Toran: Hierarchy: Difference between revisions

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.

Learning and Lore handles the lore and history of the church, and now the tenets, canon, and codes (inherited from the justicers). The head of this small but vital organization is called simply the Teacher, and all others are students. The Teacher is never called by his or her name after taking office, and is a volunteer. If there is more than one volunteer, a secret ballot is used to determine who will be the next Teacher.

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.

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.

The base of the church and the first order to exist, these are the clerics who attend to caring for the sick, dispensing wisdom and advice on request, and maintaining the good works that define Toran as a god of both compassion and righteousness. Led by Waltier <span class="CAMELCASE">Mac Dunnelson</span> who interacts with the Auscultare on matters of doctrine, the Ordained are trying to expand again after the schism that shook the faithful and brought distrust to the eyes of laypeople.

Brother Waltier MacDunnelson is an energetic man in his 40's with auburn hair and brown eyes that seem to glow. When you meet him, it is immediately clear that he loves his god, his faith, and his brethren, and those with more lethargic personalities are pressed to keep up with him. He has been actively searching for and training new clerics, and he is the inspiration that the church needed to help move past recent events.

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 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.

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.

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.

Henri Jameson assists Gallie in her wanderings. He is short with the potbelly of middle age beginning to show. This solemn but caring man lost his entire family to starvation after the initial fall of Prantz and the [[darkness]] that followed. Despite or perhaps due to the horrific experience he had, he is known to hand out his last piece of food to the hungry, rather than eat it himself.

With the size of the church and the number of people and events that happen, large and small, the Office of the Register exists to keep everyone documented. Manned primarily by clergy, this office was moved to Fort Llast just a few months before the fall of Prantz to make room at the Prantz temple for more justicer training rooms. This stroke of luck saved the Office, and it is staffed by seven people currently. The head registrar is assigned by the Teacher of Toran and the Office acts very closely with this group. There has been a Registry Office for almost 2,000 years; however, most of the earliest records have been lost or destroyed due to wars, natural occurrences, and the lifespan of parchment. Accuracy can only be confirmed for the last 500 years.

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.