Following my last rankup request, I believe the major point of contention is that Aleksei was unwisely negotiating with Skraagites instead of actively opposing their influence on the world. Aleksei has considered the emote I was given from that request a vision from God, and has begin to militantly oppose them. As such, I have replaced all mention of Aleksei's positive interactions with Skraagites with references of his battles with them following that post instead.
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Aleksei’s T3 Application
Show extended worship, with two months OOC since achieving T2.
Achieved T2 on [10/25/2021].
Describe the three most prominent relevant deeds they've done since their last rank up.
- He ambushed a number of conspirators during their attempt to summon Dranoden.
- Aleksei published the Codex of Ash, the next installment in a long tradition of ignite codexes.
- Aleksei integrated his inquisition into the government of Storm’s Landing, to finally put an end to the city’s perennial corruption and lawlessness.
The character must have earnest and genuine faith to their Divine.
While his faith has wavered over the many decades of his life, he has come to terms with it and faced many of those figurative demons. He now fully believes in Ignis, more than before his faith was tested.
Evidence of a more unique understanding and outlook towards their own faith.
- Aleksei believes that order trumps law. He believes that if a law will cause disorder by following it, it is the duty of the clergy to evaluate the law and strike it out in favor of more pious law.
- He believes faith is defined by virtues. He believes that absolute obedience is a virtue, and that an ideal ignite is one who is absolutely obedient to their master.
- Aleksei believes that there is glory in politics. It is better to negotiate with an enemy to make them do what you want them to do, rather than force them to do so by a disorderly use of force.
Must show evidence in their log of teaching another something thematic to their Divine.
Aleksei’s Codex of Ash is full of scripture. As are his debates against heretics, frequent meetings where he explains the ideology of his faith, and all of his inquisitors are subject to his teachings.
Must have at least five instances in their divine log where they have personally done something significant in the name of their faith separate to the event(s) above.
- Aleksei convinced Leonhard to abandon his pursuit of magic, and rekindle his faith instead.
- He declared personal jurisdiction over Storm’s Landing, and during that time no crime was committed for fear of his inquisition’s reprisal.
- In an orderly fashion, he established a garrison in the ruins of the grand cathedral and then later disbanded it when it was no longer necessary.
- He honorably attended a trial that he knew was unlawful, biased against him, and that he felt had no right to try him. In spite of it, he argued so persuasively against the kangaroo court that they “sentenced” him to continuing his work of pruning the city of its corrupt elements.
- Aleksei has begun turning the mage Nikolche away from magic and toward faith. He instructed the man on the proper conduct of an Ignite and the flaws of his old ways, and as far as I know he has not violated any of Aleksei’s ordinances.
They must also pick one of the following paths:
[To Great Lengths]
They must showcase ten additional instances of significance in the name of their Divine. These should be of importance, be it through protecting a group, hunting down something of significance, the poisoning of a town, or some other action. Why these actions are considered significant should also be added to your logs, how your character personally feels them necessary or important.
Aleksei debated Milah Sicarus on the virtue of serving Magic, versus serving a deity.
It allowed Aleksei the chance to openly discuss the clear problems of practicing magic. How it damages the planes, and the virtue of allowing reasonable restrictions on oneself for the benefit of all.
Aleksei joined the Legio Divinatus.
A cornerstone of Aleksei’s faith is the open and honest cooperation of anyone who is willing to meet him in sincere negotiation - even if he does not like them or finds their practices disgusting. Becoming a member of this network of powerful blessed was a major coup for his strategy.
Aleksei uncovered evidence of a demonic plot.
Because of his openness to negotiate with anyone in spite of their differences, Aleksei knew of the demon Melarue’s home and that it housed her journal. In cooperation with the exalt of Theodra, he secretly read the contents of the journal which revealed a plot to summon Dranoden in the midst of a huge ball.
Aleksei interrupted a conspiracy, and engaged in a bloody melee with several of its members.
He interrupted the demonic plot to summon Dranoden alongside several members of the Legio Divinatus. For his part in the battle, he fought three worshippers of dark gods at once. A Vyre, a Visage blessed, and Branko Callas. He survived the melee long enough to have his allies come to his rescue, thus glorifying God through combat. While he believes in peaceful negotiation, he believes that readiness for battle is equally important, and this is important to him that he did not embarrass himself on the battlefield.
Aleksei exorcised Frost alongside other blessed.
Exorcising demons is obviously something that God favors, and Aleksei played a role in doing so.
Aleksei hunted down Melarue, although he failed to exorcise her.
Aleksei has always struggled with, shall we say, a gentleness toward women. He has always been reluctant to do them harm, and has at times been quite bigoted toward them as he has in the past been toward other races. While he successfully captured Melarue and brought her to his castle, he doubted that she had the strength or willfulness to escape and so allowed her free reign of the castle and visitors. On the eve of her exorcism, she was very easily rescued by her allies. This taught Aleksei that sometimes cruelty, such as imprisoning her in the dungeon would have been, is necessary.
Aleksei recruited Nikolche Variclav to the Inquisition.
Nikolche read of Aleksei’s teachings and his open defiance to the council’s authority. He wanted to rid the Landing of its corrupt elements too, and felt Aleksei possessed the strength and moral character to do so, and so he joined Aleksei. That he was a mage and now Aleksei could convince a mage to pursue a more moral path without coercion is something that Aleksei feels is a major coup.
Aleksei declared war on the Reaching Hand.
Such is the nature of Aleksei’s faith is that he tries to conceal as little as possible from anyone and everyone, including his prospective enemies. Instead of plan a quiet ambush or simply cut off all contact following his vision that he should purge the world of Skraagites, he arranged a meeting with Branko where he bluntly informed him that they were going to come into conflict.
Aleksei won the first major battle of the War of Ash and Lich.
Aleksei forced the Skraagites to grant him concessions following an intense and bloody melee between the Inquisition and the Reaching Hand. Aleksei both commanded his inquisitors, and engaged in combat such that he focused singularly on taking out Branko while several of Branko's men fought him at once. At one point in the battle, he wrestled Branko to the ground and began to beat him to death with his hands. At the end of the battle, the Inquisition had captured Branko and Aleksei negotiated his release in exchange for concessions from the Skraagites.
Aleksei published the Black Book, a handbook for inquisitors.
The Black Book is a document that ensures inquisitors shall not knowingly act in a disorderly manner. It outlines their responsibilities, when to respect jurisdiction of other powers, how to offer assistance in an orderly manner, when those laws may be ignored, what punishments are appropriate, and how to conduct oneself. If an inquisitor always keeps a copy hand (and they all are required to), and the always follow the Black Book in the absence of Aleksei or a Chapter Inquisitor (as they are required to) no inquisitor shall accidentally overstep their authority and embarrass Aleksei by sullying their order.
Aleksei has established Lichtfern, the site of the Inquisition’s Repository.
The Repository houses many evil or potentially artifacts, and it is important to Aleksei that these artifacts are kept contained. It may one day provide possible to bless then and turn them away from evil pursuits, or destroyed and their power used in a ritual for good. For now, he has more important matters to do and is content to keep them contained, away from where they can cause disorder in society.
Aleksei confiscated a demonic mirror.
He does not understand its significance, that it is the means by which demons may enter the world and their cultists may commune with them. He only knows that it is evil, and there is something of demonic corruption about it. It is in the Repository.
Aleksei established a second settlement south of the Landing, The Lodestar Inn.
With the intent of providing a space of relative order so near to the capital of disorder in the lands, Aleksei is establishing a small settlement. Violence and thievery shall be strictly forbidden within it, but all shall be welcome. Including criminals, and those of devious faiths. In this way, by providing a place where everyone is allowed, including those exiled from other lands, Aleksei can keep an eye on everyone.
