Lesser Flamines

Despite the epithet "lesser" these flamines and flaminicae are anything but unimportant. In fact, they're sworn to powerful deities of the Official Cult and those dating back to the most ancient history of Rome, the Di Indigetes. Some deities accept flamines and flaminicae indiscriminately, while others prefer priests of a specific gender. The twelve lesser flamens are:

• Flamen/Flaminica Apollinis Since Apollo is the lord of oracles, his flamen of flaminica is very versed in the divinitory arts. Some are artists as well: they often compose poetry and songs. The Flamen or Flaminica of Apollo can move freely in the Empire's territory, and it is indeed their duty to visit the major shrines of Apollo or the most renowned oracles, often asking questions for precise interpretations of the gods' will. Still, their home is still the temple of Apollo on the Palatine Hill, built by Augustus.
• Flaminica Dianiae Only women can take the position of priestess of this virgin goddess who refuses marriage and ties. The Flaminica of the goddess must be an unmarried maiden, skilled in physical activities, and expert in understanding natural forces. She officially resides in the temple of Diana on the Aventine Hill, but she actually prefers to live in the woods near the capital, especially the ones that surround Lake Nemi.
• Flamen/Flaminica Fortunae The ambivalent Fortuna accepts male and female priests without distinction. Her Flamen or Flaminica can come from any social background and be of any age. It's the goddess herself that "chooses" them, indicating the person she wants to the College of Pontiffs through a sigh. They're incredibly skilled in the interpretation of prodigies and in the identification of the most propitious moment to perform endeavors.
• Flaminica Iunonis The queen of the gods only accepts women into her service. Her Flaminica must be a married woman, preferably of noble birth. She's specialized in protection, capable of individuating curses or negative influences, and easily removing them. She can grant special protections against spells or curses.
• Flamen/Flaminica Mercurii The Flamen or Flaminica of Mercury must have a fast mind and great charisma. They're often tasked with delicate diplomatic missions, therefore they may spend a long time far from Rome, on more or less secret missions. They have great ability to recognize sincerity and the true intentions of the people they meet.
• Flamen/Flaminica Minervae The Flamen or Flaminica of Minerva can either be an austere scholar or a person inclined to action. The choice of one over the other type of personality is made by the College of Pontiffs on the grounds of the current necessities. There are no texts or machines of which they don't understand the meaning and functioning. For this reason, it's not uncommon to find them in the various libraries of the Empire or in the places in which new technologies are developed, even far from Rome.
• Flamen Neptuni Preferably chosen from families conversant with the sea, the Flamen of this god must have a strong personality to interpret the frequent rage of his god and suggest solutions to calm him down. He is asked to head to open sea when necessary to perform sacrifices specific to the propitiation of navigation or the prevention of storms.
• Flamen Plutonis This priest often leaves Rome to inspect the places in which a contact between the earthly and the otherworldy realms is said to be present, and in which therefore the surveillance over arcane forces must be greater. He's on the front line in the fight against necromancy. He also travels where the earth offers riches to the Empire, in the mines in the farthest regions of the world.
• Flamen Saturnalis This Flamen lives in the temple of Saturn in Rome, and in addition to his responsibilities towards the god, he also guards the Aerarium of Rome and watches over the prosperity of the Empire. He rarely leaves the City.
• Flaminica Telluris The priestess of Tellus is usually a mother, and is chosen from among women who have strong divination abilities. Tellus, in fact, communicates through obscure tremors, signs that are not only difficult to comprehend but also often destructive. For this reason, she must be capable of sensing the will of the goddess before she unleashes her energy, and in case of need she must also be able to appease her in time.
• Flaminica Veneris Chosen from among the most fascinating women of the Empire, the Flaminica of Venus is always a woman of enormous charisma and is often employed as ambassadress of Rome. It's in fact very hard to resist her amiability, which is capable of placating any disagreement. At times the Emperor asks her to attend particularly heated sessions of the Senate, to avoid their becoming useless political scuffles.
• Flamen Volcanalis This Flamen is often chosen from among scientists expert in machines. His duty is, in fact, to placate the force of the fire god, but also to follow his technical inclinations as divine smith. He's always there when the force of volcanoes explode, but also in the experimentations of new technologies. He often collaborates with the Flamen or Flaminica of Minerva.