Hierophant, High Priest of the temple of Watcher of the Ways, and Master Elder of the Church of the Powers That Be in Incaras

The most resplendent wisdom, the Hierophant, is the city of Incaras' highest official of the Temple and Shrine of the Watcher of the Ways and the Church of the Powers That Be. Pellie is the current Hierophant. She is in her 60's but vigorous and has been in office for approximately 12 years overseeing the many activities of the church.

Qualifications

The Hierophant is said to be chosen from the Priests of the Church of The Powers That Be by the god, The Watcher of The Ways.  Many believe that they are chosen from the Master-ranked Elders from the Wardens of The World Paths by political election.

Show spoiler

They must have also been members of the Monastic Order of the Shrine of the Watcher. 

Appointment

Installation of Hierophant is a significant church ritual and ceremony that is open to the faithful and usually attended by city, and guild officials as well as the lords, ladies and persons of wealth and influence. The Masters of Water, Incense and Salt start with purification of the hall and building where the ritual will occur.  The lesser Hands of Water will perform purification on all attendees as they enter the Temple grounds, while lesser hands of Salt will perform a cleansing as participants and observers enter the ceremonial area. The Master of Incense will continue ritual prayer and invocation of protective and helpful spirits. A choir of monks sings invocations and blessing songs. The Hierophant is sworn in and assigned status by the Master of Sand. Once the Hierophant is installed, the robes of office and multicolored shawl are bestowed by the current Master of the Bells ( sometimes called the Master Guardian). The Orb of office (said to be a seeing stone) is delivered by the Master of Wine. The Master of Fire has prepared a feast with the lesser Hands of Fire that is then served to guests, observers, and participants with side offerings to the gods and spirits.

Duties

The Hierophant is the master priest of the whole sacred compound of the Shrine and Temple of the Watcher of the Ways as well as the greater Church of the Powers That Be within the temple grounds. They are also the lead of the Diet of Masters of the Warden Paths, and directs the Lord Abbot and Rectors in maintaining grounds, kitchens, housekeeping, and buildings. The Diet of Masters maintains and reports on the Hall of Bells ( said to monitor all dimensional passage within and around the city), the libraries and researchers, training of monks and priests, services to followers with weddings, funerals, purifications and blessings of homes, offices, and tombs. The Hierophant officiates in priestly advancement ceremonies and recognitions. Also priestly production of magical-religious items for sale, trade or for distribution and use by city officials. Beyond the church functions, the Hierophant ensures the regular performance of aquifer and aquaduct rituals which keep the city supplied with clean fresh water, market rituals and benedictions to please and purify the market spirits and wall and street rituals to drive out malign spirits and invoke beneficial ones.

Responsibilities

By tradition and myth, the monks and priests serve the gods and most specifically, the Watcher of the Ways and guard a dimensional rift that was sealed in ancient times before the Heroic age, several thousand years ago. The monks and the hierophant are supposed to be empowered with abilities to keep this gateway closed and command of minions to protect against tampering and entry of demons and malign beings from the outer Rift and beyond. The Temple grounds are said to be haunted by a pack of ghostly wolves under the command of the Hierophant and protect against intruders. Certainly howls can be heard at night from time to time, arising from the grounds. Show Spoiler

The Hierophant is also chief officer and member of the secret society called the Compact that protects the city across the planes and against greater menaces. The Compact has representatives from the Fae who guard the Mists realm around the city, the Sidereal fae  -Fayd Pharazod the Ambassador, the Arcanum secret society of Mages, the Necromancer of Incaras who guards the umbral shadowland, the hidden skinchangers and several other exceptional and secret powers within the city.

Accoutrements & Equipment

The robes of office are white, with the tower and three purple eyes of the Watcher on the chest. The shoulders are green bears while the bottom hem is inlaid with skulls. These represent the fundamental Incarna Wardens of direction, element, life and death. Above the skulls is a layer of "y" with dots between the arms which are representing ancestor spirits. The four horse head figures of the Directional Wardens are on front and back, while the Triat of the prime Dragons wrap around belly, waist and legs of the robes. The multicolor of Chaos, the solid Gold of Order and the Decay of greened copper etched with spirals. The sleeves are decorated with the celestial sun and moons, and stars that are the lodges of the seasons. Small charms representing the myriad of nature, place, anima, concepts and named spirits hang from the arms.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

The Watcher of the Ways, or the god Death may remove the current Hierophant. No others have authority.

Form of Address

Your Wisdom

Related Locations

• Incaras, City of Mercenaries