Editing THE RULE OF LAW(Ardarvia)

  '''THE RULE OF LAW''' ==


The Rule of Law is a manifesto of the High Priestess Pareta Theri, who codified and expanded upon the tenets that were originally passed down from the prophets and oracles of Ardarvia. It is the holy text from which the faith takes its current form, and within its pages lies the beatific power of the priestess herself.

The Rule of Law is essentially a guideline for the treatment of others, faithful, non-members, heretics, and enemies of the faith alike. If one expects to advance higher than adept in the priesthood, one would do well to not merely memorize the Rule of Law, but also understand it. Faith without understanding is merely dogma, and dogma is antithetical to Ardarvia's teachings.

The Rule of Law lays down the structure of the faith itself, from the differences between dominants, submissives, penitents, Sacrificed, and mendicants to the treatment of enemies of the faith in great detail. However, the Rule of Law is also unique among such books in that the "Rule" is not meant to mean "mastery or command" as it would be in secular society, but to mean "the measure or amount" of Law. Freedom is actually very important to Ardarvia, because only through freedom is peace, acceptance, and understanding fostered. Without freedom to worship or act, the understanding of nobility and serfdom and peasantry could not be made clear, and it would actually doom Ardarvian faith to the slow decay into dogma and static monotony.

Adherents of the Rule of Law quickly learn the difference between "dominance" and "control", as well as "submission" and "slavery". A slave is not a submissive, and likewise a controlling leader or master is not necessarily a dominant one. Titles become exceedingly important to those who peruse it's codices, and those who have studied it quickly become masters of diplomacy, subterfuge, and the understanding of the human mind (possible competence bonuses to Sense Motive, Diplomacy, and Intimidate, as well as Knowledge [Nobility] and Profession [Lawyer/Barrister] or Profession [Servant/Butler/Dominator/Dominatrix]).

By far the most important distinction in the Rule of Law is between superior and subservient worshipers and laymen. Not merely the religious ones, but also concerning the general population, particularly the relationship between nobles and their underlings. The proper place for nobility is above the rank and file, but it is stressed that without the rank and file, the noble is nothign more than a pretender. This is applied to Ardarvia's worshipers as well of course, but it also points out a key flaw in all hierarchy - that through their flocks are the powers of the high given. As a result, the Rule of Law is often banned to the public, and it can be a criminal offense to allow it to be directly preached from.

Masters and Mistresses of the faith, Dominants of either gender, and Nobles are considered to be people worthy or respect at all times - even if the are evil and corrupt, the Rule of Law states that they must be respected for their power if not for their acts. Likewise, Servants, Submissives, Serfs and Peasants are to be respected, for they are the pillars of the community and of civilization. Without them, the world collapses into anarchy and suffering. The relationship between Higher and Lower is intimate and considered sacred - to abuse this relationship, no matter if it is between the faithful, between lovers, or between the local population, is to invite the wrath of the Goddess, and her punishment will be swift, just, and suitable.

By far the most in depth and controversial parts of the Rule of Law concern the practices of dominance and subservience in the household. While the treatises concerning the Church are borderline illicit in most societies (and illustrated texts of the Rule of Law can be considered obscene material in some more repressive city states!) the treatsies that concern themselves with household and personal worship are nothing less than explicit. This is largely due to the Goddess espousing the belief that all relationships of her faithful are to be concerned with love, care, and safety.

Many of the faithful can - and have - suffered mental, emotional, and physical injury. The Faith of Ardarvia is one of the few faiths that practices confessional, because the injuries and pains and even good experiences of its adherents are incredibly personal and often private. Judgment is reserved only for the heretical use of the faith's beliefs, rather than inexperience of accidental injury, and the faithful can expect kindness, understanding, and respect from the acolytes and adepts. The Rule of Law is very clear on the reasons, the specific acts, and the hows and whys of various activities; not the least of which can include bindings, humiliations, servitude, and even what a non-member might view as abusive acts. There are even treatsies concerning how and at what ages children are permitted to begin their teachings in the faith if they express a desire to do so. Often these treatises are quite different when comparing nobility, priesthood, and lay members as well as being differentiated by race.

There is a very specific section of the Rule of Law that deals with Heresy and the Perversion of the Rule. The former are specifically those who abuse the positions that the Church places them in and can include the fallen Paladin, the Cleric who uses his power for selfish and evil ends, and lay worshipers who abuse those under their charge or lay worshipers who take advantage or turn against those above their station. The Perversion of the Rule refers to those religions and people who are not of the Church of Ardarvia and practice ritualized dominance and submission, torment of the weak, or other, non-faith related twisting of the beauty that is espoused by adherents. Members of these latter include the Helotry of Xiombarg, Paladins of Tyranny, unrepentant Kytons, and devil worshipers of all sorts. It is said that there are passages that can actually be used to cause harm or even destroy those who practice Perversions of the Rule, but no proof of such things has been witnessed in living memory.

By and large, the Rule of Law is the Holy Writ of The Iron Maiden, and is to be considered among the most important religious texts of the times. No other religious text concerns itself with the bondage of souls and flesh to the world, and the release of the pure spirit to the grace of her holy will.

End. 



[[Category:Ardarvia]]