Church of Morrow

The symbol for the Church of Morrow, symbolizing Morrow's ascension.

The Church of Morrow, or the Morrowan Church is a religious institution in the Iron Kingdoms dedicated to the worship of Morrow as well as administrating the Morrowan faith and spreading the teachings of Morrow. The Morrowan faith emphasizes the individual as a potential agency of good and stresses how each person can contribute to society. Its beliefs resonate with people in many walks of life and social strata, advocating improvement through self-reflection, good works, honorable conduct, and self-sacrifice.

The Morrowan faith has growth to become the dominant religion in the Human kingdoms surpassing the Temple of Menoth. Morrowans are the majority in all human nations except the Protectorate of Menoth. The Church of Morrow is also recognized as the state religion in Cygnar and Ord as well as Llael before its fall.

History

Two human siblings Morrow and Thamar also known as "The Twins" were born in 1930 BR in Caspia. During this time Menite faith dominated with priests advising kings or even being regional rulers and the scrutators enforced the rule of law and the True Law governed all aspects of life. Morrow while raised as a Menite and respecting Menoth for his gifts, challenged the tyranny of the priesthood and the way they interpreted the True Law. Morrow was known for his oratory skills and charismatic leadership. He aided the less fortunate and preached that living a good life required more than obeying the True Law, such as benevolence, mercy, compassion, and self-sacrifice. By reflection and a deep understanding of the world a mortal could transcend the flesh, unlocking the limitless potential of the immortal soul which could then be wielded to the betterment of all. He also preached on finding honor in dark times based on the horrors he faced during a decade of serving as a soldier.

Attempts by scrutators to brutally suppress the growing cults of Morrow and Thamar resulted in Morrow and Thamar uniting and taking over Caspia in a battle in 1900 BR. However Thamar's execution of the Priest-King resulted in her exile only to return in 1894 BR alongside an army of rebels embittered with Morrow. Morrow sacrificed himself to save the city from Thamar resulting in his ascension in front of the masses, who killed Thamar who also ascended leaving her writings behind. Laertes Prado, one of Morrow's disciples collected Thamar’s written works to destroy them, but an apparition of Morrow instructed to bind his own writings with Thamar’s, insisting his sister’s words should be preserved alongside his own in the Enkheiridion to illustrate the Volition, encompassing both of their choices—in her writings were lessons as important to those who would come after as his own were.

The Purging

Word of their respective ascensions spread despite efforts by the Menite scrutators to repress it. This era became known as the "The Purging" as the Menites destroyed entire communities and forced Morrowans into hiding to stop the spread of the new religion. Caspia was reclaimed in 1882 BR and Laertes Prado was publicly tortured and executed. Prado hid the original Enkheiridion but copies had been transcribed by hand and were preserved by priests fleeing the city. In 1866 BR, a priest named Nolland Orellius claiming to be guided by Morrow founded the Divinium, a fortified monastery deep in the Wyrmwall Mountains to preserve the writings and teachings of the Twins. Orellius became the first primarch of the Church. Under his direction the church hierarchy took shape while its clergy organized efforts to hide the faithful from Menite scrutators. During his death Morrow appeared to usher his soul to the afterlife, thus Orellius became the first Archon of Morrow, an angelic spirit who would assist the god in Urcaen. A week later Orellius manifested before Orellius’ successor as a sign of Morrow’s favor. From that point forward, every primarch after death has become an archon to join a growing host working to fulfill the will of Morrow. After the passing of the old, each new primarch has been signified by a manifestation of one or more archons as an unequivocal sign of Morrow’s guiding hand. Morrow was named the Prophet, as through the archons he passed down prophecies to the faithful, as well as other momentous portents. They would be further joined by the Ascendants. Morrow’s first ascendant was a shield-maiden of noble birth from the Skirov tribes named Katrena who heard Morrow's message and joined the fledgling church at the Divinium. She inspired others to take up arms to defend the faith. Katrena protected the church’s priests, including those brave enough to spread its teachings despite the Menite scrutators hunting them. She ultimately died and ascended in 1810 BR protecting the third primarch, Orestus I, from assassination. At the sight of her ascension, the assassins dropped their weapons and converted to the faith.

However as ascendants as well as scions of Thamar began to appear and followers of the Twins began to increase specially in ruling families the scrutators found it difficult to suppress the new religions. After Ascendant Solovin’s ascension a Menite delegation was invited to meet with Morrowan leaders at the Divinium, however the Menites had no intention of reaching an accord. Khorva a devout Thamarite, after seeing visions from Thamar took a contract to assassinate the primarch. Impersonating as scrutator Sicarius, she joined the delegation. She was able to get close enough to Primarch Loriachas during the negotiations to strike him down setting in motion a chain of divine manifestations. Ascendant Katrena appeared in a blaze of silver light to avenge the primarch and killed Khorva. Suddenly Thamar appeared to claim Khorva’s soul as she in turn ascended. Katrena and Thamar seemed poised to do battle when himself Morrow manifested for the soul of his primarch, now become an archon. These divinities clashed briefly before both sides vanished in a blinding flash.As a result of the manifestations a councils of visgoths assembled and doctrine was written in 1247 BR to explain these events to the satisfaction of the Menite temples, allowing the Menites to reach a grudging accord with the Morrowan faith. They claimed that Menoth had allowed Morrow’s divinity by way of an accommodation whereby Morrow knelt to Menoth as his Creator. Morrow is said to have been given sanction to shepherd those who worshiped him, so long as he stood as guardian against the perfidy of his sister. Further, his followers were required to acknowledge the Creator, attend Menite services, and pay tithes to the temple. This theological accommodation allowed Morrowans to worship openly and to build churches of their faith.

Growth and the Orgoth Invasion

A prodigious scholar, historian, and linguist named Angellia was able to recover the original Enkheiridion from a forgotten vault in Caspia as well as the writings of Prado describing the ascension of the Twins. She also translated the Enkheiridion into the Caspian of the day and wrote many theological works that would guide the Morrowan Church for centuries which resulted in her ascension in 1027 BR. Invention of the printing press by a Morrowan named Janus Gilder also allowed the Church of Morrow to disseminate its doctrines further. In 712 BR the Church of Morrow decided to move the primarch and the Exordeum to the Sancteum within Caspia. Construction began on the Archcourt Cathedral, the greatest work of architecture of the era. Designed by a genius named Sambert the Archcourt Cathedral was a building like no others with flying buttresses and spires admired even by the city’s Menites as a testament to the unassailable hold of civilization. Sambert ascended in 605 BR upon completion of his great statue of Morrow.

The arrival of the Orgoth brought dark times to Immoren and the Morrwans and Menites united to resist the invasion couldn't stop the Orgoth from annexing the human kingdoms. Caspia stood defiant protected by the walls and after the death of its king the leaders of the two religions rallied the defenders. Orgoth warlord Kolegzein IV sent a messenger to Caspia, asking for these religious leaders to meet him to negotiate terms. The Morrowan Primarch Gallumus and the Menite Hierarch Sadron IV went forth in their full splendor to speak with the Orgoth warlord. The spiritual leaders of Caspia were taken captive despite flag of truce and hauled within sight of Caspia’s walls, where its defenders watched on. After a speech Kolegzein cut the throats of the primarch and hierarch and drank their blood. Their corpses were bled dry and dangled on gallows by ropes made from the hair of their own escorting priests within sight of Caspia’s walls until their bones were picked clean by carrion birds and fell untouched to the earth. No holy manifestation or wrathful smiting by either Menoth or Morrow happened and the defenders quailed behind the walls thinking their gods had forsaken them or were powerless against the vast evil embodied in the Orgoth.

Orgoth did not attempt to repress the local religions but the Menite faith suffered due to the priests losing the political power they enjoyed for so long. By contrast, the Morrowan message continued to spread becoming the dominant religion, and its humbler churches and priests were seen as a comfort to the oppressed. Ascendant Rowan was born into a family that collaborated with the Orgoth, however she renounced her privileges and gave her life to aiding the suffering and making life more comfortable for the masses. Her actions resulted in many collaborators giving up their power and the lives of the enslaved improved. She ascended in 289 BR and many Menites converted to Morrowan faith as a result. But near the end of the Occupation era the Orgoth suddenly began repressive measures and persecution of region

With the "Gift of Magic" the church faced another dilemma. Menites however considered this a betrayal of Menoth by the Twins. The Orgoth also carried out the Vicarate Slaughter executing over five hundred Morrowan priests. The actions of Corben an arcanists and alchemist in creating a cure to the Rip Lung plague which devastated both Immorese and Orgoth populations as well as his ascension convinced the church to accept arcanists as well as protect them from the Orgoth. These arcanists would play a major role in the rebellion and the eventual overthrowing of the Orgoth.

Era of the Iron Kingdoms

By the end of the Orgoth occupation the Church of Morrow had become the dominant religion among mankind and the Church further grew in power with Cygnar declaring it the state religion during Malagant’s era and the forces of the church often fight alongside the Cygnaran military. The current Empress of Khador is also a devout Morrowan and the church has grown into a major power with its own military forces and spies. However the Church faces many challenges and threats specially the rise of the Protectorate of Menoth, a Menite theocracy that believe the Morrowan faith usurped the rightful place of the Creator to gain influence over most of western Immoren.

Organization & Hierarchy

List of Known Primarchs

Name	Reign	Notes
Nolland Orellius	c. 1866 BR-?	Claimed to have a vision from Morrow, established the Divinium in the Wyrmwall Mountains. Upon his death he was the first to ascend and become an archon.
Orestus I	?-?	The third primarch. In 1810 BR he was saved from assassination by Katrena, who would become the first Ascendant.
Loriachas	?-?	Active c. 1247 BR. Saved from assassination by the Thamarite Khorva by Asc. Katrena
Gallumus	?-?	Active during the initial invasion of the Orgoth Invasion. Gallumus, along with the Menite Hierarch Sadron IV ventured out from Caspia to treat with Orgoth warlord Kolegzein IV. Both were captured and killed, and left to rot in front of the city's walls.
Arius	?-present	Current primarch.

The Church of Morrow has an extremely cohesive and inclusive hierarchy, allowing it to function as a single body despite being spread across multiple nations and being arguably the most pervasive human organization in western Immoren. While there are many individual interpretations of Morrow’s message with the exception of a few radical ones nearly all are welcomed into the larger hierarchy and individual priests within the hierarchy are given considerable leeway in following their own paths to enlightenment and finding a personal connection to Morrow and his ascendants.

Individual churches are similarly given considerable autonomy but are supported by the larger hierarchy. Such a large organization requires a sizable bureaucracy, handled by priests with an aptitude for administration as well as pious laypersons chosen for the task. More TBA.

The leader of the Church of Morrow is the Primarch, currently Primarch Arius, who rules from (and rarely leaves) the Archcourt Cathedral in the Sancteum, which is his ecclesiastical seat. The Primarch is a lifelong position, and new primarchs are elevated only after the death of their predecessors. They are selected through a display of divine approval that includes a manifestation of archons representing the Host of Morrow. This gives the primarch a degree of authority found in other faiths, but each is nonetheless a mortal who serves as best he can, making the crucial decisions for this far-flung faith. Primarch Arius has close ties to the Cygnaran government, being a mentor and personal advisor to King Leto Raelthorne. Because of this, some Foreigners consider him too careful of Cygnaran interests adn biased against Morrowans of other nations, especially Khador. His detractors are vocal but have been largely ineffective in changing the situation. For the moment, the Church of Morrow seems strongly invested in the security and safety of Cygnar. Arius is an aged preist, and eventually mortality will claim him, necessitating another to take his place.

The primarch is aided in governing the church by the Exordeum, a governing body of thirty-six leading priests with the lifelong rank of Exarch who manage the majority of day-to-day matters. While they also convene and dwell within the Sancteum, the exarchs are drawn from across the Iron Kingdoms and include prominent members from Khador, Ord, and the Llaelese region. Exarchs are appointed by the primarch to replace those who die or, rarely, those who withdraw from the post. The dictates and decrees of the Exordeum are passed to vicars who are the seniormost priests dwelling outside the Sancteum and who oversee sizable regions called vicarates. Most vicars are organized into Vicarate Councils, each composed of seven vicars, which are present in many major cities, including: Caspia, Ceryl, Fharin, and Mercir in Cygnar; Merywyn in Llael; Merin in Ord; and Khardov, Korsk, Ohk, and Skirov in Khador. Answering to these councils are the prelates and high prelates who oversee Church business in individual cities and towns, taking care to ensure myriad smaller churches are adequately staffed and tending to the faithful. The church also counts among its membership hundreds of battle-chaplains, members of the military in multiple nations who serve as soldiers while performing church services, tending to the injured, and providing last rites.

More TBA

Organizations

A number of specialized groups and orders serve the Church. Such as,

• Dozens of regional martial orders that protect holy grounds and cathedrals, one of the most prominent being the Precursor Knights of Cygnar.
• Order of Keeping - a monastic and reclusive branch interested in the preservation and protection of the Church’s greatest relics and secrets, and its well-armed and armored knights sometimes serve as bodyguards for high-ranking priests.
• Order of Illumination - A powerful and militant group of witch-hunters and pious arcanists.
• Dargule’s Mice - The intelligence gathering network controlled by Exarch Dargule.

The Church Within the Community

In most of western Immoren, when a person speaks of going to church or attending to prayers, it is presumed they are speaking of Morrowan services. Small churches of Morrow are numerous in most cities, excepting those few townships that are exclusively Menite. Generally there is a church or sheltered shrine for every few hundred Morrowans. In some cases the faithful may be tended by a pious lay preacher rather than a consecrated member of the clergy with formal religious training.

Larger and more established churches become centers of their communities and are among the most impressive and well- built structures in their townships. These are usually assigned at least one ordained priest, along with supporting novices and pious volunteers who attend to the grounds, cooking, and other needs. Ordained priests vary widely in temperament and intelligence, depending on their natural gifts. By and large priests are literate and well educated, being versed in Morrowan philosophy, history, law, and extensive study of the Enkheiridion, the sacred text of the faith.

Priests are expected to make themselves available to their congregation to advise them on matters of spirituality and morality in addition to conducting regular services and performing significant ceremonies. Funeral rites are deemed one of the most important and essential of Morrowan services, particularly in recent years, as the evidence of the misuse of corpses through necromancy has been on the rise.

Through training and faith, priests can pray to manifest small miracles, acts of sacred magic that can be a boon to their community. This includes attending to the injured and diseased. These efforts are limited; despite the expectations of the suffering, priests cannot erase all illness or affliction with the wave of a hand. Morrowan priests following the example of Asc. Solovin are well versed in the mundane aspects of caring for the wounded, such as splinting broken bones, binding cuts, and applying alchemical salves to cleanse wounds and prevent infection. Such priests can lend their prayers to quicken the healing process, but primarily for superficial injuries. In most cases a body must heal naturally, and particularly grievous wounds require extended bed rest even when closely attended by the most capable of Morrowan healers. Truly miraculous healing requires the direct intervention of the divine, which rarely happens and can only be invoked by the most spiritually potent priests when the need is tantamount for the common good. Such great miracles usually come with unpredictable repercussions, as the raw energy of the divine does not easily manifest on Caen.

A priest does not have the time or ability to attend to every injury or complaint among his congregation and must manage expectations. In large cities major churches are inundated by those seeking assistance, requiring strict policies to maintain public order while providing charitable aid. These policies vary from church to church and priest to priest, with those emulating Asc. Rowan being the most accommodating to the masses. Overworked priests may refer petitioners to neighboring churches or recommend nearby apothecaries or physicians.

Each community is expected to donate time and funds toward the upkeep of local churches, although the clergy prefers voluntary donations and does not impose strict tithes-a point of differentiation with Menite temples. Major construction projects or commissions for significant works of sacred art, stained glass, or sculpture are supported by funds drawn from the Sancteum treasury, often augmented by sizable donations from sponsoring local nobles. Supporting the church is expected of landed nobles, who gain good will among the common people and preferential treatment for burial rites and entombment. In regions where Church leaders are actively involved in politics, having the sympathy of the clergy can be of pragmatic value.

Among the greatest works of architecture in the modern age are the massive cathedrals of the Church of Morrow, found in many major cities, with notable examples in the capitals of Cygnar, Khador, Ord, and Llael. These vary considerably in style and ornamentation, drawing on the regional cultures where they stand, but most are intricately ornamented and set with gargoyles and other statuary depicting legends from the long history of the faith. The Archcourt Cathedral in the Sancteum-which houses the primarch and the Exordeum- was built just before the arrival of the Orgoth and is counted a wonder of western Immoren. The construction of cathedrals and major abbeys are tremendous works, requiring decades of labor by hundreds of craftsmen and thousands of laborers.

These structures are major attractions for their cities, drawing an influx of pious pilgrims and other visitors, thus supporting commerce in the city. Many of these cathedrals preserve relics of the faith, items of great historical and spiritual significance, often associated with specific ascendants or notable holy priests. Only a handful of relics of Morrow himself exist, and these are preserved either in the Sancteum or in the hidden Divinium, the old seat of the Morrowan Church. The wonders of the Sancteum bring hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Caspia every year, along with donations and vows of support. Major holidays like the Ascension Feast draw additional worshipers, pilgrims, and funds.

Smaller churches in remote areas may be more modest, but the Church of Morrow as a whole is an extremely wealthy organization. Ranking priests allocate this wealth to broadening the reach of the faith through the construction of new temples, shrines, and cathedrals as well as printing and distributing religious texts and fostering charitable works. Considerable funds are also spent on special branches of the church responsible for its protection, including its own well-armed soldiers and groups like the Order of Order of Illumination. In addition to remaining ever vigilant for signs of infernalism, the Illuminated Order is also a prime reason the Church has remained free of widespread corruption despite its wealth, for it sees that senior Church officers are subjected to scrutiny and regular tests of piety. These efforts have largely eliminated self- serving pretenders, so while it is possible for priests to be lured down the wrong path of the Volition, compromised individuals rarely reach the upper ranks. Scandals over local priests corrupting Morrowan philosophies are dealt with swiftly by Illuminated agents while rumors are quashed by the church hierarchy, often with the help of pious nobles.

Most people view the Church of Morrow as a positive, benevolent organization. The criticisms it does receive are most often for simply not doing enough. There are many who clamor for the Church to exercise its power to intervene in specific kingdoms. The Church has a history of neutrality in times of war, rarely participating in the conflicts except to defend its holy sites. Regional biases are nevertheless inevitable, which has sometimes threatened the cohesiveness of the church leadership. Ranking members of the clergy are eager to avoid a schism, but the divide between the northern and southern church is expanding.

While unified by a single hierarchy, the Morrowan faith is far from homogenous, differing considerably by region and particularly by nation. These distinctions can be seen at every level, from church architecture to worship rites and holy days. Such differences can cause friction between the faithful of different sects, but they illustrate an essential part of the Morrowan philosophy.

Doctrine

Core to the Morrowan faith is the idea of Volition-that every person in life makes choices that determine whether they will be a force for positive empowerment or for selfish gain. By association, pious Morrowans are seen as good and reliable citizens while those who succumb to the "dark path" of Thamar are seen as evil, self-serving, and destructive. This is a simplistic reduction of the subtleties of Morrow's and Thamar's respective philosophies, but clear distinctions appeal to the masses. The more nuanced aspects of the Twins are left to theologians and scholars. Before his ascension, Morrow was both a philosopher and a soldier, a thinker who endorsed the virtues of peace but who allowed that armed conflict was sometimes necessary. The Morrowan faith teaches that honor can be maintained amid violent strife if applied judiciously, such as to defend the helpless. Morrow insisted the better side of man's nature could rise to the fore even amid the bloodiest of conflicts. This allows his message to have impact in times of both peace and war and to appeal to soldiers as well as those they protect.

Ascendants and Archons of Morrow

Caught up in the trials and tribulations of ordinary life, most who follow the faiths of Morrow and Thamar- even exceptionally pious priests who give their lives to worship-have no expectation of ascending themselves. In the centuries that followed the Twins' lives, however, some exceptional few rose to prominence and paved their own paths to ascension. Those associated with Morrow are known as ascendants and are revered as saint-like paragons; those linked to Thamar are called scions, seen by outsiders as unholy beings that spread corruption to mortal minds, yet to Thamarites honored as singularly holy and proof of the myriad routes to enlightenment. These beings are not treated as gods by either faith, being subordinate to Morrow or Thamar, but are vital intermediaries with the divine.

After ascension, each individual became part of the religious canon, held as examples to demonstrate the vastly different ways in which both Morrow's and Thamar's teachings could be interpreted. The rise of a new ascendant or scion is a major and exceptionally rare historical and theological event. Each of the spectacular miracles by which the ascendants have transformed into divinity has demonstrated the proof of Morrow's teachings and provided an ideal toward which the pious strive. Scions are seen by Morrowans as proof that the dark twin continues to exert her own insidious influence on the world.

The ascendants play a vital role in Morrowan worship, and many individual churches and cathedrals are dedicated to one or more of them. Most Morrowans see them as approachable and comprehensible examples of their faith. The ascendants are thought to hear prayers closely tied to their spheres of influence and on extremely rare occasions have even manifested on Caen to lend their aid through visions or more overt displays of holy power.

Each ascendant has a history, a distinct philosophy, and associated rites and prayers. The remains and possessions of each ascendant are holy relics that are preserved and displayed at various major cathedrals and monasteries. Most of these are reputed to possess miraculous properties and serve as conduits for the divine. Occasionally a revered priest will receive similar treatment after death. Each of primarchs join Morrow after death, transfigured into special messengers called archons. Their remains are preserved in the catacombs below the Archcourt Cathedral, contributing to the holiness of this most sacred ground.

Ascendants and archons are reputed to sometimes manifest before chosen faithful to deliver signs and portents from Morrow, the Prophet. These manifestations are sometimes translated into cryptic prophecies, the meaning of which is studied and interpreted by theologians. All witnessed manifestations of ascendants and archons are preserved and recorded in church records and are frequently the subject of religious art and sculpture.

The faithful sometimes feel a closer relationship with their patron ascendant or ascendants than with Morrow himself and spend much of their time in prayer addressing this patron. It is common for Morrowans to keep spiritual tokens on their person, most commonly a necklace bearing the Radiance of Morrow together with coin-like talismans representing ascendants. These vary in detail and quality. The finest of these talismans are minted in the Sancteum and sold to pilgrims who visit the holy city. Even the less pious will often superstitiously pray to or name an ascendant when engaged in a difficult task related to their areas of patronage. A physician cleansing a difficult wound might mutter a prayer to Asc. Solovin, for example.

In addition to their use as ascendant talismans, the symbols of the ascendants are sometimes imprinted, embossed, or engraved on items associated with their areas of patronage. Religious books bear on their spines the symbol of Asc. Ang Asc. Corben's symbol can be found on alchemical formulae. Battlefield hospital tents or rooms set aside to attend the sick or dying bear Asc. Solovin's mark. Asc. Markus' symbol is found on keystones of city arches and gates, Asc. Doleth's symbol is branded into the prows of ships, and Asc. Gordenn's symbol is affixed to the hafts of farming implements. Asc. Katrena's symbol is engraved on the arms or inside the armor of nobility and protectors of the church. Bank documents and other contractual papers often include the symbol of Asc. Shevann.

• Asc. Angellia (f) ascended 1027 BR - Patron of history, lore, and the written word. Prodigious Rynnish scholar, historian, and linguist. Wrote the definitive history of western Immoren up to her time. Recovered the lost Enkheiridion and wrote its definitive notated translation.
• Asc. Corben (m) ascended 102 AR - Patron of alchemy, astronomy, and the arcane. Notable arcanist who advanced astronomy, mechanika, and alchemy. Cured Rip Lung plague. Ascension seen as sign of Morrow's endorsement of arcanists who apply their powers to good works.
• Asc. Doleth (m) ascended 1411 BR - Patron of sailors, boatmen, and fishermen. Fisherman on the western coast. Followed quiet, solitary path toward enlightenment. Meditated on Morrow's teachings while at sea. Selflessly rescued victims of shipwrecks amid storms of the Meredius.
• Asc. Ellena (f) ascended 1590 BR - Patron of pilgrims, proselytizers, travelers, and messengers. Conducted pilgrimages in a particularly dangerous era. Spread teachings of Morrow to farthest corners of continent. Proselytizing ensured rapid spread of the faith. Performed charitable works where Menite temples had turned a blind eye to suffering.
• Asc. Gordenn (m) ascended 812 BR - Patron of farmers and family. Monk and farmer devoted to alleviating suffering during Time of the Long Sun, a horrible drought. Credited with countless miracles, such as turning barren farmlands fertile and calling down rainfalls. Saved thousands from starvation.
• Asc. Katrena (f) ascended 1810 BR - Patron of valor, knighthood, and nobility. First Ascendant, born in frozen north, ascended after protecting Morrowan priests and thinkers from the Menite Purging. One of the first and greatest defenders of Morrowan faith. Died from wounds suffered in battle with Menites defending one of the first primarchs.
• Asc. Markus (m) ascended 305 AR - Patron of soldiers and city watchmen. Ordic soldier who single-handedly stalled an invading barbarian horde at the Siege of Midfast by challenging its fourteen chiefs to a series of duels. Died and ascended as the siege was lifted.
• Asc. Rowan (f) ascended 289 BR - Patron of the poor and downtrodden. Lived during height of the Occupation. Renounced all material wealth and spent her life alleviating the suffering of the enslaved Immorese. Achieved enlightenment through self-sacrifice.
• Asc. Shevann (f) ascended 500 AR - Patron of merchants, oratory, and conciliation. Most recent ascendant. Negotiated peace with the Sul-Menites after the Cygnaran Civil War. Considered patron ascendant of Caspia.
• Asc. Sambert (m) ascended 605 BR - Patron of craftsmen, artists, and builders. Masterful sculptor, architect, painter, mason, and engineer with skill to manifest the divine on Caen through craft. Revolutionized sacred architecture with Archcourt Cathedral and other buildings in the Sancteum.
• Asc. Solovin (m) ascended 1253 BR Patron of healers, battle-chaplains, and midwives. Soldier and priest from Thuria who visited countless battlefields to treat wounded regardless of the affiliations. Sacrificed himself to destroy Scion Remel

Witchcraft and Black Magic

Witchcraft and black magic are legal terms in the Iron Kingdoms that can be acted upon by the authorities, particularly the Order of Illumination, which has a mandate given by the Morrowan Church to investigate and persecute offenders. A witch is defined as an individual who is practicing black magic, a charge that can carry severe penalties, including execution.

Within the Morrowan Church, black magic and witchcraft have traditionally been defined by the primarch and Exordeum. The current standard is any magic used for the following:

1. Infernalism - the practice of communicating with and negotiating with infernal entities.
2. Necromancy - the practice of animating the dead, interfering with the immortal soul, or using magic that draws in whole or in part on the energies released by death or suffering.
3. Mesmerism - any magic that interferes with free will by forcing a person to make decisions or actions not their own.

The third category is the most difficult to prove or disprove and is consequently the most rarely utilized in accusations. This definition has sometimes been deemed inadequate by specific sovereigns or other authorities, who have implemented broader stipulations. For example, during the reign of Vinter Raelthorne IV, the Inquisition in Cygnar created an extremely broad standard for witchcraft that included anyone born a sorcerer, though there was special dispensation given to those employed by the Cygnaran military. The Inquisition did not leave these matters to the Church but conducted its own investigations and was notorious for its excesses, as virtually anyone could be accused of and executed for witchcraft, even those incapable of magic.