Acta Sanctorum
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[edit] Acta Sanctorum
Words attributed to Saint Ajax to the assembled Praetorian Guard during the 4th Crusade:
"Brothers in arms. It is our duty to hold the line. To be the last rays of light in an overwhelming tide of darkness. Only in death does duty end."
These words spoken by a true hero are what Acta Sanctorum is all about.
Following the words and deeds of the past Saints, we hope to receive grace and enlightenment for the perilous life in Saint Germaine.
Join us; Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
Wise words about Acta:
We're not an aligned faction because we just feel like it. We're aligned because we're different. And we're different because we're not just good because we have to be. We're good because we're cool like that - Maggah
[edit] The Chronicles of St. Ajax
Ajax is a mighty figure in the history of Acta Sanctorum. He was not with us for long, but he rapidly rose through the ranks to become Imperator (the rank later changing to Tribune with the reorganisation following the promotion of Vladimir Corvinus). He was singlehandedly responsible for the start of Acta's crusades against evil, and led Acta Sanctorum to become the greatest Good faction in the nexus. Here are his chronicles:
Recent times have seen a huge shift in the balance of power in East St. Germaine. After a couple weeks of consolidating its position which included chasing off CHAOS CHAOS CHAOS and quietly growing in strength, Acta Sanctorum began a victorious and ruthless campaign to cleanse the surrounding environs of the evil that infests it.
[edit] The First Crusade
On 7/26th we launched our First Crusade to strike a blow against Oblivion Squadron, who sat like a fat, bloated black demonic spider astride our fair city. We were at the very vanguard of the battle, being the first to break down the ward, and the first to spill demonic blood. Then, in a great show of discipline equalled only by a Roman Legion, we stepped en masse back out just long enough for the AoEs to go off before returning and clearing out the last of Oblivion and seizing not one, but two standards for ourselves. Very few other Factions could have managed this sort of coordination.
Over the next week or so there was another period of growth and consolidation. It seemed like our great victory gave us a strength of will unequalled in those around us. During this time, we expected retaliation from Oblivion Squadron, yet gradually became more confident as we continued massacering the routed Faction until soon, all were fled to planes unknown. Yet after seeing our brave allies of the Invisible Danger directly north of us slaughtered by the combined force of The Shining Ones and The Demons Next Door we knew we could not rest on our laurels long.
[edit] The Second Crusade
Thus, on August 4th, another mighty host was mustered. The Second Crusade was a crushing success. Along with Invisible Danger, we fell upon the stronghold of The Demons Next Door like the fist of a wrathful God. Then, overcome with exhiliration of battle, we stormed the stronghold of the 72nd Brigade and put the wolves in sheeps clothing among them to the sword. Yet this was not a random assault. 72nd Brigade has demonstrated a distinct moral ambivalance, and their stronghold was too close to the future site of our own. In response to this example of military might, both the 72nd Brigade and The Demons Next Door have vacated East St. Germaine. Thus, the Second Crusade came to a close.
Yet we could not afford to wait another week to rest comfortably. We are greatly outnumbered by those whom would harm us. Thus, we must overcome their superior numbers with greater discipline and determination. We accomplished this by launching the Third Crusade the very next day! Along with our brothers and sisters among The Faithful, we marched upon the Stronghold of the Pirates of R'lyeh, a Faction much larger than our own.
[edit] The Third Crusade
Exhibiting a discipline and a coordination among our Crusaders that is practically unheard of in any other battle, we shattered their ward and proceeded to slay over 120+ Pirates of the nearly 170 that were in their Stronghold. Owing to the fact that we lack significant AoE capacity until more of our Shepherds ascend to Advocates, there was no point in using up the last of our AP to waste it on the mostly mortals remaining. Even if we were victorious, should the elite of Acta Sanctorum be subjected to the hounds of The Shining Ones next door? We are no easy meat!
Thus, it was decided to withdraw in good order and return to our Stronghold. The Pirates of R'lyeh suffered dearly yet we were not done with them yet. The following day we renewed our assault on the Pirates. It was a crushing success. We destroyed the remnants of the Pirates, took their banner, and still had enough energy to move to the west and execute every single evil member within Chaos Chaos Chaos while ministering to and healing their good and just.
[edit] The Fourth Crusade
Our fourth glorious undertaking was a concentrated assault upon Harper Island, long renowned as a den of evil and iniquity. It was held in the iron fist of a pair of allied evil factions known as the Nordic Avengers and The Claw who made their lairs deep within the interior of the Island. It would require both a treacherous journey by sea as well as a long overland march to reach these demonic bastions, yet Acta Sanctorum and their allies The Faithful were up to the task. We began our Crusade with an assault upon the Stronghold of The Claw, whereupon their ramparts were quickly breached and the powerful demons within slaughtered. Yet at the last moment, they managed to retreat and save their banner.
The next day, we turned our attention upon the Nordic Avengers. We do not know if they saw the example inflicted upon The Claw and decided that Harper Island was no longer ideal or if they received advance warning of our attack. Yet the Nordic Avengers revoked their Stronghold and immediately fled to the deepest depths of Purgatorio. Those whom were left behind were subsequently slain in their now defenseless Keep.
Our final undertaking against The Claw's new Stronghold broke upon them with all the suddeness and fury of a thunderstorm out of a clear blue sky. In seconds, their Stronghold lay in ruin and all their demonic adherents slain before they could sound another retreat. Our allies, The Faithful tore their banner down and marched it proudly back to Paradise where it will undoubtedly hang for a long time to come.
Harper Island had been cleansed.
[edit] The Fifth Crusade
Now my brethren, we are locked in our most grueling struggle yet. A mighty coalition of many different Evil and Unaligned factions have assembled themselves against us to launch a massive invasion into our Homeland. The first mighty advance of the demonic hordes was thwarted in an epic battle outside our Stronghold that saw many armies, both hostile and allied come together in battle. Having stalled the attackers at the walls of our Stronghold, we sallied forth and inflicted a devastating slaughter, even as they attempted to withdraw.
Yet this was only the beginning. Acta Sanctorum is surrounded by many enemies. We must not allow ourselves to rest for even one moment. We must overcome quantity with quality. To that end, we have begun a vigorous series of forced marches and brutal battles that have seen the Stronghold of the Pirates of R'lyeh broken open and devastated several times in a row. At the same time, we have purged The Scourge from their new foothold in East St. Germaine almost adjacent to the Pirates. Most recently, we mauled a Pirate raid upon our Stronghold and launched a punitive counterstrike only hours later.
The struggle continues.
Here ends the chronicles of St. Ajax. and begins the Vladimir Corvinus Era.
[edit] The Corvinus Era
[edit] The Sixth Crusade
For those really interested, the Sixth Crusade was aimed at removing 2 strongholds from Harper Island. Nordic Avengers had been handed an ultimatum, and when we turned up they had all cleared out. So, we went on to the Assassins of Alamut, only to find that empty as well. So, there's no logs because there was no killing. Only walking.
[edit] The Seventh Crusade
The first ever Kamikaze Operation implentmented by the Praetorian Guards was used before the crusades. A brave band of brothers and sister marched into Stygia battle the fires of hell and the pressure of the evil atmosphere. Their sacrifice would pay off in the end; they were able to retrieve The Faithful and Creedy Defense Force's flags as well as surveying the Oblivion Squadron stronghold forces. As the Kamikaze operation was ending, prepartions for the Seventh Crusade were taking place within the Acta stronghold. With swords polished, bows strung, and guns oiled Acta Sanctorum was ready to take the fight to hell!
The initial attack on Oblivion Squadron was glorious fight but alas they revoked their stronghold before Acta Sanctorum and their allies could take the standard. Acta's left the battlefield a bit disappointed, but we were not done with the fighting. We went back home, biding our time and allowing OS to rebuild their stronghold again. After a day of resting, Acta rearmed themselves, we marched again with swords swinging and prayers whispered beneath breaths. Acta knocked again on OS's door to give them a warm welcome back. We were met with some kind faces...faces that were looking for mercy, Acta completely cleared the stronghold, but again the OS cowardly revoked.
The third raid was the final raid against the OS. This time Acta gave them a little longer waiting period for Oblivion Squadron to feel safe and for Acta to replenish before beheading more demons. This time the Gods have granted Acta a blessing, for we were able to attack OS just after they had setup their new stronghold in Chuckwagon. A small band of Actas furiously marched into Valhalla and met some resistance in the new OS stronghold. Despite behing outnumbered, Acta's righteous might prevailed and cleared the new OS. Finally, we grabbed their standard and thus ended the seventh crusade.
Acta's glorious strength has returned and all good in Nexus rejoiced!
[edit] The Saints
Hereafter find we the deeds of the saints, forever immortalized in our hearts and minds as we quest mightily to rid the Nexus of that which is evil. Let their lives be an example to us so that we might strive to better prepare ourselves for the crusades which test our mettle.
[edit] St. Malcolm The Stalwart
Feast Day: 14 August
Pilgrimage Site: Traipse Manufacturing (Valhalla 29,45)
Patron Saint of: Engineers, Spam
And behold! The minions of evil, with their shining wings and their eyepatches, didst wend to the sacred factory with swords in their hands and malice in their hearts. And thus did they find Malcolm The Door, steadfast in his position as the Guardian, the first line of defense. And they smote him, and lo! he rose up again and swung shut to defend those who lay in wait within. And those who most revered Malcolm in their hearts and in their toolkits did turn to their defender, saying, "We bring unto you these hinges, screws, and planks that ye might save us from impending doom." And Malcolm accepted them unto his bosom, saying nothing. And again those with the dark beards and glowing aspects smote him, and again didst he rise up to block their foul deeds. Seven times they smote, and seven times did he stand fast, repaired and locked against their black deeds.
Until at last, those whom he defended looked upon him in his sacrifice and said, "Enough! Repair him no more, for he has made the ultimate sacrifice!" And Malcolm laid himself aside, and those who revered him swept past him and fell upon the foul assaillers, and they were slain, and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth, and rending of garments, and posting of flames. And St. Malcolm himself was forever immortalized in the strategems of the denizens of the Nexus, and on the sleeves of those who loved him the most.
[edit] St. Ajax The Mighty
Pilgrimage Site: Lockson Software (25,38 Valhalla)
Patron Saint of: Leadership, Humility
The legions of Acta were resolute in their pursuit of evil, but time after time they were thwarted in their efforts to rid the Nexus of evildoers, smiters of cats and perpetrators of bad rhymes and worse pirate accents. And one arose from the ranks of Acta to become the mightiest Seraph of song: Ajax The Clever. He whipped the faithful crusaders into order, leading them by word and example, devising divers strategms to lay waste to those who would resist the might of Acta.
But lo! The whispers began, and the hearts of many were turned against him. For St. Malcolm had defended his post with unprecedented fortitude, and the flames in the hearts and on the lips of the repelled were hot. They roiled and burned, searing the heart and mind of the mighty warrior despite his honest demeanor and incredible faith. Those who whispered in the dark began to doubt the mighty warriors whom he led so well. He was shaken to the very core, and, in one of the great tragedies of our time, chose to pursue the evildoers alone in an endless crusade to remove that which threatened the Nexus, and sacrificed his home and his companions to restore the honor that some claimed had abandoned him. And thus was he lost forever to the ranks of Acta.
[edit] St. Spiffulous The Lucky
Feast Day: 18 September
Pilgrimage Site: The White Corporation (11,9 Valhalla)
Patron Saint of: Shamrocks, tigers, Internet Relay Chat
And behold! For Spiffulous laid himself down to rest beside cool waters and crafting tables. But he was assaulted by the evil ones, and they built a fortress around him as he slept. But quickly did Spiffulous arise, and with several swings of his mighty sword didst he lay low the evil ones. And sending out his thought over the ether did he acquire the means to reduce the stronghold to dust. And lo! He was assaulted again, and again did he lay waste to his enemy. And then did he strike a single blow against the walls that had been constructed around him, and they crumbled to dust. And thus shall he live forever in the acts of the saints as the one who singlehandedly laid a faction low.
[edit] St. Vladimir Corvinus The Resolute
Feast Day: 21 March
Pilgrimage Site: Cottage (16,30 Paradise)
Patron Saint of: Archers, the relentless pursuit of justice
The forces of good were downtrodden after the departure of their mighty warleader, but one arose among them and raised his voice: "Do not fear, my brethren! For we shall forge onward and continue our quest to rid the Nexus of the evil which befouls it!" And he led them first into Xanadu where for a time they rested from their labors. But evil waits for no one, so he quickly organized them to return to the mortal planes and continue to strike aginst the minions of the foul. Many times he led them, and many times they were victorious. But evil prevailed for a time, and so he bade them depart to the solemn fields of Xanadu, there to gather their strength to strike anew.
From the quiet fields of Paradise, they sallied forth again and again, all the while exhorted on by the mighty voice of St. Vlad and following the unerring aim of his trusty bow. Time and again they struck, and time and again evil felt the might of Acta. But after a time, Vlad felt the call of the Elder Powers, and his labours on the Planes wearied his soul. He prayed for guidance, and his prayer was answered. Leaving the stalwart crusaders in the hands of new lieutenants, he uttered a final prayer to Namm and vanished in a flash of light to be forever with the light of Justice. And another great leader had been lost forever...
[edit] St. Ilian the Everlasting
Feast Day: 27 November
And lo, it came to pass that the forces of evil did conspire to lay low the mighty Acta stronghold by means of divers magicks, the taint of innocent souls lost, and the stench of death. Thusly didst these pirates and shining ones lay siege to the Xanadu cottage, and from their efforts didst many brave Actans perish. But lo, the alarm had been raised, and one Divine Champion did prepare himself to stand against the onslaught. Casting defensive magicks, drinking a potion of invulnerability and the power of his faith, he stood among the attackers and delivered swift death to many among their number. But the attackers were many, and the defenders few, and he prayed to Namm for inspiration and protection. Around him comrade after comrade toppled by blades, clouds of death itself, slavering jaws and bloody claws. All there was between the abyss of total defeat was this ancient surviving member from the days of Saint Ajax.
Alone he stood against the hordes of evil. The hordes of evil did rejoice, feeling that their victory was at hand, and they did set upon him with hounds that did burn his flesh, and yet he stood firm. And they did inflict most grievous curses upon him, borne of the depths of hate, and yet he was not moved. And thus it was that in this hour of peril, a lone ally came unto him and brought salve for his wounds, which did return his vigor and lift his spirits.
And as he stood, determined not to be move, behold, some of his brother seraphs returned home to defend the stronghold, and began to smite evil. And lo, before too long a period of time had passed, these brother seraphs were themselves killed, leaving Ilian to continue his vigil alone. And as his enemies understood that he had become immune to the bites of their hounds, they set upon him with the very fury of the elements themselves, attempting to smite him with wind and fury, and while he despaired that all might be lost, yet he remained unmoved.
And lo, they did in fury fall upon him with bullet, and cursing, and poison, and blade, and foul eldritch wizardry for the space of twenty minutes, and behold, Ilian did cause their efforts to be for naught as he drew strength from the tears of his fallen angelic brethren, shaking off the curses and restoring his flesh.
And it came to pass that at the end of the space of twenty minutes, the Mulleted One, Pat Sharpe, did return to the stronghold to stand with Ilian against the forces of evil. And though their attacks did continue for yet another twenty minutes without ceasing, they could not lay low the two angels before the allies of Acta Sanctorum arrived to begin bringing death to evil and the stronghold's protective power returned. And behold, this was a cause for much rejoicing, as it ensured that the flow of the evil ones into the cottage of Acta Sanctorum was staunched, and that the slow relief effort caused by the return of the members of Acta Sanctorum allowed the stronghold to slowly be cleansed of the taint of evil.
And on that day, it was made known throughout the land that the will of Ilian the Everlasting was as adamantine, for he had surely endured the hottest fury that the forces of evil could marshall, and had shown his unshakeable resolve.
[edit] Stronghold
Many Crusades have passed since the last update. After spending much time cooped up in a Cottage near the southern Smithy, a new stronghold location was selected. Many hands were needed to clear out all the swords, but after several days' labor and much mead, our stronghold is now located at (12, 27), a Clockwork Tower in Paradise. More hands are needed to daily dig out the membership from underneath the piles of discarded cuirasses and stacks of potions lying about on the floor, so come on by and say "hello!"
[edit] Leadership
Acta Sanctorum is ruled currently by Aquamarine and Ilian Asren am Kathaos. Remiel is the founder and original leader of Acta Sanctorum, and only through his final word were actions in the faction made official, but his final word appears to have been several weeks ago. Acta has been led at various times by Remiel, Vladimir Corvinus (now departed), Taldarin, Pat Sharpe, Stupid Flanders and Bob.Q. Generic. Aquamarine and Ilian are currently responsible for the day-to-day activities and crusading of the faction, assisted by the Praetors. Rumor has it that being named Tribune immediately leads to an increase in real-life responsibilities that result in idling out, but this has not been confirmed in controlled studies.
| Tribune | Praetor |
|---|---|
| Aquamarine | Orifiel |
| Ilian Asren am Kathaos | Cherubic Badass |
| Procyon | |
| Pyriel | |
| The Mooche | |
| SuperflyTNT | |
| Beowulf The Pale |
