness and purity was not enough to disguise it.
Connor was surprised to learn that the highest seat in all of Dharen’Rhylo, the Lord Val’dharen, was merely just a puppet of the high council of three — the leaders of the Three Wings. They were the true power of Dharen’Rhylo. But the three did not work together in perfect harmony. While the Three Wings were created as a form of checks and balances, they struggled to undermine one another. At present it was the military that held the greatest power over the country, but the church was always at their throat.
Connor asked how the system worked. "How could so many stand to benefit from the actions of so few?" But that is when Theodore told him that it was all an elaborate game. The only ones who would truly benefit were those at the very top. He proposed an analogy presented in rhyme. "Everyone in Dharen’Rhylo is born starving. Only a handful get to eat. Everyone else is just scrambling for morsels at their feet."
Those who are in power strive to retain it. They do not believe in sharing what they feel rightfully belongs to them. People will murder for that power, and have. It is not only Dharen’s blood that bleeds from the church. The practice that sustains the illusion of fairness is the quinquennial council election. During this time each branch of the Three Wings calls for its members to determine who manages the branch for the next five years.
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The public is barred from taking part. The city appoints representatives to speak for the people. Therefore the people believe they have their voice. But the representatives only speak for themselves and the interests of the factions they are loyal to. The church only votes for members of the church, the military only votes for the military, and so on.
Every five years those who are seated highest on the council strive to become the new leader. They want to be among the three who control all of Dharen’Rhylo. But it is difficult to usurp power for those in charge. The only thing that can undermine them is someone with even greater influence. And that is attained only through power, land, money, and bloodshed. No one is ever elected because they deserve the position and would do right by it. They are elected because they killed for it.
Those who have known the position for the previous five years can be re-elected. As long as they have pleased the right people throughout their reign, then their reappointment to the position is almost guaranteed. If for some reason they lose, then they are forced into retirement; although, they can still be appointed to the position of Val’dharen when that position is made available.
Gabriel’s Hold is primarily concerned about the church. It is run by the church, maintained by the church, fed and clothed by the church. Everyone within the walls of Dharen’Rhylo is unfortunately considered a member of the church.
There is a city in the southwest called Alexandretta. It is there they hold the election for the military council. Directly south from Gabriel’s Hold is the commerce city of Garrison. There they hold the elections for the economic branch of the Three Wings. The three leaders do not sit together in any throne room. While they sit on the same council they only meet in person only a few times year. And only then to oversee decisions which require all three.
Each of the cities is home to their own council chambers. Here in Gabriel’s Hold those chambers reside in the very heart of the city, Tower of New Dharen’s Light. Members of the church council meet weekly or bi-weekly, which depends entirely on the time of year. Many of the council heads reside here in the city. Others have to travel in from other regions throughout the country.
The Bishops must report to the Archbishops, who then submit their reports to the High Archbishop. The chain of command is very rigorous. Those Bishops who reside in the city walls are considered the highest ranked. The closer they are to New Dharen’s Light, the holier they are. That is how the rankings work. The further you are from the tower, the more unfortunate your position is.
There is only one High Archbishop. Beneath him there are three Archbishops. Six Bishops hail to each of the Archbishops, which means that there are eighteen total Bishops for all Dharen’Rhylo. A country as sizable as Dharen’Rhylo must be broken up into eighteen regions. Within each region is a countless number of Priests who answer and report to the Bishop of their region.
The Archbishops remain isolated in the Great Cathedral. They are seldom seen and only attend public events and official ceremonies. One can easily see the disconnection from the council and the people they are supposed to serve. Here in the city the people struggle to survive. They depend upon the church to provide for them and in return give back what they can. But the church often demands too much.
People are expected to provide weekly tidings. A fair portion of the money that they struggle to earn each and every day is given without question. The church then allocates the money toward infrastructure, education, law, and order. But an even greater portion is divvied toward the military, which doesn’t include the amounts that the church pockets for their own pleasures.
At the end of the day it is the people who reap the littlest benefit. They’d be better off putting the money toward their own wellbeing, but that is unfortunately against the law. But Theodore reassures Connor that as long as he stays with him, then he is considered part of the military, which means he is an exception to the weekly tidings. Theodore donates a fair amount regardless to keep the church from breathing down his neck.
The military and the church do not necessarily get along. Since the military takes roughly 60% of the weekly tidings that the church collects, there is some understandable friction between the two. The Father’s Sword considers themselves to be far holier than the church; therefore they feel it is there right to have such a substantial share. After all, were it not for the military then the church would be in great danger — at least that is how they justify it.
The whole thing is quite the Spider’s Web as Theodore puts it. For a while it was called that, and many people still use the turn of phrase. But the council members didn’t appreciate being related to spiders, so they’ve come to call it the Silk Road. But that hasn’t changed the fact that it’s still an elaborated web with something dangerous sitting in the middle of it all.
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What We Believe
“Often the only possession a man has is what they believe. Beliefs can change. But once a man believes something you cannot take it away from them. You can force them to give it up, but you cannot take it. You cannot steal a man’s belief. A belief can be who they are or they strive to be. It is the essence of what makes them human.” These were the words that Theodore shared with Connor.
That is when Connor wondered why Theodore took the time to even bother. What made Connor so special? Why choose him to teach all of these things to? Theodore simply said, “I believe in you. I see a man with potential, a man who has seen things that the people here would not believe nor understand. I believe there is more to you than meets the eye, and I believe that you will make good of what I teach you.”
“You will soon see that there are those who would kill for what I have to say. They would either kill to acquire it, or kill to silence it. Words have great power when they are uttered from greater men.”
Connor was taken aback. He did not believe he was suitable of such praise. He was young and naive. But Theodore was quick to point out, “A man such as you does not belong in Dharen’Rhylo. Why are you here?” At first the words could not come to Connor. He was afraid. The puritans had imprisoned him and his family just because of the culture he was reared into. To admit this to a man he had only just met was a great risk.
But Theodore did earn an explanation. He had provided food, clothing, and shelter to Connor and asked nothing in return. That is why Connor’s mind fell back upon the mission. He had to find his brother. He had to fulfill his promise to his mother. Connor summoned up the strength and took the risk. “I am a son of the last Wolf Tribe. And I fear I am all that remains.”
Theodore was intrigued. He had no experience with the Wolf Tribe’s directly, but he heard a great deal. But how much of it was true? Not even he knew. But the for once the great teacher took time to listen. He encouraged Connor to tell him about the Wolf Tribes and share with him his story. Connor eventually opened up. He had not spoken to anyone about it for what felt like a lifetime. After all it was 1027AB; it had been nearly two whole years since he left his mother behind.
At night he would show Theodore the stars in the sky. He’d speak of them and the Wolf Spirits that his people believed in so strongly. When Theodore asked what Connor believed, Connor admitted that, “I’m not certain.” To which Theodore assures, “That was the appropriate response.”
But the explanation inevitably led to that of Silvanus. It was clear to Theodore that Connor had mixed emotions on the subject. But he proposed that if Silvanus was anywhere, he was without a doubt in the hands of the military. “If I can see the potential in you, then I can only imagine what they found in him.” Theodore admitted.
“Sounds like you have quite the mission before you.” Theodore pointed out, “You’ll need to be ready. Henceforth you will be my apprentice. I’ll teach you all that I know. It’s least I can do. That can never make up for the bloodshed caused by my brethren, but I hope it can help to rebuild what has been nearly lost. You have a beautiful culture Connor. I hope one day you can travel far from here and see it regrown.”
Connor did not know what to say. But Theodore assured that he did not have to say anything. If he wished to show thanks, he would do so through the hard work that Theodore expected him to endure. And endure he did. In the middle of 1027AB, Connor picked up a sword for the first time in his life. And from that point on he would never be without it.