Difference between revisions of "User:Mailliw73/Steel Ministry"

The Steel Ministry is organized into subsections callednamed Cantons. The priests are called obligators and the [[Steel Inquisitors]] are membersobligators of the Ministry thatwho have been [[Hemalurgy|Hemalurgically]] granted all the powers of a [[Mistborn]]. Each Canton of the Ministry runs a specific part of the Empire's government.

As the bank of the Final Empire, the Canton of Finance is in charge ofdirects the financial operations of the Final Empire. Its workresponsibilities also includedinclude the transport of funds.{{book ref|mb1|2}}

The Canton of Finance's headquarters is housed in an imposing building in [[Luthadel]]. It is tall and blocky with a massive rose window in the front, with two red banners hanging down beside the window, proclaiming praises to the [[Lord Ruler]]. Inside the building, one would find a desk at the end of an extended entryway, with an obligator manning the desk. Decorations within the building are sparse. It is often described as austere, bearing only necessary furniture and simple grey carpeting, the walls also lacking adornments. An exception to that rule is the waiting room.; Withwith plush chairs and lavish décor, the room clearly caters to the tastes of visiting noblemen. Snacks, such as small cakes, are also provided for those waiting.{{book ref|mb1|2}}

=== Canton of Resource (complete-review) ===

There are many philosophers in the Steel Ministry and most end up in the Canton of Resource, the best place for those with analytical minds.{{wob ref|7766}} This Canton is tasked with trade, transport, and taxation. A biglarge portion of the [[atium]] mined at the [[Pits of Hathsin]] is secretly transported by the Canton of Resource to the [[Trustwarren]] or to be distributed by the Lord Ruler. There are obligators on duty at the Pits all the time to extract the metal from the geode surroundingwhile itin a metal room.{{book ref|mb3|71}} The beads of atium are then disguised as and hidden in Ministry funds, to be transported to Luthadel for distribution. They are disguised in piles of coins since metal coins radiate light in the [[Cognitive Realm]], which keepsprevents [[Ruin]] from noticing where the atium goes.{{book ref|mb3|79}} The Canton is also in charge of maintaining supply lines to the other Cantons, for feeding the people, and maintaining the canals.{{book ref|mb3|44}}

The national headquarters of the Canton of Resource is in [[Luthadel]] while one of the [[Western Dominance|Western Dominance]]'s]] regional headquarters is in [[Fadrex City]]{{book ref|mb3|27}} and houses the fifth, and final, of the [[Lord Ruler|Lord Ruler's [[storage cache]] supply cachess.{{book ref|mb3|44}} The single story building housing the regional headquarters in Fadrex City is blocky and utilitarian with sharp, flat walls and small windows.{{book ref|mb3|43}} It is the largest of any Ministry buildings in the city because it acts as a way station between Luthadel and more important cities (such as [[Tremredare]]) to the west. BecauseThis of the influence ofgives this Canton influence in Fadrex City, which makes [[Aradan Yomen|Prelan Aradan Yomen]], the head of the Canton locally, is the top religious authority in the city.{{book ref|mb3|27}}

The Canton of Inquisition is run by the Steel Inquisitors and acts as law enforcement, especially over the Allomantic community. ObligatorsMembers of the Canton of Inquisition have the usual tattoos around their eyes, with the addition of a stark red line on the side of their face.{{book ref|mb1|27}} Administrators in this Canton collect and file information that wouldmight assist in the policing efforts. TheThis information they collect is about noblesnoble houses, skaa rebels, and the other Cantons.{{book ref|mb3|29}}

{{image|Inquisitor_by_Ydunn_Lopez.jpg|A Steel Inquisitor|side=left|width=300px290px}}

In addition to dealing with anyone that wentgoes against Ministry protocol, the Canton of Inquisition also hasmaintains basesSoothing stations all around the city of [[Luthadel]],. calledThe Soothingpurpose stations.of Theirthese purposebases is to dampen the emotions of everyone in the area, calming and depressing them to prevent rebellion. In addition, many Inquisitors find skaa Mistings by installing [[bronze|Seekers]] in the Soothingthese stations.{{book ref|mb1|27}} There are between thirty andto forty soothingSoothing stations around the city, each with three [[brass|Soothers]], a Seeker, and a [[copper|Smoker]] towho has the job of maskmasking the Allomancy to anyone outside.{{book ref|mb1|29}}

The Canton of Inquisition was formed sometime during the sixth century of the Lord Ruler's reign. This Canton was the one to suggest the [[Terris]] breeding programs to the Lord Ruler in order to keep the Terris population under control. The Lord Ruler agreed to it provisionally, and the programs were then kept until the collapse of the Final Empire. However, the subjugation of the Terris people started far before the Canton of Inquisition came up withcreated the idea of the breeding programs.{{book ref|mb3|44}}

The Inquisitors themselves didn't belong to the regular chain of command in the Steel Ministry, but were ranked below the Lord Prelan. Through [[Kar]]'s revelation that [[Vin]] was the daughter of the Lord Prelan [[Tevidian Tekiel]], shortly before the death of the [[Lord Ruler]], the Canton of Inquisition gained dominance over the other Cantons in the final days of the Empire.{{book ref|mb1|36}}

The [[Conventical of Seran]] is a fortress inside a crater to the south of Luthadel. The fortress belongs to the Canton of Inquisition and may be the place where new inquisitors are created. [[Kwaan's inscription]] is in a chamber of this building asin welladdition asto various torture chambers.{{book ref|mb2|12}} The Inquistitors' torture chambers are [[Hemalurgic]] laboratories, intended to discover new creations, but few know of these chambers' true purposespurpose.{{epigraph ref|mb3|44}} After the [[Collapse]], the Conventical is used as a haven for Inquisitors and high ranking obligators.{{book ref|mb2|7}}

The Canton of Inquisition building in [[Urteau]], in addition to being above one of the storageLord Ruler's supply caches, is broad and imposing. Typical for buildings in Urteau, it was built of wood instead of stone. While more austere than most Ministry buildings, there areis still a variety of decor in the form of tapestries, metal trim, red rugs, and hearths in every room. {{book ref|mb3|29}}

ObligatorsAn wereobligator distinguishedis by their shaved heads and intricate tattoos around their eyes to signify their rank and Canton membership.{{book ref|mb1|1}}{{book ref|mb1|27}} They typically wore dark grey robes. The obligators would have to be called inneeded to witness or approve anything significant going on in the Final Empire. Without their approval, agreements and contracts werenaren't morally or legally binding.{{book ref|mb2|part=ars}} TheyAny werelegal requiredassassination torequires practicethe theirMinistry's religionapproval, andusually maintainthrough abribery.{{wob religiousref|5498}} airObligators, within devotionaddition to witnessing agreements, thatrun wasall unnecessarypublic forworks noblesin the Final Empire. PartThey ofoversee thoseprograms requirementssuch wereas dailysewage prayersand engineering, and ceremoniesmost toof the Lordhead Ruler.{{wobengineers ref|7695}}who Obligatorsdesign werecity allowedplans toare obligators marrythemselves.{{wob ref|10773045}}

In addition to their bureaucratic functions, the obligators servedserve as the [[Lord Ruler]]'s religious leaders. They would teach the [[Lord Ruler]]'s religion to [[skaa]] and noblemen alike.{{wob ref|5422}} ObligatorsThe obligators determine who the nobility is allowed to marry as part of their religious duties.{{book ref|mb1|23}} Obligators are allowed to be married.{{wob ref|1077}} The Lord Ruler requires more devotion from the obligators; they practice religious worship and have to maintain a religious air that is unnecessary for nobles. Some of the religious practices for the Steel Ministry include daily prayers and ceremonies to the Lord Ruler.{{wob ref|7695}}

=== The Final Empire(c-r) ===

The Steel Ministry developed out of the bureaucratic mercantile system of the [[Hallant]] people. TheyThe Hallant were a people focused on systems of measurements.{{epigraph ref|mb3|27}} The Lord Ruler used the Ministry in many additional, secretive ways, beyond their bureaucratic duties, including discovering new Allomantic metals and their uses as well asand searching for [[Terris]] bloodlines that bred pure.{{book ref|mb3|5}} Aluminum's Allomantic ability was onea secret that the Ministry knew of, but they kept it a secret from others in the Empire.{{book ref|mb2|5}}

The Steel Ministry banned political and historical literature that contested or expressed dissidence to the Lord Ruler's reign.{{book ref|mb2|5}} TheyCertain stockedobligators were trusted to stock the [[storage cache]]scaches beneath various Ministry buildings. There were also assassins in the Steel Ministry who kill any who are outspoken or too successful.{{book ref|mb1|23}} The Ministry had its own soldiers and torturers.{{book ref|mb1|37}} The obligators were alsoeven the Lord Ruler's spy network throughout his Empire.{{book ref|mb2|part=ars}}

Each year, new Ministry acolytes were transported from a training facility in the northern part of the Empire to Luthadel. This was also when they would transfer large amounts of funds, including atium, to Luthadel.{{book ref|mb1|2}} During the last days of the Final Empire, a skaa crewleader named [[Camon]] tried to scam this Cantonconvoy. The goal of the scam was to robsteal a convoy ofthe Ministry funds, which would've had atium hidden inside. During the operation, one of his crewmembers, [[Vin]], unknowingly revealed herself as a Misting, and later a full Mistborn. This was the event that led [[Kelsier]] to recruit Vin to his crew. High Prelan Arriev's discovery of Vin's Allomantic abilities foiled the scam, which kept [[Ruin]] from discovering the atium cache, keeping him at bay for a few more years.{{wob ref|8027}} This convoy was also the one Marsh joined to infiltrate the Ministry.

In the year 1022, the Ministry was presided over by Lord Prelan [[Tevidian]]. The Canton of Orthodoxy was then the presiding Canton, but members of the Canton of Inquisition captured [[Vin]] and proved that she was the Lord Prelan's half-breed daughter. The Lord Ruler then restructured the Ministry by giving control of the Ministry to the Canton of Inquisition.{{book ref|mb1|36}}

After the Collapse of the Final Empire, the Steel Ministry remained in various forms, depending on theirthe local ruler.

King [[Elend Venture]] used the Steel Ministry facilities as newhis government buildings. AIn Luthadel, Elend used a low-ceilinged room, similar to a lecture hall, in the Canton of Finance headquarters in Luthadel was converted intoas an assembly hall for the [[Luthadel Assembly]]'s meetings. He remodeled the building so that civilians could come and watch the Assembly proceedings.{{book ref|mb2|10}} Elend allowed the obligators to continue their preaching, but there were laws that prohibited them from inciting rebellion or violence. The priests wouldn't lend their knowledge to his kingdom, as a general rule and so Vin wanted to eject them from the city if they wouldn't use their bureaucratic abilities to assist the kingdom.{{book ref|mb2|10}} Noorden was a notable exception among the obligators in his frequent assistance to Elend. Elend employed the obligator for many reasons, one being his unique viewpoint.{{book ref|mb2|34}}

Straff Venture used obligators to administrate and organize in his claimed lands.{{book ref|mb2|26}}

==== FadrexUrteau Cityunder the Citizen (complete-review)====

The Steel Ministry didn't exist in its formeroriginal state following [[Sazed]]'s Ascension. There were echoes of the organization left, but most of the Steel Ministry was gonefaded because atthe thatnew time,leaders of the leaderspeople were the members of [[Kelsier]]'s crew. There were aA few notable obligators who made it through the Catacendre and they left their own marks throughout the new society. Some cities had more of an influence from those obligators and the Steel Ministry than others.{{wob ref|221}}

ThereOne wasof these remnants of the Ministry existed as athe Canton of Cartography in Elendel.{{map ref|Elendel}} ThereAnother was also athe road named Canton Avenue in one of Allomancer [[Jak]]'s stories, likely based on a real street in Elendel.{{file ref|House Record broadsheet.jpg|''The House Record'' broadsheet}} "Cantonesque" architecture is described as having long flights of steps and stained-glass windows.{{book ref|bom|11}}

{{image|The_Lord_Ruler_2_by_Rafael_Sousa.png|The Lord Ruler, Sliver of Infinity|side=right|width=240px250px}}

The philosophiesphilosophy taught most taughtoften by the Steel Ministry is that the skaa are cursed and the nobility are blessed.{{book ref|mb2|14}} The basic doctrine behind this philosophy is that the nobility has prestige and access to Allomancy because of their ancestors' loyaltywere loyal to the Lord Ruler, while the skaa wereare being punished for the sins of their own ancestors. The Mistborn are taught to be descendants of the only men who supported the Lord Ruler before his Ascension, in this belief system.{{book ref|mb1|3}}{{book ref|mb1|7}}

It is their belief that before his Ascension, the Lord Ruler was only a mortal man.{{book ref|mb1|17}} He is revered as the creator and savior of the world, the "Sliver of Infinity".{{book ref|mb1|8}}{{epigraph ref|mb3|6}} The Lord Ruler's status in the religion is as a piece of God, not omnipresent or omniscient. He is a physical, independent section of a greater consciousness.{{book ref|mb1|10}} Sometimes, the [[Well of Ascension]] was mentioned in teachings concerning the Lord Ruler and his Ascension.{{book ref|mb2|58}} When the Deepness, taught to be a dark monster, threatened the world, the Lord Ruler slew it and saved the world.{{book ref|mb2|56}} He punished the people's lack of faith with the ash and mists.{{book ref|mb1|6}} Not much else on the Deepness or the Lord Ruler is taught; religion is seen as something the Ministry would take care of.{{book ref|mb2|14}} Skaa aren't taught much of the Ministry's doctrine. Skaa and nobles alike were required to fulfillon their roles in the Empire and obey the Lord Ruler, but neither devotion nor faith is requestedown.{{book ref|mb1mb2|714}}

Skaa aren't taught much of the Ministry's doctrine. Skaa and nobles alike were required to fulfill their roles in the Empire and obey the Lord Ruler, but neither devotion nor faith is requested for either group.{{book ref|mb1|7}} Worship of any other god was forbidden.{{book ref|mb1|9}} For the obligators, more worship is required. Daily prayer and ceremonies to the Lord Ruler are practices of the religion.{{wob ref|7695}} There is a ritual that involves an altar made of gold. It is centered in a room with four candelabra at the corners. Near the altar, [[Alendi's journal]], written in Khlenni, was kept. Near the doorway, aA bowl of small, triangular knives was kept on a pillar nearby to be used in the ritual.{{book ref|mb1|14}} The knives were occasionally used for the worshiper to slice their own body.{{wob ref|7695}}

The Lord Ruler's status in the religion is as a piece of God, not omnipresent or omniscient. He's a physical, independent section of a consciousness.{{book ref|mb1|10}} Sometimes, the [[Well of Ascension]] was mentioned in teachings concerning the Lord Ruler and his Ascension.{{book ref|mb2|58}} Worship of any other god was forbidden.{{book ref|mb1|9}} Weddings were characterized only by the presence of an obligator to witness the fact. Sometimes additional ceremonies would be added, but there wasn't a standard; the obligator's presence was the only requirement.{{wob ref|5422}} The Ministry's position on sexuality was dependent on how much they were paid.{{wob ref|8203}}

{{image|An Obligator by Harry Shea-Pelletier.png|Obligator|side=left|width=200px175px}}

{{quotesidequote|Sit down to dine with evil, and you will ingest it in your meal.|A common saying in the Steel Ministry{{book ref|mb3|32}}|side=right|size=200px}}