West vs Dawn: the First Manerean Schism: 316-339

Over the next twenty years, the Manerean Schism became the shibboleth for political affiliation for the entire Order. To proclaim oneself "neutral," as the Annalum Cristofereans and the magi of Plenilunium Album did, was to identify with the liberal factions of the Order, while to be an "Opponent of the Dawn" was to place oneself firmly in the camp of the traditionalists. Before 316, the debate had been over whether or not one believed the Prima Luxians to be diabolist at all. Throughout the 320s and early 330s, however, the dispute became increasingly focused on what one felt ought be done about the diabolists of the Dawn. Before 316 it had been possible to be a "moderate." By 330, the closest thing to a moderate position possible was to declare oneself wary about the possibility of winning a war against Prima Lux. Over the course of Mediastinus' two-term reign as Primus Manere, true neutrality became impossible, and diabolism came to replace theocratism as the great sin, the crime plus ultra, of the Cholaeic Order.