Lucian Priesthood

Priests of the Lucian Faith are members of an elite social order, one that begins at a fairly young age. Most members are placed under the tutelage of a elder priest between the ages of 12 and 16 years old. At this age, they are considered Acolytes and their sole responsibility is to study scripture, rituals, theology, rhetoric, the Iternitus Magna, and moral philosophy.   Once they reach 18 years old, they are granted the privilege to undergo the initiation ritual to become Ordained. Once they are Ordained, they can conduct low-level pacts, oversee shrines and monasteries, as well as grant basic blessings and funeral rites. They are also expected to spend time traveling to villages and townships and train underneath more experienced priests to gain insight and understanding of their duties.   To go further in the organization, or to become a Senior Priest, takes time, patience, and effort. Promotion within the Lucian Faith comes from a combination of merit and knowing the right people. Once the organization feels the person is ready, they will be granted higher responsibilities such as: overseeing banishment and high-risk rituals, overseeing large regions within the spiritual organization such as counties, duchies, etc.   Beyond this, one may be elected to the Ecclesium. The Ecclesium is the highest honor within the Lucian Faith. They oversee canon law, have authority to redirect understanding within the church, grant titles and positions, create or dissolve regions of spiritual control, and have access to all records within the church. The Ecclesium is a lifelong position, requiring a unanimous vote by the other council members to be unseated from their position if they are felt to be unworthy.

The Priests of the Lucian Faith have many duties and roles that are given to them, and each must act in accordance with the Doctrine of the Faith and their holy book, The Eternitus.   Lucian Priests are trained to oversee the sacred rites of pactmaking that is forged between mortals and spirits. They ensure balance and cooperation, as well as cleansing and purification of corruption which arises within both man and spirits. If necessary, priests can also perform the Rite of Banishment, sealing away spirits from the mortal realm, albeit only for a short time in the spirit's infinite lifespan.   Priests also are teachers, giving lectures on the myth of creation, the importance of proper pact making, and the dangers that spirits can have on the mortal realm. Ultimately, however, the most important task of the Priests of the Lucian Faith is record-keeping. Priests organize and archive pacts, records, oaths, and more within their vast archives to ensure remembrance. The Lucian Faith are the true keepers of the world's spiritual knowledge within Azora.