The Churches of Lathander and Cyric have announced a holy war

The situation is complex. Neither party is without fault, with the Cyricists actively seeking to create discord within the Kingdom and threatening the populace by withdrawing their services, and the Lathanderites fueling the conflict through their heresy.

While we made numerous attempts to apprehend the Cyricists prior to the proclamation of war, I recognise that these failed both due to the lack of tactical approach and limited evidence to support our actions. Failure to take quick and sufficient action means the situation has escalated to one in which Crown Guard individuals have less control given the religious nature of this conflict, the complex political interactions, the size of the opposing forces, as well as our own limited resources.

The background papers have further information about events, if required.

I propose we maintain a position of public neutrality and mininal interference in the interim

The Crown Guard, as an extension of the Crown itself, has several options to consider in deciding their immediate role in this conflict:

1. Remain publicly neutral, use minimal force to restore order and security (status quo, recommended in interim)
2. Remain publicly neutral, use maximum force to end the conflict and stabilise the region
3. Publicly support the House of the Morning, and by extension, the Bishopric of Eveningstar
4. Publicly support the Church of Cyric.

The options outlined here are the product of an initial assessment will evolve as the conflict progresses, with any decision reviewed as required.

Sub-options include covertly supporting one faction over the other (eg with information, funding) despite public neutrality, or lending aid depending on circumstances and offers given in turn.

Option 1 is most suitable for our current circumstances, and my own capabilities. I do not have the capacity alone to carry out this action, and therefore seek the following support from superiors:

• Re-station Guards (Crown and/or Militia) to the western and northern outskirts, to manage any outspill of conflict. A group of 4-5 is recommended, including 2 scouts
• Expediate requests for bounties or funding where this supports our role (eg, rewarding contractors)
• Provide advice on strategic and political issues as they arise, and respond quickly where I escalate issues.

I will also aim to achieve the following on my own:

• Maintain open communication with factions and assert our right to passage through conflict areas without interference
• Support or contract adventurers and mercenaries to investigate and gather intel, deal with issues on the periphery, and protect citizens and private property
• Promote permanent recruitment to the Guard, including among the plebs.

I also suggest that any of the Crown Guard who wish to join either side are choosing faith over duty to kingdom, and must remove their uniform.

//I don't know how audacious this is but thought I would give it a shot given my limited playtime.

Summary of events during the war

((placeholder))

• Burning of Redwood

Background note to be updated as new information becomes available

Key players ((will turn into a table)):

• House of the Morning - Dawnbringer Aurora, Sabriel Florent
• Church of Cyric - Inquisitors Josef Marchetti, Kold Witness, Enlil

Neutral parties:

• Crown Guard
• Precept Arcanum
• Order of the Illuminated Blade

Unknown:

• Wildwalkers
• Other faiths, eg Jergal and Four Saints (viewed as heretics)

Announcements:

House of the Morning Announcement
Church of Cyric Announcement

Timeline of events leading up to announcements ((draft based on my shit memory)):

• Inquisitors arrive in the region promoting worship of Cyric
• Cyricists do X and y
• Adventurers and Dominic Swift do Z
• Church of Cyric withdraw services from city in response, causing distress and confusion
• Numerous faiths proclaim role in performing rites of death, including Lathander
• Mr Swift publicly apologises to Inquisitor Marchetti, services resume
• Lathanderites continue to promote heresy
• Cyricists fail to deal with undead, explain X and y reasons
• Announcements happen

It is unfortunate we were not able to deal with this before it escalated to such a public farce.

Now, we should draw a line around the arena. Publicly maintain our neutrality in our duty to the Kingdom. Don't get involved in a holy war, let the zealots destroy each other. If they cross that line, harm the greater Kingdom, we cut them down no matter what side.

Quietly continue working to bring down those agents of chaos. Patrol the roads, destroy the undead, rescue farmers and damsels in distress.

The only problem I have is that they continue to propogate sedition and seccession in their attempt to carve out a corner of the Hullack. See the attached notices, which I realise you may not be able to read given they are in Elven script.

Announcements of Cormanthor

The Crown still has an active interest in the Hullack yet it is difficult to grasp a hold there. Were they to acknowledge themselves as a city-state, part of the greater Kingdom, this may be acceptable. Is there a way around this, similar to our arrangements with the Bishopric and Duchy?

[These letters are added to the file for any to read]

https://nodebb.cityofarabel.com/topic/59633/the-crown-guard
https://nodebb.cityofarabel.com/topic/59537/ilselore-montfaucon/4

[A short note, the pen sharp on the page]

They killed Elrinde?

Redbeard. I think that is the mercenary company Fyeverra mentioned. Watch your head around them. Marchetti still wants your sword.

Initial questioning of Inquisitors Marchetti and Witness
I called the Inquisitors to question outside the West Gate a few hours ago. I chose this location knowing they were unlikely to enter the Crown itself, to make a point about the continued undead presence on the High Road, and call for any back up from the barracks if our discussions turned sour. They seem to consider me 'reasonable', compared to Dilettante Swift, which I say is an amusing tactic we should continue with.

The Inquisitors Marchetti arrived first, joined quickly by Witness, then a third unknown middle-aged woman with white hair, dressed in black, claiming to be a Prophet of "Saint Muros", whose name I have since learned is Sari Vennis. I initially discarded her presence, as the Inquisitors are the ones known to us.

I asked them three questions, which I had previously outlined in a letter that apparently Inquisitor Marchetti did not receive.

What is their continued interest in Fiendsbane?
Marchetti reconfirmed his interest in the sword until he understands the threat it poses. I explained (again) that it is a threat to fiends, no more, but the Inquisitors persisted in their disbelief of the Precept's assessment. Witness then interjected with a claim that the Precept wanted to kill him, which, to be fair, is probably not far from the truth, but he did not enjoy me pointing out that he had made similar gestures towards them. "I have tried to kill NO ONE", he cried.

What are the Great Swarm, the Dawndeath, the Deathsun, etc.?
They clarified that this is an explicit reference to the end of Lathander, who they consider false. I cannot recall all the words of their recanted preaching, but they did mention their four saints cutting the sky, the sun bleeding, a dark sun rising. The dark sun refers to their god.

What are they doing about the undead on the High Road?
They connect this to their prophecies, that the dead will return to plague the lands of Lathander before their god rises. I pointed out that so far, two members of the Precept had dealt with the undead on the High Road. What I had hoped to draw from them was confirmation of the information you shared earlier. UNFORTUNATELY, the fool woman interrupted at this point before I was able to wrangle further information out of them. This was a tense interaction which I explain in the notes further below.

Note on Ms. Vennis
Ms. Vennis interjected that she would like to investigate the undead with our permission, as she has much knowledge about them. Did she actually share her knowledge, or what she wanted to learn? No, because then the FOOL Inquisitors interrupted and claimed she was a heretical preacher who followed one of their Four Saints, but was not sanctioned by the Church. At which point, threats were made, Marchetti loomed, and I had to step in to stop them from fighting like alley cats on our doorstep. The Inquisitors left in a huff (down the High Road), while I was left to escort Ms. Vennis back to the city, who commented that the Inquisitors likely know more than they let on. I gave her a firm warning about preaching heresies (note that Official Clergy have every right to be upset, no matter how horrible they are).

Analysis and advice
While my questioning was incomplete, I am building a better picture of what the Inquisitors' plans are and how they operate.

Despite their attempts at misdirection, it does seem their primary target is Eveningstar, specifically the Church of Lathander. While they have attempted to play off the undead presence as mere coincidence, it appears based on your information that they have been deliberately placing them there as an act of intimidation, foreshadowing to a more direct attack on the Bishopric. We do not want to involve ourselves in a religious war, however, as noted in this file, their emboldened actions endanger much more.

I also note that it appears followers of Cyric are not a harmonious unit... yet it is unclear whether this is by design to mislead us, or whether they are actually prone to backstabbing each other. Perhaps both, when it comes down to it. Either way, keep an eye on this Ms. Vennis, and do not assume Enlil is a mere pawn for the other Inquisitors.

In terms of next steps, our options are:

• Questioning the Inquisitors for further confirmation of their plans regarding the undead (unlikely to get us much further, unless we can trick them into revealing what we want)
• Publishing our response to the undead threat and reminding the Church of their duties (unlikely to have the desired effect on the Church, but could reassure the populace)
• Acting on the information we currently have to apprehend them, noting this is not so simple as walking up and simply demanding they turn themselves in.

The last option is recommended but requires a plan and concerted effort, likely working with the Bishopric and Illuminated Blade to draw them to our preferred location. Will you make contact, Dilettante Swift?

I can attempt to find out more and make public statements in the coming days, but I recommend our focus is on building that plan.

What is this I hear about "Purple Dragons" and "undead army" in the middle of the kingdom? Seems dangerously close to an act of war.