High Cleric
The High Cleric of the Radiant Flame is the supreme religious leader of the Church of the Radiant Flame and the most powerful spiritual figure in the Holy Solarian Empire. As Solenara’s chosen representative, the High Cleric serves as the divine authority on all matters of faith, doctrine, and morality. While the Emperor rules the Empire’s lands, the High Cleric governs its soul. They anoint emperors, declare crusades, and shape the religious laws that dictate every aspect of Imperial life. Their proclamations are considered divine law, and their words can raise armies, condemn nations, or sanctify wars in the name of the Ever-Burning Light. The High Cleric dictates the course of the Empire’s spiritual destiny, standing above all clergy, nobles, and warriors in religious authority. Even the Grand Inquisitor and the Sunfire Council defer to their will in matters of doctrine.
Duties
The High Cleric’s authority extends far beyond prayer and guidance. They are a ruler in their own right, dictating the course of faith, war, and governance alongside the Emperor and the Sunfire Council.
Supreme Authority Over the Church
- Holds absolute control over the Church of the Radiant Flame, shaping doctrine, religious law, and worship throughout the Empire.
- Has the power to canonize saints, recognize holy relics, and define what is deemed heretical or sacred.
- Oversees all monasteries, temples, and priestly orders, ensuring they uphold Solenara’s divine will.
The Right to Anoint and Dethrone Emperors
- No emperor may rule without the blessing of the High Cleric, who performs the sacred anointment ceremony.
- Holds the power to excommunicate an Emperor, declaring them an enemy of the faith and stripping them of divine legitimacy.
- May call for a council of Elector Houses to remove an emperor who strays from Solenara’s path.
The Sole Authority to Declare Holy War
- Has the power to sanction and bless crusades, granting the war divine legitimacy.
- Can order the Solari Templars and the Inquisition to purge heretics, witches, or Lunar sympathizers.
- Decides when a war is considered righteous or sinful, shifting the course of conflicts across Eryndral.
The Keeper of Divine Law
- Issues doctrinal decrees, shaping how the faithful should live, worship, and conduct themselves.
- Has the power to forgive sins or condemn souls, determining whether one may find redemption in Solenara’s light.
- Can outlaw certain beliefs, books, or magical practices, marking them as dangerous or heretical.
A Guiding Hand Over the Sunfire Council
- Holds immense influence over the Empire’s nobility, with many rulers relying on the Church for political legitimacy.
- May advise or overrule noble decrees that contradict religious doctrine.
- Ensures that noble houses fund and support the Church, keeping its wealth and power intact.
Final Judge of Heresy
- Holds the power to overrule the Grand Inquisitor in matters of faith, determining if a purge is justified.
- May grant divine pardon to those condemned, offering redemption to those who repent.
- Has the final say in all theological disputes, ensuring that no faction within the Church grows too powerful.
Responsibilities
The High Cleric is more than a religious figure—they are a ruler, a judge, and a symbol of divine will.
- A single decree can alter the fate of the entire Empire.
- The anointing or excommunication of an Emperor can change history.
- A call for a crusade can mobilize armies, reshape borders, and condemn entire nations.
Yet, even with all their power, the High Cleric is bound by faith—for if they stray from Solenara’s light, they too may burn.
"Faith is our shield, fire is our blade. As long as the sun rises, we shall stand."
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