Reality Revision

Discussions with Citrus last night, which yielded in a second and more focused draft-basis for Canan path, also reminded me that all my writings have left out a critical element - the relationship and structural balance between the three primary members of the TIP Heirs: Exelar, Aoric, and Lothair.

[TIP Spoilers Alert]

I’ve mentioned times prior that amongst the TIP Heirs, Aoric and Lothair are Exelar’s two most important advisors and subordinates, effectively his left and right hands. The reasons behind Aoric is simply to visualize: he is the supreme military commander for the needs of TIP, and anyone who understands the meaning of the word Sovereignty will know that control of the military is one of the fundamental prerequisites for the existance of any stately power. As a matter of fact, when Exelar reaches Astraea and the demands of the Overseers’ prepared Imperial Charter ( effectively a constitution for the TIP project and system ) begins being put into action, Aoric gets automatically promoted to Star Marshal, rank of the Imperium’s supreme military commander. Of course, because the reasons behind this ‘promotion’ was out of ordinary context, Aoric’s problems with Tolkin starts henceforth, whom was the only officer in the FEF that once outranked Aoric.

Lothair’s power in the Imperium is not quite as obvious. After the Arcanum Order’s evacuation to Astraea, Lothair is supported by the other knights of the order to become its next Grand Master for a few reasons:

1. He is one of the highest ranking Knight commanders ( procurators and dispatchers ) amongst the Order who survived the Insurgency, and the one with the best connections with the Federation military leadership on Astraea.
2. His contributions brought about the means for the Arcanum population to leave the planet and seek survival elsewhere.
3. He’s the heir of the past Grand Master and is also part of TIP ( something other important members of the Arcanum Order does know ).

While the support of Aoric is neccessary for Exelar out of obvious need, Lothair’s support is required for two reasons, both of which dealing with the system pre-established by the Imperial Charter.

1. The Arcanum Order, despite what problems they do suffer from, are the keepers of morality and justice within the Imperium. This is further boosted by the fact their public face, the Order of the Teutonic Knights, is officially ordained by the Church ( although the wrong one, I’ll stamp out this problem later ). As a result, the Overseers decide to form a system entitled the “Inquisition” within the Imperial Charter. Unlike the historically notorious Inquisition by the Catholic Church, the Imperial Inquisition is purely aimed at the government structure and the bureaucracy underneath, their job to maintain a supervisory check over the government officials and unravel any possible corruption to the attention of the Emperor and the public. This means the Lothair, being the Grand Master of the Arcanum Order, maintains significant influence and power over the government structure, particularly the civil legislature houses ( since their influence over the military is limited ).
2. Furthermore, as the premier government sanctioned symbol of justice and… on a lesser degree… religion, within the Imperium, it is the consent of the Arcanum which is required for an Emperor to be entitled and empowered. This influence is exemplified by the established ritual procedures that the Grand Master of the Arcanum Order be the one who place the crown upon the new Emperor, symbolizing divine granted right of rulership ( one word: Charlemagne - this is definitely a CG moment ).

In retrospect, the consent and approval score of Lothair in the main path isn’t an aid to help Exelar, it is a requirement.

Maybe I should take another note from Charlemagne and make Exelar’s title Emperor of Holy Terra…

…or not, the symbolism involved is awful as far as TIP’s circumstances go.