Unitary Astroism/Clergy and Structure

Hierarchy

Elders

Most Holy Offices

• Holy Prophet - Lucius Arundel
• First Prophet - Mathurin Hossenfeffer (retired to a life of isolation and meditation.)
• Castellan

The Astral Council

The three most pious and zealous priests of the faith, chosen by their peers, the Castellan, and the Holy Prophet. Combined with the Most Holy Offices, they form the Astral Council.

• Light of the Bloodsun
• Light of the Bloodmoon
• Light of the Bloodstars

Junior Offices

• Three Luminaries - Chosen by the Light of the Bloodstars, one for each Star.
• Three Consuls - Elected by the faithful in communion, serving staggered one year terms (four seasons.) In accordance with the Sanguine Games, two are elected on the first day of Spring, the other on the first day of Autumn.

Faithful Members

Name	Purpose	Monthly Fee
Cantor	Priests who have taken their Holy Vows.	none
Hero of the Faith	Faithful members who have shown exceptional dedication, and undergone severe hardship on behalf of the faith. They are immune to inquisitorial investigations.	none
Exarch	Faithful nobles in command of chartered orders.	none
Warden	Members of chartered orders.	none
Invocator	Faithful members who actively invite others to the fold, alongside Priests who have not taken their Holy Vows.	none
Knight Errant	Faithful members who are either on an approved pilgrimage or have completed one.	none
Knight Stalwart	Nobles who voluntarily provide a large sum of gold to temple treasuries.	100 gold
Knight	A faithful member in communion.	10 gold
Knight Penitent	For faithful members temporarily demoted to penance as a disciplinary action.	20 gold
Hedge Knight	Faithful members in communion who willingly exclude themselves from the affairs of the clergy.	none
Companion	Faithful commoners in communion who have yet to be knighted.	none
Knight Reticent	Faithful members no longer in communion as a disciplinary action.	20 gold
Layperson	Registered members of the Church of Unitary Astroism.	none

Chartered Orders

The Astral Order

The inquisitorial arm of the Astral Council, the Astral Order was chartered on the same day the Church was created. After Regent Enoch Dishman from the Church of Sanguis Astroism rose Lady Jonsu Himoura, a convicted heretic, to the position of 'prophet,' the need for an inquisitorial order was made very clear. In order to guarantee the sanctity of the position, the Exarch of the Astral Order is appointed by the Holy Prophet, and is obliged to act when the Astral Council warrants an order of inquisition. Faithful members can also issue personal requests for investigation to the Astral Order, also known as requests of suspicion, provided that there is sufficient cause. In these cases, Exarchs retain full discretion, and may accept or decline requests as they so please.

Members of the Astral Order are granted the right to interrogate anyone belonging to the Church, aside from Heroes of the Faith and the Holy Prophet. Recipients of an interrogation must provide all the information requested of them, so long as the information requested relates to the Church and its functions. Failure to do so is worthy of trial before the Astral See, as is the abuse of power by a member of the Astral Order. Any findings made by the Astral Order must be brought forward to the Astral Council. If any number of findings are deemed legitimate, Exarchs are expected to summon the Astral See to session, and begin a trial.