> Could anyone point me to any good sources on Junora and the Jonating
> version of Malkionism?
Here's the character sheet for the much-trodden-upon Jonatelan Bishop from "How the West was One". I'll send through the Jonating King and one of his "loyal" Boyars in separate messages. Please note that our game was set in 1625, a bit ahead of traditional Gloranthan chronology: any future events described in these background sheets are by no means "official".
You can also find our writeup of the Syanoran Church of Malkionism ("Tap the Bastards!") on Loren Miller's "Splintered Sects" page -- follow the link from the "Malkioni Scriptures" section of my home page, at the URL below. You may also be interested in the two Arrolian write-ups: one is the Arrolian Lunar Way, the other is the Arrolians' local variant of Syanoran Malkionism, a twist from the original church's beliefs.
ZALPTHIR THE WISE
Bishop of Okarnia
Age: 57
Disposition: Resolute, Opportunistic, Martyred
Religious Affiliation: Syanoran Church
Political Affiliation: Greater Syanor
Council Votes: two
ZALPTHIR'S BACKGROUND You are Zalpthir the Wise, Bishop of Okarnia. You are the head of the Syanoran Church in the Kingdom of Jonatela. You have been snubbed, opposed and overruled by King Congern ever since your elevation to the See. For years you have endured the petty humiliations and slights he has rained on your undeserving head. He has disregarded your opinions, your advice, your remonstrations, and your most heartfelt pleas. Now, at last, your chance has come for the worm to turn, and bring victory to the Syanoran Church!
You are a dedicated follower of the Syanoran Church of Malkionism. Unfortunately, few others in the Kingdom share your enthusiasm. Most of the Boyars are backsliders, and some are even open worshippers of the old Pagan deities. King Congern, who should be Defender of the Syanoran Faith, is instead concerned only to seize ever more temporal power for himself, and in doing so has assailed the pious Syanoran lands of Karstall and Timms. He has also abstracted Church treasures from the sack of Syanoran cities, and added these to his personal treasury. His soldiers have roughly manhandled priests. His Boyars have been encouraged in their impieties!
In spite of this opposition, you have made two significant converts at Congern's court in Okarnia. One is his Queen, the pious lady Undrika. From an old and noble line in West Jonatela, the King probably owes more of his domestic support to her than he would care to acknowledge. The other (God be praised!) is the King's only surviving son and heir, Prince Bodgan. This earnest adolescent is keen to learn more of the mysteries of the Faith, and you (and his mother) have been willing and patient instructors. You feel, at times, as if he will be wasted in the throne, when a bishopric or indeed a monastic life are so much more suited to his natural talents and interests. Still, God disposes as he will, and there is no denying that in these troubled times the Church needs every advantage it can get.
(The king's younger son, Prince Dumi, died recently after a lingering illness, caused by a malady of the blood. This must surely have been inflicted on the poor suffering child by God, so as to punish his sinful father. This is a commonly witnessed manifestation of the hereditary principle of Justice, by which the world is set to its rightful order).
A worrying matter: there are rumours afoot that King Congern intends to attends the Ecclesiastical Council in person, and to sound out other Churches with a view to possible conversion. Horrors! This would be unthinkable, and you must do all you can to prevent it. Both by dissuading Congern from making the attempt - using whatever arguments spring to mind - and by attempting to deter other Churches from taking him in. You can tell many tales of his lustful debauchery, his wine-fuddled fumblings after ladies-not-his-wife, his coarse and uncouth behaviours at the highest councils of the land. You have intimate personal knowledge of his many disreputable acts. And - what may be more of a deterrent - you can tell the dreadful stories of the many indignities and slights you have yourself suffered, though the highest-ranking priest in all of Jonatela.
Last year the King's armies finally conquered the fair land of Karstall and forced the Holy Count, Belathgert into hiding. However, you are in contact with Belathgert, who is ready to raise the standard of rebellion in Karstall should the opportunity arise. When he ruled Karstall he never interfered with the Church and he has assured you that he will not do so again.
THEOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES
POLITICAL OBJECTIVES
WHO YOU KNOW Belathgert, Holy Count of Karstall: a landless exile since Congern seized his independent county last year. He is ready to raise the standard of rebellion in Karstall if the time is right - and if allies can be found. This man would be a far better ruler than Congern. Indeed, if Congern were not around he would make a fine regent until Bogdan was of age.
King Congern of Jonatela: your nominal lord, Congern is a lustful and worldly man who cares not one whit for the dictates of Holy Church. You are delighted that now, after many years of slights and insults, you may have the chance to repay him in full.
Defin Anostos, Count of Einpor: this man is another pious worshipper of the Syanoran Church. You must ensure that he is fighting for the church in his own way. Unfortunately, his city is currently besieged by the Kingdom of War. You must aid him if you can. If only Congern would grasp the nettle and liberate Junora from the pagans instead of attacking pious lands such as Timms and Karstall instead.
Queen Undrika of Jonatela [NPC]: this pious and devoted woman has suffered greatly from her grasping husband Congern. He has called her barren and now refuses to see her which is a slight against the holy law of matrimony. Only recently she lost her other son Dumi to a malady of the blood. You were able to help her through this in many all-night vigils and prayer sessions.
Donalari of Timms: your co-religionist, he will be your closest ally at the Council. Obviously he is very worried at the present time about Congern's attacks on Timms. You must work with him to try and convince Congern to cease these attacks. He is on the Women's sub-committee.
Nesselina, The Queen of the Kiss: this whore who rules the city of Zoria disgusts you. Merely to look at her makes your blood boil and your pulse race with righteous fury. You long for the chance to punish her for the countless evils that stain her lustful soul.
Notslor: this truly Holy Man is a member of your Syanoran Church, and it would be well to ensure others are aware of this fact. He was a great help to Prince Dumi and helped to reduce much of the pain from his malady. However, the respite he gave was only short-lived.
Portin Dunbar, Hereditary Conciliator of the Council: Notslor found this man in faraway Nochet City and brought him to the Council to oversee it. Notslor also educated him in the ways of Malkion and converted him from his previous beliefs. Since Notslor is of the Syanoran Church then this makes Portin a Syanoran as well. You must remind him of this if he is lacking in his duties and if acts against the needs of the Syanoran Church.
Ungor the Unwashed: a Boyar from the largely pagan highlands of East Jonatela, devoted to the service of Jarngror the Killer, whose father was responsible for killing the last Bishop of that land. He is here as Congern's official representative.
Varnaro of Riverjoin: this ancient witch is the tyrannical ruler of the Syanoran city of Riverjoin. She worships the Red Moon, and cavorts with invisible demons.
RELIGIOUS ATTITUDES
Moon Worshippers
These people worship the moon spirit and accord it the status of a goddess
and a prophetess of the Creator. The moon is certainly one of the Creator's
most fascinating creations, with her illusory powers, but it is no more than
a natural spirit, with limited self-knowledge. It's like worshipping a goat
or a sheep.
Pagans
Pagans worship other natural spirits and make the same mistakes as the Moon
worshippers. All they can ever access is simple magics and charms. Only
through worshipping the creator can the whole consciousness be awoken.
Pagans and Moonies can only ever experience a half-life, and they will die
without any chance of existence afterwards. They would be pitied if they
were not so brutal and untamed.
Hrestoli Idealists
The beliefs of this sect on caste mobility are patently ridiculous. The fact
that each person must rise through the castes only leads to jumped up
peasants as Lords, inadequate knights (we all know that good knights must be
trained from birth), and wizards with the ability of mere apprentices. What
is amusing is their attitude to others: they believe that they have a
manifest destiny to rule Fronela! They will get a rude awakening when they
begin to war against the Kingdom of War - you reckon that Loskalm will be
destroyed in just two years from the beginning of such a war.
Rokari
This sect has very similar views in regard to castes and the lack of
mobility. They may be a good sect to deal with at the Council. You are sure
you and they can work together in the first sub-committee.
RUMOURS
Nick
:::: web: <http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Nick_Brooke>
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