Church of Swords

The Church of Swords is a religious organization that operates in the Antymnes, centered on the city of Saberwyth. The influence of the church is spread across the isles, with representation in virtually every Claim. The Hacian League is the only large swathe of territory that is completely absent of their influence. For much of the history of the church, it has been a largely objective party, mediating disputes between Claims, and occasionally granting legitimacy to a ruler who managed to gather enough strength to be considered Yr Demes. In recent generations however, the frequency with which a ruler would be declared Yr Demes by the church has increased. Meanwhile, the popular support necessary to maintain that title has seemingly declined. This has resulted in the widespread belief among many folk in the Claims that the church is a corrupt and power-hungry institution, and that the last few rulers of the Tymnean Dominion have in fact been puppets of the church.

Formation
First founded back when Bodka was first crowned as ruler, the eight great houses of The Antymnes established the settlement of Saberwyth upon the field of her victory. Initially, the settlement was a monastic community that was wholly devoted to the preservation of Antymnean History, and the continuation of tradition. To be impartial, the eight clans decreed that the abbey at Saberwyth, and the surrounding lands, would be independent of the clans' rule. The Church of Swords founded at Saberwyth was comprised initially of an even number of male members of each of the eight Clans, but would thereafter select its members carefully from among the entirety of the isles.

After a few attempts to take the title of Yr Demis by force, the Commonwealth of Saberwyth began to levy military forces from each of the eight clans, compelling them each to protect the impartiality of the affair. This effort however, failed to produce consistent protection for the holy order, and in order to maintain the security of their library, and the sanctity of the tradition, the Commonwealth incorporated the territory of Lecasgiad into their holy lands, and began to levy troops from their own now-substantial holdings. This effort met with a reasonable measure of success, and the Church has maintained its independence and impartiality ever since.

Beliefs
The Church of Swords is ostensibly a Mhnadite religion that draws heavily upon Antymnean Mythology for the core of its beliefs about the world. They consider the Eight Bloodlines to be divinely gifted, and believe it is their duty to faithfully ensure that the Eight Bloodlines can fulfill their mandate and rule the Antymnes. The sacred swords once allegedly possessed by all the Eight Bloodlines are considered sacred relics to the faith, as tangible evidence of the bloodlines' divinities.

In the pursuit of ensuring the divine mandate is carried out, the Church prioritizes heavily the concept of loyalty to Yr Demes, a queen of the Antymnes.

Structure
The Church of Swords draws its clergy from among the male members of every noble Tymnean house. Each ruling House chooses one of its male offspring to send to Saberwyth and act as the House's official representative in church affairs. These representatives are called Ministers, and are simultaneously responsible for representing their clan's interests within the church, and for making sure that their clan keeps the peace in accordance with the church's doctrines.