Prelate of the Order of the Western Star

Requirements

The Prelate must be somebody with both martial and pastoral skills, so that they can mediate effectively between the paladins and clerics of the Order. Often, they're martially-oriented clerics or paladins with a background in the Temple; the current Prelate is a Temple-raised paladin who was blessed from birth with extraordinary divine powers. It is also of utmost importance that the Prelate embodies the moral standards of the Order. They must be a person with integrity, compassion, wisdom, justice, and leadership skills. The Council elects them based on their demonstration of these qualities, but the confirmation ceremony shows whether the Gods Themselves agree with their assessment. Otherwise, there are no written restrictions, only the unwritten rule that people under the age of forty are very rarely selected by the Council.

Appointment

Whenever the position is vacated by the death or repudiation of the previous Prelate, the Council holds a closed session at the Citadel to decide on their successor. Candidates don't even know if they've been nominated until after the fact; somebody else, either a superior or a peer, must go to the Council and advocate on their behalf. Putting oneself forward is seen as overly prideful. The Council hears and records the merits of each candidate, then spends several days (possibly even weeks) reviewing each one until they come to a conclusion. The Prior of Clerics and Grandmaster of Paladins then emerge from the chambers to announce their choice. Once selected, the new electee reports to the Citadel for their confirmation ceremony. In this ceremony, they present themselves before the altar of the Twelve to ask permission to take on the office of Prelate. If they are chosen, the statue of Asgorath releases its grip on the Prelate's Amulet. If not, nothing happens at all, and they leave the Temple in abject embarrassment.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

As with many offices of divine right, the Gods may revoke the Prelate's office at any time if they are displeased enough. This is formally called "repudiation".

Type

Religious, Military

Form of Address

Ser Prelate

Source of Authority

Elected by the Council, confirmed by divine mandate

Length of Term

Life (unless repudiated by the gods)

Current Holders