The Starry Sept of Oldtown - Centre of the Faith

[The Mad Skylord]

The Starry Sept is a colossal Sept located in Oldtown. Recently expanded by House Hightower, it has reached newer and grander heights than ever before, eclipsing even the old Great Sept of Baelor - before the Mad King burned it. The High Septon can be found here.

Faith Militant
500 Dismounted Warrior's Sons (Elite Infantry)

Fortress-Septs
The Starry Sept - Oldtown
Sept of Storm's End - To be built

Independent Septs
Freykeep

High Septon Rules

1. Limitations - The High Septon has a professional points cap of 0 points. He may not raise any of his own troops, but may acquire professional troops from players if he is able to convince them to do so. Mechanically this would not constitute a "loan" of otherwise secular soldiers (unless specifically agreed) but would rather count as the players "donating" some of their professional points cap to the High Septon. As such those troops would become loyal to the High Septon and the "donating" player can no longer control them, but can withdraw their "donation" and this disband the troops. 2. Powers - The High Septon commands the Holy League. This League will answer his calls to arms and will, within reason, fight his enemies. Act against the Faith, however, and individual Holy League members may reconsider their support. - The High Septon may excommunicate parties, resulting in: --- A -15 to all NPC rolls regarding that party. --- Refusal to pay taxes to that party. --- If the High Septon excommunicates a party in a region, Lords in that area may become Holy Lords if the reason for excommunication is seen in a good light. Whether the excommunication is seen as good or not may vary from Lord to Lord. If it is seen in a bad light, members may leave the Holy League or even join the Fellowship of the Seven. 3. Buildings - An Independent Sept costs 20,000 Dragons. In RP terms this is merely an enlarged Sept with some autonomy from the secular authorities, with the following powers: --- A "small garrison" as listed below. --- Characters may take refuge within it for up to 1 ingame year and those seeking to remove them from it must either acquire the High Septon's permission or risk outrage and possible Holy League expansion should they violate the Sept and force the refugee out. - A Fortress-Sept costs 150,000 Dragons. In RP terms this is a large Sept, perhaps even a small Monastery, with some autonomy from secular authorities. It has the following powers: --- It is a bastion of power and is influential in the local area. If established in a realm where the Holy League is not strong, it may expand it. --- A "large garrison" as listed below. --- Acts as a Holdfast, with +6 Siege Defence and 6 ingame months survival time. --- Characters may take refuge within it for up to 1 ingame year and those seeking to remove them from it must either acquire the High Septon's permission or risk outrage and possible Holy League expansion should they violate the Sept and force the refugee out. 4. Faith Militant The resurrected Faith Militant is strongest in Oldtown, were the best 500 knights of the Warrior's Sons exist as the High Septon's personal guard. In addition, Faith Militant garrisons exist within Independent Sept and Fortress Septs. For RP purposes, the Heavy Infantry are Warrior's Sons while all other units are either Poor Fellow volunteers or members of the Church that live on the grounds and are armed in an emergency (eg scribes, groundskeepers, gameskeepers, craftsmen). As such, only the Warrior's Sons are actual soldiers. Small Garrison 20 Heavy Infantry 40 Light Infantry 20 Polearm Infantry 20 Archers Total: 100 men Large Garrison 40 Heavy Infantry 80 Light Infantry 40 Polearm Infantry 40 Archers Total: 240 men

[Lucius Malfoy]

A raven arrives from King's Landing bearing a letter from the King.

To the elected High Septon of the Faith,

I will not come to the Starry Sept as some commoner and be forgiven of my sins, which were never committed, by giving some penance to you prelates. I was the favored of the Seven unlike your predecessor's belief that it was Steffon. If anyone should be forgiven of their sins, it is the Faith for supporting someone that our gods did not truly favor! For excommunicating me for sins I never committed! If the High Septon wants peace, he should come in sack cloth and peasant shoes to Tumbleton where he may meet with my person to decide if peace can truly be achieved between Faith and Crown. The choice is yours.

Signed,
Daemon Blackfyre [Titles attached]

[Lucius Malfoy]

A raven arrives, bearing a reply from King Blackfyre.

To the High Septon of the Faith,

When I landed on these shores, I prayed to the Smith and the Warrior for victory. When my wife was with child, I prayed to the Mother that my sons, Maekar and Haegon, and my infant daughter Daenora were born healthy and well. I pray to the Maiden that my daughter will always be a innocent flower, never to be touched by evil. Every day, as I sit upon the Iron Throne and speak with my councilors, I pray to the Father and the Crone for wisdom. And when Steffon Baratheon fell by the word, I asked the Stranger to give him peace. I do not know what makes you think I follow the Lord of Light, but I have always followed the Seven as devoutly as any man should. And a number of those who followed me were followers of the Faith themselves; exiled Reachmen who followed us to Essos, Westerosi exiles from wars past, and a number of retainers, born of Westerosi blood, who came to me in the hopes of finding a true King. My retainers and soldiers never cared for religion, they cared only to put their rightful King upon his throne.

I once told Steffon, when this war began, that we shall see who the Seven truly favor. In the end, they favored my cause above all as I smashed his forces a number of times on the battlefield and was able to claim the throne and crown through the right of spoils. When my coronation happened in 270 AL, I had a Septon, a man of the Faith, crown myself and my Queen. Do not ever claim I am a heretic for I am truly the favored of the Seven, for it is by their blessings that I am King. That is why I will never bend my knee to no mortal man save the Seven themselves and not their earthly representative.

Signed,
Daemon Blackfyre [titles attached]

[Lord Dread]

The High Septon invites Lord Hightower to supper in the Starry Sept. They had much to discuss.

Instead of Lord Hightower, his brother Ser Edmund was tasked to do the job, working as the usual emissary. It was not rare or any sign of distrust, as Edmund was present on previous meetings as well.
He wondered what the High Septon wished to talk about this time, given however that there hadn't been so far a Small Council meeting, Hightower could reason it.

[The Mad Skylord]

Ser Edmund was seated directly across from the High Septon in his own personal rooms, which were quaint but comfortable. Across the table was a large choice of food. Roast beef, cold pork, sliced chicken, bread, butter and various fruits and vegetables. A beaker of water and a beaker of small ale sat in the centre, ready to be consumed.

Busy buttering a slice of bread when his guest arrived, the High Septon didn't talk as Ser Edmund was seated, instead passing him across the bread once it was buttered, before selecting another slice and some beef. Finally he looked up and spoke, cutting straight to the point. "I hear Lord Tyrell has married a Footly. An interesting choice."

[Lord Dread]

Ser Edmund Hightower nodded, knowingt that it was probably best that he came instead of Ser Patrek or Lord Rolland himself.
"Indeed", he said, while he didn't knew on what the High Septon aimed, "There was orginally a betrothal planned between House Tyrell and House Hightower, your eminence, but we congratulate our overlord nontheless. A fine choice."
The City Watch Commander paused for the moment.
"Nontheless, I assume there are matters why you wish to speak with us?", he asked then wondering.

[The Mad Skylord]

Ser Edmund Hightower nodded, knowingt that it was probably best that he came instead of Ser Patrek or Lord Rolland himself.
"Indeed", he said, while he didn't knew on what the High Septon aimed, "There was orginally a betrothal planned between House Tyrell and House Hightower, your eminence, but we congratulate our overlord nontheless. A fine choice."
The City Watch Commander paused for the moment.
"Nontheless, I assume there are matters why you wish to speak with us?", he asked then wondering.

"Indeed. but we'll come to that in a moment. What are the thoughts of Lord Rolland that a Hightower was overturned for a mere Footly?"

[Lord Dread]

"The thoughts of my brother I can't estimate, but it is no secret that House Footly is as good as extinct", Ser Edmund answered neutral, "The young Lord Tyrell assumes probably that he can gouvern the region with one of his own offspring some day."

[The Mad Skylord]

"You are probably correct. Nonetheless, oathbreaking is a serious crime and pledging to marry a Hightower is certainly an oath. There are several routes I could take, if you wish it."

[Lord Dread]

Hightower raised an eyebrow, wondering what the High Septon tried to imply.
"My pardon, your eminence, but House Hightower is considered nontheless an honorable House", he stated briefly, "Lord Rolland as the rest of our Household, including the bride most likely were not fond of the turns of event. Yet we leave it towards your authority to judge the case at hand. We're after all speaking about my and Lord Rolland's overlord."

[The Mad Skylord]

The High Septon sighed inwardly. He had expected as much. Hightowers were far too pompous for their own good. "Be that as it may, good overlords do not spit in the face of their vassals by accepting betrothal and then breaking the agreement."

He picks up a baby tomato and munches on it quietly. "Anyway, I invited you here to inform you that I will be summoning the Holy Lords to the Starry Sept. I wish for them and their retinues to be granted access. They will live on the hospitality of the Faith, obviously."

[Lord Dread]

Ser Edmund nodded, while nodding.
"I see", he said, probably knowing that these news would probably concern his brother Edmynd in the capital as well, "Interesting news indeed. Nontheless I will have to go, your eminence, as my duty is calling me - travellers are free to pass Oldtown at any time they wish, but in this matter Lord Rolland will have to speak the last word, I fear. Nontheless you are free to send us a list with names, so our City Watch members get informed regarding the meeting."
He placed his hand on the table, standing up already, while he handed over the High Septon some documents within a folder.
"As on terms of House Hightower, we wish you to hand out these documents regarding the men, who worked on this cathedral build and wish to recieve a blessing. Lord Rolland worked on them during the last night, while there are at least several hundred people on the list, along with details regarding the Cathedral build and what these men did exactly. The most important document is in the middle of the package in matters of our high society and known politicians. Many men helped us in making this Sept a success, so I guess you will be able to adress the crowd and our supporters during the next sermon.
Or is there anything else you wish to discuss?"
Hightower assumed that the High Septon wished to talk more about the political matters currently going on, but given the current situation it was a delicate matter, where Edmund hoped that the last word was spoken for now.

[The Mad Skylord]

The High Septon shook his head and dismissed him, beofre reading the documents presented by High tower.

[Dirty Chai]

A letter arrives for the High Septon of Oldtown, sent by horse and by ship across desert and sea. The seal of House Martell adorns the parchment in red, dried wax.

Your Most Devout Holiness, lord of the stars and the father of the faithful,

In light of the recent history of these kingdoms, I, Doran Martell, beseech on behalf of House Targaryen for the lifting of the excommunication on these individuals: Rhaella of House Targaryen, daughter of Jaehaerys; Daenerys of House Targaryen, daughter of Aerys; Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, daughter of Aerys; and lastly, wherever he may be, alive or dead, Rhaegar of House Targaryen, son of Aerys. I wish for these individuals, who I have taken under my arm, to be accepted back into the protection of the septs and of the Seven. They have suffered much for the sins of Aerys, Second of His Name, and House Martell hopes that the Starry Sept and its peerless lord consider them penitent enough.

Namely, I, Doran Martell, wish to wed Rhaella Targaryen, and no marriage can be true if not sworn in the light of the Seven. Please consider this a request of House Martell, not that of foreigner conquerors. Doran Martell humbles himself before your holiness, and begs for your acquiescence.

[Poach]

Fresh from his time in King's Landing, having turned Lord Rowan over to the King, Mace arrives at the Starry Sept.

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[The Mad Skylord]

Lord Tyrell is welcomed into the Sept and taken to the High Septon's quarters. He finds the High Septon eating a light lunch, and he is invited to sit down and join him. "Lord Mace, how are you? I hear you are married?"

[Poach]

[OOC: Sorry for the delay Skylord, I'm waiting to see what, if anything, the King has to say in relation to the High Septon before proceeding, since in IG chronology the King would meet Mace first.]

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[Poach]

[OOC: The King's also done with Mace if you still want to see him.]

It would take some time, but eventually a large gathering of Holy Lords and holy men would converge upon the Starry Sept. The showing was largely Crownland and Reach men, for the great radicalisation and schism of the faith had not expanded far beyond those realms. Though a small sept had been established by the High Septon's faction in the north of the Riverlands, it was a small affair and sent only a single delegate to the gathering.

[The Mad Skylord]

The High Septon stood on a slightly raised dais and viewed the congregation. Men loyal to the True High Septon of the Faith. "There has been a great heresy in the Capital. An ambitious Septon has seen fit to declare himself as the High Sheppard. He seeks to challenge the natural order of the Faith - he seeks to depose a legitimately elected High Septon. He endorses Daemon Blackfyre, a man who refuses to kneel before the Seven who are One and Repent his many sins! A man who beds an Essosi Whore who follows a False and Heretical Religion!

These actions are unforgivable! Even more unforgivable, however, is the fact many Holy Lords and Septons followed this Heretic into the "Fellowship of the Seven". This Heretic has the backing of the Usurper, he is sponsored by the ruler of King's Landing. He is nothing more than a puppet. A puppet with full access to the Royal Treasury. Holy Lords, we must build Septs to ensure the Faithful are not swayed by the false teachings of this Crownlands Septonate. I request that each of you fund the construction of a lrge and imposing Sept within your territories. I would also humbly ask that you pay a tithe of 3'000 Dragons a year each to the Faith, in order to allow us to teach more Septons, commission more frescoes, write more books and to expand the Septs beneath the Faith in order to keep this Heretical form of the Faith spreading beyond its narrow borders. It is not a demand, simply a plea for good Lords such as yourselves to extend a helping hand in order to support the Faith against the terrible blow of a large portion of her members being heretics. Offer aid to the Gods, I beg you!"

OOC:
+3 Charisma

[Poach]

Fresh from King's Landing, Mace joined the High Septon in his chambers. Passing the Warrior's Sons had given him a small sense of unease: he'd been taught of the Faith Militant of yesteryear and while Lord Westbrook had always portrayed them in a generous light, Westbrook's downfall had made Mace question a great deal of what he'd been taught by the elderly Lord.

"I am indeed, your Holiness," he said, offering a brief smile, "A husband and a father, now."

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