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Toran: Hierarchy: Difference between revisions
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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 | 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. | ||
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===== <span class="UNDERSCORE"><span class="ITALIC">Elections and Organizations</span></span> ===== | ===== <span class="UNDERSCORE"><span class="ITALIC">Elections and Organizations</span></span> ===== | ||
<span class="ITALIC">Auscultare Loran Kor</span> -- 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 | <span class="ITALIC">Auscultare Loran Kor</span> -- 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. | ||
The Heart of Toran was centered in the massive temple in | The Heart of Toran was centered in the massive temple in [[Prantz]]. But with [[Lord Rael]]'s taking of the city, the Citadel in [[Huangjin]] has become the hub of the Toranite faith. The current Heart, Ortheus, was a cleric in Prantz and has become beloved in the church as the voice. He travels between Fort Llast and the new Citadel in Huangjin. Ortheus is a man whose faith is deeper than any previous Heart, a man who had both the foresight to hide the Ankh from Lord Rael's armies and to remove the justicers from the church after the trial of Navarre. | ||
He is in his mid-50's, bald, strong-bodied but lined with the strain of his office. He is married but, like his god, only adopted children, never having any of his own. | He is in his mid-50's, bald, strong-bodied but lined with the strain of his office. He is married but, like his god, only adopted children, never having any of his own. | ||
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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. | ||
Second Lieutenant Shadre Maharket of the Longsword is currently fingered to become the next commander of the paladins. A darkeyed, dark-skinned man from the | Second Lieutenant Shadre Maharket of the Longsword is currently fingered to become the next commander of the paladins. A darkeyed, dark-skinned man from the Great Desert with a powerful personality, he has come late to the order and is training under Ava to lead, with her blessing. He has a sharp mind and wit and a good head for people. | ||
===== <span class="UNDERSCORE"><span class="ITALIC">Missions and Exchequer</span></span> ===== | ===== <span class="UNDERSCORE"><span class="ITALIC">Missions and Exchequer</span></span> ===== | ||
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Irithel is a young woman of chocolate brown skin and black hair who came to the temple as a young child. With little knowledge of her parents, she has grown up serving Toran. She currently assists Sherinde and has a good head for numbers as well as an obvious crush on Michaelis Draego. | Irithel is a young woman of chocolate brown skin and black hair who came to the temple as a young child. With little knowledge of her parents, she has grown up serving Toran. She currently assists Sherinde and has a good head for numbers as well as an obvious crush on Michaelis Draego. | ||
Adren Brichold is a young father of three, currently the coordinator of relief efforts after | Adren Brichold is a young father of three, currently the coordinator of relief efforts after [[Hurm]]'s assault by Black Plague. The ginger-haired cleric can be found in the darkest streets of that damaged city, ministering and helping. He is said to be an incomparable cook. The nights he assists in feeding the poor are usually mobbed. | ||
Gallie Rindal has been working to assist those who fled Lord Rael's armies in Prantz from her base in Audiria. Her silvery hair and grandmotherly warmth have made her a trusted figure; even hardened thieves leave her be as she travels refugee camps and small shanty towns with the other missionaries. | Gallie Rindal has been working to assist those who fled Lord Rael's armies in Prantz from her base in Audiria. Her silvery hair and grandmotherly warmth have made her a trusted figure; even hardened thieves leave her be as she travels refugee camps and small shanty towns with the other missionaries. | ||