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[FICTION] Naxian Culture & Society | The Synodic Church of Poleon

     The key instigator of the Reclamation, the Synodic Church has grown to reach every major city across the Duchy, and is the only officially recognized religion across the islands. It is led by the Kiryx, who oversees the organization out of the ornate temple-complex that is known as the Tomb of Poleon. Despite being officially a holding of the Basileus, the Church is allowed to house its bureaucracy and main shrine on its hallowed grounds.

    The charter gives them the right to police their district within the City of Naxos, thereby making the Kiryx a baronet in all but name. In return, the Aspida, the militant wing of the church, must be incorporated into the Naxian Guard in times of emergency. For the most part, the Aspida are used to fight marauding pirates or rebel Ta Ktini, and with the aid of the secret police of the Church, the Mati, root out cells of Ansharian faithful.

    In regular life, the Synodic Church is a ubiquitous part of the life of any city, with the local Kiryos giving rousing sermons to inspire and spread the glory of the Line of Poleon, all the while the Aspida and Mati enforce the faith. The degree of invasiveness varies from parish to parish, but they always stand at the ready to defend, and enforce, Naxian traditions.

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