Temple Coalition Revolt

The Temple Coalition Revolt was an uprising in 571 CY in the Duchy of Urnst based on over-taxation of religious organizations by the government of the duchy.

History

The Temple Coalition Revolt was a religious and political crisis in the Duchy of Urnst, occurring in 571 CY during the brief reign of Duke Justinian Lorinar.

Leadup to the revolt

A follower of the Skeptic Movement, Justinian embraced the teachings of Elbain Hothchilde, which questioned the role of the gods and promoted the belief that divinity resided within mankind. This philosophy gained traction among some noble factions, leading Justinian to enact laws that heavily taxed organized religion, tripling temple taxes and placing financial burdens on religious institutions.

In 570 CY, the Skeptic Movement peaked in popularity, gaining strong support among the duchy’s nobility, including Justinian Lorinar. Upon taking the throne, Justinian sought to weaken religious influence, expelling devout nobles from the Honorable Chamber. With the Skeptic-majority Chamber’s backing, he tripled temple taxes, escalating tensions with the clergy.

Defiance of taxes

Tensions reached a breaking point when the Temple of Zilchus, devoted to the Oeridian god of merchants and business, refused to comply with the new taxation. In response, Justinian ordered the temple razed and its assets seized, igniting widespread riots in Leukish. The Temple Coalition Revolt soon engulfed the duchy, leading to violent unrest and a mass exodus of clergy. Many temples shut their doors or fled the duchy entirely, declaring that as the duchy had turned its back on the gods, so too would the gods turn their backs on Urnst.

"In 571, most churches withdrew from Urnst, declaring the duke and his noble advisers, the Honorable Chamber, heretics."

Religious influence in the duchy was severely diminished, leaving only fragmented faiths in its wake. The revolt only ended when Justinian was wounded in battle fighting against Bright Desert dervishes, and no cleric would heal him, resulting in his death the following year.

In Living Greyhawk

Aftermath and consequences of the revolt

End of taxation

Justinian's brother and successor, Duke Karll, swiftly repealed the oppressive religious taxes in an attempt to mend relations. However, while some Suel religious traditions persisted, most non-Suel churches never returned, leaving an enduring rift between the nobility and organized faith in the duchy.

In Fireseek 572 CY, Lord Maeltan Kruske proposed a reconciliation effort to the new Duke, Karll Lorinar, suggesting the creation of a hospital in Lower Seltaren for remaining healers. The Order of the Sovereign Remedy was founded under strict guidelines, focused solely on healing.

Churches

• The Church of Saint Cuthbert, known for its obedience to the law, was one of the few to comply with Justinian’s high temple taxes. Unlike most faiths, it remained in the duchy after the revolt.
• The Faith of Lydia was the only Suel clergy to remain, choosing to pay the taxes rather than abandon their work, while other faiths were slow to rebuild, the Faith of Lydia became more dominant among the Suel.
• The Church of Wee Jas lost over half its members after the revolt, yet demand for its services remains high. It seeks to provide clergy for funerals, magic instruction, and legal roles, ensuring these positions are filled by qualified members rather than outsiders.
• The Temple of Zilchus pulled all of its clergy from the duchy until they finally returned in 597 CY to rebuild their temple in Leukish.

The Honorable Chambers

• House Kruske lost three seats in the chambers when Duke Justinian expelled the clergy.
• All the temples and religions lost their Appointment Seats in the chambers.
• The Skeptics still have considerable pull in the chamber and routinely sabotage the efforts of anyone trying to support or bring back religious seats in the chambers

Military

• Ducal Navy—Ships once had a priest aboard every vessel, but the revolt led many to leave the Ducal Service. Afterward, ship priests became scarce and highly sought after by captains.

References

Bibliography

• Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2000.

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic	Type	Description	Product	Page/Card/Image
Temple Coalition Revolt	Calendar		Living Greyhawk Gazetteer	125