Kātal Kārd

Despite their name directly translating to academic priest, the kātal kārd are more academics than they are priests. Quite frequently graduates of the Murid Institute of Thanogenesis or Bruxaria University, they employed by the Temple of Continuance and are paid to conduct necromantic research.

"Once, I told a kātal kārd the story of how my brother lost his finger and the guy told me a hundred different things he could've done with the phalanges. Of course, none of them involved actually stickin' the damn thing back on!"

– the Hazan equivalent of airplane food jokes

Skull display by Micaela Parante

Career

Qualifications

Kātal kārds are expected to have a graduate-level degree and research experience, and should also already be members of the Temple of Continuance.

Other Benefits

While it's not often talked about, it's widely known that a majority of qadi, advisors appointed to the king by his caliphs, were once kātal kārds. While there are often decades between appointments, applications for kātal kārd positions have been known to increase when a qadi is older and believed to be within a few years of retirement.
The kātal kārd do often have resumes appropriate for qadi appointments; they are already public figures usually well known by their community, they're regarded positively within the Temple, and are highly educated.

Perception

Purpose

Kātal kārd carry out necromantic research and experiments assigned by the Temple of Continuance. While they can propose research projects, they rarely have a choice in what they are assigned or whether it's even relevant to their area of expertise.

Social Status

Kātal kārd are viewed quite respectfully by the general populace. Due to their position being connected to the Temple, which most of the populace is also a member of, they're more visible and accessible than your average academic. When their research is published, the Temple emphasizes making it as understandable as possible for laymen, and copies are made available at Temple services. 

Their relationship with other academics is slightly more contentious. Kātal kārd positions are often viewed as being for academics who can't hack it in academia proper, or who were never interested in academia in the first place and only wanted the prestige. Considering that kātal kārds are viewed as a breeding ground for qadi appointments, the latter view occasionally proves itself to be correct.

Alternative Names

Bone priest (an exonym)

Type

Research / Scientific

Demand

Most temples try to have at least one in their staff, larger temples may be able to afford to employ more

Used By

• Temple of Continuance