Church of Auredain
The Church of Auredain is an organized and hierarchical organization that dominates worship of the Divine Triune within the Kingdom of Auredain. The Divine Triune is the preeminent doctrine inside of the kingdom. While the Auredain Throne proscribes only those faiths that are antithetical to public safety; it is still rare to find an established house of worship that is not dedicated to the Divine Triune.
Tenets of Faith
The Black Curtain
In most chapels and churches of the Triune, the use of a black curtain is symbolic of the Black Gate from which their dogma states that the Vexations reside and stride forth to lay ill upon man. The curtained off area is to that someone may speak their prayers of warding over symbols of the various Vexations.
Priesthood
Strictures
Landholding Clergy Unlike in many other locations, the Church has not become a major tenant but has accrued some land and invested heavily in it for the future. While there are quite a few minor nobles holding land through their families, the Church has only a limited amount of actual land owned and subject to management.
Celibacy Celibacy is actively encouraged but not required. Most superiors feel that relationships are a distraction but are accepting of the wishes of their clergymembers.
Ranks
The various sub-cults of the Triune often have their own nomenclature but the Church itself settles on modest ranking of seniority and authority. The existence of these sub-cults, often composed of those devoted to one or more of the Triune, does play havoc with the central authority of the Church but they tend to follow the directives of the Primate.Neighboring Triune hierarchies are often very similar but may diverge in particular ways. Regardless, every Triune Church in the Approach and surrounding regions is led by an Archprelate. It is only in the very south of the continent and amongst the old Mantherian states that one finds ranks higher than a Archprelate.
Supplicant
The initial stage of education into the faith and the clergy. These individuals can range in age but are usually around 8-16 years of age.Acolyte
Someone who has been passed on from being a Supplicant and sworn oaths to the pantheon.Brother/Sister
Standard clerical member. Within this group, there are those with higher authority bestowed due to specific offices or duties.Brother-Major/Sister-Major
This is a mid-level title that varies greatly in scope, duties, and authority based on the posting location.Brother Superior/Sister Superior
Generally, the head of a large church division or location.Brother or Sister of the Crown, Scale & Shield
These worthies have risen through the ranks and been placed into specific duties of authority/duties and/or as a possible retirement. There have never been more than hundred of these officers at any given time.Those of the Crown are delegated to act as liaisons to the throne. In reality, the majority of them are clerical courtiers and agents that assist the Church in guiding the Crown. Those of the Scale act as justices and inquisitors. There are very few of them and it is believed that there is a secret Court of the Scale where a person can be tried and convicted without even knowing of it. Those of the Shield are active volunteers in protecting their congregation from the Vexations and other forms of black magic, outsider interference and many other things that go bump in the night. Less well-known is that the Shield is also the internal watchdog for signs of heresy and corruption. The few members of the Shield tasked with this duty often work in conjunction with members of the Scale and members of neighboring hierarchies.
Prelate
A Prelate is often appointed in a larger realm to provide on-site authority. Thesol has a much larger number of Prelates such that they are nearly the equivalent of Superiors in Auredain. There are only three Prelates of Auredain at this time and one of those is the Prelate of Heraldsport which is also held by the Archprelate as their traditional see. In Thesol, there are seven Prelates. The other two Prelates are located west of Dain Lake and in the very south of the kingdomArchprelate of Auredain
The head of the Church in Auredain.
Sects
Sects of the Virtues
Order of the Dawnshield is a small sect of dedicated clergy that focus on Halion's passion for destroying the Undead.
Order of the Spear is an all-female sect of warrior-clerics that have sworn themselves to protecting the realms of the Named. This sect has begun to grow in popularity as the borders of Auredain move further into Taken territory.
Sects of the Vigils
Sects of the Vexations
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Alternative Names
Dain Church, Church of the Auredain Triune
Subsidiary Organizations
Permeated Organizations
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Comments