The Order of Saint Cadoc

The Fellowship of Saint Cadoc is a Holy Order of Clerics dedicated to spreading the Light of Amon throughout the Cymbrian Kingdoms. The priests of this good deity are distinct in their brown cowls and ivory robes, and may be found in villages and towns throughout the Cymbrian Kingdoms.

Structure

Small chapels dedicated to Saint Cadoc may be found in most villages; these are served by a priest and 1-3 acolytes. In market centers, churches of stone are run by a curate who is assisted by 2-5 adepts. The towns feature such larger religious centers which are the domain of the local prefect. All are responsible to the High Church, residence of the High Priest with local canons installed in the precincts. Temples are training centers for the acolytes who are sent to assist the priests, and eventually to found shrines that can, in time, grow into chapels.
The deaconry is comprised of probationers who have never attained the status of acolyte. They can be found in the towns, performing minor administrative functions for the local prefects. Unlike acolytes, the deacons are allowed--and even encouraged--to marry. But they may not bear arms or serve in a warband.
Adventuring clerics are not considered to be part of the normal hierarchy but may operate freely of the priests, curates, prefects, and even the canons of the towns, bearing responsibility only to the High Priest and his representatives. Nonetheless, they are expected to respect the positions of others and may not order priests about in their own churches, even if they are of higher level than the priests themselves!

Public Agenda

Within the community, the Fellowship of Saint Cadoc focuses on charitable works, including care for the poor, the hungry, the afflicted, and the sick. The deacons normally take care of this communal aspect of the faith, and it is the deacons as well who help found and maintain the schools and sick houses that the Fellowship administers.
Outside the community, the emphasis is on spreading the word of the blessed saint, typically through service. Acolytes of Saint Cadoc may be sent to serve local clan chieftains, in the hope of gaining the chieftain’s permission to found shrines to their god.

Tenets of Faith

The precepts of Saint Cadoc include the following:

• Devotion to the Light
• Obedience to one’s lord
• Charity to one’s neighbors
• Mercy to one’s enemies

Ethics

Devotion to the way of Saint Cadoc is shown through actions, often acts of charity but just as often acts of forbearance. Charitable acts may range from feeding the hungry to rebuking the arrogant and impious. Even adventuring clerics are expected to spend some of their downtime among the poor and sick, or speaking to condemned prisoners so that they may give themselves to the Light before they meet their doom.
The faithful are always encouraged to be humble, but at the same time they must not let their personal humility interfere with the glorification of the god. Excessive wealth is frowned upon, but a clean, finely made robe and cowl, holy symbols of silver, and anything else that will redound to the glory of Saint Cadoc is celebrated.
Devotions are expected to be regular, cleanliness must be observed, and excessive or overly conspicuous displays of piety are frowned upon. A holy fast, for instance, must never interfere with one’s appearance at a feast, especially when summoned. But once there, the cleric is expected to abstain as much as possible without making himself or herself the object of attention. Moderation is encouraged in all things.

Priesthood

Those who can afford it may send their sons and daughters for education at the Temple. These students are watched carefully by the Temple canons and the High Priest for any signs of a vocation. By the time those with promise have reached the age of 14, they are offered the opportunity to enter the elite group of young men and women studying to become acolytes—for another fee. The path is not easy, another 4 years of intensive study and training. Those who don’t succeed may still become scribes and accountants, perhaps even traveling to Caer Tewdrig for advanced study. Some join the deaconry. The few who succeed the trials and tests become acolytes.
Priests within the settled hierarchy are identified by their habit. Acolytes and adepts are garbed in white. It is only those who achieve the rank of priest who may wear the brown cowls that are so typical of this priesthood. Those who have earned the rank of canon are distinguished by the brown borders on their sleeves and on the bottom hem of their robes. The robes of the high priests are the most splendid, trimmed and bordered with gold, and supplemented by the addition of gold vestments and headgear for ceremonial purposes.
Adventuring clerics are a different matter. They wear ivory colored robes with gold borders and designs to indicate both their devotion to Saint Cadoc and their mission in bringing the Light of Amon to the dark corners of the world.

Type

Religious, Sect

Permeated Organizations

• The Kingdom of Gwent-Glywising

Divines

• Cadoc of the Cowl