The Church of the Eternal Flame

Hierarchy

The Grand Elder

Both the ruler of Woadpress, as well as the voice of the Eternal Flame, the Grand Elder if chosen from the Cardinal Triarchs after the previous elder passes away, assuming it was under suspicious circumstances. In rare cases, a Grand Elder may choose a successor before stepping down from his post, typically becoming a Grand Deacon or Grand Adjudicator. Primarily, The Grand Elder takes the approved laws chosen by the Triarch, and either enacts them across Woadpress or strikes them down. A law struck down by the Grand Elder cannot be reintroduced until a new Grand Elder takes the position.

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Cardinal Triarchs

  The Elder Cardinal Triarchs take laws approved by the Cardinal Council and determine if they are moral, and in line with the tenets and beliefs of the church. It is also a common duty of the Triarchs to interpret certain laws, judgments, or fringe cases in important legal or spiritual cases.

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Cardinal Counselors

A Cardinal Councilor either approves laws drafted by the abbots for overview by the Triarch or sends it back to the abbots with notes on where the laws fail under scrutiny. They are often essential leaders in their communities and tend to be looked to for spiritual, legal, and other types of advice.

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Abbots

Abbots take the council of the Grand Deacons and when appropriate/applicable create laws and regulations to aid the communities of Woadpress.

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Grand Deacons/Deacons

Large, important, and otherwise central to Woadpress politics, each major population must have a Grand Deacon. While they are free to roam, their primary role is to propose laws and regulations to help improve cities, and therefore help the population. No matter what, a Grand deacon is always present at the capitol, and may not leave unless relieved by another.   A regular Deacon, however, is placed into each Woadpress community, assuming the population is large enough to perform proper religious services. It is up to the deacon to inform Grand Deacons who petition Abbots for the needs of their communities. They are often considered the face of their communities, and should a particular town be doing poorly, it is often considered a reflection of the deacons themselves.

Grand Adjudicator/Adjudicator

  Judicators and Grand Judicators pass Judgment on the criminals of Woadpress. Similar to Grand Deacons, there is 1 Grand Adjudicator to each important, large, or central Woadpress location, though they are not expected to leave their local areas. Uniquely to regular Adjudicators, however, is that each town may have anywhere from 1 to 3, depending on the history and size of the town.   The Grand Adjudicator is to always have access to 3 regular adjudicators for just his city, specifically serving under him and for his interests, which are "always" the interests of Woadpress.

Grand Paladins/Paladins

  Grand Paladins serve as the Generals of the Woadpress army and are elevated by the Grand Elder from the rank of Paladin. There can be any number of Grand Paladins during wartime as the Grand Elder sees fit. However, in times of peace, there is only ever one Grand Paladin. Grand Paladins in excess left at the end of a war are awarded honors by the Church, and then honorably stripped of their rank. Most enter retirement afterward, though some embark on pilgrimages to distant lands.   Paladins serve as Guard Captains of the Towns/Villages/Cities they are granted authority in. They report directly to their Deacons and there may only be one Paladin per settlement.  

Pilgrim of Penance

A Pilgrimage of Penance is a form of atonement utilized by the church when dealing with members of its majoris and minoris sects. A Penitent is sent off to a foreign land to perform good works in the name of the church and the penitent's chosen god(s). The church sets either a date or a condition to mark the pilgrimage as complete, at which point the pilgrim will be welcomed home. In rare instances a Penitent will abandon the church altogether; forsaking their fealty, their faith, or both. Such acts of heresy are handled by the Inquisition, and the Penitent is usually not heard from again.  

The Black Oath

When a Paladin fails in his duties to the State, they may in applicable circumstances be given a chance for atonement by swearing the Black Oath. A Paladin who forswears this oath dons a suit of ritually prepared armor, and kneels before the Eternal Flame. The flame scorches the armor black, and while the Paladin within feels the heat, they suffer no lasting burns. The armor is imbued with formidable power, but it also comes with a harrowing promise. Fail in your oath, and there are no second chances. Fail and let the fire consume you in a blaze to rival the sun.