A Minmir Proclamation: Flamerule 187
"The Reformational Fundamentalist Church of Bane acknowledges Fzoul Chembryl, Chosen of Bane and the Tyrant of Zhentil Keep, as the High Imperceptor. Additionally, it honors Queen Jennifer Cordor-Eldren as the Imperceptor of the Banite Faith of Arelith."
"Within the Reformational Fundamentalist Church of Bane, the ultimate authority of the High Imperceptor Fzoul Chembryl and the Imperceptor Queen Jennifer Cordor-Eldren of Cordor are acknowledged. Their word is Law."
- Freya Brande "Hierarchical Structure" Day 6, Month 3 (Ches), 187 AR
It has once again become necessary to shine the light of truth upon recent events and people involved in the affairs of the almighty Banefaith. As those who frequent the various taverns, city squares, and message boards have undoubtedly heard, there has been a great deal of vitriol and sabre rattling in regards to Minmir Keep. As a means of advancing the agenda of an upstart cult, and ostracizing those who would potentially threaten its delicate hierarchy. I offer to you, the sensible denizens of Arelith, a candid expose of events and their intricacies. To provide an ineffable counter to the deplorable shills who would present a twisted story of recent events. For why do they make a mockery of themselves by spreading these falsehoods? Because those without strength must use the tools of The Pretender to have anything at all.
To offer some background to those who may not know me, I am Lord Verta Sataa, the Dread Seneschal of Minmir Keep, and a distinguished Banite. I myself have been unwelcome in the kingdom of Cordor for six winters now, due to - if memory serves - accusations of animation. As well as admittedly outdated rulings on those of the Banite faith being permitted within the city. I myself have personally offered a plethora of times to stand trial for these accusations laid against me by the Cordorian government and entities within, so I might defend myself. Such offerings have seemingly fallen on deaf ears, whether because the truth would not serve the prevailing narrative or reasons beyond my knowledge. I've found myself resigned to this matter entirely, only thinking of it in recent months due to one Freya Brande and her flock.
To begin, it should be made plain to everyone of Arelith that there is no such thing as the Reformational Fundamentalist Church of Bane. As by Freya Brande's own written words explaining the hierarchy of her "church" they acknowledge the ultimate supremacy of High Imperceptor Fzoul Chembryl over the entirety of the Banefaith. As do the denizens of Minmir Keep. This means undeniably that the congregations of both Minmir and Cordor fall under the same leadership, same structure, same traditions. While Brande would like to, shamefully so, paint themselves as anything but what they are by pointing to the fact that they are Cordor citizens, and so holding themselves to Cordorian law makes them different. That by using different names for their ranks or toting an admittedly poorly rewritten and plagiarized edition of our holy texts makes them appear more digestible to their neighbors.
Their declared Imperceptor, Queen Jennifer Eldren-Cordor, is and has been a distinguished and honoured member of the Minmir family ever since taking the family's traditional pilgrimage to its halls all those years ago. For it was Minmir Keep who kept her and her family safe as she waited to be wed to King Edward Cordor, when she was viciously pursued by all manner of vile assassins. A beacon that has remained lit for over thirty winters burns brightly atop Minmir Keep in commemoration of this, a gift from her majesty to those who defended her so valiantly. It was Minmir Keep who was at her defense when assassins attempted to take her life before the birth of the royal twins.
If there were serious grievances with how things were in our Keep, lines of communication and agents of the utmost lethality exist to have relayed such. But as Minmir has declared, on the fifteenth day of the twelfth month of AR 183 AR, it falls under the ultimate leadership of High Imperceptor Fzoul Chembryl; we are of the same church. We do not partake in Cordorian law outside its borders because we are not of Cordor; we are the sovereign state of Minmir. Within Minmir's domain, we abide by the Iron Laws of our Lord God. No serious political agreements have been ratified between our states, beyond the blanketed political designation in use to forebay us from entry into Cordorian lands. Either we are of our own individual supposed crimes and allegations or we are a political entity that needs to be recognized for its place on Arelith.
It became a necessity for Freya Brande to invent such petty differences between her apparent congregation and our own as to appear palatable to the Cordorian appetite. But make no mistake: a Banite is Banite.
To pathetically grovel in the minutia of conjured distinction is akin to the panicked bleating of a lamb attempting to fit into a flock it does not belong to. When this was not enough, she, like other failures before, saw fit to instigate and prod with self-assured authority where they had little or none. Driven by her own selfish ambitions, she readily ostracized her fellow faithful to grovel for favours to a government that historically has stood against our faith's very existence. For a crumb of influence, she would divide the faith along false lines, as a means of grasping for her own power. Whether driving away would-be pilgrims from their holy journeys to Minmir Keep, to entering this sacred castle unannounced and unwelcome. Loitering in our temple with blades drawn, demanding recognition for a position that is only maintained by apparent heretics and cult of personality. Freya has expressed a strong desire for dominion, as many others of our faith do, without wishing to exert any of the work required to obtain or hold onto such a position.
Such behaviour from a child would have seen a switch across the backside, and although she is still fairly young, Freya is no guileless maiden. A final conversation was attempted, so that this rift that has grown ever wider between our congregations may finally be mended. To my understanding, there was a plea to meet elsewhere at a truly neutral ground, located on entirely separate planes of existence. In my honest opinion this is a sign of true cowardice and weakness. To be so afraid of meeting with others of the Banefaith lest it be in a supernaturally protected place is telling of Freya's confidence in her own authority and ability.
Freya Brande took it upon herself to aggressively cast wardings throughout, falling silent when others of her faith expressed a desire to fulfill her wish: To speak to her, and to possibly recognise her followers as brothers and sisters. When she was presented with an actual chance to prove herself as willing to collaborate, or at the very least achieve a more amicable standing between her congregation and ours. Not only did she fail to take it, but allowed another to make such a decision for her instead. Like many Banites, she desires power. But she has not the experience nor the ability to recognize times in which it may be wielded. Instead, allowing an overzealous commander of the guard to speak on her behalf in a matter of faith, and taking an aggressive stance against those of Minmir Keep.
Whilst it may be understandable given the tensions between Minmir Keep and Cordor (I understand I am understating this), it has been difficult to find opportunities to speak to Freya Brande, as they do not often leave Cordor. Save for harassing our stableboys and forcing entry into our inner sanctum. Without waiting for compliance nor the conclusion of this talk, both Freya and the Commander took it upon themselves to initiate an attack on said envoys. The event so malignantly characterized as an unprovoked assault on our end was in fact started by such an eagerness for bloodshed on Cordor's part. Make no mistake however, Minmir did finish it and took the pound of flesh it was due for such a heinous action.
All casualties could have been avoided if an ounce of restraint and patience had been exercised. I do truly lament the outcome of this all the same. It cannot be overstated how preventable this was, if Freya had not so strongly demanded to be treated as a true Dreadmistress to a Church of strangers. To demand total fealty when she had done nothing to earn such a title, nor the respect that comes with it, is bold I will admit. But it is hopelessly childish and entitled.
I pray that one day these prodigal sons and daughters of the Black Hand may find their place amongst the Church that dwells within Minmir Keep. But I do not hold out much hope. May their souls find their place in Gehenna, and have not strayed so far from the dominion of our Dark Lord as to be discarded.
HATE WITHIN, HATE WITHOUT,
Lord Verta Sataa
Dread Seneschal of Minmir
The sigil of Minmir Keep is depicted in wax just beneath the signature: An imposing stone keep and perched atop it, a vigilant green dragon spreading its wings in an impressive display of power
Day 28, Month 7 (Flamerule (Summertide)), 187 AR
Verta Sataa