The Rule of Sylvanus

The Rule of Sylvanus (also known as "The Annals of the Sovereigns" or simply "The Book") is a collection of writings compiled by the Sovereigns of Cor Nova. Banned by the Imperium, it contains the guiding philosophy of the Sovereigns.

Composition
The Rule was first written by Sylvanus, the first Sovereign, presumably as a way to pass wisdom to his daughter Aeva (the second Sovereign) and grandson Nicholas (the third), as well as their successors. Toward the end of their reigns, Aeva and Nicholas both added chapters to the book, starting the tradition of Sovereigns adding their own material to the total composition.

The content of these additions varies widely. Many Sovereigns included history, advice, and guidance of a practical nature. These sections (most prominently, those of Sylvanus, Aeva, and Heironymus) have been recommended reading for not only Sovereigns, but for all Cor Novans, as the principles contained therein could apply to anyone in authority: parents, teachers, employers, and so on. Other Sovereigns focused on more artistic expression. Notable examples include the work of Analisa, Obelius, and Proteus. Folk stories, songs, and poems all feature prominently in these entries. These stories almost always have a moral lesson to impart, most often in defense of truth and virtue.

The Philomena Uprising
When Titus overthrew his brother Lorus, he almost immediately started a campaign of destroying books and other works that he deemed threatening to his rule. The Rule of Sylvanus was at the top of this list, and the first months of Titus's rule were marked by bloody resistance to the seizures. Dissidents like Veronica Stromm were very active in printing and distributing illegal copies of the Rule, as well as other works, seeking to keep resistance against Titus alive.

At the beginning of the Philomena Uprising, Basil Black receives a copy of the Rule from Anne Stormalong, along with the knowledge that he is to inherit the throne and become the next Sovereign. As it turns out, this particular copy had belonged to Lorus, and had been smuggled out of Carath soon after the reign of Titus began. Inside this copy, a verbal set of clues that has become known as The Song of the Bookeepers was inscribed on the inside of the cover. It was this clue that began Basil Black on his journey of reclaiming Cor Nova.