7,578
edits
Toran: Hierarchy: Difference between revisions
m
no edit summary
m (Text replacement - "<span class="UNDERSCORE"><span class="ITALIC">(.*)<\/span><\/span>" to "$1") |
mNo edit summary |
||
| (One intermediate revision by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
<div | <div style="float:right; max-width:50%">__TOC__</div> | ||
The Church of [[Toran]] is a church once divided. Now working to adjust to changes that amputated an entire arm of the organization, the church has moved from a message of harsh justice back to one of caring for others. As recently as six years after the fall of [[Sinthar Bloodstone]], there were clergy, [[paladins]], and [[justicers]]. The justicers were men and women who were a law unto themselves, able to supersede local judges and make determinations of wrongdoing. The justicers attempted to cement their control by bringing to trial some of the most influential members of the church. This resulted in the execution of [[Navarre]], the first [[paladin]], and nearly that of the [[Champion of Toran]]. After this blatant attempt to seize authority by removing dissenters, the justicers were excised from the church by the Heart of Toran. Now the church is finalizing a reorganization that takes it back to the original message, where honorable combat and valor are only a part of a whole that has balance in empathy, humility, conviction, sacrifice, and restraint. A reassessment of relationships with other churches, particularly that of [[Rofirein]], is also underway. | The Church of [[Toran]] is a church once divided. Now working to adjust to changes that amputated an entire arm of the organization, the church has moved from a message of harsh justice back to one of caring for others. As recently as six years after the fall of [[Sinthar Bloodstone]], there were clergy, [[paladins]], and [[justicers]]. The justicers were men and women who were a law unto themselves, able to supersede local judges and make determinations of wrongdoing. The justicers attempted to cement their control by bringing to trial some of the most influential members of the church. This resulted in the execution of [[Navarre]], the first [[paladin]], and nearly that of the [[Champion of Toran]]. After this blatant attempt to seize authority by removing dissenters, the justicers were excised from the church by the Heart of Toran. Now the church is finalizing a reorganization that takes it back to the original message, where honorable combat and valor are only a part of a whole that has balance in empathy, humility, conviction, sacrifice, and restraint. A reassessment of relationships with other churches, particularly that of [[Rofirein]], is also underway. | ||
The organizations have panned out as follows. The high priest is still part of the clergy but no longer a public figure. Rather, he is now the Auscultare, the advisor to the church, as he is considered closest to the Great Leader and therefore will spend most of his or her time in [[prayer]] and writing doctrine. This first Auscultare was chosen by Toran himself. The mark of an ankh appeared upon his right hand when the previous priest was put to [[death]]. The very next day he felt guided to search for the [[Quartos Toranis]]. From this, it was deduced that Toran wanted to prevent the mistakes of the past and have a more direct conduit for his teachings, and the new high priest has taken to praying in seclusion and reviewing what has been found of the Quartos; except for meetings with the heads of the Orders. This post has traditionally been assumed for life. Whether Toran will continue to choose his spiritual head directly is unknown. | The organizations have panned out as follows. The high priest is still part of the clergy but no longer a public figure. Rather, he is now the Auscultare, the advisor to the church, as he is considered closest to the Great Leader and therefore will spend most of his or her time in [[prayer]] and writing doctrine. This first Auscultare was chosen by Toran himself. The mark of an ankh appeared upon his right hand when the previous priest was put to [[death]]. The very next day he felt guided to search for the [[Quartos Toranis]]. From this, it was deduced that Toran wanted to prevent the mistakes of the past and have a more direct conduit for his teachings, and the new high priest has taken to praying in seclusion and reviewing what has been found of the Quartos; except for meetings with the heads of the Orders. This post has traditionally been assumed for life. Whether Toran will continue to choose his spiritual head directly is unknown. | ||
| Line 18: | Line 17: | ||
===== Elections and Organizations ===== | ===== Elections and Organizations ===== | ||
Auscultare Loran Kor -- The position of high priest, until recently, has been one of speeches, diplomacy, and travel. With events being what they are, this has changed. Since the death of the previous high priest and the selection of the most recent, the entire focus has shifted. The position previously called the high priest is now the Auscultare, and he acts as a conduit between Toran and his church. As the spiritual head of the church, Loran Kor was chosen just after the church resettled in [[Fort Llast]]. He is a quiet and kind man, tonsured and stooped at the shoulders. In his 70's, he lacks the stamina and [[strength]] of his youth but more than makes up for that with his tremendous [[wisdom]] drawn on his lifetime as a soldier, statesman, father, general, and [[cleric]]. Loran Kor found the Quartos Toranis, lost for centuries, and is working to revise church canon to account for situations that might resemble Navarre's. He is the first high priest handpicked by Toran himself. | |||
The Heart of Toran is a position that now brings to the public all that Toran is: wise, compassionate, upstanding, and loyal, as well as a speaker, teacher, and a diplomat. There are [[clerics]] in every temple and shrine of Toran's but only one Heart. The position has been in existence since very near the start of the church. One who is chosen as Heart focuses on just that; being a friend to all that need him, a public beacon of Toran's Conducts and an example to all of Toran's faithful. Previously, the Heart was the assistant to the high priest. | The Heart of Toran is a position that now brings to the public all that Toran is: wise, compassionate, upstanding, and loyal, as well as a speaker, teacher, and a diplomat. There are [[clerics]] in every temple and shrine of Toran's but only one Heart. The position has been in existence since very near the start of the church. One who is chosen as Heart focuses on just that; being a friend to all that need him, a public beacon of Toran's Conducts and an example to all of Toran's faithful. Previously, the Heart was the assistant to the high priest. | ||
| Line 34: | Line 33: | ||
===== Order of the Longsword ===== | ===== Order of the Longsword ===== | ||
Many paladins do not enter one of the sects, serving instead the larger Order of the Longsword. The second order to exist in the church, they have a history of codes and ethics that go back centuries. They focus on aiding and protecting others and travel the continents of [[Layonara]]. Rebound to the Conducts of | Many paladins do not enter one of the sects, serving instead the larger Order of the Longsword. The second order to exist in the church, they have a history of codes and ethics that go back centuries. They focus on aiding and protecting others and travel the continents of [[Layonara]]. Rebound to the Conducts of Virtue, they will be kept in check from the excesses of the justicers by careful scrutiny by Toran's Ordained and the Champion of Toran. Both the commander of the order and his second died in the defense of Prantz, and since then, a young but level-headed paladin named Ava Merinday has led the order as lieutenant elect. | ||
Lieutenant Elect Ava Merinday of the Longsword is a lovely young woman with curly brown hair and a calm demeanor. She has been Lieutenant Elect for several years but does not expect to become head of the order; rather, she focuses on strengthening the faith of the paladins, not worrying about her personal ambitions. She is well-liked and has fought hard to inspire the others. | Lieutenant Elect Ava Merinday of the Longsword is a lovely young woman with curly brown hair and a calm demeanor. She has been Lieutenant Elect for several years but does not expect to become head of the order; rather, she focuses on strengthening the faith of the paladins, not worrying about her personal ambitions. She is well-liked and has fought hard to inspire the others. | ||
| Line 44: | Line 43: | ||
Formerly the donations office, the Missions and the Exchequer now handle the money coming into the church and funds relief efforts. This new office has existed only since the year after Bloodstone's fall. With the Prantz temple destroyed and expansion needed in Fort Llast, the office was created to allot funds for construction and new building, equipment, relief work, and ministering. Previously all the orders and sects handled their own funds. Now the Exchequer has consolidated all of those monies and donations under one banner. The first Exchequer is Sherinde with Irithel assisting her. | Formerly the donations office, the Missions and the Exchequer now handle the money coming into the church and funds relief efforts. This new office has existed only since the year after Bloodstone's fall. With the Prantz temple destroyed and expansion needed in Fort Llast, the office was created to allot funds for construction and new building, equipment, relief work, and ministering. Previously all the orders and sects handled their own funds. Now the Exchequer has consolidated all of those monies and donations under one banner. The first Exchequer is Sherinde with Irithel assisting her. | ||
"The way to destroy [[evil]] is different for us all. Our paladin brothers deal with the source. Others deal with leaders and broker arrangements. We choose to walk with the poorest, giving of ourselves, offering aid to the ones most in need. Remember, the ultimate goodness is giving. The way to defeat evil is to stamp out the need. It is the gift we bring, that which we offer freely: food, clothing, first aid, shelters. Be with the people. Listen to them. Teach them. Learn from them. You will see Toran's heart in each one. Encourage this. We are all watched by him." -Gallie Rindal, in charge of aid to the displaced of Prantz | |||
Missions, while overseen by Sherinde, is spearheaded by three people: Adren Brichold, Gallie Rindal, and Henri Jameson. They coordinate the distribution of aid, raise and organize volunteers, and spend a great deal of time teaching and promoting ways to survive the darkening of the skies. They are currently working with the temple of [[Prunilla]] at Castle Mask to produce crops that can survive low-[[light]] conditions. | Missions, while overseen by Sherinde, is spearheaded by three people: Adren Brichold, Gallie Rindal, and Henri Jameson. They coordinate the distribution of aid, raise and organize volunteers, and spend a great deal of time teaching and promoting ways to survive the darkening of the skies. They are currently working with the temple of [[Prunilla]] at Castle Mask to produce crops that can survive low-[[light]] conditions. | ||
| Line 63: | Line 62: | ||
Head Registrar Le'st Soon-Zu came from Huangjin and even there had practiced the ways of Toran. He alone of his family has education, and he has used it to help the church in his current capacity and to bring his family out of poverty. He is a slender older man who has put aside his progression as a cleric in favor of civil servitude. He was heavily involved in the construction of the new temple. | Head Registrar Le'st Soon-Zu came from Huangjin and even there had practiced the ways of Toran. He alone of his family has education, and he has used it to help the church in his current capacity and to bring his family out of poverty. He is a slender older man who has put aside his progression as a cleric in favor of civil servitude. He was heavily involved in the construction of the new temple. | ||