Knight-Priestesses of Oristhane
Political and spiritual leaders both, the Knight-Priestesses of Oristhane serve an important role as intermediaries between the High Priestess and the governments of Oristhane's many free cities. One Knight-Priestess serves in each Oristhanian free city, and each has the authority to override the local government of their respective free city. Commonly, though, the Knight-Priestesses are relatively hands-off in their dealings with the government; it is standard for a Knight-Priestess to exercise that overriding power only very rarely, and to take a diplomatic, guiding approach wherever possible. They report directly to the High Priestess, and local priestesses are subordinate to them.
Requirements
Before becoming a Knight-Priestess, one must be a priestess, and one fairly well-established in their local temple at that. As a Knight-Priestess will serve as an authority in her community and an advocate for it, she must be an upstanding figure within her community. Ideally, she would be one who is already seen as somewhat of a local leader or mentor. There is no official minimum number of years of temple service before one can become a Knight-Priestess, but is exceptionally rare for someone to gain the rank with less than ten years of service as a priestess. Additional experience with local government is a highly attractive quality for candidates for the rank, though the exact nature of that experience is flexible. In democratically-governed free cities, a past as a community organizer fits the bill, but in places where governmental power is less accessible, service in the Dawn Legion is a perfectly suitable alternative
Though the rank is normally held by women, that is not a requirement. Like priestesses within the faith in general, Knight-Priestesses are usually, but not exclusively, women; there have been a small handful of masculine Knight-Priestesses who have served in recent years. The title remains the same regardless of the individual's gender.
Appointment
The High Priestess appoints the Knight-Priestesses that serve under her, often choosing from a small number of potential future Knight-Priestesses suggested by the previous Knight-Priestess or by the local community. After a she is appointed, she holds the rank for ten years, though after that point she can be re-appointed as many times as the High Priestess desires. The community can oust a poorly-performing Knight Priestess. At any time, any priestess can initiate a Vote of Judgement on her free city's Knight-Priestess, a poll of the free city's priestesses that gauges their opinion on the competency of the Knight-Priestess; a majority of seven-tenths disapproving will oust the Knight-Priestess from office.
Responsibilities
Fundamentally, the Knight-Priestess' job is to be the overseer of the local government of their city, ensuring the free city's laws do not drift from the vision the High Priestess has for the nation. To that end, the Knight-Priestess is heavily involved with the workings of the local government, the form of which varies widely in each free city; the nature of a Knight-Priestess' job varies accordingly depending on their city.
Each Knight-Priestess reports regularly to the High Priestess. She will typically correspond frequently through letters or magical sending, but will also regularly visit the Shadowless City to consult with her directly.
Finally, the Knight-Priestess must maintain a strong sense for the happenings of the local temples, for she is responsible for raising to the High Priestess any issues that require her attention.
Type
Religious, Political
Form of Address
Sir, Madam, or Lire
Length of Term
10 years
Reports directly to
Related Organizations
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