High Solar

"I swear to serve Venderus and to guide the Kalriv people to walk the Path of the Sun. I will serve as servant and mentor, leader and advocate."

a typical oath sworn by a High Solar on affirmation

The High Solar is the leader of the Solar Faith and the high priest and intermediary of the Kalriv sun god Venderus. They are one of the two historically highest positions within the Kalriv Empire, second only to the Strategos.
An elected position from among the priestly Solar caste of the Kalriv, the High Solar is considered the successor of the prophet Mikos, who was said to be chosen by Venderus to form the Kalriv tribe and carve out its social structure and values in the earliest times of human civilisation. They are thereby considered to be a representative of Venderus himself, and their word, while not absolute, is considered to be inspired by Venderus himself.
As the Kalriv expanded over the centuries, the role of High Solar has also expended from a simple position as a tribal priest and spiritual advisor, to a powerful and high-ranking magistrate leading thousands of priests and directing the spiritual lives of hundreds of thousands of Kalriv citizens and subjects of the Empire.

Qualifications

High Solars can only be drawn from the Solar caste; Guardians, Labourers and Artisans are not eligible. In theory, any Solar can be nominated by one of their peers for the position; with that said, to get very far in the voting process, a Solar needs to be actively engaged in the priesthood, and needs to have actively served a Kalriv province, city or town for some time.
Unlike the positions of Strategos, Legate or any military rank within the Empire, a High Solar may be male or female.

Appointment

A new High Solar is appointed after the previous High Solar either dies or resigns. When this happens, all members of the Solar Caste are summoned to the Venderan Ziggurat in Var Kalriv. After one month, prospective High Solars are nominated by their peers, followed by a period of 'divination', where Solars learn more about the prospective candidates over a 36 hour period. During this time, Solars are also called to the summit of the ziggurat to pray to Venderus himself for guidance in their decision.
The election process involves submission of a vote on clay squares, which are then tallied. The High Solar is either elected by a supermajority vote or an elimination phase occurs until there are only two candidates remaining, with the winner decided by simple majority.
The new High Solar is issued their circlet and mantle, then are taken to the summit of the ziggurat where they are presented to the people of the Empire in the city below, descending the steps of the ziggurat before walking out into the Plaza of the Sun to lead his or her first blessing and address.

Duties

As the highest ranking member of the Solar faith and theoretically the direct conduit between Venderus and the Kalriv people, the High Solar is responsible for divining the will of the sun god and ensuring the Kalriv people as a whole follow this will. Unlike other Solars, the High Solar is also responsible for ensuring other Solars are progressing towards this end.

Responsibilities

Duties undertaken by a High Solar can include;

• Communing with Venderus directly at the summit of the Venderan Ziggurat to both intercede on the behalf of the Kalriv people and discern the sun god's will;
• Presiding over Kalriv youth undergoing their Oath to Venderus
• Leading the populace in major sacrifices and prayers to Venderus
• Presiding over major festivals
• Invoking the blessing and protection of Venderus on the Kalriv Legions prior to a campaign
• Anointing a new Strategos
• Dictating the policy of the Solar Faith at both a local level (the city of Var Kalriv) and a global level (the Empire as a whole through delegation and micromanagement of Solars in the priesthood of a given area.

Benefits

A High Solar is effectively the second most powerful person in the Kalriv Empire and has considerable influence on the religious and political affairs of the Kalriv. Solar families whose members have been High Solars previously enjoy a high level of prestige.

Accoutrements & Equipment

The High Solar is entitled to wear a silver mantle with golden trim over their regular robes. They are also given a golden circlet mounted with stylised triangular points to represent sunrays.

History

The rank of High Solar traces its origins to the earliest histories of the Kalriv people and the foundations of the social order of the tribe by the prophet Mikos and tribal leader Kalros. After Mikos was reportedly taken to the heavens by Venderus, a need became apparent to appoint a successor to continue his work of interpreting the will of Venderus and instructing the Kalriv in following it. This led to the election of the first High Solar.

Type

Religious, Political

Form of Address

Your Radiance

Equates to

Exarch (Elementalism)

Source of Authority

Elected from Solars

Length of Term

Life

Related Locations

• Venderan Ziggurat

Related Organizations

• Solar Faith