Cardinalis
Advisors of the Ponti
A cardinalis is a senior member of the clergy of the Northern Trijan Church and member of the Episcopus Council. There are twelve cardinalis in total, each chosen by the current Ponti to have a seat in his council, when a seat is vacated. The title is held for life. Though no ecclesiastic law stands, traditionally holds that cardinalis are elected out of the pool of female clergy of the faith.
Once accepted a cardinalis' sole duty is to advice the Ponti on matters of faith, politics, doctrine, and any other matters that effect the Church. It is their duty to elect a new Ponti when the previous one passes away. On paper a cardinalis' role in the Church's hierarchy is limited to advisor of the Ponti, with no authority to oversee, command, or otherwise influence clergy of any rank. This however is only the 'official role' of cardinalis. Being someone that has the ear of the Ponti is power, and the cardinalis are 'unofficially' the strongest rank of the Church. Their influence can sway entire kingdoms and the lives of any they favor or despise. Their power to elect new the ponti more than a few kings over the centuries working to win favor of these women.
Traditional robes of the cardinalis are scarlet in color, with only hands and face exposed. A forged crown cap is created for the cardinalis upon election to the seat that is unique to her. Over the crown cap a scarlet vail is draped. Under the robes Areian Mail is worn, an ancient gift to the Church by the Elf people. Twelve suits if this lightweight armor exist, passed down to each new member as they fill their predecessor's seat.
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