Oculus Dei
From LanceaSanctum
Group List: [1] (*Note* small updates and a character roster will be located here for interested players, rather then bothering the MST with constant updates as we gain players. Only large scale revisions will be submitted to this website)
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
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[edit] Description
What do you say to yourself when you are pressed in on every side by dangerous situations? What do you do when you face troubles? Ojo de Dios, an order of the Lancea Sanctum, exists as the answer to those questions. Founded on the principles that even the most devout is never protected from temptation or the rigors of life and the dangers the world presents, Ojo de Dios, Gods Watchful Eye, watches over the Lancea Sanctum from within. They are self-dedicated to observe, document, and protect not only the Lancea but also those others who deserve it from evil.
[edit] History
The Itza Maya of the Peten region should be mentioned in a discussion of the orgins of the the Ojo de Dios; while that area is now part of Guatemala, in colonial times it was part of the land under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Yucatán. The Itza capital was in Tayasal, an island city in lake Peten. The Itza land was separated from Spanish Yucatán to the north and Spanish Guatemala to the south by thick jungles with little population. It had been visited by Cortés on his march to Honduras in 1525, when the lords of the Itza pledged loyalty to Spain, but was thereafter neglected by Spanish authorities. In 1618 two Franciscan friars were sent from Merida to teach Christianity to the Itza. They arrived in Tayasal to find the people uninfluenced by European ways and still worshipping the traditional Mesoamerican gods. Coincidently a vampire from the Lancea Sanctum travelled in secret along with them.
While the Itza king received them politely, they made no progress in converting the people to Christianity. A select few were embraced and began learning of Longinus and Christianity in efforts to help the spread of christianity in the region. One particularly savage mayan hated the concept of his people being converted and changed. Organizing with tribesmen who felt the same way he helped them kill and murder any who came to convert them. In 1622 the Governor of Yucatán sent a force of 20 Spaniards and 140 Christian Indian allies to march on Tayasal, but the Itza quickly killed them. A second force on their way to the Peten in 1624 was ambushed by the Itza and met a similar fate. The Governor of Yucatán decided his energies were best spent elsewhere, and the Itza continued in independence. During those bloody battles he helped interrogate and torturer a few of the christian indians to learn more about this religion that wanted to take over their culture.
It is here that something happened that no on knows except maybe the founder of the Ojo de Dios, and even he may have forgotten, but something changed. Christianity was embraced by the former murderious savage. Instead of fighting against christian envoys, they were aided and encouraged. In 1695 three Franciscans headed to Tayasal accompanied by four Christian Maya singers. They were well received, and a number of the Itza consented to be baptized. The Itza King, however, refused to convert to Christianity or pledge loyalty to Spain; he said a time would come when this would be the proper thing to do but that time had not arrived. A force of 60 Spanish soldiers and Maya allies were sent to the Peten the following year, but were beaten back by fierce Itza attacks. The command in Merida decided that a major force was needed, and in 1697 sent out a force of 235 Spanish soldiers and as many Maya allies, with horses, artillery, and a large supply train with mules and men to cut a path through the jungle. They set up a fort on the shore of Lake Peten across from Tayasal, and reconstructed a small warship on the lake which had been brought with them in pieces.
On March 13, 1697 this force succeeded in conquering the Itza of Tayasal. The Spanish burned the Itza library of books "containing lies of the devil", and reported later that the city had so many idols that with almost the entire army set at work, it took from nine in the morning until half past five in the evening to break them all. Thus ended the last independent native state of Mesoamerica. Underneath all this manuevering and war by the mortals was another smaller battle, a battle of ideals, something had made a murderous savage see that in his own way without even knowing it he was doing God’s work. The rejection of christianity had led his people a once peacful tribe to become murderer’s and savages in their own way. There had been many opportunities to convert and coexist peacfully, instead the true nature of the people of Itza was shown. And God made it known what happened when you turned from him. In his time studying christianity he learned of many other cultures that rejected God, that worshiped lesser beings, idols, demons, groups that needed to be shown a purer light. At the time the Lancea Sanctum mainly served as an icon of what happened when you turned from God’s flock. There have always been inquisitors amongst the Sanctified, but during his encounter with them they were found lacking. Mirroring the Holy Trinity a vision was born of a 3 armed group that would be better organized to seek out and destroy heresy disobedience and treason within and without of the covenant then any one person could accomplish. Much like a Father, aged and wise, and knowing what to look for, one group would watch, hidden and careful they would discover evil. Like an adolescent, a Son, curious about the world, another would embrace and learn of the evil. And like a vengeful spirt the third group once there was an understanding of it another group would destroy it. Together they would work more efficiently then anyone person trying to do all three tasks alone.
Note: In the early 1700’s the name of the group changed from the founders native spanish language to the latin version Oculus Dei. Currently both names are used.
Secondary Note: at its formation and foundation the Ojo/Oculus is a Christian based group, however, many a discussion can be had about the denomination of the Lancea Sanctum, we therfore do not discriminate characters from joining if you believe in another religion. It will be up to the players, and the chronicle itself to see what happens. But simply put just because your not Christian doesn’t mean you can’t join the group. Most faiths are better then no faith at all.
[edit] Tenets
- There is evil in all things, even good. One cannot exist without the other.
Look for the evil in all things, watch it, study it, and then act.
- To understand evil one must be able to embrace it and focus it towards good
Sometimes the sacrifice of ones soul will allow others to vanquish evils that could not be destroyed otherwise. Be willing to make that sacrifice.
- Turning from God leads you down a dark path that demonstrates the righteous choice of walking God’s path. Even evil can lead to good indirectly."
Do not hide evil from the world, expose it, and use it as an example of what happens when you turn from God. Have that example draw faith from within those who do not have it. It is in secrecy that evil lays its roots to grow.
- It is with restraint and faith that our damnation will lead to righteousness."
With the focus of our faith, and the restraint and control over our being, even the evil of our state of damnation will serve as a beacon of God’s will and purpose and lead those willing to see it down the righteous path.
[edit] Structure
Ojo de Dios is separated into three different groups referred to as an Oculus or plural, Oculi. There are three Oculi the ranking members of each make up what is called the Iris of the Ojo de Dios and they are the final word in any matters concerning the group. The three Oculi are the Knights of Judas, the Tetragrammaton, and the Lidless Ones.
