Holy Union of the Cross-vein Ore
Holy Union of the Cross-vein Ore is a Piezoelectric henotheistic religion, professing that the deity Bel manifests through oscillations of the mineral Silicon. Their scriptures are decentralized and non-canonized, but contain similar themes which unite them as Clockmaker doctrine. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion, comprising around 30% of the population.
They derived the name Clockmakers from their early days, where they would sell rudimentary time keeping devices to raise funds. Their influence in present day is far reaching and considered the gold standard of governance and infrastructure for advanced civilizations.
Structure
The following major ranks apply in the Clockmaker guild:
- Papess: Current leader of the guild, who resides in Kaer Sidi.
- Saint: A clockmaker of at least Bishop rank who has achieved immortality can be made into a Saint, where they are given additional roles and become tied to the governing powers of that land. These bishops only answer to the Papess themself and aren't bound by normal restrictions of a Cardinal.
- Cardinal: The leaders of each sect, who only answer to the Papess.
- Archbishop: Servants and assistants to their respective Cardinal.
- Bishop: Leader of an ecclesiastical territory.
- Cleric: Adept/Master of their sect's trade.
- Deacon: Lowest rank, assistants to the Cleric.
The Cardinals rule over the following sects:
- Guild of Prudence (Organization and maintenance of the guild's assets)
- Guild of Temperance (Organization and enforcement of the guild's doctrines)
- Guild of Justice (Court arbiters, executioners, prison system)
- Guild of Fortitude (Military training and deployment)
- Guild of Charity (Creation and maintenance of train systems)
- Guild of Faith (Auditors, spirit-grabbers, and researchers)
- Guild of Hope (Specialized in rites relating to birth/marriage/deaths, as well as blessings and purification)
Culture
There is a high expectation for intellectualism, particularly in the natural sciences, and thus many prominent Clockmakers are inventors or own successful businesses. They are often highly educated and erudite, with a strict focus on virtue. However, it is an open secret that many of the members practice the Hag's breath, which is a form of witchcraft.
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