Vocezei (voe-keh-zay)
A council of five wise priests sit upon thrones of ivory. They are members of The Campiotic Guide. However, these priests are nothing like those in your solstead or temple. These priests sit like kings upon treasured positions of power and influence. They speak for a god and they are knowing of how much power they hold. A wizened old human wearing the golden vestements and a headress of the sun sits with wrinkled skin and sagging eyefolds. Dark marks dot his skin but he sits tall and straight. A middle aged Half-Orc wearing a crown of twisted horns and vestements of striking blue with a red sash, his tusks are pristine but his eyes are stark white with blindness. Despite his lack of usable eyes, he seems to have no trouble seeing. An older woman with deep blue skin and the horns of a ram, she wears grey vestements with a silver and blue sash, a crown of gold, iron, and bone decorated with silk and wings. A young man with a tan, unmarked face of youth. He dons white vestements with green sashes across his chest and a crown of ivory and fur. He exudes an aura of confidence, most likely cockiness as well, thanks to his youthful demeanor. At the fifth throne sits an older human who has aged gracefully. Silver hair falls to his shoulders and wise eyes watch over the room. His vestements are white with a sash of deep indigo and blue. A book at his side containing the tales of countless who have died.
These are the Vocezei, the chosen of their respective temples and deities. The most powerful clerics, monks, or priests of their respective order. They are nominated by a council of peers and divinely chosen by their deity. They wield tremendous magical power, but also immense political power as well. With rouglhy a fifth of the entire The Campiotic Guide at their command and followers who see their word as divine law.
The current holders are described above but in order they are Vocezei Lurios (Born: Ertais LaVuron), Vocezei Revelus (Born Urvok Eboncrane), Vocezei Castia (Born Irina Telderiani), Vocezei Theonatius (Born Alfonso of Emberbranch), and Vocezei Evekian (Born Dmitri Kazmach)
Qualifications
You must be a public and visible member of the Campiotic Guide. You must be an active part of the temple for at least 25 years. You then must reach the rank of Archpriest to be eligible to both vote in electing candidates and being elected as candidates.
Appointment
Archpriests are gathered from their respective temples and holy sites after the death of a Vocezei or the opening of a position on the council. The archpriests then vote on five candidates. They then are brought to a holy site where they can be gathered in a circle and they must chant hymns, sing songs, or pray to prove their devotion. After doing so, a god will send a message choosing one of the candidates. The type of message depends on the gods. Once the Vocezei of Regina, Queen of Victory was selected when an angel descended from above delivering the word of who should be worthy. Another time the Vocezei of Fosredas, Heir of the Illuminant Sun was selected when a flock of doves perched upon the candidate. They are then brought to the grand temple and are crowned Vocezei.
Duties
The responsibilities of the Vocezei are to run The Campiotic Guide, protect their followers, and enforce their laws. They do very little of this personally, most of it is carried out through members who are commanded by the Vocezei. But, it is up to the Vocezei to dictate the laws, maintain order, and ammend the charges if they must or are ordered by their deities.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
There have been Vocezei that have been removed from power. Most of the time it is because they are abusing their power, embezzling funds, heresy, or unjust commands.
Vocezei Cadelico the Carnal was impeached for heresy as he was secretly a worshipper of The Scarlet Queen. He was caught by a lower ranked priests who called the inquisitors saying the Vocezei was... eating a priestess. He was executed a year and a half later.
Type
Religious, Political
Creation
The Campiotic charter is responsible for the creation of the Vocezei, as well as their entire religion and the charges.
Form of Address
Their Holiness
Source of Authority
The vocezei are authorized by their respective gods.
Length of Term
They can remain in the position until death, abdication, or impeachment.
Related Organizations
Comments