High Ossic

A broken man stood before the council, awaiting his fate. Twenty-one copper thrones arranged in a half circle around a intricate mosaic of reds, white, and black. The walls were a library of skulls, broken apart and pieced back together, those that came before. The Ossics spoke, but the man did not hear.

Qualifications

Each of the High Ossics was once a Deacon, a local leader of an Ossic Circle. They are elected by the upper echelons of their own circle, following the death of the current High Ossic. They have proven themselves pious, and loyal to the cult above all.

Requirements

Each of the High Ossics was once a Deacon, a local leader of an Ossic Circle. They are elected by the upper echelons of their own circle, following the death of the current High Ossic. They have proven themselves pious, and loyal to the cult above all.

Appointment

Following the death of the previous High Ossic of one of the Circles, a successor will be elected by the leaders of that circle. The successor must then carry out the Rites of Ascendance, which ironically requires delving deep into the Ossicus catacombs beneath Jeisser. The ritual that follows is a closely guarded secret, but many believe it involves conferring with the ancient dead.

History

The title was offically created in the earrly 200's, but the exact date is lost. It is believed that the rank was established as the Ossic Cult grew too large and became disorganized. The Caeus at the time, possibly Hourdan Machis, proposed that leaders of the various cults come together in Jeisser to chose who among them would become the leader of the greater faith. Each of them, of course, believed that they were the most suitable candidate. Each leader believed that they knew the way to properly venerate those who came before.
The debates supposedly carried on for weeks before the solution became clear. Each of these Ossics knew the way to worship and venerate the ancestors, the Caeus realized. With support from the crown, itself a powerful aspect of the Ossic faith, the Caeus suggested that the Ossics come together as one. Hesitant to defy the crown, the Ossics submitted to the decision.
Around this same time, we have records of the first codified rules and laws of the Ossic faith, established by the first council of the High Ossics. The various beliefs of those original Ossics are implied to have become the first Circles of the faith, the branches of the Ossic Cult.

Type

Religious, Clerical

Status

Not only does the title remain, but the High Ossics are the leaders of the Alghast government after the loss of the capital and the royal family.

Source of Authority

The High Ossics are the leaders of the faith, their piety is proven, their loyalty to the faith is absolute.

Length of Term

Life term

Related Locations

• Jeisser

Related Organizations

• Ossic Cult