The All-Founder

## The Divine MessengerMaximus Romulus

Maximus I as Lord Cardinal (c. 527CE)

**Maximus Aedinius Romulus** (15 New Earth 177AE/15 July 177BC-12 Old Earth 84AE/12 October 84BC), also known as the **All-Founder**, **Saint Maximus**, **Emperor of Anvia**, or the **Divine Messenger**, was an ancient Southambian religious, and philosophical leader and the founder of the world religion of Manburism. He united Southambia's diverse religious groups into a single religious polity with the help of the Chieftain of Southambia.

Romulus was born on 15 New Earth 177AE in Tabrad. He was the sole child of Amulius Aedinius Romulus and Betiliena Olympica. His father Amulius was the son of the polymath Marcus Aedinius Romulus. When he turned of age in 157AE, he periodically secluded himself in a nearby cave in Ruangesia. When he turn 38, he claimed to have found the Gospel of the All-Maker in the cave, he brought the book home, and began to decipher it. He determined it to be the true word of the Universe and of the All-Maker and began to publicly preach the gospel.

Romulus's followers were initially few in number, and experienced hosility from the Covenant of Southambia for the remainder of his life. To escape prosecution, he allied himself with the Chieftain of Southambia in 137AE. On 12 New Star 134AE, he was proclaimed the Governor of the See of Tabrad and Lord Cardinal by the First Council of Tabrad. The council had also established the Followers of the All-Maker. Romulus battled against the Covenant of Southambia for his entire tenure and saw the death of Chieftain of Southambia. In the final week of his life, he was hunted down by over 50 members of the Covenant, and on 12 Old Earth 84AE, he was assassinated by Proculus Caetronius Marinianus. The Covenant of Southambia would collapse sometime after his death leading to Manburism becoming the prominent religion in Southambia.

Romulus was canonised as a Saint by the Followers of the All-Maker in 13AE, with his canonisation reaffirmed in 872CE and 102;2E respectively. He was named **Saint Maximus the Divine** in 456CE. In some Manburist denominations, Maximus is considered to have ascended to godhood by the All-Maker after his death for his faithful loyalty to the Gospel. However, in most contemporary Manburist churches, he is only considered to be the first Prophet of the All-Maker.

## Birth

*Main article: Nativity of Maximus Romulus*

According to the sacred tradition and legitimate records, Maximus Romulus was born on 15 New Earth 177AE in Tabrad, the capital city of Southambia. He was born into the influential Aedinius Clan, known for their wealth and prominence within the Chiefdom of Southambia, and belonging to the esteemed House of Romulus.

The birth of Maximus Romulus was believed to be accompanied by extraordinary celestial events. According to the sacred tradition, immediately following his birth, a new star appeared in the night sky. This star, said to be brighter than any other celestial body, captured the attention and wonder of many. It became a symbol of his arrival and was seen as a divine sign.

In addition to the celestial phenomenon, the birth of Maximus Romulus was also believed to have a profound effect on the natural world. It is said that his birth was followed by an unprecedented period of rainfall. The abundant rain was considered a blessing, as it resulted in a bountiful harvest and significantly increased the yield of crops, benefiting the people of Southambia.

These miraculous occurrences surrounding Maximus Romulus' birth were seen as divine indications of his special destiny and the importance of his role in the unfolding of Manburist history. The celestial event and the abundant rainfall became part of the sacred lore surrounding his birth, symbolizing the blessings and auspiciousness associated with his arrival.

The tales of these extraordinary events further enhanced Maximus Romulus' reputation and his perceived connection to the divine. They were seen as evidence of his unique destiny and would contribute to shaping the course of his life and the impact he would have on the faith of Manburism.

In addition to the miracles surrounding his birth, it is believed that the Gospel of the All-Maker, the sacred scripture of Manburism, was bestowed upon Maximus Romulus on the same momentous day 38 years after his birth. The revelation of the Gospel to Maximus Romulus was seen as a divine act, affirming his pivotal role in the faith and his responsibility to guide the followers of Manburism.

As a result of these extraordinary events recorded in the sacred tradition, the day of Maximus Romulus' birth holds immense significance within Manburism. It is celebrated as one of the most important holidays, a day of remembrance and reverence for the divine manifestations that accompanied his arrival. On this auspicious day, Manburists gather to honour Maximus Romulus and express gratitude for the blessings he brought to the faith and the world.

## Childhood

*Main article: Early life of Maximus Romulus, see also: Maximus Romulus in Tabrad, Family tree of Maximus Romulus*

A

## Early adulthood

*Main article: Early life of Maximus Romulus, see also: Maximus Romulus in Tabrad, Prophet's Cave*

A

## Adulthood

*Main article: Adulthood of Maximus Romulus*

### Revelation and translation of the Gospel of the All-Maker

*Main article: Revelation of the Gospel of the All-Maker*

B

## Prophethood

*Main article: Prophethood of Maximus Romulus*

### Proclamation of Maximus Romulus as a prophet by Orphamiel

*Main article: Proclamation of Maximus Romulus*

A

### Expulsion of the Manburists by the Covenant

*Main article: Expulsion of the Manburists, further information: Covenant of Southambia*

B

### Alliance between the Manburists and the Chieftain of Southambia

*Main article: Manburist-Southambian alliance*

C

### First conflict with the Covenant of Southambia

*Main article: 1st Manburist-Covenant war*

D

## Life

### Childhood and early life

*See also: Early life of Maximus Romulus, Maximus Romulus in Tabrad, Family tree of Maximus Romulus*

Maximus Aedinius Romulus was born on 15 New Earth 177AE in Tabrad to Amulius Aedinius Romulus and Betiliena Olympica. His birthday is considered to be the most holy day of Manburism as it is also considered to be the day that the Gospel of the All-Maker was found by Romulus.

When he turned twelve, he and his family made a pilgrimage to Holney, later returning to Tabrad two years later. Maximus's father died when he was sixteen, and his mother made a permanent pilgrimage to Holney leaving Maximus to live with his grandfather, Marcus Aedinius Romulus.

Marcus mentored Maximus in many subjects, specifically in philosophy, which was considered to be the epitome of knowledge. When he turned twenty, Maximus began to periodically seclude himself in a nearby cave to meditate as part of his mentorship. Marcus died in 149AE; however, Maximus continued his meditation and seclusion.

### Gospel of the All-Maker

*Main article: Gospel of the All-Maker, further information: Revelation of the Gospel of the All-Maker*

Maximus's meditation and seclusion in the cave eventually turned into a quest for enlightenment. During this time, he himself took under one of his cousins, Decius Licinius Romulus as a student. He mentored Decius until he turned to the age of 36, at which point he resumed his periodic isolation for meditation.

Romulus, in describing his sessions of meditation, claimed that when the 38th day of his birth began at midnight, he travelled to the cave for a short session of isolation. There, he claimed that he had found the Gospel of the All-Maker left in the spot where he usually meditated, which has in a more concealed section of the cave. He grabbed the book and left for his home. He spent a year deciphering the book through meditation before determining that the book was in fact the truth and origins of the universe, and its creator. He then began to publicly preach the gospel in market centres, and near the city gates. The following year, he had acquired over a hundred followers, but had caught the attention of the Covenant of Southambia, a polytheistic dark cult which was one of the largest religions in Southambia.

### Opposition and Alliances

When Romulus first began to preach the gospel, he was originally only mocked by the Covenant and other religious groups. Romulus's wife, Decumia Longina was the first to believe that Romulus was chosen by the All-Maker to preach the gospel. Decumia was then followed by Romulus's children, Vibius and Amulius, and his cousin, Decius. Romulus than began to attract many merchants who had travelled to Tabrad from Holney. Many chose to stay with Romulus to assist in preaching the gospel.

In 137AE, Romulus had attracted over a hundred followers, and the mockery by the Covenant quickly turned into prosecution. Romulus then met with the Prince of Southambia, who had been one of the original hundred followers, and employed his help against the Covenant. However, the Prince was incapable of help Romulus and his followers escape the persecution of the Covenant and suggested that they relocate to Holney where they were more likely to be accepted. Romulus and many of his closest allies stayed in Tabrad while they helped many Manburists temporarily relocate to Holney.