Pave Stavroz Vatsisk
Stravroz Vatsisk commands the Church of the Lawgiver in Hazlan from the Iron Citadel-Fane at the western edge of Toyalis. As Pave of Hazlan he enjoys much greater autonomy than Pave Lod Ragnaar back in Nova Vaasa. But he must displease neither Himmelsk Naeve Pieter Jergaar nor Hazlik, two individuals with incompatible agendas. And matters are threatening to come to a head.
The position of the Church in Hazlan is complex and unsatisfactory. The reception of the Lawgiver's message among the Hazlani could hardly have gone better. Slaver and slave, rich and poor, Mulan and Rashemani all found much in the doctrine to take to heart. And perhaps the satraps appointed by Hazlik to govern in his sted benefitted from it most of all. But this bloodless success has left the Iron Faith in the extraordinarily uncomfortable position of blessing the authority of an individual that it finds contemptible on nearly every level. Worse, just as Hazlik madly tore up the law forbidding the practice (by others) of arcane magic, he could wake up tomorrow and ban religion. But aside from mere whim, what would ever possess him to do so? Himmelsk Naeve Pieter Jergaar has ordered that a hardline be taken by Pave Stavroz Vatsisk in respect to the blasphemy that is the practice of arcane magic. The Pave has not yet seen fit to obey this order, having some appreciation of the consequences. Short of simply proscribing the Iron Faith, Hazlik could declare the independence of the Hazlani church, he could see to the deaths or disappearances of church leaders, he could impose a pave of his own choosing, or he could attempts ensorcel the pave or other church leaders. None of these things would be good for Lod or, he reasons, the church. Whether the Himmelsk Naeve ("Divine Fist") fails to appreciate the consequences or appreciates them all too well is the question. It is not clear whether the Pave has thought to ask himself this question. Sainted Prince Gorkyn could be trusted to make the most of such provocations. What about Othmar Bolshnik? Might the prospect of becoming the conqueror-king be the catalyst for transforming him into a respectable leader? The Himmelsk Naeve may not be as content as the Pave is with counting the days until death claims the aged and deranged wizard, knowing well that such powerful individuals rarely go easily or quickly. And it Pave who, in the first place, may be sacrificeda part of sheme.
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Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I - p59 |
