The Synod

The Synod are the high council that oversee all religious activity in the world of Eifelheim, with the chambers residing at the top of the Celestial Dome of the Grand Holy Temple. There are eight seats of the Synod, two for each of the four Major Gods, seating both a High Priest and High Priestess as the High Dichotomy representating a single God of the Four. There are seats available for the High Delegate for each of the Minor Gods, either a High Priest or High Priestess. These seats are reserved for each High Delegate, and they have the presence to weigh in on council matters, however their opinions often have little weight on the actual decisions reached.
Members of the faith will make the pilgrammage to the Grand Holy Temple to the Gods at least once in their life, for the honour of being amongst the Gods' Chosen, however many holymen and -women will make the pilgrammage as a more regular occurrence, generally for the oppurtunity to gain advice and guidance on matters from the Gods themselves, as well as the High Dichotomies and High Delegates.
Paladins and Clerics all spend an amount of times at the Grand Holy Temple for training under the Grand High Paladin Commanders of their God, and will only be officially sworn in as a member of the Synod's Sovereignty once their training is complete. Once a Paladin receives their mark, they become a member of the Synod's Sovereign Contingent, used by the Synod to enforce passed edicts throughout the lands. To further this end, the Synod station a detachment of Paladins in each city and large township. This enables the Synod to enforce their decrees amongst the townspeople local to specific detachments, but this often results in the Paladins becomign intergrated with the local militia and guard, particularly in the case of townships where citizens are scarecly trained.

Type

Religious, Holy Order