Exarch of the Divine Leaf

At the center of the room was a silver basin, large and shaped like a cauldron, with a small fire inside sending up bits of orange ember. The room smelled of roasted rosemary, thyme, sage and mint, wafting from the burning incense and candles dotting around the chamber. On a cushioned dias before the basin, sat a long-haired black cat with a white tuxedo pattern, a leather thong tied at the end with tresses of dried leaves and small purple flowers hung on its neck.   Ceci looked on in alarm as the cat pushed a large lump of what appeared to be dried mint leaves into the basin, before dipping its head precariously into the edge of the flames.   “Don't worry, our Exarch is very good at her job." Duchess whispered and placed a reassuring paw on Ceci's side. "The use of the herbs is to aid her in divination."   A hacking cough came up from the basin, as the tuxedo, now known to be the Exarch, raised her head from the flames. A fine layer of powdered ash had settled on her head, and the edge of her whiskers were curled from the heat. Luckily her fur wasn't on fire, though some tips appeared slightly singed.   "Sure," Ceci nodded, "whatever you say."

Wise, patient, mysterious, confusing, and at times looney- those are the general impressions citizens of Dominicus Felinus have of the Exarchs. Secluded within the Sanctuary in Nepetanopolis, they are rarely seen outside except for important ceremonies open to the public, and spotted occassionally if they are in the Sacred Gardens tending to the herbs. And usually, their messages to members outside the Order, are relayed through Acolytes serving under them. A sighting of the Exarch is generally considered a blessing by the public.

 

Qualifications

The Exarch of the Divine Leaf is a rank that is inherited from the previous Exarch, usually divinely ordained. While strong magic users to begin with, especially in regards to rituals and healing magic, the Exarch could come from any rank. It is stated that the current Exarch will know when her time has come to pass, and will be given a dream indicating whom the next Exarch will be. The next Exarch is then anointed, the previous Exarch is to train and pass on knowledge for a short period, before she will leave on her own journey to meet her end in peace.

 

Duties and responsibilities

The Exarch is considered the spiritual seer and guardian of the kingdom, believed to be capable of divine foresight gifted by Catus, and inherited from the First Seer Asir, at the time of the Order's formation. They are the loremasters, archivists, and actively manage the library at the Sanctuary in Nepetanopolis. They are also called the "divine gardener" for they are the cultivators of the Sacred Garden in the grounds at Nepetanopolis.   Exarchs are believed to be capable of feeling out changes and fluctations within the barrier magic weave keeping the Misty Vale intact. Sometimes it is thought that this "sense" can also extend to the Grimmfell. Naturally, the duty to monitor the magic barrier's energy became the Exarch's duty; and with it, research into rituals and lores related to the magic barrier also became a secondary task inherited since the beginning of the Order.   Among the many rites and rituals that has ties to the Misty Vale, the main one is the Rite of Flames ceremony held four times a year. For this ceremony, newly grown herbs, blessed by the Exarch, is burned in a central basin arranged on the large dais plaza located at the bottom of the Sanctuary. The flames from the fire are interpreted by the Exarch, and the ashes scattered in a circular pattern meant to enforce the protective barrier of the Misty Vale. For the last of the four Rites of the year in the winter season, the Exarch also leads a procession to the border of the Misty Vale to strengthen the seal against the Grimmfell.   The Exarch is considered an oracle of Catus, able to interpret obtuse prophecies left down by the sages of the olden days, some said to have come directly from Catus through the writings of Asir or the First Summoner. Thus it is usually the duty of the Exarch to conduct divinition rituals for critical decisions, seeking out divine guidance. However, usually the Exarch is not an active participant on the Council of Flowers, and reports directly to the Head Seer. If any actions are necessary, they are usually relayed to the Lord Wardens directly.   The ability to decipher prophecies is used in several cases. One such case is the Anointment search for the new Monarch when the previous one transcends: using a divine artifact from the first royal family- a golden cat paw-she enters a meditative trance that can last hours or even days. By the end, the artifact will point out whom among the royal family members holds the soul worthy of being the ruler of the kingdom. It is then announced, and the inauguration ceremony for the new Monarch is conducted by the Exarch in Nepetanopolis within a week.   For the Order itself, the Exarch also recieves the message of when Trainee Wardens are ready to undertake the final trials for graduation. It is said that the names of the Warden Trainees are given to the Exarch in a dream, which she then records down and relays to the Lord Wardens. A similar process occurs for Acolytes who graduate- as whether or not they are ready is also relayed to the Exarch in a dream.   Lastly, as the highest ranking ritualists in the kingdom, they are responsible for carrying out the ritual for stripping a Warden (especially a Lord Warden) of all powers when expelled.

 

Benefits and hazards

The Exarch resides in the Lamiaceae Sanctuary, with all needs taken care of. While life is certainly not luxurious, it is also one that is usually peaceful. The life of an Exarch is usually safe with only a few exceptions. One is that should the seal against the Grimmfell ever break, or the barrier of the Misty Vale ever fall, the re-sealing and re-erection the barrier usually involves a great amount of divine magic contributed from the Exarch through an archaic ritual. The few documented instances from the Second Great War indicates this usually resulted in the Exarch perishing in the process, using her own life force to feed the ritual.

Ceremonial Colors

For more formal ceremonies, Exarchs usually appear in their human form. Ceremonial robes that stretch to the toes are usually of a dark green color, usually olive green, a reference to the leaves of the catnip plant. The material would vary based on the season, while a dark wool cloak in brown would be worn in the winter months. A dark purple sash would be wrapped around the waist in thick bands, and accessories, such as a leather thong holding catnip, sage and other herbs would be hung around the neck. And the Exarch would be denoted by a wreath of catnip leaves, interlaced with silver vine, valerian and thistle, crowned on her head.   Rarely would the Exarch hold any ceremony in cat form, but should the occassion occur, there are usually smaller head accessories consisting of plant leaves, and an olive green band with threads of purple worn at the neck.   In cat form, the uniform is much simpler, involving a thicker collar that's mostly green, intertwined with threads of purple, with five golden mint leaves hung at the front.