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Menekod Laranianism |
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N.B. This document has local links to stuff which is at Jamie's
HarnPage web server. This document can also be found
there. I guess the links will work there...
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Menekod Laranianism
Menekod Laranianism is the name given to the brand of Laranianism
found among the Meken of the Order of
Checkered Shield, particularly at Menekod. That it is predominant
in that place is not surprising; Menekod is the head of the Order, and it has the largest permanent
garrison of any of the outposts - and it is among the permanent
soldiers that this form of Laranianism is most common.
Menekod Laranianism has been developing over the entire history of the
Order, but in particular during those
periods of greatest military activity - the Five Year War and more
recently Ezar's War. It is born out of the fundamental conflict that
all soldiers of Larani face: the conflict between being a good soldier
and being a good Laranian. For the chivalric code of Larani, which
espouses honour in battle, a concern for defence over offence, and
views the enemy as real people, is counterproductive when fighting to
win and stay alive. It is these last two goals which take precedence
among the Meken at Menekod, and which always have - and it is for no
other reason that the Order has done so
well in the past.
The Doctrine of Menekod Laranianism
The differences between Menekod Laranianism and the more orthodox
forms espoused by the Laranian Church and
the Order of Hyvrik (and held by the
Melana) range from the extreme to the subtle. Among the most obvious
are:
- The "Protected" aspect of the Goddess is almost non-existent.
While the Meken still fight for Larani, it is in service to the
Goddess and more to prove one's worth than to protect her. Similarly,
while the Meken often divide people into three groups - "Meken",
"enemy", and "those to be protected" - there is almost no conception
of the need or desire within each individual to protect and be
protected. Furthermore, the task of protecting has been almost wholly
conflated with killing the enemy, to the extent that the latter by
itself is held as sufficient reason for the Meken's continued
existence - "as long as there are enemies to fight, we are bound to
fight them."
- The "Reluctant Warrior" becomes simply the "Warrior"; the life
of a Meken is one dedicated to fighting, and their Goddess is not one
to shirk this duty either. She is portrayed as leading her hosts and
minions into battle in the cyclical war against Agrik, and desiring
the downfall of her enemies.
- The concept of sacrifice for a higher ideal is greatly extended
in Menekod Laranianism. Frequent mention is made of the current day
being given to the Meken by Larani (who, as the Pure Goddess of Light
and Holy Fire, naturally brings forth each new day), in order that the
Meken might use it to ensure peace in the next day. That is, by
fighting and dying in the present, the Meken ensure peace for the
future.
There is also sacrifice of others, namely enemies, but this is
sacrifice in the sense of a gift to the Goddess, and takes place on
the battlefield.
- Menekod Laranianism has an adapted form of the historic claim of
priestly infallibility, which applies instead to the Meken
themselves. Since they are the holy warriors of Larani, and her select
few (the idea of the Meken as an élite is important both to
their religion and their broader social outlook), the Meken are guided
by her light. In their reasoning, this naturally leads to absolute
infallibility, in whatever matter. This fits in easily with their
strictly hierarchical organisation and the emphasis on obeying the
orders of superiors.
Thus, the Meken as a whole are infallible, as is each member, unless
one of higher rank contradicts that member. It has never happened that
the Reblena of the Meken has been judged as wrong in a matter; it is
not clear what would happen in such a circumstance.
- The Chivalric Code, as mentioned above, is largely dispensed
with, and replaced by a very different sense of honour. Among the
Meken, loyalty to the Ûnir is paramount, and the closest ties
are those between trio and Ûnir members. The honour of both
units must be upheld - this means a number of things. Not only
winning, but winning well, with minimal losses is of course greatly
desired. Being disciplined and well kitted out is also given great
importance, as is the precise performance of a number of religious
duties. To take only one example, the Baseka assigned to lower the
Banner of the Ûnir at the dawn service, and the Meken assigned
to ring the gong, are expected to arrive at the courtyard in
impeccable dress, without any signs of exertion, and have time to walk
across to join their companions before the sound of the gong has
faded. On such things are the reputations and honour of the Meken
built.
- The ties with Peoni are greatly reduced. In the orthodox belief,
Peoni and Larani are the joint deities, and everyone follows, in some
sense, both Goddesses, even though most Peonians have not taken
Laranian vows. This is not the case with the Meken, who see thsoe who
follow Peoni as simply those to be protected - they neither expect nor
take anything from them (in their view), and spare little thought for
them at all.
Interesting tid-bits
The following are some interesting snippets about various aspects of
Menekod Laranianism.
- The sacrifice of enemies' blood to Larani is sometimes seen as a
remedy for the loss of blood suffered by the Goddess when she becomes
the Terrible Lady of the Flowing Red. That it is this aspect of the
deity that is predominant in the doctrine, this obviously calls for a
lot of blood.
- The Meken are really the ones who make most use of the Laranian
Calendar; though it is used on all the documents of the Order, it is
the Meken who almost live and breathe it. Despite a widespread lack of
literacy among Meken, every member of a trio has at least some
knowledge of their name saint, and every member of a Ûnir knows
some of the stories and ideas attached to the Skirmish their unit is
named after.
- During Ezar's War last century, a movement began among the Meken
to rename the Order the Order of Avarkiel, as this was seen as more
befitting the Order's function and purpose. This was not greeted with
any favour by those in charge of the Order, and the idea was never
adopted. Since that time, while public talk of the Avarkiel/Hyvrik
split has ceased, it has crept into the private lives of the
Meken. Avarkiel is the symbol of the Meken now, not the Checkered
Shield, and their prayers and chants reflect this.
- At Menekod, at least, it is fairly common practice for soldiers
to make crude religious carvings into the stone walls of the castle,
and on the flagstones of the courtyards. These often become sacred
places for various individuals, trios, and Ûnir, where they pray
and perform relgious devotions. Some of the older carvings have been
cut deep into the stone over the years, and are frequently visited by
the soldiers. Some are even given the respect of the Banners, which
are bowed to whenever passed by a Meken in the appropriate
Ûnir.
Typical carvings include representations of the Checkered Shield
(though see above), Avarkiel, trio and Ûnir symbols, the face of
the Goddess, and other icons.
Original author was
Jamie Norrish,
but has been edited by Avathar Valcana
for campaign reasons.