Apateus
Member
[!] A bulletin is posted in front of the Grand Cathedral of Adelsburg, bearing the seal of the Vater.
A copy is also kept in the Temple Rules' Archive in the Vater's Palace [!]
✠ Entering the Clergy: The Cults of the Sentinels ✠
7, Starfall, 1543
Updated 30, Highbloom, 1543
A copy is also kept in the Temple Rules' Archive in the Vater's Palace [!]
✠ Entering the Clergy: The Cults of the Sentinels ✠
7, Starfall, 1543
Updated 30, Highbloom, 1543
✠ The Worship of the Sentinels ✠
The choice of the Sentinel is an important part of the Alderist creed. Following one's Sentinel is a demonstration of devotion to Alder, of choosing a path for your life and following it through all adversity.
Choosing multiple Sentinels is forbidden for those who are not among the clergy.
However, the paths of Pre-Determination are innumerable, and it often happens that a faithful Alderist has a "vocation" towards a path of worship, or that someone in the clergy is chosen for a high role directly dependent on a specific sentinel.
An inquisitor serves Elric and the Cultists each serve their own Sentinel. Joining one of these cults is an eligible Sentinel change, requiring no specific ritual.
In other cases, changing the Sentinel chosen during the initiation ritual into the Alderist creed is not permitted and is considered blasphemy.
What is a Cultist?
Cultists, as they are known, form the lower part of the clerical hierarchy. Cults are formed through a collective goal and serfdom towards a Sentinel.
It is commonly known that many of these people are zealots or fanatics, yet under the control of their Abbots and prosecutable by the decrees of the Vater. The Abbots and Abbeses are esteemed members of the clergy with their own semi-independence over their cultists and Abbeys.
All novices of the Alderist faith enter the clergy via the Cults, achieving the title of "priest", extended to all members of the clergy except the Paladins, who are better called "warpriests".
Many of these will one day become Abbots and other high members of the clergy.
✠ List of the existing Alderist Cults ✠
Cult of Mortius
The Cult of Mortius is one of the most ancient and widespread cults. Following the Sentinel of Death above all, their sacred duty is to maintain and defend the souls of the departed, for the Corruptive powers of Necromancers and other voidal horrors that thrive on the bodies of the dead. They have put themselves on the frontlines against the Necromantic threat.
Besides warding off dangers, they offer hands of guidance to those in times of sadness, mourning, grief, or those close to dying. They perform blessings for the deceased and funerary rituals.
Known as the ''Custodians", or simply ''Guardians'', the Cultists of Mortius can even use force against those who defile the sacred grounds of any resting place or crypt and can investigate Voidal cases with permission of the local Erzbishop or an Inquisitor.
Worshipers of Aristea can also join the Cult of Mortius and keep Aristea as their Sentinel.
The Black Abbot
The Black Abbot can decide on the burial rituals of the Alderist practice, provided that they are approved by the Vater. It also has permission to organize the burials of the dead, decide on the deceased, and organize cemeteries.
Headquarters: Die Schwarze Abbey, Veronia
The Cult is open to both men and women, but the internal rules do not allow them to marry nor have children.
Sisters of Alda
Alda's Sisters are both warriors and scholars of the medical arts and magic. They are also critics and students in every kind of art, from painting to writing and music.
Each Sister chooses one or more of these specializations in their training and help the abbess in her dealings regarding matrimonial cases.
Worshipers of Aristea can also join the Cult of Alda and keep Aristea as their Sentinel.
The Red Abbess
The Abbess of Alda has the task of managing matrimonial cases for the Vater in accordance with what is legislated in a document "about marriages and their termination" that will follow in the next weeks. The Abbess, who will rule the Abbey of Alda in the future, has also the power to regulate and supervise the cult of Alda.
Headquarters: Alderist Temple, Adelsburg (Temporary)
The Cult accepts women only, the Cultists can marry normally.
Golden Keepers
The Golden Keepers, or "Cult of the Golden Griffin" care for the Temple lands: not only their defense but the maintenance of the sacred sites.
Those who venerate the triad of Sentinels composed of Salvor, Reimar and Elric, also known as the "Griffin Triad" enter this cult.
They are the clerics who allow the entire institution to function: that there are always candles in the temples, armor and weapons for the Templars, silver and gold for ritual objects.
They control and keep the registers of the Alderists and their Sentinels, of the properties of the Temple.
The Keepers also guard the relics and treasure of the Temple, and assist the Vater in administering the administrative machinery.
Finally, they practice learning the sacred laws and the Empire, in order to be promoted to Inquisitors.
Keepers can either become Inquisitors or join the Order of the Temple to serve as Templars defending the Vater.
They may have their own leader, the "Golden Abbot", appointed as treasurer of the Temple.
The Golden Abbot
The Abbot of the Cult is responsible for protecting the relics of the Cult of Alder and the Temple treasury and keeping track of new recruits, the Temple registers and possible candidates for promotion to Inquisitor or Bishops entering the “High Clergy”.
Headquarters: Alderist Temple, Adelsburg (Temporary)
The Cult is open to both men and women, the Cultists can marry normally.
The Temple Scholars
Those who venerate the Sentinels Rosatia and Volker deal with theoretical questions, the relationships between magic and sacredness, and the teaching of religion.
The tasks assigned to the Scholars are:
- Research and study of sacred themes or myths of Alderism.
- Public sermons for the purposes of teaching and conversions of infidels.
- Research on Heresies and other religions.
Only Scholars are entitled to direct promotion to "Erzbishop", while all other priests are expected to first access the High Clergy.
Headquarters: Alderist Temple, Adelsburg.
The Cult is open to both men and women, the Cultists can marry normally.
For future career prospects, see also:
Minor Careers document,
Major Careers document.
Signed Gregor von Volker, Vater of the Alderist Temple
Last edited: