Rosgen

Rosgen means "Heavenly Advisor" in the Hainish language, and refers to any regional elite clerical overseer in the Uvaran religion. Numerous Rosgen exist, governing major urban centers and sweeping tracts of farmland. For aristocrats entering the Uvaran religion, becoming a Rosgen is a natural fit; most Rosgen are nobles, acting as priests for other nobles and as nobles for other priests.

Requirements

A Rosgen must have priestly training, including at least one year with either the Autumn Court, or a current or former Rosgen. Typically, one must also have a noble pedigree.

Appointment

The Uvaran Archdruid can choose Rosgen personally, and sometimes does, but most Rosgen are selected by Autumn Court. The will of the former Rosgen is taken into account, and the local nobility can send petitions requesting a particular person or sort of person. 
Rosgen nominees have to venture to the Autumn Court's hall in Vruhafen to accept the position. There, they receive a unwilting and resilient laurel crown of shining leaves, crafted by druidic magic and mutated plants, as a badge of office - placed atop their head by an antlered hawk. The Rosgen swears on oath to serve Ustav above all, then the Archdruid, and then the nobles and their people. After a series of theological questions and ritual sacrifices, the Rosgen is ready to head back to their land to affirm their position with the local lord. Arriving at their region of rule, the Rosgen delivers an offering of sacred cider and bread to the local lord, to be shared between the two as oaths are swapped. And lastly, the Rosgen is to perform the Divine Contact to alert the heavens of their appointment.

Responsibilities

The Rosgen is the moral advisor to the local secular leadership, the political decision maker for their region's clergy, the representative of the Autumn Court, and the local religious-judicial authority. In theory, the Rosgen is also the chief moral advisor and teacher to the local priests, though that is only sometimes the case.
While Rosgens are in charge as the authority, they are not always the oldest priest or more powerful clerical spellcaster in their region. They also are not necessarily familiar with their local region. They are, historically, court religious advisors that bound local elites to the dogma and moral law of the Autumn Court - their respectabilty to fellow elites trumps local knowledge.

Accoutrements & Equipment

Rosgens wear robes of many colors, often decorated with brilliant wasteland furs, crystals, and/or flowers. They wear shining laurel crowns on their heads, the coloration of which depends on their appointment - sometimes, the laurels grow ruby, gold, or midnight purple. Rosgens wear amulets depicting rainbow circles, and often wear over-cloaks fashioned to look like autumn leaves.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

Rosgens are a lifetime appointment, but can be removed by the Autumn Court. Petitions by local lords against the Rosgen can be quite dangerous for their political position, particularly if those lords have significant political power.

Type

Religious, Clerical

Form of Address

His reverend excellency

Source of Authority

Religious

Length of Term

Lifelong (unless defrocked)

Related Organizations

• Uvara