OOC: This post is part of rebooting my character as I want to make the Mountjoy's the sole important order in this RP as well as making Landry more of a humble character. Consider this as two posts in one as I'll also continue after Richard's chat.
"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_4WWf9MT9s)"
- John 11:25
(https://i.imgur.com/Gb6WstK.jpg)
The sound of the waves crashing into the ships as they were sailing to southern Aranye in preparation for the reconquest of the Holy Land, couldn't overpower the intense and loud prayers onboard conducted by the accompanying clergy...this was the Ecclesiastical Army of Christ, numbering a stackering total of 20,000 men being transported onboard 125 Hulks, a large number of that era - it was commanded by the highly reputable and esteemed Cardinal Landry du Lauzon (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOc0xHGn1ag/VONjWIQ6H2I/AAAAAAAA1N4/Hk3alY_L2IM/s1600/King-Arthur-2004-Clive-Owen-Keira-Knightley-24.jpg). Landry was born as an Orphan, no one including himself, knew who his parents were, as he was found on the doorsteps of a Benedictine monastery; Landry grew up among the monks, experiencing Ora et Labora/Prayer and Work daily although it turned him into a diligent, hardworking Christian lad who gained valuable experience which were to become handy in time. As Christian boy grew into a young man, he climbed high in the ranks of the priesthood, managing a small yet loving parish of his own called Lauzon. Eventually he became not only the Bishop and Archbishop of Lauzon but also a member of the prestigious Cardinals/Princes of the Churches which ultimately boosted his career due to his piety and display of Christian virtues towards all classes, from the lowliest peasant to the richest of the nobbility.
He was remarkably suited to the job: genuinely holy and friendly, Landry was a rare priest indeed for refusing to take part in the widespread plague known as corruption of the church during this time, instead dedicating himself to God and combatting the corruption to its fullest with the help of his holiness Pope Urban II. Every time he heard or saw of it, his body and soul was aching of pain and grief as he begged forgiveness to his lord, using the same exact words as their Messiah once uttered as he lay dying in such an excruciating pain, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing".
Urban II's call for crusade electrified this holy man. He immediately set out to raise an army with the intent of liberating Jerusalem from those Satanic Muhameddin Dogs, killing innocent Christians and Jews as well as their own kind, before finally descecrating the holiest of sites. He found the job very easy: zealots from across the Ecclesiastical State and neighbouring countries flocked to the good cardinal for the chance of salvation through arms. Most were simple people: peasants, city folk, wandering traders, beggars. The cardinal ensured they were armed, even if simply. Crossbows were issued and those lucky few trained in the use of these weapons. Simple helmets were rushed into the army, ensuring at least one area of protection. Although there were also sizable contingens of Men-at-Arms who were better trained and equipped, Knights of various orders and creeds with their accompanying liege lords; most of whom gave up on everything including land set off like everyone else to redeem themselves and reclaim Jerusalem for the righteous, although there was a small minority who only cared for trying to squander off more land, much to the disgust of Landry and several of his companions.
His holiness Pope Urban II gave a large portion of his Knights of the Papal Household (https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/warhammerfb/images/4/4f/450px-A_mighty_Grail_Knight-_2017-05-28_11-35.JPG/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/336?cb=20170918024426) as personal bodyguards as well as extra combat men; they were known and were among the mightiest cavalry in the Old Mundus despite being few in number, literally living saints infused with the power of their patron God and the Virgin herself according to those who witnessed them, as one shabby peasant described one of them in his own words: "He seemed like an immortal, divine paladin, a faultless living legend, and strength majesty and faith radiated from him like the heat from an inferno.". These knights weren't only highly trained but also equipped with the finest weapons, armor and horses known to mere mortals, personally funded by the Pope. These were the sorts of ultimate warriors that were fanatical and would rather fight to the death rather than capitulating in expected defeat, upholding the Code of Chivalry to the fullest (even reaching an extreme point where some knights would rather ignore enemies that they would consider to be weaker than themselves) aside form being faithful Christians.
In order to coordinate this crusade as the most efficent, the Pope advised him to meet the Knight Commander of the Holy Order of Mountjoy, another prominent order who'd attracted quite the amount of recruits during these past few years. Stepping from the ship, with a few trusted Grail Companions and wearing his custom-made armor that would preserve his cardinal outfit while offering superb protection, Cardinal-Archbishop Landry made his way to the top of the Citadel where the Mountjoy brotherhood was busy signing new peeps for the upcoming reconquest of the holy city. "Grand Master Richard Lascelles...How on God's Green Mundus are you doing hehe? Great to see you!" He gave Lascalles a hug since he considered him to be a good and close friend, with their orders having cooperated before with other quests and issues.
"Of course, the Holy Father has *chuckles* also asked me to be his personal inspector to ensure that the men aren't shaming themselves in front of our God but with you in charge, I don't think there will be any issues at all. Since I last spoke to him before I left...he seemed to be in his worser days, that echoing cough of his is still holding tight in my mind, I fear he won't last long but at the very least he should hear the news when we finally reconquer Jerusalem. In any case we can talk more in a few hours time after the introcutionary mass in which I'll conduct, before that I would need to make my inspection round and fulfill parts of the promise the holy father bestowed upon me."
It was when Landry looked from left and right while revealing a parchment of some sorts. "After mass I would like to also speak with you, in private...something which his holiness also requires to be fulfilled and believes would glorify your order much further. This parchment will exactly reveal what he has in mind." he ended with a smile, tapping on Richard's shoulder before exiting the citadell to make his introductionary round of inspection and prepare for the evening mass. As he went outside to be met by a stream of Christians from all over Mundus, many made their respects and greeted him enthusiastically; Cardinal Landry was an inspiration to all, especially among the poorer classes considering his humble beginnings led to greater heights and the fact that he deeply cared for everyone with his encompassing charity, erecting sites of education, churches among the numerous deeds he had performed thoughout his life. "Please my brothers and sisters, no need to kiss the ground for my sake...do it for your own eternal Lord and Saviour..." he reminded them. A multifaced man, he was well-versed in theology, canon law, philosophy, history and cultural patrimony of the Church, missiology, social sciences, spirituality and psychology.
The Holy Order of Mountjoy was among his favorites, truly one of the most honorable that ever existed throughout his lifetime and he had made many friends within that order and likewise did they appreciate Landry's presence and company. With the special mission the holy father wanted them to perform as well, he felt a bit worried that it could go catastrophically wrong and cost unnecessary lives, even argued against his holiness at one point, although in the end the most important thing wasn't to doubt; if one showed doubt Evil would triumph once more, there could be nothing the that the wicked could use against them and that was importantly fear and lack of duty towards the Mother Church.
After some time of getting to know a few of the thousands who've taken up arms for Christ across the entiew camp area, Cardinal Landry stumbled upon Grandmaster Lascalles who welcomed the leaders of the Arda Tuluvan exiles; fluent in Quenya, he took initiative to talk to them after he read the Imperial edict. "On behalf of is holiness, I'm deeply mournful about what has happened to our brothers and sisters of Christ in Arda Tuluva, what greater evil has managed to seduce and sucumb the Empress and make her commit these crimes is only a guess we can take...rest assured that you have at least a new home for the time being; these Knights of Mountjoy will see to it that you're properly well-fed and well-prepared for the eventual reconquest of the Holy Land and City...Oh where are my manners, I'm Cardinal Landry du Lauzon and here by I do welcome you...if there's anything I can do for your people, let me know..."