Mope Vubopa, the First Priest (ˈmo.pe vu.bo.pa)
The Mope Vubopa, or First Priest, is the divine figurehead of the Vopa religion. The Vopa believe that the larger of the two moons in the sky is the eye of the goddess Pemija, and it is Pemija and her starry ancestors who select the successor after the reigning one dies.
The primary responsibilities of the Priest is to maintain Vopan sacred texts and spread the word of Pemija. They also maintain the temple Najibu, the God Rock, and perform Greatening ceremonies near the wormstone deposits buried beneath the temple.
Requirements
While many Vopa priests are adept at magic, having acute talent helps climb the ranks. General magic practitioners can perform basic pyro- or telekinesis, but true magicians can summon conflagrations in an instant or move entire buildings to new locations. Magical talent expresses itself in a wide variety of ways, but many who have been chosen as a potential First Priest were at least clairvoyant or telepathic in some way.
Appointment
After the death of the Mope Vubopa, Pemija grants visions and prophetic dreams to certain magically powerful members of the Vopan priesthood. It is an honor to be selected, but Pemija is not kind to those who do not end up becoming the First Priest.
Once the six chosen have been identified, they hold a ritual when Pemija the moon is full. A large piece of wormstone is placed in the center of the God Rock and all six have to touch the stone against their bare skin, activate the wormstone's potential with their own magic, and stay there until only one is left standing.
To the Vopa, wormstone serves as a portal between the real world and another world, whose qualities no one could agree upon. But on the other side were Pemija and her children, and they were desperate to escape into this reality. They used the bodies of the six chosen to try and manifest themselves physically. With the power of the magic from the six chosen, the mutational effects of wormstone are amplified drastically and changes occur on the matter of minutes and hours rather than days or weeks. Fur turns yellow, diseased. Limbs and eyes erupt out of smooth expanses of skin and muscle. Rattling tails dissolve into teeth.
When the others are no longer able to stay touching the wormstone, the last must speak a spell to Pemija, who recognizes their claim to the position.
Duties
Spreading the word of Pemija and the power of transformation is the highest duty of the Mope Vubopa. They arrange the distribution of missionary groups from Yalisi to the main continent and perform Greatening ceremonies for pilgrims who have come from there to worship at the temple Najibu.
Responsibilities
The Mope Vubopa is responsible for the upkeep of Najibu. It must be maintained at a specific height in order to ensure the continued protection against the raw wormstone contained underneath.
Type
Religious, Special
Form of Address
First
Alternative Naming
Movu (casual)
Source of Authority
The divine will of Pemija, goddess of the greater moon
Length of Term
Life
Related Locations
Related Organizations
