Oracle of Experience

It's Experience that tells us the coral is dangerous, Knowledge that tells us why, and Wisdom that tells us to run.

— Priest Zööravis Darlothe

The Oracle of Experience is a priest of the titular Divinity of Experience, tasked with many religious duties as well as one unique to itself - the prediction of weather on the island of Xörrodha, in order to protect the people from the dangerous effects of the native Porriha Coral.
 

History

When the island of Xörrodha appeared off the coast of Thurásin following The Collision, it was swiftly claimed by the nearby Kingdom of Sambogen, who set about taming the new landmass. It took very little time for the settlers to realise the threat posed by the "pollen" of the native coral, which would cause whole groups to fall unconscious in minutes.
  Despite these obvious dangers, the crown remained intent on gaining a foothold on the island, and the town of Zdähazosh carved a space on the coastline gradually, typically during the safer winter months. However, for security, some people were forced to stay in the town during the more dangerous stormy seasons, leading to predictably tragic results.
  The first Oracle is typically said to be Astävis Tsamzan, a priest of Experience who had remained on the island during the storm season of 13 Collision (412 Years Ago). Frustrated by the abandonment of the peasantry to the element, she prayed to her patron deity for the ability to protect them. Surprisingly, this call was answered, and the two formed a Divine Contract with a very narrow purpose - predicting the weather on Xörrodha a day in advance, so that citizens could be adequately warned.
  This contract formed, Astävis became the guardian of Zdähazosh, and later petitioned the Duke of Xörrodha to construct a tower for the Church of Experience that could be lit as a warning for oncoming storms - a precursor to the later Weatherlight system.
  The success of Zdähazosh as a settlement, as well as the other towns on Sambogayo Xörrodha, is attributed largely to the Astävis and her successor Oracles.
 

Appointment

Theoretically any individual on the island of Xörrodha could become the Oracle, simply by forming a pact with the Divinity when the position is vacant. In practice, this task will fall to a priest of the Church of Experience in Zdähazosh, especially as they will have practical experience with the tools and greater access to the previous Oracle.
  Who becomes the Oracle is dependent entirely on the Divinity of Experience, who is not consistent in what deals they make in exchange for limited weather prediction power. By nature of a divine contract, the individual must be willing to either sacrifice something, or commit to an action in the future, which can eliminate candidates from an already small pool if Experience does not accept their offer or heed their prayers.
  Despite the difficulties of this system, there has never been a gap of longer than a day where no Oracle held power in Zdähazosh. The needs of the many have always prevailed.
 

Duties

In many ways the Oracle is indistinguishable for their fellow priests of Experience, still having the same duties. These range from lighting the Weatherlights to offering counsel for anyone in need, and often performing odd tasks around town. As a priest, they are also required to perform daily prayers to Experience and live in their example, seeking practical understanding.
  Uniquely among the priesthood, the Oracle makes contact with Experience early in the day in order to receive the weather prediction, and may additionally contact their divinity in times of crisis. As a consequence of the Divine Contract they have entered into, there may be requirements unique to each Oracle. For example, the Oracle starting in the year 37 Growth (171 Years Ago) had the pact requirement of travelling to the highest peak of Xörrodha during the wet winter each year.
 

Political Power

While primarily a spiritual position, the Oracle holds a unique power with Sambogen - the power to veto the laws of the Duke of Xörrodha.
  This power was gained in the year 35 Ascent (320 Years Ago) during a standoff with Duke Nokova, whose efforts to force the citizens into deadly work during storm seasons provoked outrage in the priesthood. When Nokova tried to force them to back down by stopping supply shipments, the Oracle of the day marched to his manor to prove their divinity was no mere bluster.
  While the exact nature of their conversation isn't known, the result was the Accord of the Oracle, granting the Oracle this powerful veto in exchange for a pledge to only use it in service of "the best spiritual interests of Xörrodha", otherwise remaining politically neutral.
  No Oracle has exercised their veto since the Accord - the threat has been enough.