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3E Core Rules
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The Medieval Times
The actual historic Dark Ages was a very turbulent time for humanity and the Church, which was a unified, but violently oppressive, entity of religious leaders. Holy Lands masterfully blends the positive ideals of the historic Church (leadership, unity, and sacred reverence) with the positive ideals of the modern Christian faith (service, compassion, and order). The Church in the Holy Lands game system, although it has the single, unified, powerful body of leaders, is otherwise different from the actual historic Church of the Dark Ages. Although the Holy Lands Church may "flex" its power in matters of war and politics, the overall cause and course of the Church is to provide service to the needy, protection for the weak, and to share the message of God's loving salvation to the lost. The "soul" of the Church and its religion in Holy Lands is said to be "Sometimes with power, but always with love for humanity, and always in service to God. "
Below are the main "religious" terms you might see throughout game play: Church – The entire body of all medieval Christian believers, subject to the final authority of God, but also subject to the Church's authority of unified officials (yes, corruption abides in the Holy Lands Church as long as humans are in power, but it is far more rare and taken much more serious than in history). Though the Church has significant political power and influence, it tries to maintain the role of Servant to any political leadership. Religious – In Holy Lands, this term refers to all things belonging to the Church and within the faith of Christianity (though other religions may use the term, it applies mostly to the Christian faith). Historically, the Church was very religious (often oppressive) in their worship and laws; here the term refers to anything Christian and identifies a more sincere and loving meaning. Clergy – This term refers to any officially ordained leader of the Church who has religious authority over the people of God. Religious Authority – Far different than the common feeling of the term, in Holy Lands, it refers to the Clergy's responsibility and power to serve in people's best interest, which can include representing the Church's call to make a final decision in moral situations. Pilgrim – A term referring to a Christian adventurer, or one who is wandering with religious purpose Other terms that the game may implement come from the historical hierarchy of religious leaders, such as Father, Bishop, and Pope. Ideally, these terms identify more of a caring servant-leader than an overbearing religious leader, but both (and others in between) find their way into the Holy Lands Church. |
