* [[684 BC]] - Yakov moves to [[Borca]]<ref name=GazIVp.16>[[Gazetteer IV]] p.16</ref>, and convinces [[Camille Dilisnya|Camille]] to support the church, mostly on the basis that the the religion would serve as a useful tool to control the masses. Camille's support includes financial backing for the [[Great Cathedral of Levkarest]]<ref name=GazIVp.17>[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref>
* [[684 BC]] - Yakov moves to [[Borca]]<ref name=GazIVp.16>[[Gazetteer IV]] p.16</ref>, and convinces [[Camille Dilisnya|Camille]] to support the church, mostly on the basis that the the religion would serve as a useful tool to control the masses. Camille's support includes financial backing for the [[Great Cathedral of Levkarest]]<ref name=GazIVp.17>[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref>
* [[[685 BC]] Construction begins on the Great Cathedral of Levkarest. The Church of Ezra is spreading across Borca.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref>
* [[685 BC]] - Construction begins on the Great Cathedral of Levkarest. The Church of Ezra is spreading across Borca.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref>
* [[687 BC]] - [[Camille Dilisnya]] marries [[Klaus Boritsi]]. [[Praesidius Yakov Dilisnya]] presides over the marriage.<br>
*{{netbook-small}}[[689 BC]] [[Franklin Tennyson]], [[Ezrite]] [[missionary]], comes to Souragne.<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 57">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 57</ref><br>
*{{netbook-small}}[[691 BC]] The [[Church of Ezra]] is made the official [[state-religion]] of Souragne.<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 57">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 57</ref><br>
* [[695 BC]] - First services in the unfinished Great Cathedral of Levkarest.<ref name=GazIVp.17>[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref>
* [[695 BC]] - First services in the unfinished Great Cathedral of Levkarest.<ref name=GazIVp.17>[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref>
* [[697 BC]] - [[Klaus Boritsi]] buys [[Danzig's Icon of Ezra]] and gives it to his daughter [[Ivana Boritsi]].<ref name=LotBp.18>[[Legacy of the Blood]] p.18</ref>
* [[697 BC]] - [[Klaus Boritsi]] buys [[Danzig's Icon of Ezra]] and gives it to his daughter [[Ivana Boritsi]].<ref name=LotBp.18>[[Legacy of the Blood]] p.18</ref>
*{{netbook-small}}[[697 BC]] [[Etienne Lefebvre]], son of a [[magistrate]], abandons the legal profession in order to join the [[clergy]] of the [[Church of Ezra]].<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 60">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 60</ref><br>
* [[698 BC]] - Camille Dilisnya holds the [[Dinner of Death]].<ref name="RLCS p.17">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.17</ref><ref name="RLPHB p.19">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p.19</ref> Yakov Dilisnya is among those [[poisoned]] by Camille. Blame upon her for the murder of their leader spreads far and wide among Ezra's faithful. [[Borca]]'s streets erupt in open violence. Under advice, Camille quells the riots by building a monument to Yakov on church grounds and demonstrating great acts of (apparent) mourning.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref>
* [[698 BC]] - Camille Dilisnya holds the [[Dinner of Death]].<ref name="RLCS p.17">[[Ravenloft Third Edition]] p.17</ref><ref name="RLPHB p.19">[[Ravenloft Player's Handbook]] p.19</ref> Yakov Dilisnya is among those [[poisoned]] by Camille. Blame upon her for the murder of their leader spreads far and wide among Ezra's faithful. [[Borca]]'s streets erupt in open violence. Under advice, Camille quells the riots by building a monument to Yakov on church grounds and demonstrating great acts of (apparent) mourning.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref>
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* 698 BC The construction of a statue of Yakov, a [[prophet]] but still mortal, upon [[Ezran]] [[:category:Hallowed Ground|holy ground]] causes dissidence within the [[Church of Ezra]]. The [[First Schism]] splits the faithful.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref> After all is said and done, a [[Rite of Revelation]] is created to reveal those truly favored by [[Ezra]].<ref name="Gaz III p.110">[[Gazetteer III]] p.110</ref>
* 698 BC The construction of a statue of Yakov, a [[prophet]] but still mortal, upon [[Ezran]] [[:category:Hallowed Ground|holy ground]] causes dissidence within the [[Church of Ezra]]. The [[First Schism]] splits the faithful.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref> After all is said and done, a [[Rite of Revelation]] is created to reveal those truly favored by [[Ezra]].<ref name="Gaz III p.110">[[Gazetteer III]] p.110</ref>
* [[699 BC]] - Spurred on by concerns over the materialism of the Home Faith, [[Felix Wachter]] and his followers take the Church back to Mordent.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref> There he writes the ''[[Second Book of Ezra]]''<ref name=R3Ep.17>[[Ravenloft Third Edition], p.17</ref>, founding [[the Mordentish Sect]] of the [[Church of Ezra]].<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref>
* [[699 BC]] - Spurred on by concerns over the materialism of the Home Faith, [[Felix Wachter]] and his followers take the Church back to Mordent.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref> There he writes the ''[[Second Book of Ezra]]''<ref name=R3Ep.17>[[Ravenloft Third Edition], p.17</ref>, founding [[the Mordentish Sect]] of the [[Church of Ezra]].<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref><br>
*{{netbook-small}}[[699 BC]] [[Sentire Franklin Tennyson]] embraces the teachings of the [[Second Book of Ezra]]. However, the Souragnien public's reception of these teachings is less than enthusiastic.<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 57">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 57</ref><br>
*{{netbook-small}}[[700 BC]] '''Early Year''' Shortly before his death, [[Sentire Franklin Tennyson]] sends [[Etienne Lefebvre]] to [[the Mordentish Sect|the Mordent branch]] of the Churzh of Ezra.<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 59">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 59</ref><br>
*{{netbook-small}}[[700 BC]] '''Spring'''[[Sentire Franklin Tennyson]] dies of [[malaria]].<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 57">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 57</ref> His successor is [[Manon Larouche]], who would later become known as the [[infamous]] [[Ti-Maman]].<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 58">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 58</ref><br>
* [[701 BC]] - [[Praesidia Donella Borovsky]] passes an edict declaring [[witchcraft]] as a force of [[corruption]] created by [[hag]]s<ref name=GazIVp.27>[[Gazetteer IV]] p.27</ref>
* [[701 BC]] - [[Praesidia Donella Borovsky]] passes an edict declaring [[witchcraft]] as a force of [[corruption]] created by [[hag]]s<ref name=GazIVp.27>[[Gazetteer IV]] p.27</ref>
*[[702 BC]] - [[Borcan]] monk of [[Ezra]] turned [[heretic]] [[Renthon Vorishtok]] writes [[The Revelations of the Prince of Twilight]].<ref>[[Arcane Lore: Tomes of Forbidden Lore]], Dragon Magazine #252, pp87-89</ref>
*[[702 BC]] - [[Borcan]] monk of [[Ezra]] turned [[heretic]] [[Renthon Vorishtok]] writes [[The Revelations of the Prince of Twilight]].<ref>[[Arcane Lore: Tomes of Forbidden Lore]], Dragon Magazine #252, pp87-89</ref>
*{{netbook-small}}[[702 BC]] - Etienne Lefebvre returns to Souragne from Mordent. Ti-Maman names him [[secretary]] of the Souragnien branch of the Church of Ezra.<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 60">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 60</ref><br>
*{{netbook-small}}[[705 BC]] - [[Ti-Maman]] shakes things up in the Souragnien Church of Ezra by her inclusion of [[Voodan]] [[loa]]s and practices into the local [[Ezra]] church.<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 58">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 58</ref><br>
*{{netbook-small}} [[706 BC]] - Following advise from her [[secretary]] Etienne Lefebrve, Ti-Maman relocates from the Church of Ezra in [[Port d'Elhour]] to the one in [[Marais d'Tarascon]].<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 58">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 58</ref><br>
* [[706 BC]] - [[Ivana Boritsi]] discovers the powers of [[Danzig's Icon of Ezra]]. She prays in front of it to get a vision of how her love will work out for [[Pieter]].<ref name=LotBp.19>[[Legacy of the Blood]] p.19</ref>
* [[706 BC]] - [[Ivana Boritsi]] discovers the powers of [[Danzig's Icon of Ezra]]. She prays in front of it to get a vision of how her love will work out for [[Pieter]].<ref name=LotBp.19>[[Legacy of the Blood]] p.19</ref>
* ]]707 BC]] - The Home Faith and the Mordentish Sect bridge the divide caused by the Great Schism and achieve peace with each other.<ref name="Gaz IV p. 17">[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref>
* [[709 BC]] - [[Joan Secousse]] finds [[Ste. Mere des Larmes]] and brings the [[Church of Ezra]] to [[Dementlieu]].<ref name="Gaz III p.20-21">[[Gazetteer III]] p.20-21</ref>
* [[709 BC]] - [[Joan Secousse]] finds [[Ste. Mere des Larmes]] and brings the [[Church of Ezra]] to [[Dementlieu]].<ref name="Gaz III p.20-21">[[Gazetteer III]] p.20-21</ref>
*[[709 BC]]: [[Joan Secousse]] pens the [[Third Book of Ezra]]<ref name=R3Ep.17>[[Ravenloft Third Edition], p.17</ref> and [[the Dementlieuse Branch|a new sect]] is started.<ref name="Gaz III p.20-21">[[Gazetteer III]] p.20-21</ref>
*[[709 BC]]: [[Joan Secousse]] pens the [[Third Book of Ezra]]<ref name=R3Ep.17>[[Ravenloft Third Edition], p.17</ref> and [[the Dementlieuse Branch|a new sect]] is started.<ref name="Gaz III p.20-21">[[Gazetteer III]] p.20-21</ref><br>
*{{netbook-small}}[[709 BC]] - Following the creation of the [[Third Book of Ezra]] in [[Dementlieu]], local attention in Souragne turns to a Book of Ezra Ti-Maman is supposedly writing.<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 59">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 59</ref><br>
*{{netbook-small}}[[710 BC]] - Ti-Maman is [[assassinated]]. Etienne Lefebvre is her successor.<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 58">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 58</ref><br>
*{{netbook-small}}[[714 BC]]'''May''' [[Statue]]s of Ti-Maman begin appearing in personal [[shrine]]s of worship in [[Souragne]].<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 61">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 61</ref>
*{{netbook-small}}[[715 BC]] - Reports of [[miracle]]s attributed to [[statue]]s of [[Ti-Maman]] begin to emerge.<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 61">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 61</ref><br>
* [[716 BC]] - [[Bastion Felix Wachter]] dies.
* [[716 BC]] - [[Bastion Felix Wachter]] dies.
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*[[745 BC]] - The [[Great Cathedral]] is finished.<ref name=GazIVp.17>[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref>
*[[745 BC]] - The [[Great Cathedral]] is finished.<ref name=GazIVp.17>[[Gazetteer IV]] p.17</ref>
*[[751 BC]] - [[Bastion Teodorus Raines]] writes the [[Fourth Book of Ezra]].<ref name=R3Ep.18>[[Ravenloft Third Edition]], p.18</ref> He passes the [[Rite of Revelation]] and establishes [[Category:The Nevuchar Springs Sect|a sect of the church in Nevuchar Springs, Darkon]].<ref name="Gaz II p.30">[[Gazetteer II]] p.30</ref> He cleanses and occupies [[the Last Redoubt]] in [[Nevuchar Springs]].<ref name="Gaz II p.39">[[Gazetteer II]] p.39</ref>
*[[751 BC]] - [[Bastion Teodorus Raines]] writes the [[Fourth Book of Ezra]].<ref name=R3Ep.18>[[Ravenloft Third Edition]], p.18</ref> He passes the [[Rite of Revelation]] and establishes [[Category:The Nevuchar Springs Sect|a sect of the church in Nevuchar Springs, Darkon]].<ref name="Gaz II p.30">[[Gazetteer II]] p.30</ref> He cleanses and occupies [[the Last Redoubt]] in [[Nevuchar Springs]].<ref name="Gaz II p.39">[[Gazetteer II]] p.39</ref><br>
*{{netbook-small}}[[760 BC]] [[Sentire Etienne Lefebvre]] has gathered a group of [[priest]]s to unveil his version of the [[Fifth Book of Ezra]] on the 50th anniversary of [[Ti-Maman]]'s death.<ref name="Souragne Gazetteer p. 64">[[Souragne Gazetteer]] p. 64</ref><br>
==Schisms & Sects==
==Schisms & Sects==
Revision as of 00:13, 12 July 2016
The symbol of Ezran faith.
The Church of Ezra is an institution that follows the messianic figure Ezra, who may or may not have existed as a human or a goddess. Its symbol is a silver longsword on a kite shield with a sprig of belladonna. The main headquarters of the faith are in Borca, Mordent, Dementlieu, and Darkon.
The religion originated through the prophecies of one man, Yakov Dilisnya. At the age of 25 a horseback riding accident left him delerious for five days, at the end of which he recovered and penned the First Book of Ezra. Over the next few years he displayed increasingly miraculous powers, but gained few followers until he left his native Mordent for the newly formed Borca. There he convinced his young half-sister Camille to help finance the construction of the Great Cathedral, and set about making many more converts.
When one of Camille's tantrums led to Yakov's death, it led to a schism in the church. Camille's fear of fanatic reprisal led to an apology in the form of a statue of Yakov for the cathedral, but she privately demanded that the church avoid fomenting rebellion. The question as to whether the Church ought to accept demands from an earthly ruler--and a corrupt one at that--caused Felix Wachter to separate himself with a small group of like-minded faithful and return to Mordent. There he penned the Second Book of Ezra.
The rift between the two sects eventually healed, but when wandering anchorite Joan Secousse entered the new domain of Dementlieu, another rift occured, eventually leading to another book. Secousse had discovered Ste. Mere des Larmes, an abandoned cathedral dedicated to Ezra that nevertheless predated the entire church to date. Secousse penned the revelations she received from her study of the cathedral, and a new sect was born.
684 BC - Yakov moves to Borca[2], and convinces Camille to support the church, mostly on the basis that the the religion would serve as a useful tool to control the masses. Camille's support includes financial backing for the Great Cathedral of Levkarest[3]
685 BC - Construction begins on the Great Cathedral of Levkarest. The Church of Ezra is spreading across Borca.[4]
698 BC - Camille Dilisnya holds the Dinner of Death.[8][9] Yakov Dilisnya is among those poisoned by Camille. Blame upon her for the murder of their leader spreads far and wide among Ezra's faithful. Borca's streets erupt in open violence. Under advice, Camille quells the riots by building a monument to Yakov on church grounds and demonstrating great acts of (apparent) mourning.[4]
709 BC - Following the creation of the Third Book of Ezra in Dementlieu, local attention in Souragne turns to a Book of Ezra Ti-Maman is supposedly writing.[12]
There are four sects of the Ezran religion, though some followers expect a final fifth.
The four sects are the Home Faith in Borca, the pure hearts in Mordentshire, the Erudites in Dementilieu and the Zealots in Darkon.
The Book of Ezra
n the time before, in a land cloaked in Mists, there was a woman, and She was Ezra.
Ezra was a healer of the sick and protector of the weak. Such was Her lot in life. Such was Her role in the grand scheme. Ezra took pride in the role Fate had given Her. Her duty was Her joy.
For many years, Ezra healed the lame and watched over Her people. Yet as time went on, Ezra began to see the Hollow. From the Mists of Death came horrors of the night. They were the drinker of blood and the stealer of breath and the beast that rends. Many were their legions. Many were the roles played by darkness in the Grand Scheme.
Ezra knew that Death would come for Her, as it comes to all in time. When Ezra entered the Gray Land, there would be no guardian to fill Her role. There would be no one to stand between Her people and the Legions of the Night.
Ezra set forth on a quest to find a guardian for Her people. She sought the One Pure Heart who would assume Her role. Ezra sought for the One Pure Heart in many lands, but ever did She seek in vain.
In time, Her quest brought Ezra to the end of all things. Behind Ezra stretched all the lands of the world. Before Ezra rose only the Mists of Death.
Ezra spoke to the Mists. Asked She, “The world is yours. You set its shape. Why do you allow its people to wander, lost and afraid?” But the Mists did not answer.
Again Ezra spoke. “Why have you filled your world with the Legions of the Night?” Yet the Mists would not answer.
A third time did Ezra speak. “All things have their role in the Grand Scheme. The Legions of the Night have their place, but Guardians and Guides have their roles in turn.” Still the Mists offered no reply.
Ezra spoke once more. “I have searched all the vastness of your lands, but I have found no Guardians for My people. I have found no Guides for the lost.” Again the Mists were silent.
For the last time did Ezra speak. “You have failed the Grand Scheme. You have created a Hollow that must be filled. If you will not watch over your people, then that task falls to me.” Upon the fifth entreaty did the Mists of Death reply.
From the Mists came a Voice, and the Voice spoke, saying, “Turn back, Mortal. You know nothing of the Grand Scheme. You know nothing of the Mists. You have reached the end of Your world. Continue and You shall find only Your destruction, nothing more.”
Yet Ezra held fast against the Mists, saying, “You cannot bid Me enter, yet I cannot turn away. I offer Myself to you so that you may know the suffering of My People. If I must be destroyed for them, then that is what must be.” The Mists of Death fell silent.
Then the Voice spoke once more. “Enter the Mists if You must, Mortal, but not as You are. Your kind has no place here. To enter the Mists, You must become as one with the Mists. Never again shall You leave them. Will You forever sacrifice Yourself to watch over these few mortals?”
Spoke Ezra, “Such is My role in the Grand Scheme. So must it be.” And with these words did Ezra become Our Guardian in the Mists.
689 BC Franklin Tennyson, Ezrite missionary, comes to Souragne.[5]
