Encorderius Brayne
Encorderius Brayne was the creator of Necromunda's Redemption Cult, though the truth of this has been obfuscated by the passing of more than 2,000 years and the tireless work of House Cawdor's Thanes and their Word-Keepers.[1a]
History
According to the official accounts of Brayne's life, he was a Hive Primus factorum worker of Necromunda's drudging classes, who was a diligent and pious soul. However he despaired at the suffering of his fellow workers and the greed of the Noble Houses that had consigned them to their fate. This led Brayne to often meet with his fellow drudges in secret and tell them how both the Nobles and workers had strayed from the Emperor's light. The official story then goes on to say how, one day, Brayne's life changed after fell into the workings of one of his factorum's great machines. He was saved from death by a blinding light and this led Brayne to believe that the Emperor had personally chosen him to lead the people of Necromunda to salvation. By all accounts, Brayne then went on to overcome countless trials and obstacles as he lead his people down into the Underhive. It was there that the first Redemption Cults were formed and from there they spread out across Necromunda until no corner of the blighted Hive World remained untouched by their influence.[1a]
Unofficially, there are many other stories about Brayne and his Redemption Cult, some of which paint him in a less than glorious light. Some claim that Brayne was a House Cawdor gang leader who took a round in the head and "found" religion afterwards. Others say that Brayne was a con man cast out from the Spire, who then conceived the Redemption Cult in order to fuel his gambling habits. Understandably, House Cawdor considers Brayne a Saint and takes a less than friendly view of those who cast about such lies. Those that do usually do not live to recount such tales twice. Regardless of Brayne's true origins, more than two thousand years lost to history, the rise of the Redemption that he spawned is well documented.[1a]
Canticles of Brayne
| Ordinal | Canticle | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First | "With the First Canticle are the articles of faith uttered into the dark, and thrice shall be the uttering of this canticle. Once for the Lord Thane who keeps the faith above all others, once for the God-Emperor who stands on high bathing us in his divine light, and once for our souls, without which the faith would have no meaning." | [1b] |
| Second | "With the Second Canticle are the articles of faith ratified. Twice is the God-Emperor blessed, and twice more lest our voices be lost in the void." | [1c] |
| Third | "With the Third Canticle are the articles of faith enacted. Only once we cast away fear, doubt and reason, for this is the canticle upon which our faith is to be tested, and none who cling to trepidation can hope to continue beyond this point." | [1d] |
| Fourth | "With the Fourth Canticle are the articles of faith maintained. Twice and thrice and over and again is this Fourth Canticle recited, for in the silence of our absent prayers do we fall from faith and give ourselves over to the waiting void." | [1e] |
| Fifth | "With the Fifth Canticle are the articles of faith begun again. For faith does not end when the miracle has been revealed." | [1f] |
