Doctrine of two swords

Haelyn » Doctrine » Doctrine of two swords

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Gods
Avani · Erik· Haelyn · Belinik · Nesirie · Sera · Cuiraécen · Eloéle · Kriesha · Laerme · Ruornil
Temples
Avani · Erik · Haelyn · Belinik · Nesirie · Sera · Cuiraécen · Eloéle · Kriesha · Laerme · Ruornil
Doctrines
Ariyan School · Holn's Companionship · Doctrine of two swords · Dominionism · Principles of Fitzalan · Orthodox Principles Parthenae Doctrine · Berhagen school Fisker Doctrine · Viking Doctrine

The Imperial Temple, relying on the Book of Laws proclaimed a doctrine of two swords. Haelyn was patron of all of Anuire, but he had two principle arms to protect and defend his people. One was the nobles, with their states, their armies, and their laws; and the other was the priests, with their temples, spells, and their laws. Neither was supposed to dominate the other, for why should Haelyn struggle with himself? Instead they were supposed to work together, each in their own domain, for the good of society as spelled out in the full doctrine of Haelyn. The Emperor and the Imperial Temple were partners, neither a servant of the other, nor a master. As such, the orthodox doctrine of Haelyn is opposed to theocracy, since it unifies both swords into one, either the noble or the priest must be master of the other.
The notable theocracy in Anuire today is Talinie. The Northern Imperial Temple is in control of the state there. In part this is an accident of succession, Thalia Armara succeeding to both Talinie and the Northern Imperial Temple. But it's also a peculiarity of Talinie's history. When Fitzalan the Blessed severed the northern temple from the Imperial Temple, Talinie had suffered terrible civil disturbances caused by both nobles and priests, and unity with an end to the fighting was a higher good than a separation of powers to act as checks on one another.
This doctrine is generally contrasted with Dominionism.