A little understanding - Revision history

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Senate" to "[[Senate"

2026-01-15T12:30:44Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Senate" to "[[Senate"

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	* '''The Imperial Senate could use one or more Senate motions to change Imperial law'''		* '''The Imperial Senate could use one or more Senate motions to change Imperial law'''
	* '''Doing so will not affect these trials, but would affect future trials'''		* '''Doing so will not affect these trials, but would affect future trials'''
	The [[~~Imperial~~ Senate]] is responsible for Imperial law - they set the boundaries of what is and is not legal in the Empire. The magistrates maintain the body of Imperial law and conduct trials, but they make changes to the Law as directed by the Imperial Senate.		The [[Senate]] is responsible for Imperial law - they set the boundaries of what is and is not legal in the Empire. The magistrates maintain the body of Imperial law and conduct trials, but they make changes to the Law as directed by the Imperial Senate.

	Currently Imperial law delegates the authority to initiate a trial for a religious crime to the Imperial Synod. The laws, as written, give the Synod considerable leeway to decide what is a religious crime and what is not. The magistrates don't have to accept the verdict of the Synod in this matter, but they would usually defer to their judgement. This is constitutional, because guarding the Virtue of the Empire is the responsibility of the Synod, but it is not the only possible arrangement.		Currently Imperial law delegates the authority to initiate a trial for a religious crime to the Imperial Synod. The laws, as written, give the Synod considerable leeway to decide what is a religious crime and what is not. The magistrates don't have to accept the verdict of the Synod in this matter, but they would usually defer to their judgement. This is constitutional, because guarding the Virtue of the Empire is the responsibility of the Synod, but it is not the only possible arrangement.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Synod" to "[[Synod"

2026-01-15T12:27:31Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Synod" to "[[Synod"

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	* '''The magistrates are investigating these charges, and trials of the four involved appear inevitable'''		* '''The magistrates are investigating these charges, and trials of the four involved appear inevitable'''
	* '''This condemnation, and the acts that apparently prompted it, have significant implications for the Imperial Synod, the Way, and the Empire as a whole'''		* '''This condemnation, and the acts that apparently prompted it, have significant implications for the Imperial Synod, the Way, and the Empire as a whole'''
	At the Autumn Equinox, three of the cardinals of the [[~~Imperial~~ Synod]], and a citizen who was acting as [[proxy]] to the [[Cardinal of Prosperity]], publicly swore an oath to bear an [[aura]] of [[Malign spiritual presences#Peace\|Peace]] for the coming year. They promised to carry the hallowed item, and do nothing to resist its effects. One of the number, '''Zadkiel de Coeurdefer''', immediately resigned his title, presumably a response to what had just taken place. Despite this, all four were quickly [[Sanction#Condemnation\|condemned]] as [[Religious_crime#Heresy\|heretics]] and [[Religious_crime#Blasphemy\|blasphemers]] by the [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies\|Assembly]] of [[Vigilance]], members of whom apparently bore personal [[Member_of_the_Synod#Witness\|witness]] to the ceremony accompanying the bestowal of the [[hallow\|hallowed]] items.		At the Autumn Equinox, three of the cardinals of the [[Synod]], and a citizen who was acting as [[proxy]] to the [[Cardinal of Prosperity]], publicly swore an oath to bear an [[aura]] of [[Malign spiritual presences#Peace\|Peace]] for the coming year. They promised to carry the hallowed item, and do nothing to resist its effects. One of the number, '''Zadkiel de Coeurdefer''', immediately resigned his title, presumably a response to what had just taken place. Despite this, all four were quickly [[Sanction#Condemnation\|condemned]] as [[Religious_crime#Heresy\|heretics]] and [[Religious_crime#Blasphemy\|blasphemers]] by the [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies\|Assembly]] of [[Vigilance]], members of whom apparently bore personal [[Member_of_the_Synod#Witness\|witness]] to the ceremony accompanying the bestowal of the [[hallow\|hallowed]] items.

	Not all fully agree with this decision however. '''Kalina Jadwigowna Piosnkowa Prochnost''' the [[Virtue Inquisitor]] of [[Wisdom]] [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_58\|called]] '''Silas''', [[Cardinal of Wisdom]] to [[inquisition]]. The Wisdom Assembly also passed a [[statement of principle]] stating that they [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_195\|supported the cardinal's actions]] to test his knowledge of "understanding" and the [[General Assembly]] [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_207\|passed a judgement]] that some believe [[sanction#vindication\|vindicates]] the cardinal of the charges of heresy and blasphemy, although the wording is unclear.		Not all fully agree with this decision however. '''Kalina Jadwigowna Piosnkowa Prochnost''' the [[Virtue Inquisitor]] of [[Wisdom]] [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_58\|called]] '''Silas''', [[Cardinal of Wisdom]] to [[inquisition]]. The Wisdom Assembly also passed a [[statement of principle]] stating that they [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_195\|supported the cardinal's actions]] to test his knowledge of "understanding" and the [[General Assembly]] [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_207\|passed a judgement]] that some believe [[sanction#vindication\|vindicates]] the cardinal of the charges of heresy and blasphemy, although the wording is unclear.

Twiggy: /* The Role of a Cardinal */

2025-07-12T23:45:27Z

The Role of a Cardinal

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	This is the key reason these condemnations have proved so dramatic - had any "normal" citizen of Anvil been accused of this, most people would have thought that a matter for the Synod and the magistrates and of little importance to them. The fact that it is four of the cardinals of virtue who have done this, is what makes these action so momentous and significant.		This is the key reason these condemnations have proved so dramatic - had any "normal" citizen of Anvil been accused of this, most people would have thought that a matter for the Synod and the magistrates and of little importance to them. The fact that it is four of the cardinals of virtue who have done this, is what makes these action so momentous and significant.

	The fact that at least two of the accused, '''Iniska Ashwood''' and '''Viviane de Coeurdefer''', are believed to be members of the Doctrine Reform Council, [[385YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_99\|currently examining]] the [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Seven\|~~the~~ Doctrine of Seven]], has only served to further raise the stakes. If that is true, if some of the priests reviewing this Doctrine are now carrying out their work while directly under the influence of a False Virtue, then that only makes this even more significant than it already is.		The fact that at least two of the accused, '''Iniska Ashwood''' and '''Viviane de Coeurdefer''', are believed to be members of the Doctrine Reform Council, [[385YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_99\|currently examining]] the [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Seven\|Doctrine of Seven]], has only served to further raise the stakes. If that is true, if some of the priests reviewing this Doctrine are now carrying out their work while directly under the influence of a False Virtue, then that only makes this even more significant than it already is.

	==The Role of a Proxy==		==The Role of a Proxy==

Dre at 13:37, 5 May 2025

2025-05-05T13:37:21Z

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	I regret that I could not meet you in person, though I believe I did meet one or two of your number at the Printer’s Guild Ball last year – in particular I remember meeting the Cardinal of Ambition who struck me as a very interesting individual. In general I was struck by the openness of many of the Synod priests I spoke to during my visit to considering viewpoints I would have thought were considered at best heterodox positions. It seems the composition of your Synod at this time is open to new ideas and ways of thinking, and I think this is to your credit. I have been thinking much about the strengths of your Synod and the ways in which it might provide a pathway toward the unification of my own people through their spiritual beliefs.		I regret that I could not meet you in person, though I believe I did meet one or two of your number at the Printer’s Guild Ball last year – in particular I remember meeting the Cardinal of Ambition who struck me as a very interesting individual. In general I was struck by the openness of many of the Synod priests I spoke to during my visit to considering viewpoints I would have thought were considered at best heterodox positions. It seems the composition of your Synod at this time is open to new ideas and ways of thinking, and I think this is to your credit. I have been thinking much about the strengths of your Synod and the ways in which it might provide a pathway toward the unification of my own people through their spiritual beliefs.

	I have been asked by ~~Illarch~~ Deianeira to compose the oath we require of you. The text I have come to is as follows:		I have been asked by Ilarch Deianeira to compose the oath we require of you. The text I have come to is as follows:

	“I swear to bear this hallowed item in such a manner as to give full effect to the aura that lies upon it. I will not use spiritual strength that comes from within or without to resist it, but will truly respect its effects and experience the world through the lens it offers, and hence come to a more whole understanding of the spiritual power it represents. I will not share it with others, passing it around like some curio, but treat it as a precious thing. This I will do until the power of the hallowing ceases and fades away, in one year’s time.”		“I swear to bear this hallowed item in such a manner as to give full effect to the aura that lies upon it. I will not use spiritual strength that comes from within or without to resist it, but will truly respect its effects and experience the world through the lens it offers, and hence come to a more whole understanding of the spiritual power it represents. I will not share it with others, passing it around like some curio, but treat it as a precious thing. This I will do until the power of the hallowing ceases and fades away, in one year’s time.”

	~~Illarch~~ Deianeira sees this as an essential commitment by you to treating Axou beliefs and practices seriously. I know there are people like the New Scions of Atun in your Empire who are extremely concerned with what I might call an experimental approach to theology. While I respect this, our concern is that it would be easy enough to “sample” an aura and then cast it aside.		Ilarch Deianeira sees this as an essential commitment by you to treating Axou beliefs and practices seriously. I know there are people like the New Scions of Atun in your Empire who are extremely concerned with what I might call an experimental approach to theology. While I respect this, our concern is that it would be easy enough to “sample” an aura and then cast it aside.

	As a theologian I am a phenomenologist: I believe that our understanding of the world – including the Virtues and other spiritual powers of the world – comes primarily from our experiences of them, but I believe they must be experienced wholly and with an open heart to the experience, rather than with the experimentalist’s sceptical distance. I am hopeful you will commit yourself to this.		As a theologian I am a phenomenologist: I believe that our understanding of the world – including the Virtues and other spiritual powers of the world – comes primarily from our experiences of them, but I believe they must be experienced wholly and with an open heart to the experience, rather than with the experimentalist’s sceptical distance. I am hopeful you will commit yourself to this.

Vsabo: /* The Axos Agenda */

2025-04-20T23:29:05Z

The Axos Agenda

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	It's not clear the Axou stand to gain from all this is. The [[Shuttered Lantern]] are [[Victory_and_unity#Magicians_Know_Magicians\|investigating the situation]] in Axos, but there are clearly complicated political agendas at play. Theodosia of Ipotavo is thought to be a genuine advocate for Peace, though her precise teachings are not well understood. During her recent visit to the Empire, she is not known to have attempted to preach her blasphemy. Ilarch Kyther Deianeira and their supporters are not believed to advocate for Peace, and there is no suggestion that they are particularly religiously motivated at all. Indeed their movement is primarily based in Axou nationalism. It is more likely therefore that Kyther saw this as an opportunistic attempt to curry favour with the Empire by demonstrating that Axos could provide things of value, while taking a stance that would preserve their pride and dignity.		It's not clear the Axou stand to gain from all this is. The [[Shuttered Lantern]] are [[Victory_and_unity#Magicians_Know_Magicians\|investigating the situation]] in Axos, but there are clearly complicated political agendas at play. Theodosia of Ipotavo is thought to be a genuine advocate for Peace, though her precise teachings are not well understood. During her recent visit to the Empire, she is not known to have attempted to preach her blasphemy. Ilarch Kyther Deianeira and their supporters are not believed to advocate for Peace, and there is no suggestion that they are particularly religiously motivated at all. Indeed their movement is primarily based in Axou nationalism. It is more likely therefore that Kyther saw this as an opportunistic attempt to curry favour with the Empire by demonstrating that Axos could provide things of value, while taking a stance that would preserve their pride and dignity.

	Priests in Axos happily make use of all the true virtues, but they also make use of "[[Axos_religion#Spiritual_Forces\|spiritual forces]]" like [[Malign spiritual presences#Peace\|Peace]], [[Malign spiritual presences#Vengeance\|Vengeance]] or [[Malign spiritual presences#Hatred\|Hatred]]. They are known to be implacable opponents of [[the Way]]. They [[Axos_religion\|believe in]] a [[Axos_religion#The_Malign_Creator\|malign Creator]], and claim the Labyrinth is a [[Axos_religion#The_Eternal_Torture_Chamber\|torture chamber]] built by that wicked Creator to hobble humanity and prevent them from achieving their true destiny. As a result, many Axou despise the ~~imperial~~ Synod, which they believe serves the Creator by tricking people into believing that reincarnation is a ''good thing''. Despite this, it does not appear to have been the Ilarch's intention to cause trouble for the Synod through their actions... but if this incident ''does'' cause problems for the Synod that will probably serve their political goals well.		Priests in Axos happily make use of all the true virtues, but they also make use of "[[Axos_religion#Spiritual_Forces\|spiritual forces]]" like [[Malign spiritual presences#Peace\|Peace]], [[Malign spiritual presences#Vengeance\|Vengeance]] or [[Malign spiritual presences#Hatred\|Hatred]]. They are known to be implacable opponents of [[the Way]]. They [[Axos_religion\|believe in]] a [[Axos_religion#The_Malign_Creator\|malign Creator]], and claim the Labyrinth is a [[Axos_religion#The_Eternal_Torture_Chamber\|torture chamber]] built by that wicked Creator to hobble humanity and prevent them from achieving their true destiny. As a result, many Axou despise the Imperial Synod, which they believe serves the Creator by tricking people into believing that reincarnation is a ''good thing''. Despite this, it does not appear to have been the Ilarch's intention to cause trouble for the Synod through their actions... but if this incident ''does'' cause problems for the Synod that will probably serve their political goals well.

	===Vital Evidence===		===Vital Evidence===

Hailmur at 14:28, 12 April 2025

2025-04-12T14:28:16Z

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	</ic>		</ic>
	<div style="float:left; width: 600px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Gaelen9489.jpg\|\|caption=Gaelen Embercast, Cardinal of Vigilance\|align=left\|width=600}}</div>		<div style="float:left; width: 600px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Gaelen9489.jpg\|\|caption=Gaelen Embercast, Cardinal of Vigilance\|align=left\|width=600}}</div>
			{{PDFLink\|align=right\|link=File:A little understanding.pdf\|caption=Click for pdf version}}
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	* '''During the Autumn Equinox several Cardinals of the Synod were condemned for heresy and blasphemy by the Vigilance assembly'''		* '''During the Autumn Equinox several Cardinals of the Synod were condemned for heresy and blasphemy by the Vigilance assembly'''

Hailmur at 20:08, 11 April 2025

2025-04-11T20:08:53Z

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	This is the key reason these condemnations have proved so dramatic - had any "normal" citizen of Anvil been accused of this, most people would have thought that a matter for the Synod and the magistrates and of little importance to them. The fact that it is four of the cardinals of virtue who have done this, is what makes these action so momentous and significant.		This is the key reason these condemnations have proved so dramatic - had any "normal" citizen of Anvil been accused of this, most people would have thought that a matter for the Synod and the magistrates and of little importance to them. The fact that it is four of the cardinals of virtue who have done this, is what makes these action so momentous and significant.

	The fact that at least ~~one~~ of the accused, '''Iniska Ashwood''', is believed to be ~~a member~~ of the Doctrine Reform Council, [[385YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_99\|currently examining]] the [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Seven\|the Doctrine of Seven]], has only served to further raise the stakes. If that is true, if ~~one~~ of the priests reviewing this Doctrine is now carrying out their work while directly under the influence of a False Virtue, then that only makes this even more significant than it already is.		The fact that at least two of the accused, '''Iniska Ashwood''' and '''Viviane de Coeurdefer''', are believed to be members of the Doctrine Reform Council, [[385YE_Winter_Solstice_Synod_judgements#Judgement_99\|currently examining]] the [[The_Doctrines_of_the_Faith#The_Doctrine_of_Seven\|the Doctrine of Seven]], has only served to further raise the stakes. If that is true, if some of the priests reviewing this Doctrine are now carrying out their work while directly under the influence of a False Virtue, then that only makes this even more significant than it already is.

	==The Role of a Proxy==		==The Role of a Proxy==

Dre at 09:36, 11 April 2025

2025-04-11T09:36:06Z

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	"Magistrate Abraham was apparently present at the time."		"Magistrate Abraham was apparently present at the time."

	Alder stifled an internal groan. He took off his glasses, placed them on the desk in front of them and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was a massive case... the trial of four cardinals condemned for blasphemy and heresy. It was completely unprecedented. Nothing like this has ever happened in the history of the Empire. Concerned citizens across the Empire would be watching to see what happened. Given how momentous it was, surely Abraham would have had the good sense not to say anything intemperate?		Alder stifled an internal groan. He took off his glasses, placed them on the desk in front of them and pinched the bridge of his nose. This was a massive case... the trial of four cardinals condemned for blasphemy and heresy. It was completely unprecedented. Nothing like this has ever happened in the history of the Empire. Concerned citizens across the Empire would be watching to see what happened. Given how momentous it was, surely Abraham would have had the good sense not to say anything intemperate?

	"He apparently declaimed loudly about what was happening to everyone present."		"He apparently declaimed loudly about what was happening to everyone present."
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	At the Autumn Equinox, three of the cardinals of the [[Imperial Synod]], and a citizen who was acting as [[proxy]] to the [[Cardinal of Prosperity]], publicly swore an oath to bear an [[aura]] of [[Malign spiritual presences#Peace\|Peace]] for the coming year. They promised to carry the hallowed item, and do nothing to resist its effects. One of the number, '''Zadkiel de Coeurdefer''', immediately resigned his title, presumably a response to what had just taken place. Despite this, all four were quickly [[Sanction#Condemnation\|condemned]] as [[Religious_crime#Heresy\|heretics]] and [[Religious_crime#Blasphemy\|blasphemers]] by the [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies\|Assembly]] of [[Vigilance]], members of whom apparently bore personal [[Member_of_the_Synod#Witness\|witness]] to the ceremony accompanying the bestowal of the [[hallow\|hallowed]] items.		At the Autumn Equinox, three of the cardinals of the [[Imperial Synod]], and a citizen who was acting as [[proxy]] to the [[Cardinal of Prosperity]], publicly swore an oath to bear an [[aura]] of [[Malign spiritual presences#Peace\|Peace]] for the coming year. They promised to carry the hallowed item, and do nothing to resist its effects. One of the number, '''Zadkiel de Coeurdefer''', immediately resigned his title, presumably a response to what had just taken place. Despite this, all four were quickly [[Sanction#Condemnation\|condemned]] as [[Religious_crime#Heresy\|heretics]] and [[Religious_crime#Blasphemy\|blasphemers]] by the [[Assembly#The_Virtue_Assemblies\|Assembly]] of [[Vigilance]], members of whom apparently bore personal [[Member_of_the_Synod#Witness\|witness]] to the ceremony accompanying the bestowal of the [[hallow\|hallowed]] items.

	Not all fully agree with this decision however. '''Kalina Jadwigowna Piosnkowa Prochnost''' the [[Virtue Inquisitor]] of [[Wisdom]] [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_58\|called]] '''Silas''', [[Cardinal of Wisdom]] to [[inquisition]]. The Wisdom Assembly also passed a [[statement of principle]] stating that they [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_195\|supported the cardinal's actions]] to test his knowledge of "understanding" and the [[General Assembly]] [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_207\|passed a judgement]] that some believe [[sanction#vindication\|vindicates]] the cardinal of the charges of heresy and blasphemy, although the wording is unclear.		Not all fully agree with this decision however. '''Kalina Jadwigowna Piosnkowa Prochnost''' the [[Virtue Inquisitor]] of [[Wisdom]] [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_58\|called]] '''Silas''', [[Cardinal of Wisdom]] to [[inquisition]]. The Wisdom Assembly also passed a [[statement of principle]] stating that they [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_195\|supported the cardinal's actions]] to test his knowledge of "understanding" and the [[General Assembly]] [[386YE_Autumn_Equinox_Synod_judgements#Judgement_207\|passed a judgement]] that some believe [[sanction#vindication\|vindicates]] the cardinal of the charges of heresy and blasphemy, although the wording is unclear.

	In the history of the Empire, there has never been a successful [[judgement]] of condemnation against a member of the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine\|Assembly of the Nine]] elected by the Virtue assemblies. The magistrates are now bound to conduct a trial to investigate the [[religious crime\|religious crimes]] these cardinals are accused of. Meanwhile, the General Assembly must wrestle with this growing schism - following so closely on the heels of the [[True faith\|recent crisis]] concerning [[Vardas]] - and contemplate what it means for the Way.		In the history of the Empire, there has never been a successful [[judgement]] of condemnation against a member of the [[Assembly#Assembly_of_the_Nine\|Assembly of the Nine]] elected by the Virtue assemblies. The magistrates are now bound to conduct a trial to investigate the [[religious crime\|religious crimes]] these cardinals are accused of. Meanwhile, the General Assembly must wrestle with this growing schism - following so closely on the heels of the [[True faith\|recent crisis]] concerning [[Vardas]] - and contemplate what it means for the Way.
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	* '''A citizen who confesses their guilt may ask a priest to plead for clemency on their behalf'''		* '''A citizen who confesses their guilt may ask a priest to plead for clemency on their behalf'''
	* '''A priest, even a cardinal, cannot plead for clemency on their own behalf'''		* '''A priest, even a cardinal, cannot plead for clemency on their own behalf'''
	Imperial law allows a citizen to ask a member of the Synod to plead for [[Member_of_the_Synod#Clemency\|clemency]] at trial if - and only if - they confess their guilt. If the act was done for virtuous reasons, a priest may speak on their behalf and ask for clemency from the magistrate. They must accompany the recipient to trial and lay out the reasons why their virtuous behaviour should result in a ''reduced'' sentence. Only a priest can plead for clemency and only on behalf of another - a priest, even a cardinal, cannot make their own plea for clemency.		Imperial law allows a citizen to ask a member of the Synod to plead for [[Member_of_the_Synod#Clemency\|clemency]] at trial if - and only if - they confess their guilt. If the act was done for virtuous reasons, a priest may speak on their behalf and ask for clemency from the magistrate. They must accompany the recipient to trial and lay out the reasons why their virtuous behaviour should result in a ''reduced'' sentence. Only a priest can plead for clemency and only on behalf of another - a priest, even a cardinal, cannot make their own plea for clemency.

	Clemency is only available to those who plead guilty. You cannot plead that there was a virtuous reason for the thing you are accused of and simultaneously claim that you didn't do the thing you are accused of. Clemency does not mitigate a crime - it asks the magistrate to impose a reduced sentence by acknowledging the virtue of the actions. It is not uncommon for citizens to imagine that they will receive no punishment for their actions because a priest claims that they acted in virtue but that is very rarely the case.		Clemency is only available to those who plead guilty. You cannot plead that there was a virtuous reason for the thing you are accused of and simultaneously claim that you didn't do the thing you are accused of. Clemency does not mitigate a crime - it asks the magistrate to impose a reduced sentence by acknowledging the virtue of the actions. It is not uncommon for citizens to imagine that they will receive no punishment for their actions because a priest claims that they acted in virtue but that is very rarely the case.

Hailmur at 00:12, 11 April 2025

2025-04-11T00:12:57Z

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	<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Alikos Helio.jpg\|caption=The ''Axou helios'' is an ancient symbol of the Axou people, adopted by the ''Nikitis Axou'' movement.\|align=right\|width=300}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Alikos Helio.jpg\|caption=The ''Axou helios'' is an ancient symbol of the Axou people, adopted by the ''Nikitis Axou'' movement.\|align=right\|width=300}}</div>
	===The Axos Agenda===		===The Axos Agenda===
	* '''The priest who came to Anvil was a disciple of ~~Theodosa~~ of Ipotavo'''		* '''The priest who came to Anvil was a disciple of Theodosia of Ipotavo'''
	* '''The sects of Axos despise the Way and the Imperial Synod'''		* '''The sects of Axos despise the Way and the Imperial Synod'''
	* '''Axou religious sects are not united in the way the Assemblies of the Imperial Synod are, but they agree that the Way is a wicked faith that serves a false creator'''		* '''Axou religious sects are not united in the way the Assemblies of the Imperial Synod are, but they agree that the Way is a wicked faith that serves a false creator'''
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	The condemnations have provoked considerable interest across the Empire. The revelation that four members of the Assembly of Nine opted to accept a hallowing of a false virtue, and that they swore an oath to abide by that aura and not attempt to resist it for a year, has surprised and alarmed many. Thus far this alarm has not let to action - people seem eager to know more, but content to wait for the resolution of this matter - but the situation will change once the matter is resolved.		The condemnations have provoked considerable interest across the Empire. The revelation that four members of the Assembly of Nine opted to accept a hallowing of a false virtue, and that they swore an oath to abide by that aura and not attempt to resist it for a year, has surprised and alarmed many. Thus far this alarm has not let to action - people seem eager to know more, but content to wait for the resolution of this matter - but the situation will change once the matter is resolved.

	If the cardinals are '''found guilty at trial and receive a harsh sentence''', then that will send an unequivocal message to everyone in the Empire that they should not have anything to do with false virtues or auras thereof. If the cardinals of the Assembly of Nine face punishment for this, then what hope would there be for any ordinary citizen that they might escape punishment for the same? People would exercise more caution in future - with this incident serving as a salutary lesson in ~~the~~ the dangers of foolish or Unvirtuous action.		If the cardinals are '''found guilty at trial and receive a harsh sentence''', then that will send an unequivocal message to everyone in the Empire that they should not have anything to do with false virtues or auras thereof. If the cardinals of the Assembly of Nine face punishment for this, then what hope would there be for any ordinary citizen that they might escape punishment for the same? People would exercise more caution in future - with this incident serving as a salutary lesson in the dangers of foolish or Unvirtuous action.

	If the cardinals '''avoid punishment for their actions''', that is likely to have the opposite effect. There are people who claim that the spiritual dedication of the cardinals places them beyond reproach and gives them more leeway than the average citizen for dallying with false virtues. Such arguments carry little or no sway beyond Anvil, where the common citizen's view of a cardinal is that they embody spiritual purity. The legal responsibilities for a cardinal state that		If the cardinals '''avoid punishment for their actions''', that is likely to have the opposite effect. There are people who claim that the spiritual dedication of the cardinals places them beyond reproach and gives them more leeway than the average citizen for dallying with false virtues. Such arguments carry little or no sway beyond Anvil, where the common citizen's view of a cardinal is that they embody spiritual purity. The legal responsibilities for a cardinal state that

Noserenda: /* The Senate Moves */

2025-04-10T22:53:55Z

The Senate Moves

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	If the Imperial Senate made it illegal to carry an aura of a false virtue, then in future there would be no need for the magistrates to wait for instruction to act from the Synod. At the point where they discovered that the law had been broken, they could deal with it in exactly the same way they might deal with a robbery or a murder. That could impact the actions of the four who have been condemned, especially if they chose to continue carrying the auras in defiance of any new law.		If the Imperial Senate made it illegal to carry an aura of a false virtue, then in future there would be no need for the magistrates to wait for instruction to act from the Synod. At the point where they discovered that the law had been broken, they could deal with it in exactly the same way they might deal with a robbery or a murder. That could impact the actions of the four who have been condemned, especially if they chose to continue carrying the auras in defiance of any new law.

	The Senate could use a motion to make changes to the legal process for Condemnation - they could make it so that such a judgement can only be raised in the General Assembly. Or they could change the law so that any condemnation by a a [[Virtue assembly\|virtue]] or [[National assembly]] would be automatically escalated to the General Assembly for final consideration so that it proceeded to trial if the General Assembly upheld the decision.		The Senate could use a motion to make changes to the legal process for Condemnation - they could make it so that such a judgement can only be raised in the General Assembly. Or they could change the law so that any condemnation by a [[Virtue assembly\|virtue]] or [[National assembly]] would be automatically escalated to the General Assembly for final consideration so that it proceeded to trial if the General Assembly upheld the decision.

	The Imperial Senate could use a set of Senate motions to make sweeping changes to Imperial law in this way. They could make it illegal to create an aura of a false virtue, or be illegal to dedicate someone to one, or illegal to be dedicated to one. It is already illegal to actively teach and promote false virtues, but that law expects the Synod to be the first to judge what constitutes teaching or promoting. Actions that don't require that element of judgement, like creating or destroying auras, dedications, hallows or consecrations could all be the subjects of Imperial law in a way that would ''not'' require any input from the Imperial Synod before magistrates could take action.		The Imperial Senate could use a set of Senate motions to make sweeping changes to Imperial law in this way. They could make it illegal to create an aura of a false virtue, or be illegal to dedicate someone to one, or illegal to be dedicated to one. It is already illegal to actively teach and promote false virtues, but that law expects the Synod to be the first to judge what constitutes teaching or promoting. Actions that don't require that element of judgement, like creating or destroying auras, dedications, hallows or consecrations could all be the subjects of Imperial law in a way that would ''not'' require any input from the Imperial Synod before magistrates could take action.