Post by Church Of Clover on May 18, 2022 16:41:41 GMT -5
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For as long as there has been evil in the world, there has also been good. Some believe that for the good to exist, there must be evil, as there is no light without darkness. Being well aware of the fact that the four great spirits exist among men, the Church of Clover considers them as beacons of light that ward off the darkness and keep the land and its inhabitants safe from harm.
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Worshipping the four “beacons”, associated with the changing of seasons, the four great spirits are linked directly to the seasons and the cardinal directions. With Gnome representing Spring and the West, Salamander standing for Summer and the South, Sylph standing for Autumn and the East and finally Undine standing for Winter and the North, all are prayed to.
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In the same breath, the lesser spirits are also prayed to on occasion, seen sometimes as messengers or aides to the main spirits.
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For a long time, the Church’s main focus had been to watch over the citizens of Clover and report any abnormalities to both the royal family and the Magic knights. However, over the course of decades, the church has divided itself into four sects that were formed to aid the country in specific ways. So aside from aiming to make the lives of people better, they are capable of so much more.
[break][break]
One of their primary goals is to ensure no child goes hungry. This is done through having a priest/priestess to run an orphanage in every town and city while they keep watch over their local areas. Many of these priests and priestesses have studied within the great cathedral in the royal capital before taking their place as a caretaker for the orphans.
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Those that choose to follow this path may not become a Magic Knight while they are still part of the Church, but are welcome to work alongside them if they wish. This is a rule enforced by the clergy to ensure that balance of the seasons remains intact within the kingdom, and that no individual person ever holds too much power.
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Children born in each of the different seasons are thought to be blessed by the deity of that season and are associated with particular types of magic that represent their virtues and beliefs.
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Hex magic is strongly frowned on within the church, but they will still take in children that use its power in the hopes of teaching them how to control and use it for good. They are strictly commanded not to use it on their fellow church members under any condition. If someone is caught doing so, they will be strongly punished and more than likely relinquished of any titles and exiled from the clergy.
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While the members of the church usually distinguish themselves by enrolling into one of the four sects, that does not come paired with a higher or lower position within the church. It is because of their deeds that they get to rise through the ranks within the church itself, which is done through means of a system that is essentially quite similar to that of the magic knights. Where they work with golden stars awarded for a job well done, within the church, this is done through means of Piety. By going out into the world and doing good in the name of the church, which can be anything from aiding with a food drive to feed the poor, aiding an orphanage or taking the fight to a cult, you can increase your piousness.
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To be awarded piety works similar in many ways to how the Magic Squads rank their individual members. While more in depth information can be found below, the long and short of it is that every church mission awards an amount of piety fitting to the rank of the mission itself. For instance, when a Deacon has gathered a total of total of 75 Piety, they may request a promotion into Priesthood. When they are allowed to take the trial, there will be a special mission for them to finish, after which it will be determined whether they have what it takes to ascend.
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Regardless of your piety, when you become a full fledged member of the church, you may choose to become part of one of the four Orders of the church. In honor of the four great spirits, one may only join one specific order due to the amount of dedication that is required of them. While switching from one Order to the next is possible, it is generally frowned upon as some within the respective groups might consider it a betrayal of the spirit they serve. These Orders within the Church are further elaborated upon in their individual fields below:
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Spears of the Salamander[break]
“Church Role: Spear”
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Emissariate of Sylph[break]
“Church Role: Emissary”
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The Garden of Undine[break]
“Church Role: Attendant”
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The Hoard of Gnome[break]
“Church Role: Vault-Keeper”
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When one first finishes their studies, regardless of the order they have joined, they will hold the title of Deacon or Deconess. While essentially an empty title, it only signifies that they have gone through rigorous studies and are ready to truly be of use. Filling out the role of assistant more than anything, they are allowed to take on certain missions passed around within the clergy.
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Note: If you aren't apping into the church you need to do a 4,000 word thread with a church member to enter the church.
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Within each parish, there are priest and nuns that are appointed by the church. Effectively ruling part the parish in the name of the church and its Bishop, they will take part in the activities expected of them while providing guidance and direction to the deacons and deconesses in your care. Aside from standing at the head of the local orphanage, which is attached to the church building itself, they are expected to watch over the town they are stationed in. Helping its citizens where needed and reporting any unusual activity to the Bishop and the Magic Knights.
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While nuns devote themselves for the spirits, priests and other members of the church are allowed to have relationships and start families, granted they continue their commitment to the spirits.
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Standing above and governing the priesthood, the deacons and the nuns, particularly those falling within their designated area of Clover, the Bishop is considered the “second in command”. Existing directly beneath the Cardinals, there are only ever four of them at the same time. Should something happen to the Cardinal residing above them, or should they prove to be more fitting of the role, the Bishop will be the first in line to take over as a new Cardinal. Due to their strong ties to one of the respective spirits, they also take care of most of the planning and dispersal of missions within their assigned order.
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So in addition to governing the churches within their part of the country, the Summer Bishop handles most of the paperwork for the Spears of the Salamander, the Autumn Bishop handles the Emissariate of Sylph, the Winter Bishop handles the Gardens of Undine while the Spring Bishop handles the Hoard of Gnome. At the end of the day however, they still answer to the Cardinal and handle the orders as per their guidelines.
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No single man or woman will ever be in charge of the entire church. Instead, the four most respected members and true paragons of the faith are given the title of “[Season] Cardinal”. Governing the churches in their assigned regions with absolute authority, they also stand at the head of each of the four orders. Housed within the great cathedral in the royal capital, they are close to the royal family and the wizard king, acting as advisors to both. Because they stand at the head of the church, their names carry just as much weight as any of the magic squad captains, even more to those of the faith.
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As is the case with the Bishops that serve them, each individual Cardinal decides the direction of the order that falls under their control, which is then executed by the Bishop. They can however choose to take matters into their own hands if they so desire, though this is not often the case.
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As has been stated previously, when you join the Church, you may choose to become part of one of the four Orders, though this is entirely up to you. Once you decide upon an Order, you will be locked into it and may not just switch out and into another free of charge. Doing so will require you to do a special mission where you are taken through a high speed course, learning the things you need to learn to properly do your job in your new Order. Aside from the Orders, there are the four ranks held within the Church itself, these being the Deacon/Deconess, the Priest/Nun, the Bishop and the Cardinal.
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Below, you will find the exact requirements to go from one rank onto the next.
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NOTE: The required word count is YOUR total; the other's WC do not count towards that total.
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DEACON/DECONESS
Becoming a deacon or deconess happens the moment you finish your studies as an aspiring member of the church. Whether this is done in your background/character history or done by doing the special mission that has you meet up with a priest or nun and join the church that way is entirely up to you. So you may either app in, or go through a mission, and that will be all there is to it.
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REQUIREMENTS: [break]
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PRIEST/NUN
To become a priest or nun, a deacon/deconess must prove themselves worthy by showing their unwavering faith to the deities. The priest or nun they work under may recommend them to the bishops. If the bishops agree, they can become a priest or nun after saying their vows, and will be gifted a church of their own to tend to.
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REQUIREMENTS: [break]
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BISHOP
Becoming a bishop is quite a bit more difficult, requiring that you have proven yourself to the Church many times over. At this point, the amount of work you have done for the good of the country will truly come into question, including any work you may have done as part of one of the four orders.
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REQUIREMENTS: [break]
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CARDINAL
To rank up to cardinal, you have to prove that you are truly a paragon of the light. Not only will you need to prove that you are even more deserving of the position and title than any of the sitting cardinals, of which there will always be four, you will also need to prove that under your guidance, the church will continue to prosper. For when you become a cardinal, you essentially control a fourth of the church, and will stand at the head of one of the four orders. Depending on the order you have chosen and which of the four cardinal directions/seasons is open, that is the one you will lead from that point on. But as you can imagine, this comes with a whole lot of additional requirements that far outshine those for the rank of Bishop.
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REQUIREMENTS: [break]
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Upon officially joining the clergy, you will be gifted the Church of Clover Sigil to show that you are a member. Its power will grow along with your power within the church itself. If you choose to leave or are forcefully removed from the clergy at any point, the sigil will be returned or reprimanded. Depending on the order you represent, the color may be either Red, Blue, White or Brown. In addition to the sigil once a person reaches the status of bishop they will gain a magical item of equivalent rank given to them by the church. This item must be themed around the order you are a bishop to. (Example: Salamander being heat-based, Sylph being wind-based, Undine being water-based and gnome being earth-based) Unlike normal weapons, you do not need to possess the element in question to create the item but the history must reflect it is from the church, as with the sigil if you choose to leave or are excommunicated then the item will be removed from you.
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Rank & Element: Rankless | Elementless[break]
Class & Type: Magical | Enchanted[break]
Magic Specializations: N/A[break]
Appearance & Lore: [break]
A small badge-like item that is held only by those selected by the Church of Clover. It can be used to prove one's identity as a member, which season they represent, as well as demonstrate their rank within the church.
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Abilities:
Blessing of the Seasons[break]
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CHURCH OF CLOVER
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For as long as there has been evil in the world, there has also been good. Some believe that for the good to exist, there must be evil, as there is no light without darkness. Being well aware of the fact that the four great spirits exist among men, the Church of Clover considers them as beacons of light that ward off the darkness and keep the land and its inhabitants safe from harm.
[break][break]
Worshipping the four “beacons”, associated with the changing of seasons, the four great spirits are linked directly to the seasons and the cardinal directions. With Gnome representing Spring and the West, Salamander standing for Summer and the South, Sylph standing for Autumn and the East and finally Undine standing for Winter and the North, all are prayed to.
[break][break]
In the same breath, the lesser spirits are also prayed to on occasion, seen sometimes as messengers or aides to the main spirits.
[break][break]
For a long time, the Church’s main focus had been to watch over the citizens of Clover and report any abnormalities to both the royal family and the Magic knights. However, over the course of decades, the church has divided itself into four sects that were formed to aid the country in specific ways. So aside from aiming to make the lives of people better, they are capable of so much more.
[break][break]
One of their primary goals is to ensure no child goes hungry. This is done through having a priest/priestess to run an orphanage in every town and city while they keep watch over their local areas. Many of these priests and priestesses have studied within the great cathedral in the royal capital before taking their place as a caretaker for the orphans.
[break][break]
Those that choose to follow this path may not become a Magic Knight while they are still part of the Church, but are welcome to work alongside them if they wish. This is a rule enforced by the clergy to ensure that balance of the seasons remains intact within the kingdom, and that no individual person ever holds too much power.
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[attr="class","header"]
THE FOUR DEITIES
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| DEITY | SEASON | ELEMENT | AFFINITY | REGIONAL |
| Salamander | Summer | Fire | Power | South |
| Sylph | Autumn | Wind | Sensory | East |
| Undine | Winter | Water | Control | North |
| Gnome | Spring | Earth | Durability | West |
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Children born in each of the different seasons are thought to be blessed by the deity of that season and are associated with particular types of magic that represent their virtues and beliefs.
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- Spring children are blessed to grow up sturdy and protective of their loved ones, and are associated with Defense Creation, Supplementary Creation, and Restraining Magic.
- Summer children are blessed to grow up strong and powerful, and are associated with Attack Creation and Physical Reinforcement Magic.
- Autumn children are blessed to grow wise beyond their years, and are associated with Sensory and Transformation Magic.
- Winter children are blessed to grow up kind and loving, and are associated with Healing and Golem Magic.
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Hex magic is strongly frowned on within the church, but they will still take in children that use its power in the hopes of teaching them how to control and use it for good. They are strictly commanded not to use it on their fellow church members under any condition. If someone is caught doing so, they will be strongly punished and more than likely relinquished of any titles and exiled from the clergy.
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[attr="class","header"]
HIERARCHY & PIETY
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While the members of the church usually distinguish themselves by enrolling into one of the four sects, that does not come paired with a higher or lower position within the church. It is because of their deeds that they get to rise through the ranks within the church itself, which is done through means of a system that is essentially quite similar to that of the magic knights. Where they work with golden stars awarded for a job well done, within the church, this is done through means of Piety. By going out into the world and doing good in the name of the church, which can be anything from aiding with a food drive to feed the poor, aiding an orphanage or taking the fight to a cult, you can increase your piousness.
[break][break]
To be awarded piety works similar in many ways to how the Magic Squads rank their individual members. While more in depth information can be found below, the long and short of it is that every church mission awards an amount of piety fitting to the rank of the mission itself. For instance, when a Deacon has gathered a total of total of 75 Piety, they may request a promotion into Priesthood. When they are allowed to take the trial, there will be a special mission for them to finish, after which it will be determined whether they have what it takes to ascend.
[break][break]
Regardless of your piety, when you become a full fledged member of the church, you may choose to become part of one of the four Orders of the church. In honor of the four great spirits, one may only join one specific order due to the amount of dedication that is required of them. While switching from one Order to the next is possible, it is generally frowned upon as some within the respective groups might consider it a betrayal of the spirit they serve. These Orders within the Church are further elaborated upon in their individual fields below:
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Spears of the Salamander[break]
“Church Role: Spear”
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Though there technically exists no such thing as a military branch within the church, there is a small and secluded section that is about as close to it as it gets. Called the Spear of the Salamander, members of this group are trained and deployed whenever cults, undead or potential demonic activity is at work. Because the magic knights are trained to fight threats within and without, they are no more knowledgeable on cursed objects or the influences of the underworld than your average civilian. Whereas those that defend the Hoard of Gnome are considered a shield, the Spear of the Salamander is the sword that sets out into the world to get rid of the influences of cults and lesser demons that might try to get a foothold within the land of Clover. Working closely alongside and with magic knights, the Spears tend to get called in when their specialized knowledge is required, as well as their combat prowess.
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The individuals picked to become Spears are skilled at Attack Creation or Physical Reinforcement magic. Tasked with bringing cursed objects back to the church to be sealed, they also do the fighting. Rooting them out wherever they might find them, they do not follow the law to the same extent as the magic knights do. Following specific church rules, if people found serving evil are found, they are to be rooted out completely.
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Governed by: Summer Cardinal & Summer Bishop
Though there technically exists no such thing as a military branch within the church, there is a small and secluded section that is about as close to it as it gets. Called the Spear of the Salamander, members of this group are trained and deployed whenever cults, undead or potential demonic activity is at work. Because the magic knights are trained to fight threats within and without, they are no more knowledgeable on cursed objects or the influences of the underworld than your average civilian. Whereas those that defend the Hoard of Gnome are considered a shield, the Spear of the Salamander is the sword that sets out into the world to get rid of the influences of cults and lesser demons that might try to get a foothold within the land of Clover. Working closely alongside and with magic knights, the Spears tend to get called in when their specialized knowledge is required, as well as their combat prowess.
[break][break]
The individuals picked to become Spears are skilled at Attack Creation or Physical Reinforcement magic. Tasked with bringing cursed objects back to the church to be sealed, they also do the fighting. Rooting them out wherever they might find them, they do not follow the law to the same extent as the magic knights do. Following specific church rules, if people found serving evil are found, they are to be rooted out completely.
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Governed by: Summer Cardinal & Summer Bishop
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Emissariate of Sylph[break]
“Church Role: Emissary”
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Due to how intricately the church has been woven into the tapestry of the Clover country, it will go to great lengths to ensure good quality relationships with other countries. Possessing a way with words, the Emissariate of Sylph consists of people who can infiltrate other countries or organizations, spy on individuals without their knowing and act as speakers for the country. Should another country wish to speak to the land of Clover in a diplomatic manner, it is not uncommon for an emissary to accompany or even spearhead such conversations. Having the best interests of the Clover country at heart, they will do whatever they can to barter for quality deals and laws with foreign nations, even with smaller groups within the country itself. Doing so by quelching hostilities, gathering foreign intel and making those they deal with feel in charge, the Emissariate is of great importance to Clover as a whole.
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Those selected to become emissaries of Sylph are skilled at Illusion or Transformation magic as they might be needed to diffuse tense situations that might devolve into fights. Also having to masque their movement within foreign nations while digging for information and tools for blackmailing, every emissary is a trained spy with a silver tongue.
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Governed by: Autumn Cardinal & Autumn Bishop
Due to how intricately the church has been woven into the tapestry of the Clover country, it will go to great lengths to ensure good quality relationships with other countries. Possessing a way with words, the Emissariate of Sylph consists of people who can infiltrate other countries or organizations, spy on individuals without their knowing and act as speakers for the country. Should another country wish to speak to the land of Clover in a diplomatic manner, it is not uncommon for an emissary to accompany or even spearhead such conversations. Having the best interests of the Clover country at heart, they will do whatever they can to barter for quality deals and laws with foreign nations, even with smaller groups within the country itself. Doing so by quelching hostilities, gathering foreign intel and making those they deal with feel in charge, the Emissariate is of great importance to Clover as a whole.
[break][break]
Those selected to become emissaries of Sylph are skilled at Illusion or Transformation magic as they might be needed to diffuse tense situations that might devolve into fights. Also having to masque their movement within foreign nations while digging for information and tools for blackmailing, every emissary is a trained spy with a silver tongue.
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Governed by: Autumn Cardinal & Autumn Bishop
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The Garden of Undine[break]
“Church Role: Attendant”
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There is no denying that there is a great amount of strife in the world. Whether you’re a magic knight having to fight a war or face off against demons, or even if you’re faced with powerful criminals and rogue mages, it is always good to know that there is a place where you’ll be taken care of. This place is commonly known as the Healing Garden, or the Garden of Undine. It is in these gardens that are filled with all sorts of aromatic flowers and plants, large tropical trees for shade and many pools of different shapes and sizes that these individuals can be taken. As these waters bestowed upon the church by Undine itself have healing properties, people are placed within these pools and tended to by those who are called the attendants of Undine. These attendants are hand-picked and an important part of looking after the garden and the plant-life within it.
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Those that are tasked with becoming attendants of the garden are skilled at Healing magic, needing to know how to look after those that have fallen incredibly ill or received grave injuries in combat. In certain situations, these attendants may also be requested to go on missions or accompany the magic knights when healers are required. At the off chance of some criminal or rogue causing a ruckus or assaulting the gardens and the sick contained within, you are considered the last line of defense.
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Governed by: Winter Cardinal & Winter Bishop
There is no denying that there is a great amount of strife in the world. Whether you’re a magic knight having to fight a war or face off against demons, or even if you’re faced with powerful criminals and rogue mages, it is always good to know that there is a place where you’ll be taken care of. This place is commonly known as the Healing Garden, or the Garden of Undine. It is in these gardens that are filled with all sorts of aromatic flowers and plants, large tropical trees for shade and many pools of different shapes and sizes that these individuals can be taken. As these waters bestowed upon the church by Undine itself have healing properties, people are placed within these pools and tended to by those who are called the attendants of Undine. These attendants are hand-picked and an important part of looking after the garden and the plant-life within it.
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Those that are tasked with becoming attendants of the garden are skilled at Healing magic, needing to know how to look after those that have fallen incredibly ill or received grave injuries in combat. In certain situations, these attendants may also be requested to go on missions or accompany the magic knights when healers are required. At the off chance of some criminal or rogue causing a ruckus or assaulting the gardens and the sick contained within, you are considered the last line of defense.
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Governed by: Winter Cardinal & Winter Bishop
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The Hoard of Gnome[break]
“Church Role: Vault-Keeper”
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Also called the Hoard of Gnome by those within the church that actually know about the vaults existence, the Great Vault is a well-guarded secret due to what it represents. Whenever members of the church or the magic knights bring in artifacts, idols and objects that carry dark powers, are linked directly to the daemons and to the underworld or are simply too dangerous to exist in the outside world, they are brought to the vault. Existing deep beneath the church in the royal capital, it is said that the vault itself is large enough to house a town the size of Hage three times over. Warded by magical symbols and made almost entirely out of marble, the whole vault can be considered a magical object. Filled with smaller vaults containing the specific objects of power, each one is warded and boobytrapped so those that enter without the proper clearance will likely leave the Vault in a body bag.
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Those select few tasked with protecting the Hoard are skilled at Restraining magic as they are required to know how to seal and unseal the vaults that hold objects for when they might be needed, or when new ones might need to be sealed away. Should there be any that manage to locate the vault and wish to liberate objects from it, it is up to these individuals to put a stop to it.
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Governed by: Spring Cardinal & Spring Bishop
Also called the Hoard of Gnome by those within the church that actually know about the vaults existence, the Great Vault is a well-guarded secret due to what it represents. Whenever members of the church or the magic knights bring in artifacts, idols and objects that carry dark powers, are linked directly to the daemons and to the underworld or are simply too dangerous to exist in the outside world, they are brought to the vault. Existing deep beneath the church in the royal capital, it is said that the vault itself is large enough to house a town the size of Hage three times over. Warded by magical symbols and made almost entirely out of marble, the whole vault can be considered a magical object. Filled with smaller vaults containing the specific objects of power, each one is warded and boobytrapped so those that enter without the proper clearance will likely leave the Vault in a body bag.
[break][break]
Those select few tasked with protecting the Hoard are skilled at Restraining magic as they are required to know how to seal and unseal the vaults that hold objects for when they might be needed, or when new ones might need to be sealed away. Should there be any that manage to locate the vault and wish to liberate objects from it, it is up to these individuals to put a stop to it.
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Governed by: Spring Cardinal & Spring Bishop
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[attr="class","header2"]Deacons/Deaconess
[break] When one first finishes their studies, regardless of the order they have joined, they will hold the title of Deacon or Deconess. While essentially an empty title, it only signifies that they have gone through rigorous studies and are ready to truly be of use. Filling out the role of assistant more than anything, they are allowed to take on certain missions passed around within the clergy.
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Note: If you aren't apping into the church you need to do a 4,000 word thread with a church member to enter the church.
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NORTH [break][break]
- Kiten: - & -
- Raque: - & -
SOUTH [break][break]
- Aries Garse: - & -
- Hapshass: - & -
- Sosshi: - & -
EAST [break][break]
- Capital: - & -
- Kikka: - & -
- Silva: - & -
WEST [break]
- Hage: - & -
- Nairn: - & -
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[attr="class","header2"]Priests/Nuns
[break]Within each parish, there are priest and nuns that are appointed by the church. Effectively ruling part the parish in the name of the church and its Bishop, they will take part in the activities expected of them while providing guidance and direction to the deacons and deconesses in your care. Aside from standing at the head of the local orphanage, which is attached to the church building itself, they are expected to watch over the town they are stationed in. Helping its citizens where needed and reporting any unusual activity to the Bishop and the Magic Knights.
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While nuns devote themselves for the spirits, priests and other members of the church are allowed to have relationships and start families, granted they continue their commitment to the spirits.
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NORTH [break][break]
- Kiten: -
- Raque: -
SOUTH [break][break]
- Aries Garse: -
- Hapshass: -
- Sosshi: -
EAST [break][break]
- Capital: -
- Kikka: -
- Silva: -
WEST [break]
- Hage: -
- Nairn: -
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[attr="class","header2"]Bishops
[break] Standing above and governing the priesthood, the deacons and the nuns, particularly those falling within their designated area of Clover, the Bishop is considered the “second in command”. Existing directly beneath the Cardinals, there are only ever four of them at the same time. Should something happen to the Cardinal residing above them, or should they prove to be more fitting of the role, the Bishop will be the first in line to take over as a new Cardinal. Due to their strong ties to one of the respective spirits, they also take care of most of the planning and dispersal of missions within their assigned order.
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So in addition to governing the churches within their part of the country, the Summer Bishop handles most of the paperwork for the Spears of the Salamander, the Autumn Bishop handles the Emissariate of Sylph, the Winter Bishop handles the Gardens of Undine while the Spring Bishop handles the Hoard of Gnome. At the end of the day however, they still answer to the Cardinal and handle the orders as per their guidelines.
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- Spring Bishop: Prisha Santa Maria (NPC)
- Summer Bishop: Miika Taavitsainen (NPC)
- Autumn Bishop: Axel Hoover (NPC)
- Winter Bishop: Iisha Delothosin (NPC)
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[attr="class","header2"]Cardinals
[break] No single man or woman will ever be in charge of the entire church. Instead, the four most respected members and true paragons of the faith are given the title of “[Season] Cardinal”. Governing the churches in their assigned regions with absolute authority, they also stand at the head of each of the four orders. Housed within the great cathedral in the royal capital, they are close to the royal family and the wizard king, acting as advisors to both. Because they stand at the head of the church, their names carry just as much weight as any of the magic squad captains, even more to those of the faith.
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As is the case with the Bishops that serve them, each individual Cardinal decides the direction of the order that falls under their control, which is then executed by the Bishop. They can however choose to take matters into their own hands if they so desire, though this is not often the case.
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- Spring Cardinal: Markus Wilhelm (NPC)
- Summer Cardinal: Cyrus Griphyn (NPC)
- Autumn Cardinal: Hazel Krane (NPC)
- Winter Cardinal: Draco Voltia (NPC)
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PROGRESSION
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As has been stated previously, when you join the Church, you may choose to become part of one of the four Orders, though this is entirely up to you. Once you decide upon an Order, you will be locked into it and may not just switch out and into another free of charge. Doing so will require you to do a special mission where you are taken through a high speed course, learning the things you need to learn to properly do your job in your new Order. Aside from the Orders, there are the four ranks held within the Church itself, these being the Deacon/Deconess, the Priest/Nun, the Bishop and the Cardinal.
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Below, you will find the exact requirements to go from one rank onto the next.
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NOTE: The required word count is YOUR total; the other's WC do not count towards that total.
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DEACON/DECONESS
Becoming a deacon or deconess happens the moment you finish your studies as an aspiring member of the church. Whether this is done in your background/character history or done by doing the special mission that has you meet up with a priest or nun and join the church that way is entirely up to you. So you may either app in, or go through a mission, and that will be all there is to it.
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REQUIREMENTS: [break]
- As a Deacon/Deconess, the church member may choose to become part of one of the four orders. Note that they can be part of only one order at a time, and that their activities as a member of an order works in unison with their rank within the church. As such, one may be working as a local deacon or priest as well as being a spear or an attendant.
PRIEST/NUN
To become a priest or nun, a deacon/deconess must prove themselves worthy by showing their unwavering faith to the deities. The priest or nun they work under may recommend them to the bishops. If the bishops agree, they can become a priest or nun after saying their vows, and will be gifted a church of their own to tend to.
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REQUIREMENTS: [break]
- Must have been in the church for two (2) IRL month
- Must have gained at least 75 Piety.
- Do the special mission for the church that has you prove your devotion to the spirits to the Bishop.
BISHOP
Becoming a bishop is quite a bit more difficult, requiring that you have proven yourself to the Church many times over. At this point, the amount of work you have done for the good of the country will truly come into question, including any work you may have done as part of one of the four orders.
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REQUIREMENTS: [break]
- Been active on the site for at least four (4) IRL months
- Been a member of the church for at least four (4) IRL months
- Must have at least five (5) notable achievements.
- Must have gained at least 150 Piety.
- Must have at least reached Senior rank.
- Do the special mission for the church that has you prove your devotion to the spirits to the Cardinal.
CARDINAL
To rank up to cardinal, you have to prove that you are truly a paragon of the light. Not only will you need to prove that you are even more deserving of the position and title than any of the sitting cardinals, of which there will always be four, you will also need to prove that under your guidance, the church will continue to prosper. For when you become a cardinal, you essentially control a fourth of the church, and will stand at the head of one of the four orders. Depending on the order you have chosen and which of the four cardinal directions/seasons is open, that is the one you will lead from that point on. But as you can imagine, this comes with a whole lot of additional requirements that far outshine those for the rank of Bishop.
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REQUIREMENTS: [break]
- Been active on the site for at least six (6) IRL months
- Been a bishop for at least six (6) IRL months
- Cardinal position for the season you represent must be available
- At least ten (10) Notable Achievements
- Must have gained at least 300 Piety.
- Do the special mission for the church that has you prove your devotion to the spirits to the spirits and the other cardinals.
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[break]BENEFITS
Upon officially joining the clergy, you will be gifted the Church of Clover Sigil to show that you are a member. Its power will grow along with your power within the church itself. If you choose to leave or are forcefully removed from the clergy at any point, the sigil will be returned or reprimanded. Depending on the order you represent, the color may be either Red, Blue, White or Brown. In addition to the sigil once a person reaches the status of bishop they will gain a magical item of equivalent rank given to them by the church. This item must be themed around the order you are a bishop to. (Example: Salamander being heat-based, Sylph being wind-based, Undine being water-based and gnome being earth-based) Unlike normal weapons, you do not need to possess the element in question to create the item but the history must reflect it is from the church, as with the sigil if you choose to leave or are excommunicated then the item will be removed from you.
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Church of Clover Sigil
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Rank & Element: Rankless | Elementless[break]
Class & Type: Magical | Enchanted[break]
Magic Specializations: N/A[break]
Appearance & Lore: [break]
A small badge-like item that is held only by those selected by the Church of Clover. It can be used to prove one's identity as a member, which season they represent, as well as demonstrate their rank within the church.
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Abilities:
Blessing of the Seasons[break]
Type & Uses: Passive[break]
Rank & Specialization: N/A[break]
Mana Cost: N/A[break]
Range & Speed: N/A[break]
Stats Affected: Varies[break]
Description:[break][break]
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Blessings counts towards the total of 4 buffs a person can have but costs no mana to cast or sustain. However, it can be decreased/removed by a hex debuff targeting the same stat (i.e. if you are blessed by a priest for +6 Power and a hex debuffs your power by -4, the buff will only count for +2 for the remainder of the thread; likewise, if you were to receive 2 debuffs focused on reducing Power by -4 each, then the buff is removed entirely).
Rank & Specialization: N/A[break]
Mana Cost: N/A[break]
Range & Speed: N/A[break]
Stats Affected: Varies[break]
Description:[break][break]
| CHURCH RANK | BUFF AMOUNT | BLESSINGS |
| Deacon/Nun | +2 | 0 |
| Priest/Priestess | +4 | 2 |
| Bishop | +6 | 3 |
| Cardinal | +8 | 4 |
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Blessings counts towards the total of 4 buffs a person can have but costs no mana to cast or sustain. However, it can be decreased/removed by a hex debuff targeting the same stat (i.e. if you are blessed by a priest for +6 Power and a hex debuffs your power by -4, the buff will only count for +2 for the remainder of the thread; likewise, if you were to receive 2 debuffs focused on reducing Power by -4 each, then the buff is removed entirely).
MADE BY NOVA
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[div align="center"][font size="3"][font color="B53636"][b]Church of Clover Sigil[/b][/font][/font][/div]
[b][font color="B53636"]Rank & Element:[/font][/b] Rankless | Elementless
[b][font color="B53636"]Class & Type:[/font][/b] Magical | Enchanted
[b][font color="B53636"]Magic Specializations:[/font][/b] N/A
[b][font color="B53636"]Appearance & Lore:[/font][/b]
A small badge-like item that is held only by those selected by the Church of Clover. It can be used to prove one's identity as a member, which season they represent, as well as demonstrate their rank within the church.
[b][font color="B53636"]Abilities:[/font][/b]
[spoiler]
[b][font color="B53636"]Blessing of the Seasons[/font][/b]
[spoiler][b][font color="B53636"]Type & Uses:[/font][/b] Passive
[b][font color="B53636"]Rank & Specialization:[/font][/b] N/A
[b][font color="B53636"]Mana Cost:[/font][/b] N/A
[b][font color="B53636"]Range & Speed:[/font][/b] N/A
[b][font color="B53636"]Stats Affected:[/font][/b] Varies
[b][font color="B53636"]Description:[/font][/b]
[table style="text-align:center;border-collapse:separate;border-spacing:5px;"][tbody][tr][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"][b]CHURCH RANK[/b][/td][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"][b]BUFF AMOUNT[/b][/td][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"][b]BLESSINGS[/b][/td][/tr][tr][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"]Deacon/Nun[/td][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"]+2[/td][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"]0[/td][/tr][tr][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"]Priest/Priestess[/td][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"]+4[/td][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"]1[/td][/tr][tr][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"]Bishop[/td][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"]+6[/td][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"]2[/td][/tr][tr][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"]Cardinal[/td][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"]+8[/td][td style="border:1px solid #828587;padding:3px;"]3[/td][/tr][/tbody][/table]
[i]Blessings counts towards the total of 4 buffs a person can have but costs no mana to cast or sustain. However, it can be decreased/removed by a hex debuff targeting the same stat (i.e. if you are blessed by a priest for +6 Power and a hex debuffs your power by -4, the buff will only count for +2 for the remainder of the thread; likewise, if you were to receive 2 debuffs focused on reducing Power by -4 each, then the buff is removed entirely).[/i]
[/spoiler]
[/spoiler][/div][div style="width:100px;padding:3px;font-family:Roboto;font-size:8px;margin-top:3px;color:#8d3c49;line-height:10px;text-align:right;margin-left:250px;"]MADE BY NOVA[/div]
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[newclass=.gentext b]color:#C12527;text-shadow:1px 1px 1px #141414;[/newclass]
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