Uvaran Archdruid
"When Ustav sent us the Teacher, he named him Archdruid - the first druid and the voice heard above all others. When the Teacher returned to heaven, he left his name for the greatest of his students. The Teacher's name means unity, peace, wisdom, and obedience to the Gods. This Council rejects the notion that the druidic arts are needed to bear the Teacher's name. God-given piety and authority are the seeds of power. Power does not determine moral right. Such is the wisdom of the Gods." - The ruling of the Autumn Court in election procedure
The Uvaran Archdruid is the leader of the Autumn Court and, to some, is the political leader of the Uvaran religion. They are a very politically powerful person, and sometimes (but not always) an accomplished mage. Being a druid is not necessary for being the Uvaran archdruid - though many are veteran druids.
The Archdruid can make executive decisions and issue short-term edicts for North Uvaran religious institutions. They do not have unlimited control over dogma and temple policy, though, as long-term religious or theological decisions must gain the approval of the Autumn Court's Council of Six. Above all, the Archdruid is the face and symbol of Uvaran religion, a physical representative able to negotiate on behalf of major religious institutions.
Requirements
An Archdruid must be an invested/graduated priest who holds either the rank of Rosgen or Autumn Court High Priest.
Appointment
The Uvaran Archdruid is selected by the Autumn Court's Council of Six. Most Archdruids are former council members or other high-ranking individuals within the Autumn Court - though some Archdruids are Rosgen of particular fame, talen, and popularity.
A new Archdruid is promoted through two ceremonies: the Taking of the Name and the Coronation. The Taking of the Name is a secretive ceremony, involving a Divine Contact ritual before a Lunar God where the Lunar God is to list the sins and deeds of the nominee for the council to weigh. The candidate is doused in blessed water and given magical blessings of healing while they swear oaths to the Gods. The candidate must then sit in prayerful isolation while the coronation is readied. The nominee is led by an awakened, charmed, or shapeshifted animal or spirit from the isolation chamber to the Archdruid's throne, where the Council of Six bring forward the Autumn Crown and place it on the Archdruid's head.
Responsibilities
The Archdruid is the chief executive of the Autumn Court, so it is their job to react to crises and day-to-day concerns of religious administration. When the Council of Six is divided, it is the Archdruid's job to mediate. The Archdruid is also in charge of religious diplomacy, representing the clergy and building relationships with secular powers. The Archdruid is also to crown the Hainish Monarch.
Accoutrements & Equipment
The Archdruid of Uvara wears the finest silk and magical furs, as well as a robe Monstercrafted to contain magical powers and protections. Folded wings are barely visible on the back, but can emerge on command. The crown of the Archdruid is a living artifact of magically infused metal, wood, and crystal intertwined. It glows different colors according to the seasons and times of day. The crown bonds to the wearer and works to protect them from magical influence or posession - becoming visibly agitated when an attempt is made and subtly pointing towards the source of the attempt.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
Archdruids can be removed through unanimous vote of the Council of Six, but this is an emergency measure. Very few Archdruids have ever been removed from their position.
Notable Holders
Archdruid Hodrik DevHauzen is the current archdruid of Hain. He is a man of piety, who lives an ascetic and disciplined life even in his age; he is also, unsurprisingly, a stressed out and exhausted man often described behind closed doors as "Old Haggard Hodrik". Hodrik is an intense spiritualist, popular among orthodox theologians and deviant mystics alike. He is disillusioned with the material world - and, not so quietly disillusioned with the priesthood as well. Hodrik is a skilled druid whose reign has been one of general efficiency.
Type
Religious, Clerical
Form of Address
His Holiness
Length of Term
Lifelong
Related Locations
Related Organizations
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments