Post by Puck on May 14, 2015 16:22:29 GMT
CHURCH INTRODUCTION
One of the more ancient religious Orders around, and the dominant of them all. The Church possesses a force designated to face the supernatural with the gifts God has bestowed upon them. Clergymen and the Apostles exist to serve the Church, and it alone. They are the anathema of anything not human. But it goes without saying that they loath vampires the most for being the undead abominations for what they are. For their actions, they have also been referred as "Clergymen", or "Apostles". But they are universally called "Hunters" by many. Even after the Demon Outbreak, they serve only for themselves. However, the views of the people has led to the Church to be more discrete of its operations. But it has also enjoyed an increase of its members and important funding for the protection they provide. Ironically, thanks to the actions of demons, the Pope also obtained much political power unseen before the eroding of the Masquerade.
Churches generally serve as the base of many members of the Church's supernatural militant arm. However, it would not be limited to just that. Even private schools and abbeys, in which their influence is present, could also serve as stations of service as well as recruitment centers of young minds and talents. However, those of demonic heritage are seen as abominations that must be purged for the sake of the Lord and other fellow human beings. Very rarely do individuals with ESP capabilities are accepted in this organization, outside of the newly established Purgatory Division. Those who linger under their expansive wings tend to be touted as "gifted" individuals by the Almighty. However, some such abilities could also be seen as a mockery to the Lord and the machinations of the Devil. It is all subjective in this case.
The Church is made up mostly of the Clergy who are generally normal human beings that they hire to act as their militant arm. They are divided in four disciplines in which they can become more competent in and even closer to the Lord. Fewer of their numbers are the Apostles who are said to be personally blessed by their god with a Stigmata on their hands to wield Holy Relics that are only accessible to them. However, despite such decorum, they are seen as war machines in an objective sense given that they are capable of surpassing human limits even more than the Clergy.
While the Church has wide influence in the World like the other factions, they are the most influential in the West as they have the most numbers there. However, despite such influence, the Church was forced into an armistice with the Magician's Guild because of public opinion and the involvement of the I.A.C.S.B. as a mediator. With the appearance and attitude of their new Pope and the creation of the Purgatory Division, however, the Church have found newfound popularity amongst the supernatural community due to their more caring and dedicated treatment of those under their wings - however, any such souls intent on earning a true place in the Church through the newfound order will have to show their dedication in return.
Churches generally serve as the base of many members of the Church's supernatural militant arm. However, it would not be limited to just that. Even private schools and abbeys, in which their influence is present, could also serve as stations of service as well as recruitment centers of young minds and talents. However, those of demonic heritage are seen as abominations that must be purged for the sake of the Lord and other fellow human beings. Very rarely do individuals with ESP capabilities are accepted in this organization, outside of the newly established Purgatory Division. Those who linger under their expansive wings tend to be touted as "gifted" individuals by the Almighty. However, some such abilities could also be seen as a mockery to the Lord and the machinations of the Devil. It is all subjective in this case.
The Church is made up mostly of the Clergy who are generally normal human beings that they hire to act as their militant arm. They are divided in four disciplines in which they can become more competent in and even closer to the Lord. Fewer of their numbers are the Apostles who are said to be personally blessed by their god with a Stigmata on their hands to wield Holy Relics that are only accessible to them. However, despite such decorum, they are seen as war machines in an objective sense given that they are capable of surpassing human limits even more than the Clergy.
While the Church has wide influence in the World like the other factions, they are the most influential in the West as they have the most numbers there. However, despite such influence, the Church was forced into an armistice with the Magician's Guild because of public opinion and the involvement of the I.A.C.S.B. as a mediator. With the appearance and attitude of their new Pope and the creation of the Purgatory Division, however, the Church have found newfound popularity amongst the supernatural community due to their more caring and dedicated treatment of those under their wings - however, any such souls intent on earning a true place in the Church through the newfound order will have to show their dedication in return.
CHURCH RANKS
Clergymen:
- Witnesses: Members of the Purgatory Division whom are working towards earning their place as full members of the Church. While they can vary greatly in their capabilities as more veteran souls may join the division, most are young Mystic Kind looking for salvation within the Church. Limited to F and E rank stats, skills/abilities, and spells/techniques unless they have turned to the Church from another faction or independence.
- Acolyte: The fresh crop of the Church and the newest generation, usually. Most are very young and still have much to learn. Limited to F and E rank stats, skills/abilities, and spells/techniques.
- Page: More experienced members of the Church. This is when they can start transferring out to other branches of the Church of their own choice if they fulfill requirements. Ranges from D rank stats, skills/abilities, and spells/techniques.
- Knight: Some of the top members of the Church where they are responsible for some levels of administration. They are capable of leading a division of their own. However, their physical stats at C rank. However, skills/abilities and spells/techniques can go up to C ranks.
- Arc Knight: Some of the best around in the Church. They are respected master combatants for the Lord. Physical stats can raise up to S~B rank. Skills/abilities and spells/techniques can go up to S~B ranks.
- Grandmaster: Arc Knights that have been around long enough to gain enough experience to lead the most important seats of command in the Church's militant arm. A single Grandmaster is enough to for many supernaturals to be a dire threat. Especially with the commands they give to lower seats. Grandmasters are all in S ranks in physical stats, skills/abilities, and spells/techniques.
- Paladin: The best of the best. Only the Clergy are capable of taking on that mantle. Their prowess is potent enough that many supernatural foes regard him/her with much respect and fear. Even a family of Elder Vampires would rather flee than meet the Paladin face-on. While not having much authority, it is mostly a status symbol based on a meritocracy of ability. However, most members in the Church will respect the Paladin's decisions and thoughts. Stats may go up to S rank while skills/abilities and spells/techniques can go up to S ranks.
Apostles: They do not have known ranks as they are universally treated with respect due to being "blessed" by God for having their Stigmatas. They have some power over the Clergymen, but situations may vary. The Apostles focus on improving their synchronization with their Holy Relics as much as possible. Can go up from F rank to S rank stats, skills/abilities, and spells/techniques.
Saint: Only one person can be truly blessed and loved by God. He/she is capable of the miracles of saints before him/her through becoming a spiritual medium for Angels to possess and work their wondrous powers through them. It is extremely rare to have more than two saints in a generation. Usually a saint dies, then a new one is bestowed that status and power. Either a Clergyman or an Apostle can become a Saint. On top of such power of angelic possession, a Saint could wield some of the most famous Holy Relics such as the Nail of Helena, the Lance of Longinus, and Ascalon.(Unavailable as of this moment.)
CHURCH DIVISIONS
- Exorcist Division: The basic division that all members of the Church starts from. It is possible to transfer out to get involved into other divisions by the time one becomes a Page.
- Knight Division: An order of the Church's assault troops. They have a tendency of wearing pieces of armor in their division. On top of that, they must have some mastery of the Special Fighting Styles of D rank and even Page Rank to join.
- Inquisition: The members who seek out heresy within the Church, the Inquisitor. Can be either be the Clergy or the Apostles They have full knowledge of anything outside of the Church doctrines. Are allowed themselves to delve into heresy so as long as it's done for the sake of God. This means they have an understanding of Magician thaumaturgy. They also harbor "geniuses" capable of being master combatants of martial combat and users of rites/miracles/sacraments. Though they are few in number. They are managed by the Cardinals and the Pope. They can easily override the authority of a Bishop. Clergymen of the Knight Rank can join this division with more experienced Apostles.
- Judas' Order: Clergy or Apostles that are part of the Church's clandestine division. They work behind the scenes for the Church's purposes that are preferred to be kept secret. Espionage, spying, and assassination are some that describes their job description. Like the Inquisitors, they are capable and allowed to delve into heresy for God. They have as much authority as the Inquisitors, but do not usually use it as they wish to keep things under wraps as much as possible. Given the nature of their work, it's not surprising they commonly work together with the Inquisition.
- Order of Saint Albert: The Order is a division within the Church responsible for the research and compilation of Mystic Kind weaknesses, especially of vampires. They excel in this sort of work and even those of the Guild may actually pale slightly in comparison as the Church requires such knowledge for the role they play as an "anti-monster" faction. The Order also works on technologies that better help many Hunters in their job. A number of them may actually learn magecraft for the sake of this and in most cases it is excusable as it supports the Church, yet rather frowned upon as many Hunters look upon them with suspicion. In fact they have the most number of members submitted to the Inquisition for heresy. It doesn't help their situation that they are the most open-minded of the Church and may lack the murderous zeal of their fellow Hunters. Nevertheless, their services have an important role for the Church.
- Papal Guard: The elite whose job is to guard the Pope. They are the best the Church has to offer. Especially the most feared by the enemies of the Church besides the Paladin. Sometimes they may partake in missions with the lesser Apostles/Clergy in special occasions. Papal Guard Clergymen rival the Paladin in competency and skill. A Clergyman must at least be an Arc Knight to be a member of the Guard.
- Purgatory Division: A new sect of the Church which allows for Mystic Kind, Psychics, Magi and Hybrids to join the Church in their support of the Lord and His Word. While the members are treated similarly to those in the Exorcist Division, they are typically looked down on by the purist members of the Church and are refused access to Holy Relics or training in Sacraments and Rites until they become ‘redeemed from Purgatory’ as full members of the Church.
CHURCH LIMITATIONS
- Rites/Sacraments:All members of the Church have equal access to their organization's Sacraments and Rites outside of the Purgatory Division. Some may make one up on their own if they wish.
- Apostles/Holy Relics:Only Apostles may use Holy Relics because they have a "key" that comes in the form of a Stigmata.
- Ki Arts: While Asian styles typically do not want to join as their ideologies clash with the Church, there are some native Ki Artists of yore that have been absorbed into the Church's systems as a group of specialized fighting styles. And as such they are known as just mere "Special Fighting Styles". Many of these former styles may actually have been part of old Knight Orders or some reclusive Circles. Ki Artists may also join the Church via the Purgatory Division.
- Magic:Magicians are looked down upon. But Inquisition may at least learn Magic Theory of some sort.
- I.A.C.S.B.:Members may defect and join the I.A.C.S.B., but Apostles will almost always be hunted down since they do not want any loss of a Holy Relic and their Stigmata.
- Divisions:Hunters may join any of the divisions. But the Knights Corps only after they reached high enough skill in the Fighting Style.
- Hybrids/Psychics: They see all Hybrids as an abomination against their Lord's creations and must be eventually purged. There are some mixed views regarding Psychics. They may either be praised for a talent given by God or demonized as some demon child of the sorts.
HOW THE CHURCH IS BEING VIEWED
- The I.A.C.S.B.: They have something of a love-hate relationship. The Church looks down on them as a supernatural force that's getting ahead of itself as it butt in its affairs with the Magician's Guild and other supernatural incidents. But it acknowledges the I.A.C.S.B.'s power due to its involvement in the Second World War. It loathes its acceptance of all supernatural and its former members. They can work together at some point, but the occasion is not often enough. With the new Pope's introduction their relationship has improved slightly, but now it has become the IACSB's turn to return the Church's chagrin as the religion's more dedicated approach to recruits has led to some Mystic Kind resigning for the Purgatory Division instead.
- The Magician's Guild: Their oldest archenemy. The Guild and the Church have long been at odds at each other. It comes to no surprise that they would seek for an opportunity to wipe each other out. Though there are some "liberal" elements in the Church that call out for a bit of tolerance. Yet, the Church as a majority has chosen to be the Guild's main antagonist force. Although the introduction of the Pope's new approach to the supernatural has cooled the situation somewhat, the two organisations are still head-to-head in their ideologies and approaches to their members.
- The Martial Forest Coalition: Organizations with conflicting ideologies despite their similar opinions on the supernatural. It doesn't help that the Coalition is willing to be the Guild's "bodyguards" either, so the Church is somewhat frustrated by the Coalition. While not entirely at odds of each other, it's not out of the question that someday they'll get into a conflict between them. The introduction of the Purgatory Division has given way for a potential alliance between the two groups, however; although many of the Coalition look down upon the motion as misplaced pity.
- Hybrids/Psychics: See the Hybrid/Psychics section in the Limitations.
- Other Factions to be included...
GENERAL CHURCH SKILLS/ABILITIES LIST
Skills:Please see Human Introduction for them here.
Name: Archangel's Iron Wings
Description: The basic Special Fighting Style of the Church that focuses on the use of Funeral Nails of the basic forms of the red cross hilt rapiers and the elaborate hilt bayonets. Nearly all of the Church knows this style. It has an unique focus of throwing techniques and even melee combat by wielding a number of the nails in each space of their fingers like a claw. While wielding them in such a manner, it almost seems as if they had wings. Thus, the name.
Rank: S~E
Note: This is just a basic combat style for the Church. Just remember you can make your own style of your own if you wish and that you give it a suitable name reflecting its connection to the Church.
Name: Divine Sacrament of <Insert Style>
Description: The magical system of the Church. Though the organization calls them miracles that are bestowed upon its believers. Sacraments are the categories in which Rites are divided into. This is the skill where a Hunter has access to Rites. The rank of this skill determines how good you are at utilizing said Divine Sacrament and will be a big factor in determining how well advanced you are within your specialized field.
Rank: S~E
Note: The known styles you can put into the Divine Sacrament skill are as follows: Blessing (To create Consecrated Arms and other objects, a tinkering Sacrament), Cremation (Fire), Mummification (Water), Excarnation (Wind), Internment (Earth), Covenant (Spirit Summoning stuff), Exorcism (self-explanatory), and Healing (self-explanatory).
Abilities:
Name: Faith
Description: The point where one's Faith can be realized through the Church's Sacraments, Rites, and other means of combating the supernatural through the Church's way. While not exactly mirroring a member's actual "faith", it is a quality that gives them power that can be harnessed. This is required for every member of the Church in order to use Sacraments/Rites or even Holy Relics.
Rank: E
Name: Stigmata
Description: The mark of the Christ. People who gain such a mark are known as the Apostles or the "Blessed". Stigmatas allow Apostles to gain access to the powers of a Holy Relic. The Relic they possess will have their rank always matching this ability. The Stigmata not only allows them to use Holy Relics, but also allows them to commune with old forgotten artifacts of Christian nature and whatever form of constructs that requires its presence.
Rank: S~D
Name: Devotion
Description: One's own devoted faith in the Lord can provide a means of protection against all evil and heresies. This armor of faith guards the believer against all attempts to interfere with his/her mind through unnatural means. It is very similar to Mental Resistance. But, this ability grants a + modifier for any action that is "done for the Lord". Each use of this ability will cause a - modifier on Endurance stat.
Requirement: Faith D Rank
Rank: D