Regent Vicarvoyancy Assembly

For the entirety of the Meridian's existence, the Vicars have been by Astralshaper's side as her faithful servants of the stars, historically occupied primarily by members from Great House Violet Clouds due to their already innate fanaticism towards the goddess of night. They are an elite priesthood that often delves into Divination, asserting themselves as the mediators of Astralshaper's master plan, translating and interpreting her vague and obscure wishes in terminology and edict that the empire as a whole can understand and support. Until R.50, they were unofficial advisers and proselytes that marauded the countryside, ensuring that the typically disobedient and suspicious territories saw the good in the empress's ideals. The first Vicar was ordained by Astralshaper, thereby officiating the organization and their mission, serving ever-closer to her as her right-hand envoys that enacted her vision. They were however powerless, existing in no administrative hierarchy, simply being a respected order of zealots that spent far too much time analyzing the often non-existent rhetoric of Astralshaper's passing comments, though sometimes proving their worth by easing concern over controversial orders originating from their goddess that were blatantly detrimental in the short-term. When the Celestial Assemblies were formed thanks to Great House Monolith, thereby granting each magic school a seat by their ruler's side and possibly a say in matters of state, the Vicarvoyancy by extension was tasked to liaise the wishes of the Great Houses to Astralshaper and vice versa. Behaving in the same capacity as judges, they presided over many conventions in the place of the immortal monarch, whom occasionally did make an appearance and listen should she had felt her input was required to quell tension and doubt; situations she was often oblivious to unless the Vicars informed her of controversy. They quickly assumed the role of the "ninth assembly" that managed the other eight, maintaining order in their many meetings, addressing common complaints, and authorizing the distribution of government resources in a limited magnitude for minor issues of state. For over two centuries, a careful and harmonious balance was struck and all was right, though it was evidently never meant to last as Astralshaper became more and more negligent of her duties as empress over the years. The Vicarvoyancy exclusively represented her in her absenc, and began to assume responsibility in responding to pressing matters, though still deferred to Astralshaper for events that absolutely required her blessing. Soon enough, the goddess was rarely even seen outside of the Moonstone Anchor, always tending to the ever-growing population that was the silently judging Spirit Council. She became increasingly distracted and uninterested in the management of her dream empire, expressing uncharacteristic worry and concern for unknown reasons that evolved into paranoia and obsession as the years dragged on. Suddenly, she delegated full power of governance to the loyal Vicarvoyancy by R.252, stating that she "has better things to worry about", followed by "I'm sure you can handle this small task.". An unofficial regency was declared, and it would take the Great Houses several rotations to fully comprehend what had just transpired, for as life would have it, the Vicarvoyancy was in fact not prepared to handle "this small task" of managing an empire. The downfall began as soon as the next assembly took place, with the appointed Vicars presiding completely dismissing the "ridiculous" complaints of the Conjuration members, outwardly stating that "they should be happy Astralshaper even allows them to speak". This toxic attitude was unfortunately not an isolated incident, as many other assemblies reported the same unfair treatment, unaware that Astralshaper had stepped down from her seat of power, allowing the Vicars to take her place as rulers for the time being. It wasn't until a fateful meeting with the Enchantment Assembly, whom were strategically taunting the Vicars for answers after having witnessed the sudden superiority complex when the presiding judges blurted out "need we remind you that Astralshaper herself charged us with wrangling you ungrateful lot? Respect us as you would respect her". It was then clear that something was amiss, with other assemblies confirming the same suspicions: the Vicarvoyancy were now the ones in charge, evidently. These civil assemblies quickly devolved into berating sessions, with the schools of magic reprimanding the poor leadership of the Vicars, and the same retorting with slander and curse. This went on for almost five full rotations before the Vicarvoyancy completely abolished every Assembly save for the Divination Assembly, publicly announcing "...we are by extension Astralshaper's will; if you cannot abide by our commands, you do not deserve to be by her side". This infuriated the Great Houses, but did not find it within themselves to openly contest their decision. Violet Clouds was the exception and was actually on the side of the Vicarvoyancy at this time, fully supporting their actions, pleased that they spared the Divination Assembly from the purge. The Vicars ruled the Meridian with an iron fist, completing bypassing the uncooperative Great Houses and micromanaging the Major Houses directly, reminding them that they existed at the mercy of the Night. Great House Vertinal was the first to openly declare dissidence against the Vicarvoyancy, publicly retaliating with "this is bullshit" and pushing back against the over-extending Vicarvoyancy, attempting to reassert themselves and protect their subsidiaries from the abusive quotas of the priesthood. Great House Violet Clouds every time was dispatched to contend with their unruly behavior, with several more Great Houses sympathizing with Vertinal's mentality and declaring dissidence shortly after. The competency of the Vicars knows no bounds, for they even denounced their only ally of Violet Clouds, reprimanding them for "their inability to serve the goddess and put down the rebels"; and so they too declared open dissidence in response, but the Divination Assembly remained, as most Vicars were from Violet Clouds. It was clear to the Vicarvoyancy that their power was quickly slipping away, and so they did the one thing they knew how to do best: they went to Astralshaper. They pleaded her to make an example of Great House Vertinal for condemning her vision, whom brushed the pestering priests away rotation after rotation. Eventually, she gave up, and by R.262 cut off the Vertinal seat that was Strongbox from the Major Constellation, thereby damning them to evening. It was the hope of the Vicars that this act of cruelty will remind the audacious Great Houses that they existed because Astralshaper allows them to. It had the opposite effect, as the Great Houses started to completely disregard all orders from the regency, some even going so far as to combat the Legion for control over their subsidiary Major Houses. This bloody schism only escalated with time, the Legion unable to push back the full might of six Great Houses. Great House Ital Tek and Great House Thirteen had declared dissidence, but saw no reason to combat the Vicarvoyancy, as all their assets were lawfully owned by them and could not be contested, while Great House Monolith remained absolutely neutral. Again they went to Astralshaper and warned her of imminent rebellion, whom was quite fed up with their insistence and her upstart Great Houses, specifically Great House Vertinal. She cut off the vital choke-point of Topaz Anchor and Tilth that fed Great House Vertinal's expanding mini-empire, damning them to the fate of evening like they did with Strongbox. Even with this horrifying example, the Great Houses only saw more reason to fight for their independence or to fight for Astralshaper's return, for they feared the same that happened to the Vertinals will happen to them. Some unfortunately are going so far as to spread the Apostasy: an ancient idea that rejects the rule of Astralshaper. They rally under the call that "she has abandoned us", causing mass hysteria and panic among the civilian populace and Veneracies, whom have become extremely cautious and paranoid when sponsoring Major Houses. In another effort to reassert themselves as the rightful rulers of the Meridian, the Vicars have devised a clever bypass of the House system, allowing fearful Venerates to denounce the Great Houses to fully support the authority of the Vicarvoyancy instead, disallowed from sponsoring and funneling all resources to the aforementioned. The empire is in chaos, but the Vicars are determined to win back the people and secure their place by Astralshaper's side.

Structure

The Vicarvoyancy is a society based on the merit Vicars attain through their service to Astralshaper, determined and promoted by high-ranking Vicars as one advances through their organization.Each rank save for the final tiers bears virtually no political relevance, though do allow access to the inner sanctums and sacred private meetings between the highest echelons of the Vicarvoyancy. There are five ranks total: Acolyte-Vicars are initiates recently deferred to the care to another Vicar, still under their supervision and training of a higher Vicar to determine if they are up truly devoted to Astralshaper. They are usually donated by Great Houses in exchange for tax breaks, may also be recommended into the priesthood by higher ranking Vicars. Above them are Priest-Vicars, or expeditionary leads and front-line supervisors to Acolyte-Vicars that are responsible for taking on missions abroad. Bishop-Vicars are managers and administrators, occupying positions in government or in the Great Houses as advisers, reporting all activities back to the Astropolis. Next are Friar-Vicars, which are the judges and jurors within the Vicarvoyancy, leading interpretation sessions and debates within both theirs and the Diviners' Assembly. Finally, one individual is proclaimed as the Luminary-Vicar: the supreme ruler and right-hand of Astralshaper, and by extension, the designated regent of the Meridian.