Star Knight Saga Lore: The Barsoom War College

The Barsoom War College

In the Year of Our Lord 2543, the 7th Terran Crusade succeeded in pushing the last Nephilim warlord out of the solar system. A pause in the action arose. Rather than allow the incredible energy generated and focused by the Crusade dissipate and risk falling into infighting, Pope Simon V called the crowns of the nations together to counsel.

Now recorded as The 7th Terran Counsel, this meeting resulted in two key decisions. The first is the agreement by the nations to regard Holy Terra as neutral ground, to be direct administered by the Church. The second is the command to spread across the galaxy in all direction, with the aim of carving out new domains--new kingdoms--wherein the nations of Christendom may thrive.

The first of the core institutions that comprised Galactic Christendom arose at this time, the Barsoom War College. Founded by Papal decree that same year, the Church took over a shipyard and its associated colony holding a geostationary orbit over Olympus Mon, Mars. It was meant to be an archive and clearing house for the military arts and sciences, and the shipyard was to be as much a museum as it is a college.

As such, the College's initial academic staff were retired war heroes from every nation, be they clergy or laymen. In time, the College became dominated by the Vatican Solar Guard and the Military Orders with only a minority of students or professors being from one of the many domains across the galaxy. Far more common are pilgrims visiting the College's museum, wherein students often voluteer as docents for the touring groups.

In time, as the nations founded their new kingdoms, the people of Galactic Christendom would build their own parallels to the core civil institutions of the Church using these as models and establishing institutional fellowship--and rivalry--with one another. In addition, the College continued to have guest speakers and teachers come from time to time, all of which turned the College into a well-known place for laymen and professionals alike.