Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

I'm hoping to put this up on the GURPS Wiki, though as it stands, there aren't actually any GURPS rules to go with it.

I'm looking for both suggestions and contributions. I guess I'll post what I have in chunks to give people a little time to digest. I have about 10,000 words.

The Sword and the Cross

Eurasia in 1455

The study of magic has led to disastrous consequences in lands east of Europe. Islam has largely been driven underground by pagan revivalists armed with magic. The old Islamic kingdoms have been replaced by pagan states centered around ancient sacred cities. The most powerful pagan kingdoms are Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt, famous for their wealth and wickedness.
In some places, worship of false gods has lead to kingdoms being overrun by supernatural horrors, as Grenada in the south of Spain has been. Palestine has been almost depopulated for a century, a land stalked by desert demons. In 1453, the great Christian city of Constantinople, at the height of its resurgent power after defeating the Turks and securing all of Anatolia, destroyed itself through sin. On the night of the feast of St. Nicholas, a mob held an illegal rite to Hecate, Greek goddess of magic, in his great church, the Nea Ekklesia. The whole of Anatolia now swarms with monsters. Far to the east lie the great civilizations of India and China, about which almost nothing is known.

Europe in 1455

The greatest European states are Aragon, Burgundy, Castile, England, France, the Holy Roman Empire, Hungary, Poland-Lithuania, Portugal, the State of the Teutonic Order, and Venice. The Holy Roman Empire is dominant in the east, while in the west, the great powers fight for supremacy. Military power depends heavily on support from religious orders of knights. It is these orders who directly determine who sits on a throne, and every nation accepts the protection of some order as that nation’s official guardian. Political power depends heavily on support from religious orders of all sorts, knightly or otherwise.
The study of magic, and the development of magical abilities, is dominated by the church. Knights often develop “holy powers”. These are magical powers and are holy only in the sense that they have (theoretically, at least) been devoted to the service of God. Knights have little control over what holy powers they develop, though desire and effort can make a difference. Powers of healing and protection are common, as are powers that enhance the knight’s natural martial abilities. Different powers tend to appear in different orders of knight.

Aragon
The Crown of Aragon is a rich Spanish monarchy under the warlike Alfonzo V “the Magnanimous”. It controls parts of Italy (including Sicily and Naples) and has influence in the Mediterranean. Argononeze wealth is built on Mediterranean trade, agriculture, and control of key ports. They are trade partners and rivals of Castile and Portugal, with whom they compete for markets. Alfonzo quarrels often with his nobility, who resent his centralization of power. His main priority right now is to clear out the monsters that infest pagan Granada. Aragon is under the protection of the Knights of St. George. As such, it maintains close ties with England, likewise under their protection.

Burgundy
The wealthy Duchy of Burgundy, headed by the expansionistic Philip III “the Good”, is theoretically subject to the Holy Roman Empire, but is an independent power.
Burgundy is under the protection of the Knights of St. Andrew. As such, it maintains close ties with Scotland, likewise under their protection. In rivalry to the order of St. Andrew, Philip established the Order of the Golden Fleece to represent his interests.

Castile
The Kingdom of Castile is Spanish kingdom under the weak king King Henry IV, who is caught up in power struggles with the nobility. The Kingdom has territories in the Iberian Peninsula taken from Muslims and pagans during the Reconquista. Presently, the kingdom is fighting to clear the monsters that infest pagan Granada to the south. Castilian wealth is based on agriculture, livestock (especially sheep), and mining. Their main rivalries are with the nearby powers of Aragon and Portugal. Castile is under the protection of the Knights of St. Aemilian. Castile has also established the Knights of St. Raymond, the Order of Calatrava, devoted to the reconquest.

England
The Kingdom of England, under the weak and mentally unstable Henry VI, holds England, Wales, Calais, Gascony, and parts of Ireland, but in recent wars has lost almost all of its once extensive holdings in France. England’s main rivalries are with Scotland to the North and France across the channel. English wealth is built on agriculture, wool trade, and emerging maritime ventures. England is under the protection of the Knights of St. George. The powerful House of York has been pressuring the Order of St. George to replace Henry VI as monarch with Edward, Duke of York. Henry in turn has been courting the Knights of St. Edmund, who were guardians of England until the Order of St. George took over a century ago.

France
France is an emerging power under Charles VII “the Victorious”, who has almost completey expelled England from the continent. French wealth is derived from agriculture, trade, and a growing centralized administration. Charles is primarily focused on consolidating his territories and expanding his influence in Italy. France is under the protection of the Knights of St. Joan. The Knights of St. Martin are particularly strong in France, which they used to protect before guardianship was given to the Knights of Joan 20 years ago.

Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire, under Emperor Frederick III, is the dominant power in Central Europe. It controls numerous semi-autonomous regions, some rich in trade and mining. It rules the German states, Austria, Bohemia, Moravia, Switzerland, Northern Italy, and the Low Countries. Frederick strives to centralize control while his nobility strive to decentralize it. Local nobles are often more concerned with their squabbles with each other than serving their distant emperor. The Holy Roman Empire is under the protection of the Knights of St. Maurice.

Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary, under King Ladislaus V, controls large parts of Central Europe, including modern-day Slovakia, Croatia, and parts of Romania. The realm is unstable and Ladislaus struggles for power with his nobility. Wealth is derived from agriculture, mining (notably gold and silver), and trade. Hungary had several conflicts with the Republic of Venice over control of Dalmatian territories, part of a larger struggle for influence in the Adriatic. Hungary is under the protection of the Knights of St. Stephen.

Poland-Lithuania
The Kingdom of Poland-Lithuania is a large state with territories stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea. It is headed by Casimir V, the Duke of Lithuania who became king of Poland and united the two nations. Casimir is largely focused on consolidating his rule. The Kingdom’s wealth comes from agriculture, trade, and control of key trade routes.
Poland-Lithuania is under the protection of the Knights of St. Stanislaus. It also contains a chapter house for the Knights of St. George. As of 1544, it is at war with the State of the Teutonic Order.

Portugal
The Kingdom of Portugal, under the ambitious Afonso V, expands it’s influence and territory, in Europe and Africa. Portugal’s wealth is based on maritime trade, making it both a trading partner and a rival of other mediterranean traders such as Aragon, Castile and Venice. Like Aragon and Castile, it fights to clear the monsters that infest pagan Granada, that the land can be returned to Christian rule. Portugal is under the protection of the Knights of St. Anthony. It also contains a chapter house of the Knights of St. George.

State of the Teutonic Order
The State of the Teutonic Order is a theocratic state belonging to the Teutonic Knights. Established in the early 13th century, it includes Prussia, Livonia, parts of Lithuania, and other regions along the southeastern Baltic coast. The state is governed by the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, who holds both religious and military authority. The order’s governance is characterized by a strict monastic and military hierarchy. The state has fought frequently with Poland-Lithuania, who resents the appropriation of lands that used to belong to them. As of 1454, Poland and the State of the Teutonic Order have been at war.

Venice
Venice, under Doge Francesco Foscari, is a maritime republic with extensive trade networks and colonies in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea. Venice’s wealth comes from extensive trade networks, banking, and control of strategic maritime routes. This makes them both a trade partner and rival of Aragon, Castile and Portugal in the Mediterranean, and Hungary in the Adriatic. The Republic of Venice is under the protection of the Knights of St. Michael.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

What are the monsters like?

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

Good question! I've added a quick paragraph about it to my setting description.

Monsters will be some combination of dangerous and weird. Many bear at least some resemblance to creatures from myth and folklore. Most creatures from fantasy RPGs should be appropriate, though not all. At their simplest, monsters are animalistic, like a massive boar or snake. At other times, they will be bizarre amalgams. They are often malicious and never safe. Intelligent monsters can act benignly at times, but are always alien never sane from a human perspective.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

Are you familiar with Lion and Dragon? - it's B/X style OSR but covers a lot of the same ground.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

On the topic of monsters, I note that some pagan nations appear to be thriving (albeit as "dens of sin," at least from the standpoint of the Christian nations), while others have become overrun with monsters on account of worshipping false gods. Are the surviving pagan nations worshipping actual gods, or just false ones who don't cause monsters? Or do they have some means of keeping the monsters in check?

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

Good questions. I haven't written about this and am not sure how much I should write.

The line between a true god and a false god is unclear. Christians wield supernatural power but so do pagans, maybe better. Whether the pagan gods are imaginary, real but not gods, or real gods was not something I wanted to take a stand on.

Regarding why only some nations are overrun by monsters, I thought I might just leave that as a mystery. The idea is that magic is unpredictable and dangerous and could easily destroy you. I was hoping that it would be reminiscent of the destruction of Soddom and Gommorah and other sinful places.

Thanks! It looks really awesome and it would be a useful resource for playing in this setting, or any setting socially similar to medieval Europe.

We certainly head in opposite directions where history and religion are concerned, with my setting leaning in to real history and religion much more. Most obviously, they avoid Christianity and the Christian church, whereas my setting (as will become clearer as I post more) is absolutely rooted in Christianity and the Christian church.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

That's understandable. We don't know the answer to questions like this in our own reality, but that doesn't stop people from making settings in it, so it's not strictly necessary for the designer of a setting to know for certain what the truth behind its metaphysics are. It's probably best to approach an "answer" from the viewpoint of the people in the setting.

For the Christians, these are all clearly false gods, some of which may be tests from the true God. Perhaps they believe the overrun pagan nations are meant to serve as a warning, while the thriving ones represent both temptation (as part of the above tests) as well as are nations with populations that may be possible to save from their self-imposed damnation. There will undoubtedly be disagreements and nuances, of course.

For the pagans, there may be less unity in opinion. Some may see the gods as simply being fickle - overrunning some nations with monsters while allowing others to thrive. Some may see the gods with stable nations as being true ones, while those nations overrun by monsters followed demons / false gods / evil gods. Or perhaps there's a belief that you need a powerful protector god to be able to dabble in magic without disaster - their own gods (and the one(s) the Christian nations worship - some of the pagans might consider the Saints their Orders are named after to be gods) have that kind of power and inclination toward protection, but those of the fallen nations weren't up to snuff.

The actual truth isn't really necessary to know, unless you intend part of the plot to be unraveling said mystery (and even then, you could certainly leave it open and ultimately go with whatever explanation the players come up with that you also like).

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

The Sword and the Cross: Post 2

Independent Knightly Orders

The twelve “independent” knightly orders are given their authority directly by pope Nicholas V. While individual knights may be subjects of a noble, the order itself is subject only to the church. The legal details are complex and hotly disputed. The independent knightly orders are powerful international organizations who have shaped the face of Europe. They are the orders of St. Adrian, St. Andrew, St. Bernard (the Knights Templar), the Blessed Virgin (the Teutonic Knights), St. George, St. Hubert, St. James, St. John the Baptist (the Hospitallers), St. Martin, St. Maurice, St. Michael and St. Peter.

St. Adrian, Guardians of the Sick
Symbol: Sword and anvil.
The Knights of St. Adrian are mainly found in northern Europe, and maintain houses in France, Flanders, and the Holy Roman Empire. Adrian is a patron of soldiers. This tends to make soldiers side with the knights, which gives them a military importance beyond their numbers, as well as inspiring them to develop protective holy powers. Adrian is a patron of plague victims, and his knights are known for their compassion towards the sick, and for developing healing holy powers. They run several hospitals. Adrian is a patron of arms dealers, and his knights are often recipients of generous donations of equipment. Adrian is patron of butchers, inspiring his knights to develop holy powers that leave their foes in a butchered state.
The Knights of St. Adrian emphasize obedience, and are accordingly loyal to the Vatican. They are on good terms with the knights of St. George and St. Joan, based on a common concern for ordinary soldiers. Politically, they tend to support the states of northern Europe against those of the south. They tend to resent Burgundy and the Knights of St. Andrew for Burgundian occupation of so much of the low countries, and to resent the Holy Roman Empire and the Knights of St. Maurice for similar reasons.

St. Andrew, Guardians of Burgundy and Scotland
Symbol: St. Andrew’s cross.
The Knights of St. Andrew are guardians of Burgundy and Scotland. As widespread as the veneration of Andrew, they also have chapters in Amalfi (Italy), Athens, and Moscow. Andrew is patron of farm workers and fishermen, leading his knights to be sympathetic towards the lower orders, a tendency that puts them at odds with the nobility. Andrew is also patron of singers, and the choirs of the Knights of St. Andrew are famous. Some knights of the order develop holy powers related to song.
The order has grown powerful enough to chafe under the authority of the papacy, whose power they wish to see curtailed. As guardians of Scotland, they are rivals of the Order of St. George, who guard England. The Viking raids against Scotland in centuries past have made them traditional rivals of the knights of Canute and Olaf. As guardians of Burgundy, they are rivals of the Order of St. Joan, who guard France, and the Order of St. Gideon, a native Burgundian order who would like to guard Burgundy themselves. A shared concern for workers inclines the Knights of St. Andrew towards the knights of St. Anthony and St. Martin, and towards the monks of St. Benedict.

St. Bernard, The Knights Templar
Symbol: Red cross pattée on a white mantle.
The Order the Knights Templar, also known as the Knights of St. Bernard, and officially known as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, was founded in 1119 to protect Christian pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land. They were given quarters on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which inspired their name.
The knights established banks in order to help finance themselves and consequently grew very rich. Today, they have significant holdings in Aragon, Castile, England, and Portugal, and Templar banks are important for the economies of these countries.
The knights have long-standing feuds with the French monarchy and the papacy. In 1307, King Philip IV of France, deeply in debt to the Templars, orchestrated charges of heresy and blasphemy against them. Accusations included that the Templars worshipped the demon Baphomet, a charge inspired by the extensive library the Templars had accumulated on the subject of demonology. The order was officially disbanded by Pope Clement V in 1312, but then almost immediately reinstated when foreign dignitaries and Italian banks and merchants objected to the damage the loss of Templar banks would do to the economies of Western Europe.
Hostility towards the pope makes the Templars rivals of the Order of St. Peter (among other loyal knights), while hostility towards the French crown makes them rivals of the Order of St. Joan. Conversely, they are on good terms with the Knights of St. Michael, who protect banks. St. Bernard was a Cistercian monk, and the Templars and Cistercians have long supported each other. A shared history in the crusades puts the Knights Templar on good terms with the Knights Hospitaller (Knights of St. John the Baptist) and Teutonic Knights (Knights of the Blessed Virgin).

The Blessed Virgin, The Teutonic Knights
Symbol: Black cross on a white mantle.
The Teutonic Order was founded by German knights during the Third Crusade around 1190 to aid Christians in the Holy Land. Subsequently, the order shifted its focus to the Baltic region, participating in the Northern Crusades against the pagan Prussians. Growing as powerful as kings, they today possess their own state in Europe on the eastern border of Poland-Lithuania, the State of the Teutonic Knights. They converted the last of the pagan kingdoms on the Baltic around 50 years ago, effectively completing the Christianization of Europe. The papacy consequently holds them in high esteem and the knights are loyal in return. They are rivals of the knights of St. Stanislaus, guardians of Poland-Lithuania. On the other hand, a shared history in the crusades puts them on good terms with the Knights Hospitaller (Knights of St. John the Baptist) and Templar (Knights of St. Bernard). A shared devotion to the Blessed Virgin has also put them on good terms with the Carmelite monks, and the two orders have often helped or defended one another.
Inspired by the legendary hero Siegfried, they are known for developing holy powers related to strength and resistance to harm. Long association with pagan intelligences in the forest has sometimes led them to develop holy powers inspired by their foes.

St. George, Guardians of Aragon and England
Symbol: Simple red cross on a white mantle.
The Knights of St. George are guardians of England and Aragon. The order is as widespread as veneration of the saint, and there are chapter houses in Athens, Greece; Vilnius, Lithuania; Lisbon, Portugal; and Genoa, Italy. St. George was a Greek living in Turkey and his cult came to Western Europe with returning crusaders. His knights have been guardians of Aragon since 1279, replacing the Knights of St. Ferdinand. They have been guardians of England since 1348, replacing the Knights of St. Edmund. George is patron of both soldiers and horsemen, and his knights are known for developing both martial and horse-related holy powers.
The Knights of St. George have grown powerful enough to weary of the Vatican’s authority, and they seek to curtail it. George’s patronage of farm workers and soldiers leads his knights to sympathize with the peasantry. This has understandably led to conflict with the nobility. On the other hand, shared concern for the peasants has put them on good terms with the knights of St. Anthony and St. Martin, and with the monks of St. Benedict. As guardians of England, the Knights of St. George are rivals of the knights of St. Joan, Andrew, Patrick, and David, guardians of France, Scotland, Ireland and Wales respectively. They are also rivals of the Knights of St. Edmund, who until a century ago, used to be guardians of England. King Henry VI of England has been courting the knights of Edmund as possible replacements for the troublesome knights of George. As guardians of Aragon, the Knights of St. George are rival of the Knights of St. Amelian, guardians of Castile.

St. Hubert, Knights of the Forest
Symbol: Stag with a glowing crucifix between the antlers.
St. Hubert is patron of hunters, archers, dogs, forest workers, mathematicians, opticians and metalworkers. His knights are famous for their skill as hunters and woodsmen, and for the quality of their arms. They are mainly located in Burgundy, France and Germany, but might be found in any forest. Their chapter house is in the city of Liège, though they have many wilderness lodges. They are known for developing holy powers related to nature and to their role as hunters. Some have developed exotic powers related to mathematics or optics.
The Knights of St. Hubert have a complicated relationship with the nobility. On the one hand, as masters of the hunt, knights of Hubert can be a lot of fun. On the other hand, the knights want to see the forests opened up for the peasants to hunt in as well as the aristocracy. The order of St. Hubert has come into conflict with the crowns of England, France and the Holy Roman Empire over the issue of deforestation. They are on good terms with the Knights of St. Edmund, whose woodsmanship they respect.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

hmm...

In the real world, Portuguese and Spanish exploration around Africa and across the Atlantic was spurred by not wanting to deal with Muslim traders at that end of the Silk and Spice Roads. Are they keeping up their maritime explorations in this alt-world, trying to avoid the monster-infested Middle East by going around Africa to get Indian spices (peppercorn, cinnamon, etc.) or Chinese porcelain?

And what of the Mongols who conquered Kyiv around 1240, and Poland and Hungary not long after, and continued to demand tribute from Slavic principalities until around 1480?

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

I think that would make sense. I don't see them being any more eager to trade with the pagans than the Muslims, given that the pagans behave much worse.

I was thinking of leaving them more or less as they were. They don't possess Poland and Hungary in 1455 and paganism isn't as popular as it used to be. They don't seem to be major players anymore and I don't have anything particularly interesting for them to do. I'm always open to ideas from other people, though!

I could make the Mongols more threatening by having them go full crazy-pagan revivalist, but if they get too threatening, they warp what's going on in Hungary and Poland. Also, I'm thinking that the Muslim nations who went pagan sealed their fate through a scholarly openness to dangerous knowledge that the Golden Khanate isn't academic enough to have.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

The Sword and the Cross: Post 3

St. James, The Order of Santiago
Symbol: Scallop shell and sword in the shape of a cross.
The Order of Santiago (Order of St. James) was founded in the 12th century to defend Christendom and drive the Moors from the Iberian Peninsula. Today, they dedicate themselves to driving the monsters from Granada, so that it can be a Christian state again. Where the Knights of St. Aemilian, St. George and St. Anthony are concerned specifically with Castile, Aragon and Portugal respectively, the Knights of St. James are defenders of all Iberian Christians. They are highly loyal to the Vatican, and strive to be on good terms with the knights of Aemilian, George, and Anthony.
St. James’ wide patronage has resulted in the order pursuing diverse avenues of research. They are renowned for their horsemanship, veterinary skills, craftsmanship with wood and fur, and herbalism. Holy abilities often involve horses or herbs. The order’s chapter house is in Santiago, close by the shrine of the saint.

St. John the Baptist, The Hospitallers
Symbol: Eight-pointed cross.
The Knights Hospitaller, also known as the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, were established at the behest of the Benedictines to provide care and protection to pilgrims to the Holy Land. Originally based in Jerusalem, they are today based on the Island of Rhodes. They also administer hospitals in port-cities in southern Italy, originally because these were departure points for pilgrims. A wealthy order, they maintain a formidable navy. The ability to heal is a common holy power.
The Hospitallers have a history of conflict with Venice and its guardians, the Knights of St. Michael, over control of Mediterranean islands. On the other hand, a shared history in the crusades puts the Hospitallers on good terms with the Knights Templar (Knights of St. Bernard) and Teutonic Knights (Knights of the Blessed Virgin).

St. Martin, The Poor Knights
Symbol: Torn cloak.
The Poor Knights of St. Martin are centered in Tours and are most common in France, but maintain modest chapter-houses across Europe and are patrons of numerous hospitals. Until a mere 20 years ago, the Knights of St. Martin were guardians of France. The Knights of St. Joan replaced them in this role in 1433, after Joan revitalized the French war-effort against England and Burgundy when all seemed lost.
Knights of the order are sworn to poverty. They are allowed the property they need to maintain themselves, their steeds and their arms, but are not to accumulate wealth or live in luxury. They are known for developing holy powers that allow them to help and protect the poor, such as powers of healing.
The Knights of St. Martin are champions of the poor, making them frequently politically inconvenient. They look on wealth with suspicion, if not hostility. They seek to curtail the power of the Vatican, who they regard as tainted by riches and luxury. They are rivals of the Knights of St. Joan, and would like to be restored as guardians of France. Wars have made them rivals of the Knights of St. George, who guard England, and the Knights of St. Aemilian, who guard Burgundy. They look down on the Knights of the Golden Fleece and the Knights of St. Michael for their wealth. A shared concern for ordinary people puts them on good terms with the knights of St. Andrew and the monks of St. Benedict, and very good terms with the Knights of St. Anthony.

St. Maurice, Guardians of the Holy Roman Empire
Symbol: Eagle standard.
The Knights of St. Maurice are guardians of the Holy Roman Empire. The order is as widespread as veneration of the saint, and there are chapter houses as far west as Angers in France and Piedmont in Italy.
St. Maurice is patron of infantrymen, leading his knights to side with ordinary soldiers, often to the inconvenience of the nobility. In solidarity with infantrymen, his knights are known for developing holy powers related to defense, protection, and immovability. Maurice is also the patron of weavers and dyers. This has inspired the knights to invest in weaving and dying, and to develop holy powers related to color. It has been said that some of the knights have fraternized with supernatural spiders or other strange weavers.
Like the Holy Roman emperors, the Knights of St. Maurice tire of the domination of the Vatican. They are rival of the Knights of St. Stephen, guardians of Hungary. On the other hand, the have often allied with the Knights of St. Stanislaus, guardians of Poland-Lithuania, putting them on good terms.

St. Michael, Guardians of Banks.
Symbol: Scales.
The Knights of St. Michael are guardians of Venice, Florence, Genoa, and Milan, and have done as much as they can to prevent bloodshed between these rival states. Michael is patron of bankers and soldiers. His knights protect and promote banking, especially in northern Italy. Grateful donations have made the order rich. Inevitably, with so much money at stake, there’s some history of corruption. Michael’s patronage of soldiers has put his knights on good terms both with citizen levies and professional mercenaries. Inspired by Michael’s angelic nature, his knights are known for developing holy powers related to light and wind.
The Knights of St. Michael are loyal to the Vatican, largely out of a love of stability and order. They are sometimes rivals, sometimes allies of the Knights Templar, whose banks compete with, but do business with, the banks of northern Italy. The Knights of the Golden Fleece respect the knights of Michael for their wealth, while the Knights of St. Martin look down on them for the same reason.

Saint Peter, Guardians of the Holy Father.
Symbol: Crossed keys.
The Knights of Saint Peter (Milites Sancti Petri) were founded by Pope Leo IX in 1053. The knights are guardians of Rome, and of the papacy. Generous donations from the pious ensure that they are a wealthy order.
Peter is patron of fishermen, net makers and shipbuilders. This has inspired his knights in a number of ways. They are known for developing martial holy abilities that involve snaring and entrapment. They involve themselves in the matrices of politics, all the better to defend the papacy, and try to catch the pope’s enemies. Strangest of all, some have used Peter’s affinity for ships as grounds to toy with the barriers between worlds.
The knights of St. Peter are fanatically loyal to the Vatican, though they also have influence over it, and in 1418, ended the Western Schism in the church by deposing one pope to install another. They are on icy terms with those knightly orders who have grown large enough to prefer their own authority to that of the pope, especially the knights of Andrew, George and Maurice.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

The Sword and the Cross: Post 4

Clerical Orders

If the knightly orders directly dominate politics, it’s the clerical monastic and mendicant orders who dominate the way people think, and the way they view their duties to God. The seven independent orders are the orders of St. Augustine (Augustinians), St. Benedict (Benedictines), St. Benedict again (Cistercians), the Blessed Virgin (Carmelites), St. Dominic (Dominicans), St. Francis (Franciscans) and St. Norbert (Norbertines).
Intellectual life is both driven and restricted by the clergy. The bulk of academic work in Europe, outside of training for a career in medicine or law, is undertaken by monks and friars, working in monasteries or at one of Europe’s universities or cathedral schools. This applies especially to magic, which the church does not wish to see in the hands of layfolk. The most academically important orders are the Augustinians, Benedictines, Dominicans, and Franciscans.

St. Augustine
Symbol: Flaming heart pierced by an arrow on the background of an open book.
The Augustinians were founded in 1244, with a focus on community life and pastoral work. They have a strong presence in urban areas and in academia. They have contributed a great deal to European education, theology and philosophy, fusing Christian and pagan Greek ideas. A few have even succumbed to the temptation of paganism, much to the order’s shame. Saint Augustine is patron of brewers, printers, theologians, and philosophers. While Augustinians have wide-ranging academic magical interests, they are known for producing magical potions and prints.
Agustine’s origin as a pagan Roman of North Africa has influenced both the order’s academic work, and their political leanings. They have collected a considerable number of Roman and Neo-Platonic Greek texts and have a scholarly interest in the pagan traditions of Rome and North Africa. Politically, they tend to favor states with a history of both Roman and North African influence, mainly states in the South and South-West of Europe, such as the Italian cities, south France, Aragon, Castile and Portugal.
Doctrinal differences have led them to be academic rivals of the Franciscans, especially at the University of Paris, and to a lesser degree, the Dominicans, especially at Oxford. They are on good terms with the Carmelites, due to their shared dedication to serving the urban poor. The Cistercians tend to view the Augustinians as lax and self-indulgent.

St. Benedict of Nursia, Benedictines
Symbol: St. Benedict’s cross.
The oldest of the great monastic orders, the Benedictines were established in 529 by St. Benedict of Nursia. They are known for their motto “Ora et Labora” (Pray and Work). Monasteries are usually located in rural areas. As one of the oldest monastic orders, the Benedictines held vast tracts of land and wealth, making them powerful political players. Their abbots often acted as advisors to kings and nobles. They have a long tradition of scholarship, with many monasteries hosting libraries and schools.
The order has a particularly strong presence in eastern Europe compared to other monastic orders, and has done much to keep Hungary and Poland-Lithuania loyal to the Vatican. In general, they tend to favor the states of eastern Europe in political disputes. However, there have been tensions for centuries between the Benedictines and the Holy Roman emperors, who have no wish to be subject to the pope. Relationships with the Knights of St. Maurice, guardians of the Holy Roman Empire, are complicated, involving both admiration and resentment.
Over time, the Benedictines have followed the rule of St. Benedict less strictly, and have been accused of laxness. The Cistercians emerged as a reform movement within the Benedictine tradition in the 11th century, seeking to return to a stricter and more literal observance of the Rule of St. Benedict.
St. Benedict is called upon for protection against poison, inspiring his monks to study herbalism. He is called upon for protection against curses, inspiring his monks to study curses and the means by which they can be countered. Benedict is patron of agricultural workers and animal husbandry, leading his monks to often side with the peasants against the nobility. This has put them on good terms with the knights of St. Andrew, St. Anthony, St. George, and St. Martin.

St. Benedict, Cistercians
Symbol: Crane.
The Order of Cistercians was founded in Burgundy in 1098 by a group of Benedictine monks led by St. Robert of Molesme. Believing that the Benedictines had become too lax and worldly, the founding monks were seeking a return to a stricter observance of the Rule of St. Benedict, emphasizing manual labor and self-sufficiency. They are named after their first abbey at Cîteaux in Burgundy. Their patron saint is St. Benedict, like the Benedictines.
Cistercians are known for their austere lifestyle, dedication to agricultural work, and distinctive white habits, which earned them the nickname "White Monks". Despite their individual poverty, their large agricultural estates have made them likely the richest order in Christendom. While Cistercians rarely involve themselves with the universities or cathedral schools, some have been accomplished scholars, and many monasteries contain extensive libraries. The tendency for monasteries to isolate themselves has lead some to be eccentric in their scholarship.
There have always been tensions between the Benedictines and Cistercians, born of Cistercian criticism of Benedictine laxness. Other monks tend to react to Cistercians depending on how they feel about laxness in general, and how they feel about the Benedictines. Cistercians might be held up as an object lesson in what monks should be or looked down on as simplistic.
Their presence is strongest in Burgundy, France, England, and the Holy Roman Empire, though they have only limited presence any further east. They tend to favor these states in political disputes, especially Burgundy where they originated. The Knights Templar have their roots in the Cistercian movement, and their patron saint, Bernard, was a Cistercian. Templars and Cistercians have traditionally supported one another. Like the Benedictines, Cistercians tend to sympathize with agricultural workers and peasants, which can strain relations with the rich and powerful, but has made them friendly with the knights of St. Andrew, St. Anthony, St. George, and St. Martin.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

Interesting.

I imagine that universities then have a somewhat uncomfortable place in Christendom, as students are clergy and thus permitted to study magic, but also...well, shockingly secular.

As for the Mongols, historically they were an extremely tolerant paganism before Islam got ahold of them. The Golden Horde might continue to be a mix of Tengriists and Buddhists who comfortably rule over the Russian princes? They still have functional magic and have not unleashed Hell, but they are still in terminal decline as their sub-khanates break off and the Russian princes start getting ideas.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

Clergy dominate the study of magic, but it's still heavily restricted. I should definitely add more detail about the access you can get without going into the church.

To keep the setting themes consistent, I have to make sure that I keep paganism scary in a way that Islam isn't. Muslims worship the same God as Christians, and it's the right god. Those other gods though...

As I understand it, they were largely Muslim by 1455. But yes, I suppose they are still shaking down Christians for a few years yet.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

Universities were originally religious institutions of learning. Their secularization is a more recent phenomenon (although it's recent roughly in the same sense the United States of America as a nation is a recent development in world history). The time period of the setting matches up with them still being firmly religious in nature (and the nature of the setting leaves them less likely to become secular than in our own world, I believe).

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

What I meant by "shockingly secular" is that university students are not known for their piety. They're clergy, but they were known for abusing clerical Legal Immunity to get away with unruly behavior because nobody really tried to control them. Drinking, dueling and all sorts of debauchery. Now add the question of learning magic by virtue of being clerics.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

Oh. Yeah, those seem like the last people you want to give access to magic. Particularly if pagan magic seems to be easier/more powerful than Christian magic, as has previously been implied - those seem like the type who would experiment with paganism to enhance their magic and wind up overrunning the university with monsters. So maybe the Church in this setting are a lot more careful with who they let into their universities, and/or are a lot stricter on them.

Then again, a university that has suddenly been overrun by monsters is just begging for the intervention of some intrepid adventurers, so it's a ready-made plothook. For more subtle campaigns, maybe there have been some monster sightings/encounters in town and the investigation leads the party to the university, where a secret cabal has been experimenting with forbidden, pagan magic. There's plenty you could do with this.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

I should definitely write more about the way the universities operate.

I'm imagining them being very strict about who can study magic and what they can learn.

Yes indeed! :) There are lots of rules governing who can study magic and what they can study, but rules were made to be broken.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

The Sword and the Cross: Post 5

The Blessed Virgin
Symbol: Cloaked shield.
The Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, better known as the “Carmelites”, was founded on Mt. Carmel in the Holy Land in the late 12th century. The Carmelites emphasize contemplative prayer, community life, and devotion to the Virgin Mary. Their spirituality is deeply rooted in the mystical tradition. The Carmelites contribute to theological education and are involved in the intellectual life of the Church, with notable scholars among their ranks.
Carmelites have on occasion had rivalries with the Dominicans over preaching rights and influence in urban centers. On the other hand, they tend to be on good terms with the Franciscans, as both tend to urban poor. The Carmelites are one of two major religious orders devoted to the Virgin, the other being the Teutonic Knights. Though the orders have no shared history, this has given them a common bond, and they have often helped or defended one another. This, in turn, has caused tension between the Carmelites and Poland-Lithuania, along with their guardians, the Knights of St. Stanislaus.

St. Dominic
Symbol: Lily cross.
The Dominican Order, also known as the Order of Preachers (Ordo Prædicatorum), was founded by St. Dominic de Guzmán, a Castilian priest, in 1216. St. Dominic established the order to preach and combat heresy. They have often been involved in inquisitions. Over time, they have increasingly contributed teaching and academia. They have a significant presence in universities and cathedral schools and are known for producing influential theologians and philosophers, including Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Albertus Magnus. They are unique in the way that they combine a commitment to scholarly study with active ministry, emphasizing both intellectual rigor and pastoral care. They have been influential in reintroducing pagan Greek ideas to intellectual life, much to the horror of some. Dominicans and Franciscans in academia have clashed over the Dominican’s openness to pagan ideas, with tensions especially high at the University of Paris. Their inquisitional work has given them much opportunity to collect restricted texts, including heretical or blasphemous works.
The Dominicans role in inquisition and theological education gives them significant political influence. They tend to favor the states of the Iberian peninsula, especially Castile, origin of St. Dominic. They seek the promotion of universities and cathedral schools and the suppression of heresy.

St. Francis
Symbol: Tau cross.
The Franciscans were established by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209. The order emphasizes poverty, simplicity and humility, and devotes itself to preaching, pastoral care, education and scholarship. They are known for their compassion to the poor, and their love of animals and nature. They are highly involved in academia and the order has produced famous scholars like Duns Scotus and Roger Bacon. They are particularly liable to study magic related to healing, animals and plants.
The poverty of the Franciscans has not prevented them from having political influence and involving themselves in political matters, particularly in Italy. They are known for mediating conflicts and advising rulers. Some have been known to be biased towards Italian interests. They have been critical of the openness some academics have shown to pagan ideas. This has brought them into conflict with the Augustinians and especially the Dominicans, especially at the University of Paris.

St. Norbert
Symbol: Crossed crooks.
The Norbertines, also known as the monks of St. Nobert, or the Premonstratensian Order, were founded in 1120 by St. Norbert of Xanten in Prémontré, France, and strictly follows the Rule of St. Augustine. Norbertines are canons regular, meaning they live a communal life dedicated to prayer, the celebration of the Eucharist, and pastoral work. They combat heresy, revitalize the faith of the laity, and promote peace and reconciliation among enemies. The order played a key role in the Christianization of regions around the Elbe and Oder rivers.
St. Norbert founded the Norbertine Order on principles of love, selfless sharing, and radical hospitality. This meant that their abbeys are often centers of refuge and support for the poor and travelers. Many have advocated for the poverty of the clergy, bringing them into conflict with not only other orders, but the Vatican itself. Since they follow the Rule of St. Augustine more strictly than most Augustinian monks, the tend to look down on the Augustinians as lax and worldly. Founded in France, the Norbetines are disposed toward the French, and many are indignant that Prémontré has been in Burgundian hands since 1435. The order has spread widely, and while its presence is not strong in Italy and Spain, Norbert is revered in Eastern Europe and is patron saint of Bohemia. The Bohemian monarchy has long been a particular patron of the order, inclining the Norbertines towards Bohemia.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

The Sword and the Cross: Post 6

Other Orders by Region

Aragon

The Knights of St. George are Guardians of Aragon.

St. Cyprian
Symbol: Bishop's miter and staff.
The monastery of the Order of St. Cyprian is in Catalonia, near Barcelona. St. Cyprian of Antioch (c. 3rd century) was a sorcerer before converting to Christianity, and his monks study wizardry and the means by which it can be countered. They are highly secretive about their studies, knowing well the dangers of magic.

Bohemia

Bohemia, under Duke Ladislaus the Posthumous, is subject to the Holy Roman Empire.

St. Wenceslaus
Symbol: Crown of Wenceslaus.
The Knights of St. Wenceslaus are guardians of Bohemia. Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, is celebrated for his piety, efforts to promote Christianity, and his dedication to the welfare of his people. He’s remembered as “Good King Wenceslaus”. His greatest enemies were pagans and his knights are keen to root out traces of paganism.
It is said that at the Battle of Chlumec in 1126, Wenceslaus appeared in the sky, riding a white horse and wielding a flaming sword, rallying the outnumbered Bohemians to defeat the forces of the King of Germany. Wenceslaus’ knights are known for developing holy powers related to flame. They resent the Knights of St. Maurice for supporting the dominating power of the Holt Roman Empire.

St. Barbara
Symbol: Tower with three windows.
The Sisters of St. Barbara are neither a military nor an academic order, but they have military and academic importance. Barbara is patron of mathematicians, armorers and artillerymen. The sisters collect texts on all of these subjects and study the theory as part of their devotion to the saint. They have often advised agents of the crown, supporting the success of the Hussite war machine. While women may not be academics, they are permitted at the universities, and the mathematical excellence of the sisters makes them sought after by other mathematicians. Their magical researches into mathematics can lead to strange effects on space and time. They maintain an abbey near Holašovice.

St. Christopher
Symbol: Man with child on his shoulders.
The friars of St. Christopher maintain a friary in Prague, but travel extensively. They offer hospitality and protection to pilgrims and other travelers. Christopher is patron saint of travelers, and his monks have studied a variety of magics to aid traveler safety. Some have experimented with opening portals to other realms.

St. Vitus
Symbol: Rooster.
The monks of St. Vitus maintain a monastery near Pilsen. Vitus is patron of dancers and those with epilepsy, leading his monks to make a study of the human body, particularly the muscle system. Some have developed extraordinary physical abilities and their skill in unarmed combat is famous.

Burgundian Netherlands

This part of the Netherlands is in the possession of Burgundy.

St. Christina the Astonishing
Symbol: Shackles.
The Sisters of St. Christina the Astonishing occupy an abbey near the town of Sint-Truiden. Christina’s life was marked by severe asceticism and self-mortification, an example followed by her nuns. Christina’s miraculous return from the dead to describe the terrifying she had seen on the other side inspires her nuns to study death and necromancy.

St. Dymphna
Symbol: Sword and lamp.
St. Dymphna is patron saint of those afflicted by madness. Her nuns maintain an abbey near the town of Geel, where they study madness and the means by which it can be cured. They also tend to a number of patients who are housed at the abbey. It goes without saying that some of the results of their studies have been strange indeed.

Burgundy

The Knights of St. Andrew are guardians of Burgundy.

St. Gideon, Knights of The Golden Fleece
Symbol: Golden Fleece.
The Order of the Golden Fleece was established 25 years ago in 1430, by Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy. Philip created them to serve as a counter to the power of the Knights of St. Andrew, guardians of Burgundy. While the fleece in the order’s name officially refers to the fleece of the prophet Gideon, associated with signs from God, the knights also associate themselves with the pagan Greek hero Jason who quested for the golden fleece of the ram Chrysomallos. The Knights of the Golden Fleece are known for developing powers inspired by pagan mythology, causing some criticism and suspicion.
The Knights of the Golden Fleece revel in luxuries and displays of wealth but are nevertheless an exclusive and elite fighting force. Not lacking in courage, they can tend to be glory hounds. Philip finds them much easier to work with than the Knights of St. Andrew, who are too concerned with defending ordinary people.
The Knights of the Golden Fleece are passionately loyal to the papacy, to Burgundy, and to Philip. They wish to temper the power of the Knights of St. Andrew, but not when doing to will endanger Burgundy, which Andrew’s knights guard. They hope to one day be strong enough to replace the Knights of St. Andrew as Burgundy’s guardian order.

Castile

St. Aemilian
Symbol: Banner and sword.
The Knights of St. Aemilian are the guardians of the Kingdom of Castile. They are engaged in driving away the monsters from Granada, that it can be a Christian kingdom once again. Standing in the tradition of the Cid, the knights of Castile have long regarded themselves as the epitome of chivalric excellence, and the Knights of Aemilian see themselves as the cream of the crop. They are known for developing holy powers that augment their knightly skills, all the better to show that they are the perfect knights.
The order is loyal to the Vatican, partly because of contact with terrifying forces from beyond Christendom, and partly because their commitment to knightly perfection makes any appearance of disloyalty unthinkable. Founded to aid the reconquest, they promote aggression against pagan forces wherever possible. As guardians of Castile, they are rivals of the Order of St. George, who guard Aragon, and the Order of Anthony, who guard Portugal.

St. Raymond, Order of Calatrava
Symbol: Red Greek cross with fleur-de-lis at its ends.
The Order of Calatrava, also known as the Knights of St. Raymond, and known colloquially as the “Fighting Cistercians”, was established in 1158 by King Sancho III of Castile, who granted the fortress of Calatrava to Raymond, abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Fitero. Initially created to defend the fortress against the Moors, it has become a significant force in the Christian Reconquista of Spain. It is closely affiliated with the Cistercian abbey of Morimond, which provides spiritual guidance. They are known for developing holy powers related to prayerful meditation.
Above all else, the order seeks to promote the interests of the Cistercian order, and only after that, the interests of Castile. It also dedicates itself to driving the monsters from Granada, that it may be a Christian land once again. They are loyal to the Vatican, as the Cistercians teach them to be.

St. Jerome
Symbol: Lion.
The Hieronymites, also known as the Order of Saint Jerome (Latin: Ordo Sancti Hieronymi) were founded in the late 14th century at Valdeverdeja, near Toledo. Just as Jerome was a translator and Biblical scholar, so his monks store and translate texts. They possess numerous very rare books.

St. Raphael
Symbol: Staff and fish.
The friars of Raphael occupy a friary and hospital in Córdoba, though they travel extensively. Raphael is patron of travelers and healers and his monks offer help and healing to visitors and the sick. They are famed for medical skill, and many have studied magic related to healing or the protection of travelers. They are on good terms with the monks of St. Christopher, who also protect travelers, and friars of the two orders will often visit the other.

Denmark

St. Canute
Symbol: Three crowned blue lions.
The Knights of St. Canute are guardians of Denmark and are almost all Danish. Canute’s status as patron of brewers has inspired some wealthy knights to invest in breweries, producing ale that’s often said to be the best in the world. According to folktales, it’s even sought out by elves and trolls. They find the courage of their Viking ancestors inspirational, and are known for developing holy abilities similar to the abilities of berserkers.
The Knights are loyal to Denmark and to King Christian I. They would like to see the Vatican have less control in Danish matters. As guardians of Denmark, the Knights of St. Canute are rivals of the Knights of St Maurice, guardians of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Knights of St. Stanislaus, guardians of Poland-Lithuania. They also have traditional rivalries with the Knights of St. Andrew, guardians of Scotland; Edmund, once guardians of England; Patrick, guardians of Scotland; and Olaf, guardians of Norway.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

The Sword and the Cross: Post 7

England

The Knights of St. George are guardians of England.

St. Edmund
Symbol: Black Wolf
The Knights of St. Edmund, also known as the Black Wolves, were guardians of England until 1348. For centuries, they defended the kingdom not only from bandits and foreign armies, but also from disease, using their sacred powers of healing. When their powers failed against the Black Death, it was taken as a sign that their mandate had been withdrawn by God, and the guardianship was given to the Knights of St. George. The Knights of St. Edmund have been striving to regain their lost position ever since. Edmund’s role as protector from wolves has led some of the knights to develop wolf-life abilities, or even become lycanthropic. Many knights of Edmund are expert woodsmen.
The Knights of St. Edmund are loyal to England and the Vatican. They have a good relationship with English King Henry VI, born of their mutual rivalry with the Knights of St. George. They are also on good terms with the Knights of St. Hubert, whose affinity for nature they respect. Edmund was tortured and killed by Vikings, and St. Edmund’s knights bear grudges against Scandinavians, especially the Knights of St. Canute, guardians of Denmark, and the Knights of St. Olaf, guardians of Norway. The Knights of St. Edmund detest the use of torture.

St. Bede the Venerable
Symbol: Pen and ink horn.
St. Bede was England’s first great historian and natural philosopher. His order maintains a monastery at Jarrow, in North-Eastern England, where they devote themselves to English history and natural philosophy, particularly as they relate to the elements, the seasons, and astronomy, building on Bede’s work in “De Natura Rerum” (“On the Nature of Things”). As scribes, they produce copies of Bede’s works.

France

St. Joan
Symbol: Tarasque.
The Knights of St. Joan are guardians of France. They are a very new order, having been established in 1433, a mere 20 years ago. For almost a thousand years, France had been under the guardianship of the Knights of St. Martin, but confidence in the knights of Martin had evaporated in the face of catastrophic defeats against the allied English and Burgundians. The knights have adopted the dragon-like Tarasque as their symbol, and are known for developing holy powers reflecting its strength, indomitability, and ferocity.
King Charles VII of France is a firm supporter of the order. Not only have they secured his kingdom against the English, but they are not as obsessively concerned with the wellbeing of the poor as the Knights of St. Martin, who were always difficult to work with. The Knights of St. Joan remember how the Burgundians captured the saint and sold her to the English, who tried and executed her, leaving resentments towards the knights of St. Andrew and St. George. The Knights of St. Joan are highly loyal to the Vatican. The role of English church officials in Joan’s trial has made them aware of, and suspicious of, church corruption, but they do not blame Rome.

St. Catherine of Alexandria
Symbol: Wheel.
The Sisters of St. Catherine occupy an abbey near Rouen, in Normandy. Like Catherine, they are scholars, with a particular interest in philosophy and theology. Catherine is patron of librarians and the sisters have an extensive collection of texts, including old pagan Greek and Egyptian works.

St. Fiacre
Symbol: Spade and basket of vegetables.
The monks of St. Fiacre occupy a monetary near the town of Meaux. Fiacre is patron of gardeners and herbalists and the monks study the nature of plants and herbs, mundane and magical. Some of them have used herbs for mystical or visionary purposes. Fiacre came to France from Ireland, and his monks are favorable to the Irish.

Greece

With the disappearance of their Byzantine rulers in 1453, Greece has collapsed into a collection of feuding city states, apart from the strategic islands and coastal areas controlled by Venice.

St. John of Damascus
Symbol: Severed hand.
The Order of St. John of Damascus maintain a monastery on the Greek Island of Patmos. The monks continue St. John’s work on theology, music and music theory. It is said that their choir sounds like a choir of angels. According to legend, they once defeated an invading flock of sirens in a battle of music.

Holy Roman Empire

The Knights of St. Maurice are guardians of the Holy Roman Empire.

St. Elizabeth
Symbol: Basket of bread.
The Sisters of St. Elizabeth maintain an abbey and hospital in Marburg, where they devote themselves to caring for the poor and sick. They are famous for their healing skills. St. Elizabeth was a member of the Hungarian royal family, and her nuns are strongly supportive of both Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor, and Ladislaus, King of Hungary. St. Elizabeth was inspired by the Franciscans and relations between the two orders are particularly good. Elizabeth’s husband was a crusader, and so her nuns tend to be supportive of knightly orders with a particular history in the crusades, such as the Hospitallers, Templars and Teutonic Knights.

St. Mary Magdelaine
Symbol: Jar.
The sisters of St. Mary Magdelaine possess an abbey near the town of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in the County of Provence. St. Mary Magdelaine is patron if apothecaries and perfumers, leading her nuns into research into chemistry, herbalism and alchemy. The fact that the saint was once possessed by demons has led her nuns to study demonology and exorcism.

Hungary

St. Stephen of Hungary
Symbol: Sárkány.
The Knights of St. Stephen are guardians of the Kingdom of Hungary. The knights have adopted as their symbol the Hungarian dragon, the multi-headed Sárkány. Just as the Sárkány is associated with thunder and rain, so the knights are known to develop thunder-related holy powers. Some have been accused of fraternizing with dragons.
St. Stephen was devoted to the Blessed Virgin, putting his knights on good terms with the Teutonic Knights and Carmelite monks. On the other hand, the Knights of St. Stephen are rivals of the Knights of St. Maurice, guardians of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Knights of St. Stanislaus, guardians of Poland-Lithuania. St. Stephen founded three Benedictine monasteries, and his knights have always been particular patrons of the Benedictines.

Italy

Italy is a patchwork of independent city-states. The most powerful of these is Venice. Many of the rich northern cities have the Knights of St. Michael as their guardians, including Venice, Florence, Genoa, and Milan. The Knights of St. Peter are guardians of Rome and the papacy.

St. Cosmas and St. Damian
Symbol: Medical instruments.
Cosmas and Damian were third century doctors. They were Arabian twin brothers who provided medical aid and surgery without charge. Today, the brothers of St. Cosmas and St. Damian maintain a friary in Alberobello in southern Italy, from which they provide medical treatment for the poor. They engage in experimentation in healing magic and have a particular interest in transplantation of limbs and other organs. Their formidable medical skills draw heavily on the Islamic tradition, leading to some contact with pre-Islamic pagan beings.

St. Lucy
Symbol: Eyes on a dish.
St. Lucy is patron of the blind, and the Sisters of St. Lucy maintain an abbey in Syracuse in which they care for the blind and those suffering from ailments of the eye. Their esoteric studies include not just ocular healing, but manipulation of darkness.

St. Luke
Symbol: Winged ox.
The friars of St. Luke maintain a friary and hospital in Padua in northern Italy, where they devote themselves to healing the sick. His friars often study healing magic. Luke is a patron of artists, including decorative metalworkers, and his friars often excel in the arts. They have been known to produce enchanted artworks.

Ireland

Ireland is a patchwork of independent kingdoms.

Saint Patrick
Symbol: Shamrock
The Knights of St. Patrick are guardians or Ireland, and almost all are Irish. Patrick is patron of engineers, inspiring the knights to cause the construction of massive and inspiring churches and cathedrals in Irish towns.
Patrick’s most famous miracle is driving all snakes from Ireland, inspiring his knights to develop holy powers related to banishing. Patrick’s next most famous miracle is raising 33 people from the dead. His knights insist that they do not engage in resurrection, but they have developed powers related to communication with the deceased. The Knights of St. Patrick have long protected Irish Christians against the Fae and other magical dangers. Occasionally, contact is corrupting, and a knight will switch their allegiance to pagan forces.
The Knights of St. Patrick are loyal to the Vatican, even though they would like more autonomy to worship in their own way. As guardians of Ireland, they are rivals of the Order of St. George, guardians of England. The Viking raids of past centuries have made them traditional rivals of the Knights of Canute and Olaf.

St. Brigid
Symbol: Cross made of rushes.
St. Brigid is patron saint of healers, poets, blacksmiths, and livestock and dairy workers. Her nuns study both healing and poetry and are perhaps most famous for their mastery of fire. They maintain the abbey of Cill Darra in Leinster, North-Eastern Ireland, and their skill with flame has sometimes played an important role in Leinster’s defense. Knights of St. Canute and St. Olaf remain suspicious of them, their hostility a relic of the Viking age.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

The Sword and the Cross: Post 8

Norway

St. Olaf
Symbol: Axe
The Knights of St. Olaf are guardians of Norway, and are almost all Norwegian, or from French Normandy. The saint was known for slaying giants and trolls and for protecting Norwegians from monsters, and his knights strive to follow his example. St. Olaf was said to have been enormously strong, and to have had control over thunder and lightning, leading his knights to develop holy powers giving them similar abilities.
The knights would like to curtail the authority of the Vatican, to allow them to more easily worship in accordance with their own culture. They are traditional rivals of the Knights of St. Canute, guardians of Denmark. Norway’s history of raiding Britain has also made them traditional rivals of the orders of St. Andrew, St. Edmund, and St. Patrick.

Poland-Lithuania

St. Stanislaus
Symbol: Wings of Hermes.
The Knights of St. Stanislaus are guardians of Poland-Lithuania. The Knights of St. Stanislaus are at war with the Teutonic Knights, just as the Kingdom of Poland-Lithuania is at war with the state of the Teutonic Knights over the appropriation of Polish lands. The Knights of St. Stanislaus are also rivals of the Knights of St. Stephen, guardians of Hungary. On the other hand, they’ve often been allies with the Knights of St. Maurice, guardians of the Holy Roman Empire, putting them on good terms. The knights have adopted the wings of Hermes as their symbol, and are known for developing holy powers related to speed, especially on horseback.

Portugal

St. Anthony
Symbol: White lily.
The Knights of St. Anthony are guardians of Portugal and almost all are Portuguese. St. Anthony’s diverse patronages are reflected in the knights’ interests. Anthony is patron of the poor, and so the knights champion the poor, much to the inconvenience of the Portuguese nobility. Anthony is patron of travelers, and so the knights protect travelers, both in Portugal and abroad. Anthony is patron of those who hunt for lost items, leading his knights to quest for legendary artifacts. They are known for develop holy powers related to travel and the protection of travelers.
St. Anthony was a Franciscan, and so the Order of St. Anthony has always patronized, and been guided by, Franciscans. As guardians of Portugal, the Knights of St. Anthony are rivals of the Knights of St. Aemilian, guardians of Castile, and the Knights of St. George, guardians of Aragon. Mutual concern for the poor puts them on good terms with the knights of St. Andrew, and especially St. Martin, as well as with the monks of St. Benedict.

Wales

St. David of Wales
Symbol: White Dove
The Knights of St. David of Wales are the guardians of Wales, and are almost all Welsh. David is patron of poets and many of his knights are accomplished poets. Tradition says that David prayed for his people to have forewarning of their deaths, resulting in the existence of “corpse candles” in the night. His knights have studied the secrets of these lights. In David’s most famous miracle, the ground rose up to form a hill where he was preaching, while a white dove settled on his shoulder. His knights are known for developing the power to move and shape earth, and their castles are formidable. They are also known for their power over doves, used as messengers or scouts.
The Knights of St. David are loyal to Wales. They resent English rule and the Knights of St. George, guardians of England. Many took part in the Glyndŵr Rising of 1400-1415, a major Welsh rebellion against English rule, and there are lingering hatreds. The Knights of St. David find the Vatican’s authority burdensome, and wish to be left to worship how they see fit, in accordance with their own culture.

St. Collen
St. Collen is known for his encounter with fairies. According to legend, he was invited to the court of the Fairy King, where he sprinkled holy water to dispel the illusion and reveal the fairies as demons. His monks maintain a monastery near Pembroke and study the ways of the fae.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

The Sword and the Cross Post 9: Timeline Part 1

Timeline

313 – Edict of Milan: Emperor Constantine legalizes Christianity in the Roman Empire.
337 – Emperor Constantine is baptized on his deathbed.
380 – Edict of Thessalonica: Emperor Theodosius I declares Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire.
496 – At the Battle of Tolbiac, King Clovis of the Salian Franks, facing defeat against the Alemanni, prays to the Christian God for victory, promising to convert if he won. Miraculously, the tide of the battle turns, and Clovis emerges victorious.
509 – Clovis becomes Clovis I, first King of the Franks, considered first king of France. He will promote Christianity.
529 – The order of St. Benedict is founded in Italy by St. Benedict of Nursia. This is the first of the great monastic orders.
597 – St. Augustine of Canterbury begins the conversion of Anglo–Saxon England.
722 – St. Boniface begins missionary work in Germany.
800 – Charlemagne, King of the Franks, becomes the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. He will promote Christianity throughout his empire.
815 – In Kufa, Mesopotamia, Muslim alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan demonstrates a perpetual motion engine. He automates several agricultural estates.
821 – In Baghdad, Mesopotamia, mathematician and wizard Al–Khwarizmi argues that wizards should be considered holy. After his death, some will worship him as an incarnation of Allah.
880 – Richard the Justiciar, count of Autun, becomes first Duke of Burgundy.
899 – Knights of St. Maurice founded in the Duchy of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire.
924 – Æthelstan, King of Wessex, becomes first King of England.
926 – In Ray, Persia, physician and wizard Al–Razi argues that death should not be considered inevitable. His work will become influential in magical healing and the prolongation of life.
929 – In Harran, Mesopotamia, astronomer Al–Battani ascends into the sky to join the spirits of the air and never returns. His ascension is followed by several years of recurrent turbulent weather.
11th–12th centuries. Investiture Controversy: A conflict between the papacy and secular rulers over the appointment of church officials, ending in a bitter compromise.
1000 – Stephen I becomes first King of Hungary.
1011 – Knights of St. Andrew founded in Burgundy.
1025 – Boleslaw the Brave, Duke of Poland, becomes Boleslaw I, first King of Poland.
1026 – Physician and wizard Ibn Sina cleanses the entire city of Bukhara, Persia, of the plague.
1030 – The city of Basra, Mesopotamia, is devastated when optician Ibn al–Haytham fills the city with spirits of blazing light, for a mystical religious reason understood only to himself.
1035 – Romero, Count of Aragon, becomes Romero I, first King of Aragon.
1037 – Ferdinand, Count of Castile, becomes Ferdinand I, first King of Castile.
1051 – Knights of St. George founded in Aragon.
1054 – The Great Schism. The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church formally split, primarily over issues of papal authority and theological differences.
1088 – Founding of University of Bologna in Italy. This is the first of the great universities.
1095 – Pope Urban II calls for a crusade to capture Jerusalem.
1098 – Cistercians founded in Burgundy by St. Robert of Molesme.
1099 – Crusaders capture Jerusalem and establish the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
1119 – Knights Templar founded in Jerusalem.
1120 – Norbertines founded in France by St. Norbert of Xanten.
1139 – Alfonzo, Count of Portugal, becomes Alfonzo I, first King of Portugal.
1150 – Founding of University of Paris in France.
1167 – Founding of University of Oxford in England.
1198 – Teutonic Knights founded in Kingdom of Jerusalem by German crusaders.
Late 12th century – Carmelites founded by hermits in the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
CA 1200 – In Diyarbakir, Turkey, mechanical inventor Al-Jazari creates artificial people able to speak and reason. He will continue to make people throughout his life.
1208 – Founding of University of Palencia, Castile.
1209 – Franciscans founded in Italy by St. Francis of Assisi.
1209–1229 - Albigensian Crusade: A military campaign initiated by the Catholic Church to eliminate the Cathar heresy in southern France, resulting in widespread persecution and the establishment of the Inquisition.
1214-1217 – In the Iberian peninsula, Islamic Granada undergoes a revolution as pagans try to establish a pagan state. Somehow, the use of magic in war unleashed monsters across the kingdom, depopulating it. From now on, the reconquest will not be fought against Islamic forces, but monstrous and magical ones.
1215 – Dominicans founded in France by St. Dominic.
1226 – Founding of the State of the Teutonic Knights in northern Europe.
1264 – Augustinians formally established by Pope Urban IV.
1290 – Founding of the University of Coimbra in Portugal.
1291 – Fall of Acre to Egyptian Mamluks marks the end of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
1300 – University of Lleida founded in Catalonia, Crown of Aragon.
1307 - King Philip IV of France orchestrates charges of heresy and blasphemy against the Knights Templar.
1312 – The Knights Templar are officially disbanded by Pope Clement V in 1312, but then almost immediately reinstated when both foreign dignitaries and Italian banks and merchants object to the damage the loss of Templar banks would do to the economies of Western Europe. Many Christians are outraged by this defiance of the papal will, especially among the poor orders inclined to be suspicious of money. French Cistercians and Norbertines urge the Pope to quit the corrupt city of Rome. To the amazement of Christendom, he does, moving the papacy to the French city of Avignon. The wounds are not quick to heal and Popes will reside in Avignon for the next 65 years, until 1377.
1337 – Start of the Hundred Years War: A prolonged series of conflicts between England and France over claims to the French throne. Burgundy will play a crucial role, switching sides at will.
1347–1348: Civil war within Aragon between King Peter IV and the Union of Aragonese nobles, which ends with the defeat of the Union.
1348 – The Knights of St. George replace the disgraced Knights of St. Edmund as guardians of England.
1356–1375: “War of the Two Peters”. A conflict between the Kingdom of Aragon and the Kingdom of Castile, named after the two kings, Peter IV of Aragon and Peter I of Castile.
1363-1366 – Mamluk Egyptians driven from the Holy Land by pagans. The pagan kingdoms in turn will be destroyed by monstrous, demonic creatures. Despite the fact that Palestine is a fiend-haunted land, some time in the next century, new cities of Tyre and Sidon will arise.
1364 – University of Jagiellonian founded in Poland.
1366-1369 – War of the Castilian Succession. A civil war between Peter I of Castile and his half-brother Henry of Trastámara, which ends with Henry's victory and the establishment of the Trastámara dynasty.
1367 – University of Pécs founded in Hungary.
1369-1382 – Fernandine Wars: A series of conflicts between Castile and Portugal over claims to the Castilian throne.
1377 – Under pressure from the great religious orders, Pope Gregory XI returns the papal residence to Rome. As Pope, he is regarded by many as a servant to wealth, both the wealth of the Italian banks and of the great agricultural orders like the Cistercians, Benedictines and Augustinians.
1378 – Death of Pope Gregory XI and succession crisis as different factions strive to get their candidate elected. The surprise victor was the radical Franciscan candidate Pope Urban VI, who opposed the wealth of the church. The election is almost immediately declared invalid and Clement VII, supported by Cistercians, Dominicans, and Norbertines, looking to curb the influence of Italy, is elected instead. When Urban, supported by the Knights of St. Peter, refuses to abdicate, Clements set up a rival papacy in Avignon.
1383-1385 – A period of civil war and political crisis in Portugal, which ends with the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385, securing Portuguese independence from Castile.
1387 – Christianization of Lithuania, the last pagan state in Europe, by the Teutonic Knights.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

The Sword and the Cross: Post 10. Timeline Part 2. This is everything so far!

1405 – In the east, Timur the Great, emperor of the Timurid empire, dies, and his empire collapses into civil war. The new great powers that emerge, Babylon and Nineveh, are pagan states.
1407-1435 – Burgundy goes to war with the Armagnac faction in France over succession to the French crown. The war will end with reconciliation and alliance against England.
1409 - The Council of Pisa attempts to resolve the schism in the church by declaring both existing popes illegitimate and electing Alexander V. Alexander wishes to greatly curb scholarship based on pagan thought and is opposed by academically inclined orders like the Dominicans, Benedictines and Augustinians. Alexander is not generally accepted and result is a third Pope, residing in Pisa.
1414-1418 - Council of Constance: The council, with the support of the Knights of St. Peter, arranges for the resignation or deposition of all three popes and elects Martin V as the new pope, restoring unity to the Church. Martin serves the vested interests of wealth, and favors the interests of Italians, but is a patron of scholarship and the arts.
1419-1434 – Hussite Wars: A series of wars fought between the Hussite religious reformers in Bohemia and the Holy Roman Empire.
1421-1426 – The Ossiran Revolution: Barsby, Mamluk Sultan of Egypt, is defeated by pagan Egyptian forces. Egypt becomes a pagan state under Ramses XII and Islam is driven underground.
1447 – After the death of Pope Eugene IV, the present pope, Nicholas V, is elected. Nicholas is a patron of academia and the arts but is seen as favoring the interests of wealth and of Italy.
1453 – End of the Hundred Years War between England France. France regains control of all territories except Callais. The French monarch is strengthened, and England’s weakened.
1453 – In Constantinople, most populous Christian city in the world, a mob holds an illegal rite to Hecate, Greek goddess of magic, on the night of the feast of St. Nicholas, in his great church, the Nea Ekklesia. It isn’t clear exactly what followed, by the city was devastated by monstrous creatures which have overrun all of Anatolia and put an end of the Byzantine Empire. All of Christendom is in shock.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

That's everything I have for this setting as of now.

I'm looking for suggestions, especially regarding what needs expansion.

I'm intending to put this up on the GURPS Wiki and I'm definitely interested in having other folks contribute to it.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

"Despite the fact that Palestine is a fiend-haunted land, some time in the next century, new cities of Tyre and Sidon will arise."

This seems desperate for a few more words of explanation.

If Tyre and Sidon can rebuild in the middle of a demon-haunted wilderness, that seems to make Granada a lot less scary-sounding.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

Hoom, hoom. I can see your point. The idea was to make Tyre and Sidon sound scary. The cities of wickedness are the boss-monsters of the region.

I might add something like "How the pagan cities survive the monsters is unknown. It may have to do with the plentiful human sacrifices they offer to their dark gods, or other pagan magics."

It's interesting that all of the comments there have been on this setting have been about the world at the periphery. Maybe that's the most interesting bit, or just the most mysterious.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

Magic, the Church's restrictions, and the control mechanisms on it in a world with pre-modern state capacity and little ability to enforce such restrictions on the nobility or the free cities.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

All this hagiography is making me think of the classic cRPG Darklands, where learning the legends of Saints and successfully invoking their miraculous aid is a key part of the game's "magic" system. In fact, the game being set in the Holy Roman Empire around the 1400s AD, theurgy and alchemy is all you get.

And on the subject of religion
Presumably it will operate with the threat of interdict, excommunication and anathema much as it did historically. If a city does not control any form of heresy within its bounds, the Church places it under interdict, cutting it off from any of the sacraments until they are reconciled (which was considered a big deal back then) - if they show no sign of repentance, then they will be the subject of an anathema (a formal condemnation forbidding believers from having anything to do with them) and, ultimately, crusade. Excommunication replaces interdict as a personal penalty for offending nobles, but they can also have their lands placed under interdict to encourage their vassals to turn on them.

Re: Setting: The Sword and the Cross
 

Yeah, I played the hell out off that awesome game. :) They don't make 'em like that anymore. I wasn't consciously being inspired by it, but I wouldn't be surprised if it had an influence.

Nicely put! If I copy your text word for word, I'll cite you. :)