Aeridin: Hierarchy

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Despite the church's throng of followers, there is not a strong central hierarchy that dictates how the church operates. There is a hierarchy at the local level, which is mostly based on seniority not on the actual power a cleric is capable of wielding. All temple communities remain very much in contact. The Voltrexian followers are normally seen to have more sway in the manners concerning the faith; their word often being the drive for change. Aeridin's church is the most influential faith on Voltrex, followed by that of Ilsare. It is well known throughout the world mostly because of its various sick houses, which are administered by Aeridin's faithful.

Elections and Organization

Policy is made by the Lifegiver's Temple in Sadinia on Voltrex and is followed by all the other temples. Because of the enormous importance of the Sadinian temple, this also gives whoever leads it a strong voice in the faith's policy. Officially, the faith is led by the White Light of Aeridin, sometimes just referred to as the Light of Aeridin. The White Light of Aeridin is the oldest priest or priestess of the faith, ensuring that this is always an elf because other races do not have the lifespan of the elves. However, as the oldest is not always the best or most capable one to lead, the White Light is assisted by the Nimbus, a council of seven members. The seven members of the Nimbus are distinguished from each other by the colors that make up white light: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, or violet. Each color has a different area of expertise, and together they advise the White Light on policy: red, physical wounds; orange, undeath; yellow, diseases; green, poisons; blue, magical wounds; indigo, mental wounds; and violet, transformations. They wear white robes with the Lifegiver's Leaf embossed on it and a lining in the color of their position at the hems. Due to its global presence, members of the Nimbus come from all over the world. Three of the seven members are always from Voltrex. Nimbus members are elected for terms of 50 years. If the term is up or a member steps down or passes away, new elections are organized. A candidate gets elected by gathering the most votes from the individual temples of the Healing Light across Layonara. Each temple may cast one vote. The members of each individual temple determine who receives their temple's vote. Its vote is then communicated to the temple in Sadinia. At the local temple level, the most experienced or able healer leads the temple and is responsible for its dealings; all within the aegis of policy from Sadinia.