Achaea
Preamble
The Ten Commandments of the Holy Codex
If you wish to look up the definition of "Righteousness" as recorded by the
sages you will see, "n. - doing what is right or good; just; upright; godly."
However, if you *truly* wish to understand these deceptively simple-looking
words then you will come to find that they cannot be defined completely by a
scholar's pen, nor by any single action, but instead by the course of a
person's life, dreams, ambitions, and actions. My realm is that of goodness.
As the codex states, goodness is not a relative term that one defines for him
or herself, but it instead an eternal absolute, a holistic truth that is
unchanging, regardless of the circumstances.
As a member of the Church of Achaea, you will be called to a higher standard in
your words, actions, and life for you will be expected to live a "good" life
and actively and without apology, seek to end all evil. There are many in the
world that wish to walk through life, free to selfishly act however they wish
without fear of consequence. It is from the mouths of these individuals that
the lie of good and evil being "subjective" is born. But if indeed this was
true, there would be no way for you to devote you life to good - for your
"good" actions would be "bad" or "evil" to someone else. If such an action was
truly defined by the individual - then you would never be able to combat "evil"
for in the eyes of the evil doer - they consider such an action "good" for
themselves. It would be an eternal circle in which absolute truth would have
no place.
Know also - that doing the good and righteous thing will be the greater
challenge and will often also involve hardship, ridicule, persecution,
humility, discipline, and faith. It is not a road to be walked by the timid,
for it takes a pure soul and a strong will to do that which is right, even
though it may not always seem to be what is easiest or best. However, I shall
tell you - the rewards of such a righteous and good life will be greater than
those who walk the wide path of evil shall ever know. You will learn the
happiness that comes not through seeking selfish power, but in the simple
pleasure of aiding another or standing up for what is right, even if it is not
popular. You will find the quality of your life much enhanced and your path
made clearer once you have devoted yourself to the eternal truth of goodness.
It will not be easy, but know that in all you do - the spirit of Righteousness
and Light shall walk with you as your strength and comfort.
Deucalion, God of Righteousness
Aurora, Goddess of Light
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Holy Constituents of the Church of Achaea,
On the following pages, you will find the ten commandments of the Holy Codex.
Learn them well and strive to fully understand the spirit of the commands as
well as the letter of them. If you incorporate these teachings and
commandments into your daily lives, you will bring much glory to the Church.
If you do not, you will bring shame upon the church and punishment upon
yourself. These ten codes of the Church are not to be taken lightly, for
without them, the Church is doomed to hypocrisy, confusion, and apathy.
Deucalion, God of Righteousness
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As you fight to banish evil in the lands, there may come a time when you will
have to use force against those who will, sadly, not respond to any other
actions. There may even come the time that you must lift your weapon with
intent to kill for nothing less shall stay your foe from his or her evil path.
It is the *intent* of the action that makes the killing wrong and unjust. To
kill in order to destroy evil when it rises against the church or otherwise
opposes the forces of good in the land is one thing and indeed can be a
righteous act. To kill because you don't like the individual and had an
opportunity, or because they bore a title you didn't care for or were
affiliated with a group you opposed, or because you were bored, or simply
because you could is unacceptable. The gods have blessed you each with great
powers and abilities. Use them responsibly for the glory of the church or find
that these gifts are as easily removed as given.
Every action brings with it consequence, for better or for worse. If you are
bringing righteous retribution to an individual for their actions (let us say,
defiling a shrine, or killing a fellow member of the Church), enact such
justice only once for each act of wickedness. Do not repay one death with ten.
For though the Church must sometimes bring the use of deadly force against
their foes, there should be no bloodlust in such killing.
The only exception to this code of conduct may come in times of war, and then
only by the direct order and approval of either the Divine Patron of the Church
or the Council of the Saints and/or Archprelate.
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Pretty simple. If it didn't belong to you to begin with don't take it. However,
to recover something that was taken from you or a friend is not stealing. It is
recovery of stolen property. (Assuming that property was not originally stolen
itself.)
Again, exception to this code may come in times where an individual is
ravishing the lands with his/her wickedness and at the order of the Divine
Patron of the Church, or the Council of Saints and/or Archprelate, permission
may be given to remove from said individual his or her weapons of destruction
or anything else that they might be using to aid them in their rampage.
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3) THOU SHALL RESPECT THE GODS
As members of the Church of Achaea we expect you to always show the gods the
proper respect they are due. This does NOT mean you have to agree with
everything any god says. Obviously you cannot support every god or goddess
since many of their realms are in direct opposition to each other and the
Church is very "pro-goodness". However it is possible for you to respectfully
disagree with them. Never assume a disrespectful or arrogant tone with any
deity of Achaea, for humility is a treasure each of you should invest in daily,
_especially_ towards the gods. If not out of a desire to honor the Church with
your actions, for your own health and well being!
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"Innocence" is sometimes a difficult concept to define. The scholars define
it
as, "free from guilt, blameless, harmless". The innocent are not necessarily
simply those who support the Church but they are most frequently the ones whom
the evil and wicked will try to oppress. If a group or an individual is being
threatened with physical, emotional, or spiritual harm, the church shall seek
to champion them who are unable to do so themselves (assuming the individual or
group wishes such protection). If such protection is refused or abused, the
Church need no longer feel obligated to offer it.
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It is the ultimate goal of the Church of Achaea to put an end to evil of all
kinds in the lands. When those whom openly serve evil complain that the Church
is "oppressive" you may take that as an indication that you are doing your job
well for evil *should* be oppressed by the Church. However, should you hear the
same message from those whom are not openly evil and you know to be neutral or
good in deeds as well as words, then have the maturity and humility to examine
yourselves and see if there is truth to their words.
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6) ALWAYS MEET HONORABLE COMBAT IN KIND
Remember, you represent the Church of Achaea and you seek to walk a path that
is higher than most of the world around you. All you do and say (or in some
cases don't do or say) reflects upon the Church as a whole. Should you have to
engage the enemy in combat seek to do so honorably. However, should your honor
be abused and un-reciprocated, you are not bound to continue such honorable
combat but should you choose to, you will bring even greater glory to the
Church and greater shame and to your opponent regardless of your win or loss in
the battle.
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7) GOOD IS UNCHANGING, ABSOLUTE, AND ETERNAL
It is the popular opinion of those who wish not to be held accountable for
their actions that "goodness" is a relative thing defined by the individual.
"What is "good" to me may not be "good" to you, and so we must each define for
ourselves what is "good". This is a clever and popular lie, but a lie
none-the-less. Goodness is an absolute truth and what is good now is good then
and what is good here is good there. "Good" may not always be the easiest
choice nor the most efficient or socially acceptable but that does not change
its nature. If indeed goodness was relative you could not fight for "good" for
what you called good another would call bad and you would both be right.. if
indeed it was all relative. It is not. Do not fall prey to such a lie.
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Simple. If you make a promise, keep it. Even if it is difficult. If keeping
such a promise would make you break any other element of this codex then 1) you
shouldn't have made it and 2) your original oath to this codex comes first.
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9) DEFEND THOSE WHO WOULD DEFEND YOU
Not all mortals of the world will oppose the Church. You will have allies and
supporters as well as those who despise you and all you stand for with their
waking breath each day. Treat well those who would befriend the church and
support it. If not you may soon find you stand alone in your struggles.
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10) HOLY GROUND IS SACRED AND IS NOT TO BE DEFILED
This refers to ANY holy ground. Do not kill upon holy ground, or in the temple
of any god, or in the PRESENCE of any god for the presence of the divine makes
any spot on which they stand holy in that moment. If your enemies use this to
cower in their temples away from the righteous wrath of the Church, let them
cower. It is right for evil to cower from the Church anyway.
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It shall be this code, laid down upon this parchment by divine quill,
that
shall serve to lead and guide those who would be members of the Church of
Achaea. As in faith itself, it is the strength the *spirit* of the law that is
most important. However, do not ignore it's "letter" in arrogant believe that
you understand it's spirit well enough to alter the "letter". The Letter of the
Law is for clear guidance, for without clear and absolute guidance, many sheep
are lead astray or wander off on their own to be devoured by the wolves.
Incorporate each of these guidelines into your lives each day and you will find
that your will bring glory and strength to the Church of Achaea. Meditate on
them day and night and come to know and better discern the truth behind the
words, for each one holds a much greater meaning than simple words can ever
give.
Know also, that these truths are available to any who enter this holy place and
reads the words written in this book. This means that those who seek to
destroy the foundations and credibility of the Church shall also know what it
is that you have sworn yourself to. Know that they will constantly seek to
create a crack in your armor with your lack of dedication to the truths you
have sworn to uphold and protect. Always choose your words and actions (or
lack thereof) with wisdom and discernment, lest you bring dishonor to the
Church instead of glory.
May you sheathe the Sword of Justice in the Scabbard of Peace. May you wear
the Robes of Wisdom and don the Visor of Discernment and Vigilance. May the
Sandals of Humility guide your steps and may the Belt of Truth ever hold fast
to your waist. May the Breastplate of Righteousness ever guard your heart and
may the Shield of Honor protect you from the slings and arrows of your foe.
May you shine the Light of Goodness into every dark corner and chase away the
shadows of evil and wickedness that lurk there, sending them back into their
dark holes, where they cower before your righteous power. May you forever
bring glory to the Church of Achaea.