Nuremburg, 1344
It was only early evening in the temporary Imperial capital, but the sky was already pitch black due to the torrential downpour falling everywhere. The only sources of illumination were the meager candles in various windows and the occasional streak of lightning across the sky.
Despite the terrible weather, Herrmann Steffen was outside, attempting to practice swordplay with his weapons master Gebhard, who had insisted upon dragging his charge out into the rain and thunder to keep with their daily schedule.
"Gebhard, I fail to see the point in any of this tonight," Herrmann said. "Christ, I can barely even see you!"
"All the better," the slightly insane weapons master replied. "You must learn to fight in all elem -
crack!- elements! You think, if you get into a swordfight with the Byzantine Emperor, he's going to call it off because of rain? Hell no! You must
learn to fight like this, so that some damn weather will never be an excuse to be at a disadvantage!"
"But-"
"Silence! We begin!
En garde!" The weapons master raised his sword, but at entirely the wrong time, for when it was at its highest point a flash of lightning descended upon the sword, striking it and leaving Gebhard motionless on the ground.
Herrmann looked at his weapons master, the sky, and then at his weapons master again. "*#%!" he said, although nobody heard him due to a blast of thunder going off at the exact same moment. Herrmann began to drag the body indoors, but stopped halfway through when he saw it.
A figure, cloaked, was walking straight for him, a figure that was at once the darkest shape in the city but had a strange, illuminating glow emanating from itself. Transfixed, Herrmann could only stare as the figure drew closer and closer until they were staring at each other's face, and then the other figure pulled off its hood. Herrmann gasped.
The cloaked figure was his father, Lothar Steffen. But that was impossible, he was supposed to be in Italy, besieging Milan.
"F-Father?" Herrmann stammered. "What in blazes are you doing here? It
is you, right?"
"It is me, Herrmann. I've come north in secret to speak to you about an urgent matter."
Lothar knelt and felt for a pulse at Gebhard's neck.
"Weapon masters, more trouble than they're worth, help me move him to a dry place."
Father and son dragged the man into the nearby forge. Looking around, Lothar spoke again, "No one's about, we need to talk."
In a different situation, Herrmann would have made a joke about women, but judging by the expression on his father's face (and the clothes he was wearing, for that matter), now was not the time. Seriously, he asked, "Talk about what?"
"I don't have much time, I must get back to Milan, but the situation is dangerous and there is something I must take care of in case the assault does not go well."
Lothar stared at Herrmann, his stern gaze a mix of pride and appraisal.
"Tell me, Herrmann, what do you think of the latest Emergency Session? Is the Diet capable of leading the Reich back to greatness? Is the Kaiser? What of the Prinz?"
After a moment's pause, Herrmann said "Do you want my honest response?"
Lothar silently nodded.
"Well," he took a deep breath, "From what I've seen, no. Von Essen is a pompous blowhard. Fritz von Kastilien is more concerned about getting his digs at the Kaiser in than anything else. The older crowd is still fighting political battles from a generation ago instead of kicking the crap out of our neighbors. Procedure rules above all else. This damn silly Emergency Session. Edmund Becker demanding to lead the relief force on Prague just because it's his County, never mind that Lorenz Zirn is already in position and now must be shuttled down to Vienna, this of course disrupting my plan for Knighthood as well. Uncle Matthias is a good fighter but wastes his Charter Amendment on some procedural point regarding his title. Uncle Arnold would be good at it, but of course he's down with whatever he's got, so of course the leadership passes down to Elberhard, who's determined to do what he thinks is right, nevermind that it's totally against what the rest of the Reich thinks and probably got us knee-deep in the Cataclysm and couldn't even pass gas without the Diet's approval. And then there's the Prinz. Haven't seen much of him, but if Elberhard named him Prinz after jailing the guy then some kind of deal had to be cut, meaning he's probably compromised his values somewhere on the line... WHEW!" Herrmann took another breath, and then looked up at his father.
"Satisfied?"
Lothar ignored his son's jab and spoke again.
"So if what you say is true, no man or ruler has the will, the organization or the strength to rebuild the Reich. You are a young man Herrmann, you are my son, but as yet you have little power to shape events, but that time may come. Let me ask another question."
A flash of lightning illuminated Lothar's features, putting them in stark contrast with his black robes. He leaned in, his gaze boring into Herrmann's eyes.
"Knowing that the Reich is in danger, that the Diet and Kaiser are weak, will you take control of your destiny and seize what is rightfully yours, or will you let power slip through your grasp, keeping only what is bestowed on you by the fickle whims of others?"
"I don't quite understand what you're getting at..."
Lothar sighed, still staring at his son intently. "It is very simple, Herrmann. You are a Steffen, but you can be so much more. Do you want to take control of events or do you want to let them take control of you?"
Herrmann paused. It was a weighted question, that much he knew. Considering his father had sneaked away from Milan to visit him in the pouring rain to ask him this, Lothar had to consider it important.
But really, was it a weighted question? Of course he wanted control of his own destiny. Of course he wanted power. What idiot would say no to that? With that in mind, Herrmann looked at his father right back in the eyes and answered with a serious "absolutely."
Lothar looked at him for a minute, and then stepped back. "So be it, Herrmann. I am not just your father or the Duke of Bavaria. I am the Voice of the Illuminati. Before I begin, there is one thing I must make absolutely clear. We value our secrecy above all else, and the true names of our members are the greatest secret we keep. No one outside the Order is ever permitted to know the identity of the Brothers. As Voice, I am the only means of communication between the Illuminati and the Unenlightened. Do not ask the names of other members."
Lothar paused.
"I am here to determine whether you are worthy of becoming one of the Brotherhood, or whether you will forever remain one of the Unenlightened."
He put his hand on Herrmann's shoulder.
"You must consider your responses very carefully. Once you join the Illuminati, you can never leave. Though you are not yet one of us, you now know my identity. You can no longer reverse your course without consequences. This is a commitment for life. Your bond with the Illuminati and your mortal existence will end together, one way or another. You are my son and my blood, but I have other kin now. They are a family that does not tolerate betrayal."
Lothar's hand tightened on his son's shoulder.
"Knowing this, would you like to hear more?"
"Of course, Father," Herrmann said.
"We exist to protect the Reich from all who would harm it. The Imperial and Household Armies struggle to confront our foreign enemies, but also what of those who imperil the Reich from within? The Diet cannot be trusted with such a responsibility, for every Elector is self-serving and every House seeks power for its own sake. You have not been in the Diet for long, but surely you have already seen how they squabble over rank and influence, raise pointless legal objections that tie up time and resources. Some may justify their actions with chivalry or law, but that does not make their exploitations any less damaging."
"There have been many occasions in our history when following the letter of the law has led to disaster and ruin. Kaiser Siegfried and then Kaiser Elberhard were within the law when they gave half the Reich away. It was the letter of the law that allowed Kaiser Heinrich to assault the Papacy, resulting in excommunication and hardship for the entire Reich. Entire Diet Sessions have been filled with debate over legal minutiae while our cities burned.
"The Charter was written by men and, like those men, it is fallible. We believe it is our duty to do what is best for the Reich, even when those actions would be forbidden by law. Indeed, we risk our own lives and well-being to ensure that the proper course is followed, no matter the consequences.
"Ask yourself, would it better to obey the law and let innocent women and children die, or to use bribery and blackmail to ensure their safety? Blind obedience to law can do as much evil as it can do good. The true and honest act is that which achieves the greatest good for the Reich, not that which is most legally sound. This is our purpose, this is our duty. If Electors pursue courses of action that injure the Reich, we oppose them. If the law itself endangers the security and prosperity of the Reich, we simply ignore it. The first Roman Empire fell because of corruption from within, ours nearly did for the same reason. We exist to ensure that it will never happen again.
"Of course, none of this can be accomplished without strength. Therefore we also are committed to ensuring that all Brothers achieve significant power and station. As they grow in rank and influence, so do we grow as a whole. No man is forgotten or overlooked in the Order. Indeed, we control an unprecedented amount of influence. A few suspect that we exist, but little do they know our true power, that our shadow falls over the entire Reich. There is no greater ally, and no more dreadful an enemy, than the Divine Order of the Illuminati.
"I have much more to say but, as I stated, this meeting is to determine whether you are worthy of being one of us. So, speak, Herrmann Steffen. Ask your questions, tell me your thoughts on what I have said, and then we will proceed further."
"I have no questions, Father," Herrmann said, as if he had gone through the process before. "What you have said so far is perfectly clear and I agree with it all. I am ready to take the next step."
"Excellent," said Lothar as if he knew what the answer would be, "There is one formality left. Read the Charter of our Order and sign it, and you will be a member of the Illuminati."
With a flourish, a parchment and quill were produced from the depths of his robes and presented to Herrmann.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blood Charter of the Order of the Illuminati
Being the Most Sacred Blood Charter of the Divine Order of the Illuminati, this document is infallible law.
As the Esoteric Brotherhood is Supreme on Earth, the aims of the Illuminati shall forever be to increase the station and power of all Members of the Order. As the elevation of the Illuminati is a Divine and Holy mission, all means of achieving its ends shall be acceptable, no matter the cost to the Unenlightened.
Rule 1: The existence of the Illuminati, the identity of the Brothers, all proceedings of the Orders, grand plans, goals, and assets are to be kept secret from the Unenlightened.
Rule 2: All formal decisions of the Illuminati are made by majority vote. Split votes fail.
Rule 3: All Brothers will comply with all formal decisions of the Illuminati, regardless of personal opinion on the matter.
Rule 4: No Brother may vote against another Brother in any election for Chancellor nor may he vote against an Edict proposed by a Brother, unless the Brother standing for election or proposing the Edict agrees otherwise. Brothers may abstain from any Diet vote unless a formal decision states otherwise.
Rule 5: New members of the Illuminati must be approved by unanimous vote of all Brothers before an invitation can be given. All communication with and initiation of prospective members is to be done by the Voice.
Rule 6: All amendments to the Blood Charter must be approved by unanimous vote.
Rule 7: Violation of any Rule of the Blood Charter will result in immediate expulsion from the Divine Order of the Illuminati. It is the duty of all Brothers to hinder and harm all Exiles with all the means in their power, including death.
Rule 8: The determination of any matter not specifically laid out in the Blood Charter is to be made by the Grand Master of the Illuminati. The Grand Master's rulings in this regard will have the weight of a formal decision of the Illuminati.
Rule 9: All Brothers may specify, in a Secret Illuminati Will, their choice of the man to take their place in the Order after they pass on. The Brotherhood will respect this choice and immediately admit that man to the Order, unless the surviving Brothers agree otherwise by a unanimous vote. As a symbol of the passing of the Cloak of Secrecy that protects the Enlightened, the deceased Brother's robes will be given to the new Brother by the Voice.
Herrmann read the Charter over twice, nodded, and signed it, passing it back to his father.
"Excellent," Lothar said, quickly making everything disappear in his robes. "You are my son, but you are also my Brother. In public you will of course appear subordinate to your Father and Duke, but in the secret Illuminati meeting chambers this will not be the case. All Brothers are equal in all things, unless there is an official dispute in which case the Grand Master has slightly more authority."
"Ah, about that," Herrmann said. "Now that I'm initiated-"
"Duke Arnold is Grand Master," Lothar said, cutting him off. "You're not surprised, are you? Yes, the two of us founded it together many years ago, when we were your age. I hope our other members are a bit more secret. Your other Brothers are Fritz von Kastilien of Franconia, Karl Zirn of Austria, and your Uncle Matthias. I-"
"Uncle Matthias is a Brother?" Now it was Herrmann's turn to cut his father off. "But you two hate each other!"
"An impression we have worked hard at to keep over the years," said Lothar. "You will find that false appearances and deception have accounted for much of our past success. As a matter of fact," -Lothar reached into his robes again- "You can read about it." He pulled out a heavy tome.
"Now that you are an Illuminatus, you have full access to our entire Sacred History. It details our rise, quest for power, and various highs and lows along the way. Treat it better than its past two masters, as it took much work to retrieve this book after their deaths."
Now Herrmann was intrigued. "Who were they, Father?"
"Read the History and find out. I must be getting back to Milan before they miss me." He turned toward the door, took a couple of steps, and turned back to face his son.
"Remember Herrmann, you are a member of the Illuminati now. That comes before all else - even Unenlightened friends or family." Herrmann nodded, but then both men looked down; the weapons master was stirring.
In a flourish, Lothar whipped inside his robes, took out a dagger, and jammed it into Gebhard's throat, causing the poor weapons master about a minute of pain before finally falling silent. Satisfied, Lothar took out the dagger, cleaned it, and placed it back inside his robes.
"He may have heard everything," Lothar said to a shocked Herrmann. "Secrecy and security trump all else. Good evening, Herrmann."
"Good evening, Father. Good luck at Milan," Herrmann managed to get out, Sacred History in hand, still staring at the bloody corpse of his former weapons master.
