Trimegestus Sanctus
From LanceaSanctum
The Most Holy Order of the Trimegestus Sanctus
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The faction known as the Trimegestus Sanctus holds many roles within the Lancea Sanctum. Those who claim membership within this faction are known as the tomb raiders, the secret keepers, the finders of lost knowledge…they are the librarians and the antiquarians of the Lancea Sanctum. There is no prerequisite to join this faction, simply a desire to seek out knowledge for the betterment of the Lancea Sanctum as a whole.
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[edit] Purpose of the Faction:
The purpose of this faction is many fold. On one hand, it is a safe-haven for the Occultists, the researchers, the artifact hunters, and the various tomb-raiders of the Lancea Sanctum. It accepts the fact that not everyone is a preacher, and not everyone has the ability to go out into the world and be the voice of God and Longinus. Instead, it is a place where those who are perhaps elders wishing to rule from the shadows, or eager neonates who want to make a name for themselves can find their footing within the Sanctified. Part of the major purpose, as well as the reason it went from a coterie/order to an actual Faction of the Lancea Sanctum, is the importance of recovering and identifying artifacts of importance to the Lancea Sanctum. This faction became a central point and resources for all dioceses to call upon to have investigated strange items of faith, or ancient texts that were uncovered. This became a huge benefit to the Sanctified, because rather then items being categorized under “magical”, and outsourced to the Circle of the Crone or the Ordo Dracul, the Lancea Sanctum now had an internal structure with the sole purpose of finding, identifying, categorizing, and potentially making said item or knowledge available to the Covenant as a whole. In the past, items that were “questionable” were referred to either the diocese in which they were uncovered, or the Curia Cruentas with a detailed report and explanation of said items, so that the Curia could make the final determination on the nature of the item in terms of “heresy”. While the Faction has no temporal authority over said items, they can make strong recommendations, and they are often the holders/protectors of knowledge that is often believed to be…”questionable” in nature. It is not unusual for confessors to be asked to join the Trimegestus Sanctum – the delicate nature of the knowledge that is uncovered and confronted is often a challenge to many of the members.
[edit] Background/History:
The purpose of the Trimegesti is information and item retrieval. With the assistance of other like-minded individuals, those of the Trimegestus originated as members from different occult-based organizations that banded together within the Lancea Sanctum to form a single unified group. Their role within the Sanctified is to hunt down rumors of the appearance of holy or unholy items, people, places, etc. The group originally formed during WWII in an attempt to retrieve the Spear of Destiny and the Ark of the Covenant from the German Army, although no one is exactly certain of who the founding members are (rumors abound, however). In more recent nights, the Trimegestus have been occupied with the identification and retrieval of lost rituals, strange spears, and the more mythic "Pact of Ages". This group is believed to have either a few select individuals, or upwards of fifty members of the Sanctified. There are also rumors that the Trimegestus often work with others to assist with hunting down the strange items that potentially cross Covenant lines. They are also known to work with the Ordo Praesidium Sanctum who is more martially orientated as opposed to the Scholarly pursuits of the Trimegestus.
[edit] The Tenets of the Trimegestus Sanctus:
1. Never bring the order into disrepute
2. Act with honor at all times
3. Respect and obey the Canons – lead by example.
4. Protect the knowledge of the Sanctified for now, and for the years to come.
5. Observe, Protect and Understand.
[edit] IC hierarchy:
Magister Council
The Trimegestus Sanctus is led by the Magister Council. This 9 member council draws its members from all ranks of the Lancea Sanctum – although many of the most Admired members of the Covenant are members, over the centuries many of the lowliest Priests have been called to service in this high office as well, according to their skills and dedication to the Testament and the Order. If an item or knowledge is found by the Trimegestus Sanctus that is potentially harmful to the Lancea Sanctum as a whole, they are responsible for reviewing it and determining the nature of the item, and they make the final determination as to whether the item warrants being reported to the Curia Cruentus or the Inquisition. The Magister Council is primarily responsible for long-term strategic planning and mustering of resources (financial or otherwise), and providing advanced study and interpretation. (Requirements: Academics 5, Theban 5, Investigation 3+/ Occult 4+, Intelligence 5 and)
Professors (Regional Leaders)
The bulk of day to day leadership is carried out by the Professors, scholar priests who oversee the members in their region, coordinate members’ activities, and petition the Magister Council for support. Most of the short-term planning is carried out by Professors who are able to focus on immediate rumors and leads and expeditions and offer tutoring to those members in their region in any number of skills and subjects, mundane and arcane. Professors are accomplished leaders and priests. Professors also administer the Oaths of the Order. (Requirements: Academics 3, Theban 3, Occult 3, and Intelligence 3).
Quaesitor /Censor
Quaesitors/Censors serve the purpose of the protectors of the knowledge, items and artifacts gained by the Trimegestus Sanctum. Their duties include transportation, bodily protection, and assistance in safe-guarding those in possession of the items. Qualities that would make a good Quaesitor / Censor are hard to define. (Requirements: Academics 3, Theban 3, Occult 3/Investigation 3 + Physical abilities)
Titles for General Members
(Notes: These are all titles that have a variety of meanings, though there are no requirements to take one of the titles. All have the same importance, though they may serve different purposes within the Trimegestus Sanctum)
Librarian – an individual who holds a library in his/her domain that is sufficiently large to give an equipment bonus to research/investigation/Theban/ etc.
Steward – an individual who holds a relic or object of note for the Creed. Stewards are often Librarians but are not required to hold such a title.
Warden/Praetor – an individual who serves to protect the Librarian/Steward and (foremost) the knowledge/relics in their possession.
Knight Templar – An individual with a martial bent whose purpose is to guard and protect. They generally travel in a pack of Knights, who are sworn together to safeguard specific items. These individuals uphold a code of honor to follow through on a specific duty, and are generally newer members who serve the function of messengers or aids to the Censors /Quaesitors.
Savant – a scholar of note within a specific subject. Savants are widely known among the topics of Religious academia, Theosophy, and Exorcisms.
Artificer – an individual who specifically studies items and artifacts. These individuals vary from metallurgists to jewelers and blacksmiths.
The general membership of the Trimegesti all share a common title, though duties and responsibilities vary widely according to the Oaths sworn by the member and individual capabilities. Members of the Timegesti let deeds and results speak for themselves, without need for titles of esteem or distinction.
[edit] Ceremonies:
Any ceremony performed by the Trimegestus Sanctus is filled with ritual observance, readings from the Testament, shows of faith and knowledge, and above all…pomp and circumstance. Knighting and promotions are momentous events that are attended by everyone as the new Knights or Quaesitors are heralded by their brothers and sisters with jousts, sword-fights, and finally a swearing into service under arches of swords. When a Magister or Professor takes office, the events are slightly more subdued, but only by a small margin.
[edit] Oaths & Authority:
Oaths are sworn in a ceremony attended by as many Trimegesti as care to come. Because these oaths deal with temporal actions and items (albeit to Divine ends), oaths are generally sworn to the Magister Council as a body (as opposed to a specific Magister or a specific Council). The Magister Council exercises authority over members within the scope of a given Oath; Professors are invested with the authority of the Magister Council when it comes to administering oaths to members in their regions.
Trimegesti who reside in a diocese with a Bishop must submit to the Bishops spiritual authority, according to the conventions of the Lancea Sanctum. Professors and the Magister Council may exercise direct spiritual authority over Trimegesti who do not reside in a diocese or who claim no permanent haven.
Oaths of the Trimegestus Sanctus
Oath of the Trimegestus Sanctus: (Sworn by all incoming members)
'I, (Name) of the Lancea Sanctum, do affirm that I will be faithful and bear true respect and honor to the Trimegestus Sanctum and to my brothers and sisters of faith, and will bear true faith to the words of Longinus and the Laws of God. I do hereby affirm my obedience to the tenets of my faith, and to the articles of the Trimegestus Sanctum. I take this oath by my own free will, before my peers, and the Magisters, and in the sight of God.
Oath of the Magisters: (Sworn by all members of the Magistrate Council on a bi-annual basis):
In the presence of the Holy Testament of Longinus I swear to God Almighty, to my Peers, and to others present that I shall undertake upon my dignity to protect the sanctity of the Lancea Sanctum and safeguard the achievements of the Trimegestus Sanctum of the Lancea Sanctum and the essentials of the knowledge gained therein, to uphold the trust placed in us by the Lancea Sanctum as a just trustee of knowledge, to observe piety and honesty in the discharge of my functions as a representative of the Trimegestus Sanctum, to remain always faithful and true to the tenents of our Faith and dignity of the Diocese, in protection of those of faith of the Sanctified and in service to people, to defend the Testament of Longinus, and to uphold the Canons within the Testament and the knowledge granted by Creed and Mentor, and the interests of the faithful in words, writings and comments.
Oath of the Quaesitors: (Sworn by those inducted into the Quaesitors / Censors in rather large ceremonies with a great deal of pomp and circumstance)
I swear that I will defend by my words, arms, and every possible means, even with the loss of my own life, the mysteries, articles, relics, and holy treasures of the Faith and the Congregation of the Lancea Sanctum.
I promise obedience to the Magister Council in accordance to the statutes of our order. I will assist with my words, arms, and actions religious persons, principally those within my diocese, as counselor, advisor and aide, even if I should not hold title or rank within that city. I shall become upstanding, and lead by example through faith, truth and honor.
To God and to these duties I voluntarily swear my faith, my arms, my coin, and my Damnation.
[edit] Dispute Resolution
Dispute resolution on internal Order matters is handled through a a Synod, which is identical in all ways to a normal Synod except:
The Synod is called by a Professor or Magister, and the Synod council is comprised only of Professors and Magisters, regardless of their standing or titles within the Lancea Sanctum at large.
In matters which are not strictly internal, the Order may invite Bishops or Cardinals who are not members of the Trimegesti to sit in the Synod council, or may turn the matter over to a traditional Synod.
The Magister Council may also empower Inquisitors; however, an Inquisitor’s authority is limited per the normal rules of inquisition. That is, a local Bishop who is not a member of the Trimegestus may prohibit an individual inquisitor’s activity in his diocese; the Magister Council must tread carefully on lines of established authority within strong diocese when exercising its authority over its members.
[edit] Appearance
During official events, or large gatherings, members of the Trimegestus can be identified by wearing a gold banner, which crosses from left shoulder to right hip. An additional stole may be worn around the neck to indicate the member’s office within the Sanctified at large. When not at official events, the Trimegestus is identified by a piece of jewelry, a sigil, or even a tattoo bearing the image of a Messiah Seal. It is not unheard of for the Knights Templars to bear rings or sigils with the Templar symbol. Most Magisters will also possess an item bearing the sigil of the pyramid with the all-seeing eye to represent the highest foundations of knowledge, learning, and mysticism.
Such an image is found here: 
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[edit] Known Members of the Trimegestus Sanctus
Magisters/Magistrate Council
Professors
Quaesitors/Censors
Librarians
Faith Trechaud
Magdalena
Milos Skovajsa
Archimandrite Seraphim
Bishop Spencer Reyes
Xavier Black
Stewards
Warden/Praetor
Knight's Templar
Edwin Frost
Jamila LeBeaux
Savant
Artificer
General Members - No Titles (AKA Supporters and Contributors)
[edit] Views
Non-Sanctified: "In modern nights, it is not uncommon for the Lancea Sanctum, or it's allies to turn to the Trimegestus for aid with "strange woogy shit".
Hardliners: "The Trimegestus dabble in things that are potentially dangerous...however; someone has to deal with it, lest it threaten the Sanctified as a whole. Better our best Occultists than the Acolytes touching what is rightfully ours. We aren’t happy with it, and but we have enough pull with members of the group that it's okay...for now."
Unifiers: "These guys are what the Lancea Sanctum definitely needs. Too often people forget that much of our history and the history of the Dark Father has been destroyed or lost to the past. The Trimegestus are the memory of the Sanctified...or at least the people who take the initiative to seek it out"
Neo-Reformists: "The work the Trimegesti have done is important to the Sanctified. Even though we are constantly showing how the Sanctified is changing, them actually going out and showing the importance of the past is just as beneficial to our cause."
Proselytizers: "The Trimegestus are who ultimately inspire the Sanctified to unity and action. I remember the unity that was shown when the Spear of Destiny appeared in that fight against the Black Saint. It wasn't luck that brought all the Covenants together; it was Faith and Inspiration that did it. What better way to spread the word of Longinus than through action and physical representation?"
[edit] Credits of the Trimegestus:
1 - Spear of Destiny (Indianapolis)
2 - The Daeva Chalice
3 - The Silver of Judas
4 - Spear of Faith Ritual
5 - Resistance of Discipline Ritual
6) 30 pieces of silver
7) Helmet of Longinus
8) Sword of Charlemagne
9) Stone knife used to circumcise Issac
10) Silver platter John the Baptist’s head was presented to Salome on
11) Sliver of wood from the cross Longinus was crucified on
12) Stone used by David to slay Goliath
13) False Spear of Cade
14) Jared Cades Journal
15) the wrapping used to bind a Demon
16) The washing basin of Pontius Pilate
17) The Entirety of the Black Library
Notes:
The Credits are "claimed credits", but they are also items that some of the PCs who want to be involved in this have actually gotten ICly. I think this faction would benefit the LS because it will give PCs who don’t necessarily fit into the Hardliners/Unifiers/exorcists/etc a place to go to. The faction would be ran more like the Invictus faction as a subset more than a coterie - the reason for this, a coterie you can have them be the first on the scene and hide away things. A faction it's harder, because there is a larger population, and because it's based on the Covenant as a whole, rather then just a few individuals.
One of the philosophies that takes it beyond the coterie level and to the faction level, is that while there is a hierarchy, and while you are treasure hunters;...for your domain or your diocese, you are the LS who assists with the strange items found, and the one who seeks out the lost knowledge to return it to the other Sanctified..."Prometheus" if you will. You don't have to be part of a coterie to do this, but instead, just feel that knowledge is a blessing and a curse - that just because you possess a spark of information doesn't mean that it's safe or right for everyone to have.
Created by:
Nycci Daniels
Scott McBrayer
Special Contributions by: Jon Noble Kathy Amende Jared Bentley Robin Canon Christopher Buser
[edit] Contact Information
For information regarding the Trimegestus Sanctus, please contact Nycci Daniels - nycci.daniels@gmail.com , Scott McBrayer at s_mcbrayer@hotmail.com. You can also join the yahoogroups through this link http://groups.google.com/group/ts-ls
