Basic Introduction to the Clergies and the Holy Council

There is a considerable confusion to the nature of the church of the shattered one's system of clergies. It is not uncommon for the average person to merely think of it as a unified organization much like a guild. This assumption is one that is most blatantly wrong.

In reality, the unity of the church is primarily due to the council in which every leader of the clergies is a member. At the head set of the table is the shattered one's clergy. This was decided to be sense they alone actively interact with the general public and often are the ones relaying messages to the others most of the time. It is not without wonder then that said group is often believed to be the top of the pecking order.

Yet, once more, this is often incorrect. The holy orders are often completely without any legal obligation to listen to each other. Their cooperation is purely done out of need or social obligation. Many of the clergies have issues with each other, though these are rarely seen. In this way, the only binding rules are those that pass in the council.

For a council vote to occur, all clergy leaders must be present. Such meetings otherwises are no more than an official conversation between those present. These seats hold the orders of The Shattered One, The Sparing Grace, The Duty Stalwart, The Fate Arbiter, The Record Archon, The Ever-Growth Regent, and The Hammers Maker. Once these seven are in their seats, one will put forward a new law for the clergies to follow universally. One must second the motion. Once that is done, all seven must agree to the action or it does not pass.

Rumor is that the Shattered One's clergy has employed assassinations to get measures passed, but we are assured that this is nonsense.

That order is often the most beloved, given their outward actions of charity and communal projects. It is not uncommon to see the poor and sick at their temples. A priest of The Shattered One often acts as a teacher to the youths of rural areas or to those who can not afford to send their kids to proper places. Since their god is technically and none of the gods at the same time, they have held an ideal of helping people since their order was founded.

The Clergies

The Sparing Grace's order is often the other place the sick turn to. While still somewhat reclusive, those holy workers under this goddess are driven to help others. The goddess of mercy views all people equally worthy of her help. These priests are often the sort of wander from town to town, providing medicine and healing to any that need it. Often, they are quiet, solemn people. Once done, they leave as quickly as they come.

The Duty Stalwart, god of protection, is rarely an order seen in public. They often do little more than give advice to soldiers, adventurer's, and guards, giving some small blessing, or helping train soldiers. In truth, many of the clergy are retired fighters, merely looking for a quiet end to their life. Still, it is said that if needed, they are still a terrifying force to be opposed by.

The Fate Arbiter's Clergy is one well known for one reason. They make up the majority of judges of the court and the scribes thereof. This order is one full of shrewd, learned men who can work lie for fact. Their Grand Hierophant is often seen standing next to the throne of the king, whispering advice into his ear. The god of law's faithful are brutal in their exactness and merciless in their execution of it.

The Record Archon is god of all knowledge. This is the most secretive order amongst the council. To see one of his order is often said to be a sign of both good and ill events. Those who enter into this secret organization are often thought to be driven mad, eventually, dealing with their god. Every secret one could ever desire is at their divine's finger tips, yet to gain it is often a task only the most devoted to uncovering it would undertake. Tireless hours spent arguing, years of research, and with the knowledge one may still never find out the answer is what awaits them. Even to the other clergies, this one is often a mystery.

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The Ever-Growth Regent Clergy is a simple one. A farmer with coin knows them as the people to ask for to make their crops grow better. While they are often not seen, it is common knowledge the group is mostly made up of elves. They have no proper temple and thus most of the priests might be found in a hut somewhere in a quiet woodland or field. The head priest is often said to not like showing up to council meetings. One doesn't need to wonder why, given it always takes place in the city.

The Hammer's Maker is perhaps the second or third most well known order. As god of all things craft, it is often this order that takes in those seeking to become all manners of craftsmen for training. Though, one should be careful to not mistake them for artists. They do not hold any dislike of art, often being creative with their work themselves, but it is the skills and jobs their god is master of. Nor are they too fond of the Cruel Poet, who is said to often tempt their ilk into creating horrific things. They are said to be amongst the top in all fields, and accordingly expensive to hire for such purposes. It is common to find that any grand structure in the kingdom involved their work. Dwarves are common to this group. A shock to no one.

Clergy Hierachy

While each clergy has some differences in their structure, there is a commonality between them for convenience. In any order, there exists a hierarchy and these are no exception.

At the head of every clergy is a person with the title "Grand Hierophant." It is said that every one of them is a champion of their god and has a direct ability to commune with them. Power, dangerous, and respected, even the priests of other clergies will show deference to one. To the commoner, they might as well be a Baron in title. The head of the council of clergies is often able to talk to the king directly and on somewhat even ground.

Next would be the Bishops. These holy people are in charge of their individual temples and act as the arbiters of the Grand Hierophant's will. Notably, though, they are not equal with each other. A Bishop of a large city's sect will be seen in a higher light than the leader of a small out of the way area's. Even still, it is not wise to treat any of them unconsciously, as they are said to easily be able to gain some favor from their god.

Then comes Head Priests. These holymen may best be described as team leaders. Often, it is their job to lead small groups of priests. For example, while a Bishop of the Record Archon might run the temple, the head priest may run the library there-in and give order to those who work within it. Or the head Priest may be the one who acts as a teacher to initiates in the order of The Hammer's Maker.

Finally is the common priest, who needs no real explanation. They are those within the clergy that have surpassed the challenges of joining but have no real title otherwise.

On one final note, there is another title that one might hear. Inquisitor is a title for a specific type of holy man who is said to be the knives in the dark of the orders. Frankly, it is true that they are a real part of the orders. It is their jobs to find champions, weed out demons, and deal with any suspected unsafe god cults. They work tirelessly to deal with these potential threats for the safety of everyone. The idea that they commit assassinations, bribery, and other such ill action is an insult you shouldn't expose. I am not saying it is true and that one may come for you if you become a problem; I'm telling you to be nice.

Unsafe God Clergies

The final matter to mention in this is the common rumor of unsafe clergies. These cults are the orders of the gods deemed too dangerous to actively attempt to commune with. While they can exist, and sometimes in the past have, I would remind you that the inquisitors see to it such groups to not find hold in the kingdom. The holy council wouldn't ever allow such a thing to grow in the first place.

But, for some examples of why this is, I'll add some notes on a particularly famous one. The Wicked Poet, some one hundred and fifty years ago, had a group of artists decide to try and forcefully have him added to the list of safe gods. To do so, they secretly met and began to create many works of art. Paintings, songs, poems, and plays were all created with subtle propaganda to sway public opinion.

Then, a member of the Hammer's Maker's Clergy turned to the god of art's cause. He proceeded to create a cursed violin that had divine magic woven into it's being. The violin, when played, would cause everyone in the crowd to begin to have those they loved. After some ten or so murders that night, the inquisitors of several clergies tracked down the former priest and his associates, bringing them to justice.

For this sort of reason, the holy council seeks to make sure no such groups begin to form. With this short essay, I am hoping the common man begins to understand the clergies better and why they are so important to our kingdom.