The Conclave of Light

History

On Mount Sarysi, before the gods fled the world, there were regular conclaves of the Golden Throne, where the gods ordered and gave proclamations to the world below, and to their mortal representatives in Ithebes. However, when the gods fled, Mount Sarysi was closed off, and the rest of the Golden Throne would meet in their place.
Before, if the Gods could not find agreement, it was Abrastis (and then Farasta) who would make pronouncements. The governance of the Holy City and the shared perspectives of all the Throned faiths are decided by the Ecclessiarchy, but those that determine the future for Farasta's faith and - because of the Patriarch's ability to give Divine Pronouncements on behalf of the Queen of Heaven and the Throned Gods - the wider world, are made by the Patriarch, but also the Conclave of Light to advise them.
The Conclave meets annually at midsummer, and is made up of the Bishops of each realm on Torthe. They decide matters of Farasta's faith, and through the Patriarch, wield huge influence over the faiths and temples of the other Throned Gods. Alternatively, an emergency conclave can be summoned either by the Patriarch, or is triggered immediately at the moment of his death.
Over the centuries, strict rules and observances have been created to ensure that the Conclave is not easily manipulated or controlled by worldly intrigues and interests.

Components and tools

The structures of the Conclave are as follows:
The Calling:
At the moment of a Patriarch's death, or if he or she chooses to summon an emergency Conclave, every Bishop of Light across Torthe will receive a visitation from the Patriarch's spirit, or a nameless angelic spirit dispatched at the time of death. This is known as the Calling, and no Conclave can take place if this has not been received by each Bishop.
The Waiting: There is a period of a week, wherein Bishops are able to take preparations for their absence from their realms, and ensuring the nation is safe and secure before they leave. There can be dispensations and delegated responsibilities, in cases of emergency, but these must be approved by the Patriarch, and no delegated responsibilities can be given in the event of a Patriarch's death.
The Mourning: In the event of a Patriarch's death, the Conclave begins with a vast state/divine funeral, where the celebrated voice of Farasta is laid in the ancient catacombs beneath Ithebes. In addition, the Patriarch Bell is removed and interred with the dead, and a new bell is crafted.
The First Gathering: The First Gathering is where the Bishops attend within the Conclave chambers, and engage in ritual meditation and mediation together, each seeking the guidance and support of Farasta herself. In very, very rare times she has anointed a successor at this moment, but that has been only in moments where the city itself has been under siege, or a terrible evil was about to be unleashed. If the First Gathering is successful, the Patriarch Bell will toll from the depths of the zigurat, and the city will know a new Patriarch has been chosen. If it is unsuccessful, then a golden peregrine falcon will be released, to reflect the fact that the Goddess herself has given the ultimate freedom to choose, to her mortal church. There is a period of a week between each Gathering.
The Second Gathering: If the First Gathering is not conclusive, the second gathering will become a stage for debate - rather than meditation and mediation, they will move to argument, thrashing out current events, reviewing decisions made by each individual who seeks to become Patriarch. It is a brutal, bruising event where each candidate has their soul laid bare and considered, and the ramifications of their philosophies explored in minute detail. In recent centuries this has become, rumours suggest, formulaic - because of the growth of the factions of Imperialist, neutrality or peace-settlement views, this becomes a rehashing of centuries-old views. If successful at this stage, the Bell will toll. If unsuccessful, then crows will be released, to reflect that the conflicts of humanity have got in the way of choosing a successor, and that it must now move towards a Third Stage - which has almost always been a sign that Torthe is approaching a terrible crisis.
The Third Gathering: If the Second Gathering is not conclusive, the Conclave of Light are locked within the chamber, without sustenance or comfort of any kind. The room is kept dark, cold, and only the litany of Farasta is to be spoken at any time. What happens beyond that, is unknown, because it has only happened three times in the history of the Holy City, but happened before that in the lifetime of Farasta's church (preceding the founding of the Holy City). Normally the votes swing to prevent this gathering taking place. Bishops have been known to die during this gathering and its trials. When this has happened, it signifies dark times ahead for the faith of Farasta, and for the Golden Throne. In the year before the Calculix was birthed, legend has it that only one priest left the chamber, anointed as Patriarch Kymus Jorn - long derided as a disaster for the faith and all of Torthe, whilst at the same time being one of the main reasons the temples survived at all. The Third Gathering has tended to choose bloody-minded, stubborn, resilient, heroic figures, and if it goes to the Third Gathering, the Patriarch's Bell resounds - but so too, does each Patriachal Bell in the catacombs, tolling a leaden, terrifying sound.
The times before the founding of the Holy City include:

• Five years before the creation of the Calculix;
• The year before the birth of Queen (Khara) Saki;
• The Discovery of the Blight.

The three times since the founding of the Holy City include:

• The Drowning of Etruska
• The fall of the northeastern Steppes and creation of Blighthold
• The refounding of Revanna.

Participants

There are Bishops of each realm, either public, or secret.
These are currently held by:
The Imperial Faction (usually eight votes):

• Larena Sarai, Bishop of Light for Kharasaki - holds six votes, for the six realms that used to be independent within the borders of Kharasaki.
• Emelsine, Bishop of Light for Delvia and member of the Royal Family - holds one vote for Delvia
• Parixis Telegox, Bishop of Light for the Drown - holds one vote for the Drown

The Faction for Neutrality (usually twelve votes):

• Evka Fawl, Bishop of Light for Tusk - holds one vote for Tusk
• Nylaathria Ravalla, Bishop of Light for the Elvish Nations - holds three votes for the elvish nations (Tarn, Chara and Far Ellysyme)
• Kunourra Brightbringer, Bishop of Light for the Kandars - holds two votes for the Kandars
• Daxilara Metis, Bishop of Light for Itiliak and Havar - holds one vote for both nations
• Torvilara Eskevar, Hidden Bishop of Light for Blighthold - holds two votes for the fallen kingdoms
• Ar'Valia, Emperor's Sister and Bishop of Light for Imperial Estol - holds three votes for the federated imperial states

The Faction for Peace (usually seven votes):

• Luisa Penderant, Bishop of Light for Tarsis and Revanna - holds one vote (Revanna being previously part of Tarsian territory)
• Palesa Walech, Bishop of Light for Esk - holds one vote
• Yitav ben Machol, Bishop of Light for Sarnas - holds one vote for Sarnas
• Tarian Vasquez, Bishop of Light for Suden - holds one vote for Suden
• Lady Mimara of the Magaera, Bishop of Light for the Magaera - holds three votes, one for Magarus, Magarun, and Magaron.

Related Organizations

• The Holy City of Ithebes