Archiat

I, Rokha Baryala, in assuming the holy office of Archiat do swear with the very spark of my life to carry out the duties, both universal and particular, to which I have been called. I shall foster the health of the maajit and, through them, the health of Yana Culpan, the mountain that gifts to us heat, sustenance, life. I shall faithfully render service from this moment until such time as the Mountain sees fit to take me into its embrace and return me to the flow.

— from the swearing in of the 59th Archiat

By the deep magma flows under Mount Malice, the Sabir Gainevh or "brumal wardens" of the maajit tend to the mental and physical ailments of their people. These "blind" monks have shorn heads, depriving them of the hair-like filaments that constitute the main sensory input for their species - infrared. Elected from by and from the ranks of the Sabir Gainevh, the Archiat acts as the spiritual head of the maajit as well as the representative of their main deity, Agnar Mountainheart.

Requirements

The only requirements for the position are that one has been a sabir for a minimum of ten years and that one can get sufficient votes from the other members of the order.

Appointment

When the old Archiat dies, a new one is chosen by ballot. The voting must occur within one month of the Archiat's passing, and it is usually pushed to near the end of that deadline to give candidates a chance to argue their case and their fellow monks a chance to debate the matter. Every member of the order gets one vote. While it is normal for those desiring the position to campaign for it, there is no rule that requires such; it is possible for the order to vote in someone who has declined to run. (This has happened only once in recorded history. Rekhmin Mir and Taban Sakhel were the only people striving for the office, but they were both bitter and grasping for power. The young sabir remembered only as Zar successfully campaigned on behalf of Khloro the Just, 23rd Archiat. Though Khloro had no desire for the position, Zar knew her quiet conviction made her the best suited and that she would put the maajit and the order before herself.)

Duties

The mountain has no mercy to offer, but I have. Fire cannot be gentle, but I can. Make your contrition to me and I shall intercede on your behalf with the Mountainheart.

The Archiat's sworn duty is to "guide and protect" the maajit, but what that actually means has always been up to interpretation. Some have been mere advisers to the monarch, but others have been the de facto leaders of the tribe for their tenure.
In general, the Archiat is a mentor, counselor, and sage who is meant to keep in balance of the best interests of the individual, the tribe, and the mountain - no easy task.

Type

Religious, Clerical

Status

Rokha Baryala is the current and 59th Archiat.

Alternative Naming

Some foreign texts refer to the Archiat as Archdoctor, but maajit themselves would never use that term.

Source of Authority

In theory, Agnar Mountainheart, god of the volcano. In practice, the Samir Gainevh may revoke the power of the Archiat (though this has most frequently been accomplished by assassination rather than official precept).

Length of Term

Lifetime.