The History of the Sacred Ecclesiarchy of Una: In Brief
Three millennia before the present era, on the continent known as Adra a great empire emerged. By subjugating its neighbours, the city-state of Cadia became the dominant power. The citizens of Cadia had a major advantage over its rivals: its mages were skilled in magic, and the Cadians accepted non-humans into its ranks. As a place where Humans, Elves, Orcs, Goblins, Dwarves, Gnomes, Trolls, Pixies, Centaurs, and Satyrs lived as one, who all believed in the dream that was Cadia, they became a might force that conquered almost the entire continent in a few short centuries.
At the height of the Cadian Empire's power, the god known as Una descended upon Numina and, according to the historians and theologians of the Ecclesiarchy, became the Empire's ruler. Una taught the Cadians many things, and their empire became unparalleled for its advances. Before the barrier that cut off the secular and spiritual world formed, Una gave the people of Cadia a prophecy: one day He would return and bring again the golden age.
When the old magic failed and civilisations crumbled, the Cadian Empire could not long sustain itself and splintered into various successor kingdoms. But despite this, the faithful of Una remained true and the Ecclesiarchy was born. The Ecclesiarchy maintained what little order remained on the continent of Adra and served as a source of continuity between the old world and the new one they found themselves its. Its preachers proclaimed that these dark times were temporary and that faith to Una was all that could save them. While they could not prevent the fracture of the Cadian Empire, the Ecclesiarchy could maintain its culture and the successor kingdoms and states looked to the Ecclesiarchy as a symbol of legitimacy. As the dominant religion on Adra, its influence became unrivalled and soon spread as contact with other peoples, kingdoms and continents resumed.
With the Vim Revolution, the philosophers and theologians of the Ecclesiarchy could not ignore its power. Initially, the Ecclesiarchy cautiously welcomed the use of Vim and merged science and faith. However, as its use became prevalent and people have become addicted to its use in all facets of life the Ecclesiarchy routinely denounces such use and reminds its faithful and the world salvation can come only through Una, and anything else is folly.
Structure of the Ecclesiarchy
The Ecclesiarchy is based in the ancient city-state of Cadia. After the fall of the Empire, as the Ecclesiarchy asserted its dominance, it came to dominate the city and its surrounding area carving out a powerful realm in the centre of Adra. Its head and absolute authority is the Magna Pontifex, who according to their sacred texts, is the successor of the man Una appointed to lead His faithful before His departure. The Manga Pontifex has absolute doctrinal authority in the Ecclesiarchy and appoints all episcopi.
The Manga Pontifex serves for life and is elected by the Concilium Pontifices, the Council of Pontiffs. The Pontiffs are appointed by the Magna Pontifex, made up (usually) of the most senior episocpi, and the Council also serves as an advisory board to the Magna Pontifex. Assisting with the day-to-day operations of the Ecclesiarchy is the vast bureaucracy of the Cadian Curia composed of several Secretariats, Congregations, and Councils.
The Ecclesiarchy is divided into regional districts known as Sees, which originally corresponded to ancient divisions of the Cadian Empire. The head of the Sees, the episocpi, are authorised to teach doctrine and govern in the name of the Ecclesiarchy. Each See has its own Curia modeled on the Cadian one.
Sees are sub-divded into Chapters, headed by a Sacredos, or regular cleric. Their duties are to serve thegeneral public in the worship of Una.
