Church of Esrus
Structure
The Church of Esrus is led by the Hierophant.
History
Stracia was founded in 1435 by the first Hierophant of the Church of Esrus. It was originally a village on the coast of Zelunica. Five years after Stracia was founded, Esrus appeared and asked the Hierophant to dismantle his theocracy. The Hierophant interpreted this request as a test of faith, and stubbornly refused to step down.
The first Hierophant was also a shipwright, and his goal was to build a ship large enough to house a city. Fifteen years after Stracia was founded, this massive ship was complete, and all of the residents of Stracia moved onboard. The ship left the shipyard, and has not docked since. Today, the original village is completely abandoned.
Territories
Stracia
Technological Level
Stracia has modern weapons and armor, intermediate alchemy and magic, and superior naval technology. They also have some Vastriathil-powered machinery, purchased in Andaren.
Religion
Education
Stracian children are educated in schools run by the clergy.
Tenets of Faith
- Do not damage the sea or its ecosystems.
- Do not drink seawater.
Ethics
It is forbidden to defile the sea. (e.g. poisoning, discarding trash, etc.)
It is forbidden to fish for sport. Fishing for food is permitted.
It is forbidden to over-fish an area.
Priesthood
There are three ranks of Stracian clergy:
- The Hierophant, who is the head of the Church. The Hierophant creates laws, which must then be approved by a majority (at least seven) of the High Priests.
- High Priests, who serve as an advisory council to the Hierophant. They can also propose laws, with a three-fourths majority (at least nine) agreement, which must then be approved by the Hierophant.
- Low Priests, who carry out the duties commonly associated with clergy, as well as serving as judges and lawyers.
Appointment
The Hierophant is elected by the High Priests. Candidates for Hierophant can be nominated by a High Priest or the previous Hierophant, and only High Priests can be nominated. In order to be elected, a nominee requires a three-fourths (at least nine) majority of High Priests to vote for them. High Priests are appointed by the Hierophant, and only Low Priests can be appointed. There can only be a maximum of twelve High Priests at a time. Low Priests are nominated by a High Priest or the Hierophant. In order to attain the rank of Low Priest, a person needs a majority (at least seven) of High Priests to accept their entrance. All ranks of priesthood last until death, promotion, abdication, or expulsion.Expulsion
The only way to legally remove a sitting Hierophant is with the unanimous agreement of every other member of the clergy, both High and Low Priests. A High Priest can be removed with a three-fourths (at least nine) majority agreement of the other High Priests. A Low Priest can be removed by the Hierophant, or with a majority (at least seven) agreement of High Priests. When a priest is expelled from the Church, their forehead is branded and they're imprisoned until the next time the city stops, at which point they're left behind. The exception to this is if the priest has committed particularly egregious offenses, such as murder, grand theft, fraud, or breaking the rules of a trial, in which case they're branded and then simply tossed overboard.
Founding Date
1435
Type
Geopolitical, Theocracy
Leader
Government System
Theocracy
Power Structure
Thalassocracy
Economic System
Market economy
Legislative Body
The Hierophant and the High Priests
Judicial Body
Low Priests
Deities
Divines
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
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