Archpriest of Gashnag

Qualifications

Must participate in at least ten battles, two of which must be major battles.
Must either be the current High Sipaki or High Shaman.
Must challenge the current Archpriest to hand to hand combat and win. Short of winning, if the Archpriest finds a challenger worthy, they may approve the challenger anyway.
Pass a thorough series of rigorous tests presented by the cult's secret blood order. These tests are not known to anyone outside of the order and those that fail have their memories modified so they only remember that they failed. It is heavily believed to involve religious knowledge.

Requirements

Must be an Orc.

Appointment

After meeting the requirements above, the pending candidate takes a pilgrimage to the heart of Hellfire Mountain, where the leader of the secret sect performs sacred rituals. Upon returning, they take the position of Archpriest. However, it is not unheard of for an Orc to perish during these rituals...

Duties

The Archpriest stands at the top of the religion. Traditionally, the role of the Archpriest is to hear and execute the commands of Gashnag. However, due to their deity's current stasis, this position studies the teachings of Gashnag with great care and executes his will to the best of their ability. The Archpriest works to integrate the Orcish people into outside civilizations. They maintain diplomatic relations and determine when it is time to go to war. Unlike the High Sipaki, the Archpriest does not participate in battles in foreign territory, focusing their wisdom to guide the daily lives of their people.

Benefits

After the rituals performed on them, the Archpriest walks away from these rituals better than any other Orc. If the candidate was the High Shaman, they become easily stronger than the High Sipaki. If they were the High Sipaki, they have access to even stronger magic than the High Shaman, even if they were unable to cast spells before. The ritual also offers a prolonged lifespan, living up to two centuries.

Accoutrements & Equipment

The Archpriest carries the Furysculptor, a sacred relic that Gashnag wielded in life.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

Should the Archpriest be found intentionally disregarding the teachings of Gashnag or otherwise be bringing harm upon his followers, the High Shaman or High Sipaki can report the behavior to the sect that imbued him with power, who will subtlely investigate. Should the report hold true, the leader will not only undo the ritual, but bring the Archpriest to a point of strength significantly weaker than even an Orcish child.

Type

Religious, Clerical

Status

Active

Form of Address

Exalted One

Alternative Naming

Furyspeaker

Source of Authority

Gashnag

Length of Term

Until death or abdication