Clergy

The spiritual students, teachers, and leaders of the Church of Cosmos

Middengeard    Faith      Cosmos      Clergy

Clergy are the religious leaders in the faith of Cosmos. Their role is to teach the doctrine of Cosmos and to support the spiritual needs of their community. To be a member of the clergy, you must be male, and a Magi. For the more ambitious clergy members, there is an opportunity to move into politics and form part of the ecclesiastical chamber. The supreme leader of the clergy and the church of Cosmos is the Vochay, who's headquarters are based in the country of Malagal.

Career

Those who become clergy members usually show an interest to do so from a young age. As clergy members must be Magi, it was common that the younger son of a noble family would join the clergy, and his family would actively prepare them for this role from a very early age by appointing a mentor for the child from the clergy, or sending the child to be educated at a Clerical Institution.

However, following The Age of Enlightenment, many Magi families began to have less children, and though it remains common for clergy members to show an interest at a young age, it is often less driven by family members. Most consider joining the clergy after completing a degree level qualification.

Acolyte

See further: Acolyte

Acolytes are clerics in training. Their length of training can last anywhere between three years and a lifetime. During their training they will travel across Magnus Prime studying at many temples and institutions. They will have to write at least two dissertaions, the first about Cosmos as a whole, and the second about the angel that they wish to work in the temple of. Acolytes rise to the position of Cleric after the Presido of their chosen temple approves them to do so.

Acolyte by E.Bear

Cleric by E.Bear

Cleric

See further: Cleric

Clerics form the majority of the clergy. Every temple is manned by at least one cleric, while minsters, temples that represent all of the angels, instead of just one, have twelve or more. Very few clergy members progress from this rank. Only those who are particularly politically minded choose to progress. Only a Deacon can promote a cleric to the next rank of Presido.

The majority of clerics work in roles related to their temple, as opposed to performing services directly. For example, to be a lawyer, one must first be a cleric of the temple of Merinosis. Only after achieving that level can they progress to becoming a lawyer.

Presido

See further: Presido

Every duchy has twelve Presidos: one for each of the twelves angels and their respective sects of temples. The Presido governs their sect in the duchy, managing concerns from their temples as a whole, promoting acolytes, and improving the appeal of their temples over others. A good Presido, worthy of promotion to a Deacon, in proactive and engaged in the work of all his temples, regardless of size, and repeatedly proves their dedication to the order.

Presido by E.Bear

Deacon by E.Bear

Deacon

See further: Deacon

Each duchy has a deacon that represents the religious needs of that duchy in the Ecclesiastical Chamber. Deacons manage their Presidos, and often have a great say in who should be their next Presido. They have great political influence and power as well within their country, and internationally. Every duchy across Magnus Prime has a Deacon's Palace, representing the power and wealth of each deacon and their forebears.

Arcic

See further: Arcic

An Arcic is the highest ruling member of the clergy per country. In some countries, such as Favont, the Arcic is the head of the church, while in most others, he is a direct representative of the Vochay. He has immense political power in his country, and can openly direct his deacons to vote in a way that suits him. Due to this level of power, a lot of rulers insist on selecting their own Arcic who will support their causes, with some rulers even famously dismissing, or even executing their arcics when they failed to meet their needs. It is a precarious role, but one that comes with great fortunes.

Vochay Brevus XII by E.G Bear

Vochay

See further: Vochay

The Vochay is the head of the Habitic church of Cosmos. His seat of administration is in Vitriano, the capital of Malagal. A conclave of Deacons from Habitic countries selects the Vochay from the available Arcics. Historically, the Vochay was also considered the Emperor of the Divine Vitrian Empire.

As Vochay, his role is to deliver important sermons, voice his opinions on modern matters, reflecting the design of the angels. He also supports diplomacy by hosting and visiting international dignitaries.

The role of Vochay comes with an excessive amount of wealth and power. Deacons and Arcics have been famously murdered, or themselves have used fraudulent measures, to make sure the Vochay of their choice takes the throne.

The Clergy of the Church of Cosmos

Type

Religious

Ranks & Titles

• Cleric
• Presido
• Vochay

Requirements

Gender

Male

Species

Magi

Age

Any

Qualifications Required

None

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Lemi Louf, Senior Researcher

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