Syra, perhaps the following will help to enlighten us all to what happens to those children......

Caerid says it is none of our business what they do with their children, and Verlaine offers that old veiled excuse of bringing them into "the Choir". Well, allow me to give the world the Truth as to what fate befalls these innocent children at the hands of The Holy Church.

There is something called "The Templar Rite of Humility" founded by one Janus Veritus. While the Priests no longer call themselves Templars, this Rite still exists and is performed with regularity, with the exception that their victims are now the children and not their fellow Priests. The following are excerpts from the writings of Janus Veritus which detail this dark secret of the Church.

THE TEMPLAR RITE OF HUMILITY BY JANUS VERITUS

Know the story of Gregor Templar, whom all Templars are named and who all Templars strive to emulate. Know that Gregor Templar, a youth just coming of age, came upon the scene of Pasiphae, the purest soul ever created, being set upon by a group of wicked men intent on ravaging her. Though outnumbered and without a weapon, Gregor set upon these wicked men and beat them off of Pasiphae, saving her honor and her life. Pasiphae escaped, but young Gregor did not. These wicked men soon overpowered and raped young Gregor. By the time Pasiphae returned with help, young Gregor was dead. Pasiphae wept over the youth's body and pronounced to all present that Gregor Templar was the bravest and most honorable soul she ever encountered. Years later, these words were remembered and the Templars were founded in memory of St. Gregor.

The most empowering ceremony every Templar shall participate in is the Rite of Humility, which is a reenactment of St. Gregor's plight. One Templar is chosen to play the role of St. Gregor (hereinafter referred to as the "Humiliated") while the other Templars will play the role of the wicked men (hereinafter referred to as the "Humiliators"). The Humiliated shall be tripped bare and the Humiliators shall taunt and flay the Humiliated. When suitably humbled, the Humiliated shall kneel over a sacred shrine and the Humiliators shall plunge their fleshy swords into the Humiliated. Although the Humiliated may take different Holy Kneeling Positions, it is recommended that novices take only the basic Holy Kneeling Positions. [Footnote 1: See Appendix A, "Holy Kneeling Positions". The basic positions are shown on Figures 1 through 3. The advanced positions are shown on Figures 3 through 12 and should be reserved for the experienced Templar, especially the "Knees Cover Ears" position.]

The frequency of performing the Rite of Humility shall be at least once per month. Many of the more devoted Templars, however, will desire to perform the Rite on a weekly or even daily basis. If a Templar repeatedly takes the role of the Humiliated on a daily basis and suffers constipation, it is recommended that such Templar refrain from enacting as a Humiliated for at least one week. It ought to be stressed that large amounts of Holy Oils are usually used during this Rite. Footnote 2: See Appendix B, Creation and Use of Holy Oils: The Importance Viscosity, Color ;and Fragrance. If no oils are available and several Templars are eager to perform the Rite, spittle may be applied to the fleshy swords in its stead. Some of advanced Templars may choose to forego the use of any Holy Oil or even spittle altogether, though this is only advised for the very experienced Templar.

Although it is extremely unusual for the Templars to indoctrinate a female member, there are a few historical precedents. The main problem for female members in performing the Rite is the role of a Humiliator in that a woman does not possess a fleshy sword. However, a special Sanctified Artifact, which is a special leather belt with a large wooden rod attached, is available that will allow even a female Templar to participate as a Humiliator. Footnote 3: Female Templars are advised to read The Making, Maintenance and Use of the Holy Strap-On by Templar Gretchen Wildmount. It is not uncommon for men to use a Holy Strap-On when they are older as well as those who prefer the role of Humiliated and have difficulties functioning as a Humiliator.

The Rite of Humiliation is the most profound and inspiring Rite the Templars perform. It should be performed as frequently and devoutly as possible. It can hardly be described the exquisite pain and pleasure of the Rite that surely is a gift from St. Gregor himself.


Penned by my hand on the 16th of Phaestian, in the year 240 AF.