Ranks of the Faith

===== Ranks of the Faith =====
The Veldic Empire is comprised of three primary religions: The Salubrine Church, the Triarchy, and the nameless pagan faiths common among the mountain folk and men of the eastern weald. They are not detailed here, but they represent significant minorities of the Empire's faithful and thus are accorded status. House Amarsis follows the Salubrine faith, but the other two religions are recognized and permitted to practice within the empire. Religious officials are also permitted to own and keep land in the name of their church, and hold unique titles according to their place within their respective faiths.

--- Archbishop/High Chancellor ---
The effective leader of the church. The Archbishop, seated in Saltpoint, heads the Salubrine faith, while the High Chancellor guides the Triarchy. Each is considered by their adherents to be the messenger of the divine (for the Salubrine their gestalted saints and for the Triarchy their Threefold faces of God). They answer only to the Emperor in religious affairs, can appoint or revoke clerical titles at will, and may excommunicate individuals from the faith. The pagan circles have no equivalent for this title.

--- Bishop/Chancellor/Thegn ---
Esteemed and influential members of their clergy, these titles are granted to the religious leaders of certain diocese (or equivalent terms), usually overlapping with the territory of their regional lord but occasionally extending beyond it. They take tithes for the Church, oversee the creation of new parishes/temples, and can petition imperial/regional officials on behalf of their faithful. Bishops and Chancellors answer to the Archbishop or High Chancellor, but the Thegns answer only to their many heathen gods.

--- Cantor/Premier/Gerefa ---
Usually taken from the upper ranks of the clergy, these men serve as administrators, record-keepers and wheel-greasers to keep the religious hierarchy running. Some may command land like a Bishop or Chancellor, but their primary responsibilities keep them in regional capitols or offices far from the convent. They see to the church's supplying, settling legal complications and organizing festivals or church expenses. Among the pagans this role is more informal, with the gerefa serving both as the thegn's secular hand, treating with local lords, and as the keeper of the community's lore and practices.

--- Vicar/Speaker/Druid ---
The lowest rank of landed clergy, these religious officials oversee local parishes and congregations for a single city. They lead prayers and ceremonies, induct new faithful, and tend to the everyday matters of faith. Most are appointed by their supervising Bishop/Chancellor/Thegn, but some are granted parishes by the local lord, especially among the Triarchy.

--- Abbess/God-wife/Druidess ---
Though women are permitted to enter the ranks of the faith, they are typically restrained from seeking high office. Fortunate or particularly pious women may obtain their own abbey or convent. These disciples live apart from the congregations of their parish, practicing humility and dedicating their time to learning or the healing arts. Though they have no technical political power, an Abbess can still use her status (and guile) to influence regional policy. Among the pagans, female practitioners are regarded with fear and awe for their rumored sorcerous abilities, such as shapeshifting, translocation and fortune-telling.