That only twelve years (as of 1449) have passed since Exquaestio was founded, combined with its widely spread but generally sparse following, has meant that Exquaestio has not developed any significant political factions. Nevertheless, certain attitudes became evident during the First Conclave, and political alliances are forming the two factions which we shall call the "Liberals" and the "Progressives." Because the political situation is so new, it is difficult to say how many supporters each faction has. The Liberals favor a policy of slow gains. They favor the gaining of converts from the most numerous (and poorest) classes. They wish to avoid annoying the aristocracy and avoid hostilities with other organized religions. They prefer for Exquaestio's resources to be spent on their own followers. They feel that Exquaestio's magic should be developed quietly and used in a fashion that does not upset those outside the church. The Progressives wish Exquaestio to take a more activist role. They favor the conversion of the aristocracy and confrontation with other organized religions. They want an independent nation where Exquaestio is the main religion. They feel Exquaestio's resources should be spent on bringing more converts into the fold. The Progressives favor research into flashy magic that will get the church noticed. In addition the above issues, there are few items where the major factions agree, but where there are strong minority opinions. One such opinion favors a much stronger position for women in the church. Another feels that Exquaestio should favor republicanism in place of its current aristocratic leanings. Finally, there are those who advocate that Exquaestio is too involved in worldly matters and should concentrate on matters of pure research and exploration. * * * In military matters, Exquaestio teaches weapon use alongside literacy, math, gardening, doctrine, and other "education basics." This education has recently standardized on training in the long spear (or pike) and the halberd. Practically, however, halberds are expensive and the pole axe (bardiche) or pole knife (glaive) is used instead. There is only one consensous about ranged weapons -- they all have significant problems. The south regions lack wood suitable for longbows, crossbows and composite bows are difficult and expensive to make, shortbows lack both power and range, and slings are even more difficult to learn than longbows. A small but growing (and vocal) group favors the dart or javelin thrower (atlatl), but has yet to prove their point. Exquaestio members who are official militia will have a heavy leather jerkin and a heavy leather or metal helmet for protection, occasionally with the addition of boiled leather vambraces and gorget. As a professional military force, the rohain are much better (and, unfortunately, more diversely) armed and armored than the militia. The typical rohain carries a shield and wears a chain shirt and sleeves, a metal helm, and boiled leather vambraces and greaves. He will have a horse or two, but these are typically not battle hardened, much less war trained. He will bear a sword (which the rohain haven't yet standardized), a short polearm like a halberd or glaive, and the ranged weapon he prefers. Few rohain are trained to fight from horseback. Jefferson (Exquaestio) http://www.picotech.net/~jeff_wilson63/rpg/ ---------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send mail to celandra-off@phoenyx.net.
