Church of Avacyn

The Church is the spiritual, military, and secular authority in Innistrad. Every priest, captain, and government official are in its hierarchy. This is not because the people of Innistrad are inherently religious, but because the Church is the only structure powerful enough to keep the monsters at bay. The people worship the Angels because they know they fight for Innistrad's protection, and the Angels
The leader of the Church is known as the Lunarch, and is Avacyn's representative to the people. The Lunarch meets with the Archangel once a year to receive instruction on how best to protect the flock, then spends the rest of the year enacting her designs in policy. Lunarch Mikhail ascended to the position about two years ago, after the death of the Lunarch Cathrynn after a nearly 50 year reign.
Beneath the Lunarch stands the Archon Council, each of whom is in charge of a separate part of the organization. Like the Lunarch, they meet regularly with one of the angelic leaders to receive additional instructions. The positions are as follows:

• The Archon of Steel is in charge of the military forces of the Church, excluding the Inquistion. This post is usually held by a veteran Captain, the highest rank in the Cathars, although it can be filled by appointment from the Lunarch, as can all of these positions. This is considered the most senior position on the Council, and their opinion holds sway over the others. The Archon of Steel meets with Gisela, the leader of Flight Goldnight, to go over martial strategy in the face of ever-increasing monster attacks. The current incumbent is Hubrecht Scheyff, a salty old Nephalian nicknamed the Corsair for how he dealt with a group of Skaberen.

• The Archon of Gold is the head of government. From petitions for township to road maintenance, and especially taxation, the position deals with the paperwork. It is a thankless job, but those who occupy it are usually lifelong bureaucrats and used to the grind. Sigarda of the Flight of Herons discusses with them anything that touches upon the citizens' health and well-being, to the smallest detail. In such meetings, it's vital to have someone who takes good notes. With the ascension of Lunarch Mikhail, he appointed Zuzana Kasmyr, a ruthlessly efficient bureaucrat from Kessig.

• Finally, the Archon of Brass is the leader of the faith. They are in charge of sermons, schooling, festivals, observances, and other religious aspects of daily life that the people of Innistrad build their days around. Considered the most junior of the positions, it is generally ignored by the other Archons. But with thousands of priests, monks, and deacons under their charge, the Archon of Brass has an army in the realm of public opinion, and the right officeholder can use this to their political advantage. More than once, a newly-anointed Lunarch was writing sermons just a few months prior. Lunarch Mikhail appointed Romauld Folz, a foppish young noble from Thraben.

An interesting note: Although the new Lunarch is generally brought up from a position on the Archon Council, no one had heard of Mikhail previous to this.

Type

Religious, Organised Religion