GURPS: Church and State History

Metagame note- Much of the info here is only known to PCs/NPCs with appropriate skills, and even then, the historians of Argoth may be no more accurate than our Medieval historians, and some is openly disputed among scholars.

Holy Church of the Quadrant's creation mythology

The creation mythology is long, complicated, and contradictory in many aspects. All of this, in the eyes of the Church, takes place before the formation of cities in Suri. Basically, the All-father formed the universe from chaos and while begetting many children (the gods), crafted worlds for his children to live on and rule. The All-father cares not for earth, for he has the universe to defend against chaos, but left it to four of his progeny. To those four, he divided everything into four houses that they each would hold sway over. Ampul created the sun, and fire, while Enus beget the many children that would become life on earth. Her union with Ampul created man and the noble creatures such as horses, dogs, bears and such. Draef tricked Enus into thinking she was a man, and Enus lay with her and Enus beget the creatures of the night, from cats and bats, to worms, owls, lycanthropes and others; most notably the twins of fate Ina (the pull, or good luck) and Ono (the push, or bad luck), from which the two moons take their name. Enus, who could never turn down an offer, lay with Houdish and beget insects, flys, viruses, plagues, rot and the scavengers.

When the Four recognized that man held the inspiration of light inside his head, they lay down laws for man, and explained how the Houses of the Gods worked. Ampul held sway over light, truth, inspiration, invention, organization, hierarchy, law. Enus held dominion over fertility, birth, crops, babies, mothers, and the forests. Draef held sway over politics, deception, the markets, thievery, lovers (especially the unwed, or adulterers). Houdish had the areas of judgment, justice, death, warfare, and the souls of the dead. The other three cared not for this at the time, and Houdish has laughed since then at his usurpation of such an important aspect. From man, the gods would elevate those worthy to occupy positions within the houses, these were called the Ascendants, all others would go to Houdish and pass his gates of eternal judgment.

Houdish (often call Hood), holds final judgment over all men's souls. Hood is the final arbiter, and through his gates all must eventually pass, even the Ascendants. Hood's reckoning is feared by all, for those unworthy will live in eternal damnation making up for their wicked ways and being tormented beyond imagination. He regards the gift of light from Ampul to Enus' children a mistake, but now the children must bear the responsibility for the powers of mind. Hood's reckoning is in the balance of a man's life, whether in the final summation, he led a good life, or a poor one. Repentance and genuine contrition can hold some sway with him, but a truer measure of a man's fate in afterlife is the balance of his good deeds vs his vile ones.

Seeing Hood's power, the other three swayed Hood to accept some of their laws to be used for judgment, which they used Ina and Ono to communicate to man, as the twins had become frequent messengers for the gods.

Ampul, being by far the most ascetic of the gods, decreed that man shall control himself, and not steal, covet other women, fornicate outside of a marriage sanctioned by one of the four, break an oath, or give false testimony and should always seek to deliver the truth to others.

Enus commanded man to be plentiful, but also to husband their resources and use them wisely. Bringing new life to the world is her most favored act of devotion. She further commanded man to protect the weak, provide charity to those in need so that life will not suffer needlessly, and to have mercy.

Hood commanded that only just killings be pursued, and that man's pride should not make him think to take Hood's judgment as his own, nor to think they are somehow exempt from him. Hood further banned man from practicing necromancy, declaring the art his sole providence, and it's use by anyone an affront to him. Undead were to be killed on sight, and ghosts and spirits directed to Hood's door.

Draef merely whispered in Hood's ear the rules she wanted to judge man by, and honoring her request, Hood has never told anyone what they are, making Draef's Secret the most coveted knowledge. Ampul was of course furious, as his pride demanded he know everything, but his will has ever been thwarted to this day.

First Cities and Foundation of the Church of the Quadrant

The Suri people founded the first known cities south of Boden Sea, a land locked see in the middle of the continent of Argoth. The Suri cities were fiercly independent and each held their own patron god. Suriana's patron god was Ampul, who is regarded as the Lord of Light, which in part explains his dominance of the Church of Four today. Enus was the the patron goddess of Enui, and is the Lady of Light. Drafus looked to the Lady of Dark for protection, Draef, and the Lord of Death, Houdish patronized the city of Houda. These cities were city states, often ruled by a semi-literate priest class. Those with magical talent were seen to be touched by the gods, and often rose higher in the ranks than those without talent. This tradition continues still today. It is from these early dark times that the stories of the first heroes come from; brutal, dark, vengeful heroes whose rapine ways bathed the Suri lands in blood. Suriana was the First City in foundation as well as prestige and power. Suriana rose to preeminence and began to conquer her sister cities, forming the First Empire. Suriana's control was not outright, and she had to make some compromises, one of which was recognizing the patron gods of some of the more powerful cities, from here the Quadrant was born and the foundation of the Church of Four laid (from which the present year of 3217th year of the Holy Church of the Quadrant (or 3217 HCQ) is calculated, but even that is disputed). The Suri were early to mid TL 2 (think late Mesopotamian, or Egyptian). From this period, many of the traditions, myths, and religious principals of today can still be seen. The Suri were never able to enact a ecclesiastical body like the ecumenical councils of the early catholic church [1], so the Holy Church of the Quadrant retains much more internal inconsistencies, doctrinal disputes, and various teachings than Catholicism. This lack of central authority hurt the Suri when the Quani came.

Foundation of Valderland and Rotbrueck

Rotbrueck started from the Maguirian settlement of the Greywater and Snow river valleys when King Trious I gifted the land to the Maguirian Chieftain. The first Maguirian, Colburg, received the title of Baron as did all of Trious' original supporters, with only one lord being granted title of Earl. Colburg, and all further Rotbruecks are considered Uradel, or original nobility that cannot be sundered by the king [2]. Since then, many of the titles have inflated, resulting in anything over their original title being considered Breifadel [3], as well as any new titles which have been created to honor service to the crown. Breifadel titles are granted by the sovereign and can be taken away, they are 'patents of nobility'.

GURPS: Church and State