Theocracy of the Pale
Mountains
Leader:Her
Worshipful Mercy, the Archcleric,
Siuan
Sanche
Capital:
Wintershiven
(pop. 21,5W)
Population:
200,000
Demi-humans:
Some dwarves in
mountains
Resources:
foodstuffs, copper,
gems (IV)
History
& Charter of the Nyrundic
Faith
Under the protection of Nyrond,
the Theocracy has enjoyed a history of
reasonable rule and relative peace. Barbarian, humanoid, and bandit
raiders
plague the Theocracy, but Prelatal troops are tough and efficient and
capable
of handling most problems of this nature. A balanced force of horse and
foot numbering over 4,000 guard the borders of the realm, while levies
numbering more than 10,000 can be raised in a week. In addition, 40,000
Knights
of
the Pale (paladins) guard the
churches, cities, and clerics of the
Theocracy. Note: The Pale is
not
noted for religious tolerance.
Nyrond seceded from the Aerdy
empire on religious grounds
in the 523rd
year After Desecration or 320 common year on the Aerdian Calender.
Citing
the clergy of the Overking as misinterpreting the religious doctrine of
the gods, the greatest theologians, led by Saint
Anda
went on a holy
quest
to the promised "pale lands" and founded the Theocracy of the Pale
Mountians.
They examined the oldest texts and took the gods' older names and
reinterpreted
much of the symbolism and doctrine of St.
Dalven Nar. The founding
charter
doctrine of Nyrond, the country, and that of the church is inseparable.
They still share the common story of creation, the Enuma
Elish, but power was split, no
longer would the King be the high priest/religious
authority. The Archcleric
and its Council
of Cardinals, along with
representatives
from each of the sacrificing Nyrundian churches would be responsible
for
all accepted religious doctrine/dogma in the Nyrondian religion. It is
this clergy that would then sanction the ruler of Nyrond as ordained by
the gods and fit to rule. Later, Furyondy
became a Nyrundian style
country
and they too have their King ordaind by the Theocracy.
The Theocracy
has
become the source of a lot of cultural mores and is highly respected in
all Nyrundic countries, with religious authority over 33 cities by YR10
of the Age of Heroes.
They produce Archclerical
Bulls and Council
Edits
which apply to all churches and
practitioners of Nyrundic faith.
Although
all of the Saints in the Aerdian religion at the time of the founding
were
incorporated, since then, new Saints have been canonized. Those Saints
canonized later in the Aerdian religion are not recognized by the
Theocracy.
Key
Dogma and Teachings
Humanity represents the children of the gods. Humanity was created by
Ea to serve the gods and to give the gods children to love. The birth
of humanity ushered in a great period of peace, harmony, and prosperity
that kept the gods from fighting and from waking Tiamat.
Humanity worships the gods of their own free will. Though they were
created to serve the gods, the gods leave it to humanity to decide
whether or not to fulfill their responsibilities and in turn to reap
the great rewards of the gods they worship. In the past ages,
when humanity has
forgot this
responsibility, the gods have grown restless and Tiamat
has awakened to rain down terrible
creations to destroy all Oerth.
Worshippers and Their Gods
Worshippers of a god may become worshippers by being born into a city
of the god and named in a ceremony in the church as newborns. The
Naming Ceremony offers up the True Name of the child to the god who
then protects that name, holds a lein on that name, and prevents other
gods from laying claim to the soul of the worshipper. Faithful
worshippers who have undergone the naming ceremony will go to the realm
of their god (or the closest possible realm depending on the
worshipper's alignment) after death. Worshippers who are not inducted
into Nyrundian religion at birth may declare their conversion as
adults. Often their conversion will be accompanied by a quest or other
ceremony, and the benefits of the naming ceremony will also be
conferred. Clerics of Anshar
may make an even
stronger lein, ensuring that the worshipper may join Anshar in his
heavenly realm after death, regardless of alignment in life.
For clerics or paladins inducted into religious orders, their
dedication to their god is even stronger. Any attempt at conversion
(forced or voluntary) will be met with a challenge or quest from the
god. For example, a paladin may meet him- or herself in a doppelganger
and be forced to battle to the death for the right to convert.
Worshippers' Duties
Humanity's responsibility is to grow the grain for the gods and to make
sacrifices of food to support the gods in their work. Each god may also
ask for special gifts. For example, Sinasks
for sacrifices of silver and iron ore from which to make weapons
for her angelic armies who descend to the lower planes and fight the
forces of demons, devils, and daemons, keeping them from invading the
Prime Material Plane and harming humanity, while Ishtar and Shammash
take weapons as sacrifice for use in latterbattles against evil.
Sacrifices of food are made through the churches of the cities. Each
city makes a great sacrifice of food on Sapatu,
the first of every month (full moon).
This food strengthens the
god, who in
turn passes on blessings to his or her children in the city.
Sacrifices of food, silver, and iron ore, are made to Sin
on the 14th
of
each month (new moon) through
the churches of the cities. These
sacrifices
support Sin in her battle to aid all of humanity.
Sacrifices of food (particularly live livestock) and gold are made to Tiamat
each year as part of the Akitu
Festival.
Sacrifices are
donated through
the tithes of all cities which are sent to the Theocracy of the Pale.
Animals serve as substitutes for humanity: “put the pig in
the
sick man’s place, flesh for his flesh, blood for his blood,
may
they (gods or demons) accept it”; “the lamb is
representative of the man, for his life shall he give the lamb. The
head of the lamb shall he give for his head, the neck of the lamb shall
he give for his neck, the breast of the lamb for his breast.”
Clerics of Tiamat and Nusku work together in the sacred temples of
the Black
Mountain to transport this
sacrifice
directly into Tiamat's belly and keep her satisfied and asleep for
another year.
Since the Dark Times, it is also the responsibility of humanity to
confess secrets once a month, to prevent them from being used by the Dark One against
the children of
Nyrundian gods.
The kings and leaders of Nyrundian cities are expected to work with the
church, fight in Holy Wars declared by the church, and conquer in the
name of Nyrundian religion as well as in the name of their political
interests. Leaders of the cities must participate in the Akitu
Festival, dragging the statue of
the god around the city and being
chastened by the clerical leader of the city once
a year.
Anyone caught dealing knowingly with a Forsaken of the Dark One will
be sentenced to death
and sent to hell by a cleric of Anshar.
Prostitution and adultery are outlawed by the Theocracy, with the
suggested punishment of nothing more harsh than imprisonment (for
cities who pass laws against
these infractions as well). Churches that do not enforce this
rule suffer minor punishments (such as fines or required sacrifices)
meted out by Anu. Conservatve churches and cities enforce this more
zealously than liberal churches. NOTE: This doctrine was passed during
the Dark Times
when Ishtar descended out of
heaven, and all churches and clerics of Ishtar
were destroyed.
Duties of the Gods
Gods do not infringe on the free will of humanity to worship (or not
worship) them.
Gods do not use the true names of worshippers of other Nyrundian gods.
Gods fulfill the duties of their spheres--bringing
fertility, law, the moon, the sun, fire, wisdom, beneficial
weather, love, trade, etc. to their children.
Duties of the Churches
Clerics must make personal, daily sacrifices of food to their patron
gods at the time of day appropriate for the individual god (morning v.
night).
Clerics should remain aloof from the populous in temples and work to
further the state politically and spiritually (a conservative philosophy pushed by the Churches of Tiamat and Anu).
Since the founding of the Aerdian
Kingdom,
it has been the
teaching that humans and elves should not
mix, and clerics may be punished by the Theocracy for interacting with
elves. In part, this teaching arose historically because the founders
of the Aerdian Kingdom rebelled against the elves who had taught them
to survive, and in part this teaching reflects the tremendous
differences between humans who live less than a century and elves who
can live for more than a millennium. Some churches used to go so
far as to call
elves demons, and for at least a hundred year period paladins hunted
them. There was undercurrents of dissent with this policy as several
churches, and even the archcleric, made
exceptions for elves and half-elves who have served extraordinary
service to the Nyrundian church. The Church of
Anshar believed that salvation
is available to all who would follow
their god. The Church
of Sin studies
demonology and definitely states that elves are not demonkind. During the Dark Times
the Church of Shammash used Lawgiver,
the Sword of
Doom, Sword of Justice to
judge the elves in the Druid's Keep
for failing to protect the Tree of Life. Upon The Revelation of
Shammash-Solarian, the old ways have been discreditedThe interpretation
and
practice of this teaching is a current debate in the church.
Conservative churches did not tolerate demi-humans at all until
the advent of halfling man-servants serving the Church of Tiamat on
ships during The First Crusade.
Churches maintain the temples whose towers must be the highest point in
the city to allow prayers and sacrifices to touch the world of the gods.
Churches collect and facilitate the tithes collected both from
governments and from churches themselves to be brought to the Theocracy
during the Akitu
Festival. Money
collected by Anu from all churches is
then re-distributed out to churches according to the Archcleric's
Vision to maintain balance where
necessary.
There is a beleief among some churches (Girru, Agade, Gula, Nusku) that dealing with people from other planes and from outside Oerth (other
shadows, other dimensions) is
to be discouraged, their clerics are not allowed to call upon direct god
interventionist miracles (7th lvl or higher) on behalf of an
outworlder. Shadow trade that allows items NOT found in Oerth will be
discouraged. No priest may help a being bearing a device not found in
Oerth. The way these edicts are enforced is dependent on the God or
Goddess’s ethos and moral standing.
The
Pale Mountains
The Pale Mountains are a region
of the northron mountains that, due
to natural lighting, natural fogs, and mists, appear to have different
pale colors. Three major mountains and their surrounding hills define
the
region used for the High Church of the Theocracy. They were discovered
by St. Anda
during the founding of the
Nyrundic religion.
These mountains have a peculiar connection to the astral and
outer planes. Clerics gain one additional domain spell of each level if
they pray here and are able to create new miracles at 80% of the
typical experience point cost.
The
Red Mountain
The Red Mountain is the seat of
power of the Theocracy. The Archcleric
takes audience and issues Bulls from the High Seat (also known as the
High
Seat of St. Anda) located in the Red
Mountain. The Council of Cardinals
meet in the Red Mountain and have their offices located here.
Additionally,
clerical conferences and Clerical Diocese s
meet here.
The
Gray Mountain
The Gray Mountain is where the
bearocratic functions of the Theocracy
get tended to. It is the location of the Archcleric's personal offices
and
residence. The Gray Mountain houses the archives of the theocracy and
is
home to the scribes of Nabu which manage all written documents, archive
all important written information, and scroll all Edicts of the Council
or Conferences. The clerics of Nabu maintain copies of all known
clerical
prayers, rites, and rituals in the archives of the Theocracy.
The
Black Mountain
The tallest of the Pale
Mountains and the only one with some volcanic
activity is the Black Mountain. It is the home of the Church of Tiamat
and religious sacrific for Nyrundianism. As the religion is founded on
the idea that Tiamat must remain satiated and appeased, an entire
mountain
has been dedicated to the performance of sacrifices to Tiamat and the
rest
of the gods.
The Church of Tiamat tends the Vaults of the Theocracy
located
between the Grey and the Black Mountains in conjunction with the
churches
of Marduke, Nusku,
Nabu, and the Pale
Knights. The Church of Tiamat
also
maintains a separate treasure hoard for Tiamat located in the heart of
the Black Mountain. On either side of the entrance at the base of the
mountain
are churches, one to Tiamat the other is the main church of Nusku. It
is
heavily guarded and the Knights of the Pale have run their order from
there
as well. The rest of the mountain is maintained and managed by the
Clerics
of Tiamat. People and clergy are only allowed on the Black Mountain
during
times of sacrifice. Otherwise, only the clerics of Tiamat have free
entrance
except for the clerics of Nusku who enter only to maintain the
sacrificial
flames at the top of the mountain (it is volcanic). What the clerics of
Tiamat keep in their own vaults or in the mountain proper is the
subject
of much debate but it is said to equall or exceed the vaults of the
theocracy
and be a hoard fit for Tiamat herself.
Cardinal Enugigi Siduri is the representative of Tiamat on the Council of
Cardinals. She rules and guards the hoarde in the Black Mountain.
She
has put to sleep more dragons than Tiamat spawned and is rumoured to be the highest level cleric on oerth.
The
Blue Hills
The Blue Hills (actually a
series of small mountains) surround the Red,
Black, and Gray Mountains. Every recognized church which maintains a
city
and is listed on the Grand Accounting of Redressions must maintain a
temple
t their god in this region. Additionally, temples to other gods whom do
not have cities may be located here. Indeed there are many cultic
temples
who aspire to claim the faith of entire city one day but have not the
resources
yet to accomplish the task.
The
Grand Accounting of Redressions or Representation of Churches in the
Theocracy
The number of cardinals, archbishops, and bishops depends on the size
and wealth of the diocese. Diocese is defined by gods' interpreted spheres.
The entire citizenry of the Theocracy
votes on interpretation of dogma and doctrine. In votes, bishops
receive 1 vote, archbishops receive 3, cardinals receive 5, and the
archcleric receives 11. Calculation of Reps (Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops) is done by
population of city, modified by prosperity. The number of titles are
assigned to the High Church Potentate to delineate to which clerics of
which cities as they wish, unless decreed by Fiat.
A call for a Redression account
may be made by any Bishop and takes
place on the 1st of the year during the Akitu
Festival.
Durring this time ALL cities are tallied.
*Enumeration
of residential population (those citizens living in stone,
clay, or wood buildings), also known as a Census, is done by
Clerics
of
Nusku
,
the Sacrificial Flame, (and their
subordinates) and written
down
by the Clerics of Nabu, the scribe. Beings recognized for purposes
of Redression are:
Humans, half-humans, halflings, centaurs, and dwarves.
*Number of representitives is a
function of Residential Population.
(Homeless and travelers do not count!).
*As 'residential population' is a function of wealth, prosperity thus
affects representation.
*Each enumerated city is assigned at least 1 bishop.
To be defined as a city, the
following requirements must be met without
exception:
1) City must be sacrficing 10% of all wealth and food to one Nyrundic
God
2) City must be paying 5% tithe to the Theocracy.
3) City must have a minimum residential population of 30,000.
4) Each city must have at least one export (must register what it is
in the Theocracy).
5) Cities may only have churches to one god and that church must be
the tallest building in the city. Cities may have temples however, to
any
Saints or proposed Saints.
6) The city must have a temporal (political) entity who is
responsible
for maters of state, common law, foreign diplomacy, etc. The political
ruler may NOT be clergy and must be a separate entity from the
religious
ruling body. Each city must have a religious ruling body responsible
for religious law and worship. The religious ruling body MUST be a
Nyrundic
cleric(s) of the church of the city.
----the above criterion, and
only the above criterion are used in the
enumeration of cities.
Progression of representatives is based on number of cities,
domiciled residents, and prosperity level.
| Size |
Cardinals |
Archbishops |
Bishops |
Divine Levels |
| small (30,000 minimum) |
|
|
1 |
1 |
| medium (75,000 minimum) |
|
1 |
2 |
2 |
| large (150,000 minimum) |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Church Influence |
|
|
|
|
| for each city over 1 |
|
1 |
|
|
| for each city over 2 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Wealth |
|
|
|
|
| prosperous |
|
|
1 |
1 |
| very prosperous |
|
1 |
2 |
2 |
Rights and Responsibilities of
Enumerated Cities:
1) Cities are expected to follow religious edicts set by the Theocracy.
Not all cities do, and those that do not may receive punishments as
adjudicated
by the Theocracy through the due processes of Anu.
2) All cities gain
representation in the Theocracy. A city will have
at least 1 bishop (and perhaps more based on size). The church of the
city
picks who the bishops are. These bishops (and archbishops and
cardinals)
may cast votes and make motions in the Clerical
Diocese of the
Theocracy in the issuance of edits and writs.
3) A city ruling body may file
a grievance with the Archcleric if the
body believes the clergy are acting outside the realm of the
religious.
The clergy have no such right to file grievance and only may withhold
the
blessings of the Gods.
Redression Account as of Year 33
| Church |
City |
Cardinals
* indicates
number on
council |
Archbishops |
Bishops |
Total Votes |
Divine Levels
on Oerth |
| Agad |
Stoink (medium) |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
| Anshar |
Nevrond
Nevrond (large)
Littleberg (medium)
Balik (large)(by YR 16), also
cardinal-archibishops serve the church as a whole
# of cities modifier
Total
|
1
1
1
3 |
2
1
2
2
7 |
3
2
3
8 |
18 |
8 |
| Anu |
Wintershiven
(large prosperous),
Crockport
# of cities modifier
Total |
1
0
1 |
3
0
3 |
5
0
5 |
9 |
5 |
| Apsu |
Nibenay (large) |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
| Ea |
Womtham (medium) |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
| Gibbil |
Chendl (medium very
properous) |
0 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
2 |
| Girru |
Trigol (medium very
properous) |
0 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
4 |
| Gula |
Woodwych (small) |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Irra |
Riftcrag (medium) |
0 |
1 |
2a |
3 |
2 |
| Ishtar |
Babylon (large,
very properous),
Selid-din
City (small, YR 18)*in YR 18 there should be 4 cardinals,
New Evermore (medium),
Chathold (medium),
Tyr (large)
# of cities modifier
Total
|
1
1
3
5* |
3
1
1
2
4
11 |
5
1
2
2
3
13 |
29 |
13 |
| Kishar |
Midmeadow (large
very properous)
Rouxes (large very prosperous)
# of cities modifier
Total |
1
1
2 |
3
3
1
7 |
5
5
10 |
19 |
10 |
| Marduke |
Rel Mord (large
very properous),
Rhadigast
(large very prosperous),
Dyvers (large
very prosperous),
Critwall (large),
# of cities modifier
Total |
1
1
1
1
2
6* |
3
3
3
2
3
14 |
5
5
5
3
18 |
30 |
18 |
| Nabu |
Ogburg (large) |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
| Nergal |
Jalpa (large),
Hades (large very prosperous),
Torrich (medium)
Mithat
(medium very prosperous),
# of Cities Modifier
Total |
1
1
2
4
|
2
3
1
2
3
11 |
3
5
2
4
14 |
29 |
14 |
| Ninazu-Manwe |
Sidhe (med) YR30
Lod
# of Cities Modifier
Total |
0
1
1 |
1
2
1
4 |
2
3
5 |
10 |
5 |
| Ninurta |
Grabford (small)
Redspan
(large)
# of cities modifier
Total |
1
1* |
2
1
3 |
1
3
4 |
8 |
4 |
| Nusku |
Nellix (small very prosperous),
Inspa (small very prosperous)
# of cities modifier
Total |
|
1
1
1
3 |
3
3
6 |
9 |
6 |
| Shammash |
Willip (medium very prosperous)
Manetherin (large very prosperous)
# of cities modifier
Total |
1
1* |
2
3
1
6 |
4
5
9 |
16 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Sin |
Beer (large) |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
| Tashmetu |
Catbut (small) |
0 |
0 |
1b |
1 |
1 |
| Tiamat |
Old
Red (large very prosperous),
Admundfort (medium very prosperous),
Leukish (large very
prosperous),
Rel
Astra (medium),
Gulg
Draj
Raam
# of cities modifier
Total |
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
11* |
3
2
3
1
2
2
2
6
21 |
5
6
5
4
3
3
3
29 |
61 |
29 |
| Totals |
287 votes in total (144 needed for a majority) (191 for 2/3rds majority) |
38 |
103 |
146 |
287 |
146 |
Voting is highly political and often divided based on liberal v.
conservative interpretations of the religion. To gain the help of a
particular coalition, clerics
must speak to the coalition leader (high church). To gain the help of a
voting block, one must simply
fall into that category. a one is always maintained by theocracy to meet out divine punishments, b one is always
maintained by Anu to assist in delivering prayers to the gods
Conversion Difficulty (Diplomacy, Profession Clergy, Religion -20)
DC for a hard majority is 84 (100% of clergy).
DC for medium
majority is 56 (75% or clergy).
DC for easy majority is 28 (50% 0f clergy)
for opposed checks, defender may use sense motive or religion (whichever is higher)
Lawful Voting Block (Shammash, Anu, Tiamat, Ishtar Ninazu, Apsu) : 131
Spiritualist/Purist Voting Block (Anshar, Apsu 20% of others): 82
Liberal/Good Coalition (Ea,
Gibbil, Gula, Sin, Ishtar Ninazu, Apsu, Shammash,):77
Tiamat Conservative Coalition
(Girru,
Tiamat, Anu): total 72
Mardukian Conservatives Conclave
(Marduke, Nabu, Nusku, 30% Anu: 56
Pro-Freedoms (choatic) Voting Block (Ninurta, Gibbil, Agad, Nergal) total : 46
Swing Votes (Usually Anshar, Ninurta, Agade, Tashmetu) 30
Evil Voting Block (Nergal,
Irra, Tiamat): Total: 93
Good Standing with a Particular Church:
50% of that church (+8 on diplomacy chekcs for votes)
Influence with a Particular Church:
75% of that church (+16 on diplomacy chekcs for votes)
Solution Aligned with a Church: 100% of
that church (in same voting block)
Good Political Solution: 40% of
all
Ad hoc Voting Block: Varies
(10-30% of all)
Gifts and donations (10,000gp per vote. max +20)
287 spellcasters(Bishops = contrbute 5th level)+Archcleric
need 144 votes for majority: +77 votes (liberal/good) = 67 additional votes needed outside of good coalition for majority:
need 191 votes for 2/3 majority: +77 = 114 needed for 2/3 majority
First vote: Council cardinal Tam
Agreements: Shammash, Apsu, Ishtar, Sin, Gula, Gibbil, Ea, Tiamat,
Second Vote: Council cardinal 2
Current Council of Cardinals Issues:
Can saints serve as bishop in the theocracy? or because they are dead they dont get to represent man in the Divine Contract?
1-2 level spells are granted by faith and can be from any domain,
otherwise can only choose spells from domain offered by god and patron
saint as determined by clerical level.
may get extra domain as non epic feat,
Nabu Proposal (Nabu, tashmetu, Anu): 16 votes
Scrolls will no longer be written in clerical script. Non clerics can
read clerical scrolls if they have been baptized nyrundian and worship
any nyrundian god an is in Good Standing with their church.
Requires a religion check DC 10+lvl of miracle to understand the true
meaning of the prayer. Scrolls cast by non clergy can’t be
counter to the gods interests (simply doesn’t work)
Manwe Proposal
- All mages should take the vow. That is now a religious teaching as
concerns magic. Any school operating in nyrundic city should take vow.
if mage found violating principles of the vow cursed with debilitating
disease.. Magical holiday each season, day that atonements are given
and stilling ended
Gula Proposal - 1 votes
Raising the dead can only be done by clerics with healing domain- not
mages. A mage who has brings someone back from the dead can no longer
be healed by nyrundic miracles. Pass a ritual that anyone who raises
dead that isn’t a cleric gains the vestigmatis-a pentagram symbol
on the hand face or forehead. recirves only half effect of any healing
magic (of any kind) and cannot benefit from nyrundic abjurations.
Marduke Proposal - 30 votes (Tiamat has 61 votes against)
Only gold that can be traded with must be official coins
Ninurta Proposals - 8 votes
1) Ninurta had two small cities but each has grown one size, increasing
divine level by two to divine level 4 Previous Domains
were: Weather, Hunting, Air Now Proposing Air Domain
and Travel(Skyships) and they would like Skyships be added to their
sphere of influence.
2) Class Feature (God granted ability 9th)- storms cast have a 1%
per level of blowing targets across shadow (another paralel plane)
Kishar - 19 votes
casting miracles on/in a natural wonder maximizes non epic spells, adds
+10 to epic clerical miracle casting , adds +10 to epic druid
spellcasting (Patron of Druids)
Irra, Nergal Proposal - 32
votes
churches should return to the true ways the gods punish humans; all churches should
utilize a cleric of irra to inflict gastrentestinal
diseases against those who offend their deity
speak with dead should be limited to clerics of Nergal and the Saints
Tiamat - 61 votes (Marduke has 30 votes against)
Nusku - 9 votes
A sacrificial flame permeates the outer planes. When used in a spell or
miracle (sacrifice must be part of the spell components) it can allow the spell to
function on the astral or an outer plane. Sacrificial flames do 50%
sacred damage,
Proposal for Paladin casting
Good coalition will support,
purists will be against, rest neutral
Agade 3
Anshar - 18
Anu 9
Giru 6
Kishar 19
Nabu 6
Nergal 29
ninurta 8
nusku 9
Diplomacy roll: (whatever votes remain)
DC 84: 100% DC 56: 75% DC 28: 50% DC 20: 25%
for 18: 18 / 13/ 9 /4
Cardinal Votes -
Position 1 - Cardinal of Tiamat (Cardinal Sidduri - No vote
Position 2 - Cardinal of Redspan, Ninurta (Cardinal Kaleb Induri The Windforger - No vote
Position 3 - Cardinal of Babylon, Ishtar (Cardinal Una) - No vote
Position 4 - Proposed Cardinal of Rel Mord, Marduke (Cardinal )
- Tiamat votes against , Marduke votes affirmative, need 72 more votes
Position 5 - Proposed Cardinal of Willip, Shammash (Tam Al'thor Vilesilencer)
- Tiamat Supports, if Cardinal of Rel Mord successful, Marduke supports 77+61+30=168, 11 more votes needed
Position 6 - If Ea removes - Proposed Cardinal of Nibenay, Apsu (Cardinal Krestor)
- Tiamat votes against due to desert related issues, Marduke in favor +30, 77+30=107, need 72 more votes
Clerical Diocese
Items of Office - Bishop - Necklace of Prayer Beads (5th, 4th, & 3rd)
Archbishop's Hat - 2 x 9th level miracles
Cardinals Hat - 3 x 9th level miracles
Duties - "The Agenda of the Clerical Diocese"
In each day of convocation, the agenda for each day will call for each
clergy to done one 5th level spell, one 4th level spell, and one 3rd
level spell for the purposes of ritual casting. The lead caster may be
the Archcleric (in most cases) or one designated by the Archcleric
expends 1 epic spell per ritual.
Theocratic Epic Rituals - DC calculation
controbute 5th lvl spell : +9 per participant 287*9= +2583== unanimous,, +1719 2/3 majority, +1296 majority,
contribute 4th lvl spell: +7 per participant 287*7= +2009
contribute 3rd lvl spell: +5 per participant 287*5= +1435
Archcleric Epic Spellcasting: 197 (+53 skill +20 cup al akbar, +20 talisman of al akbar, +20 akbar set,
+20 wis bonus, +25 morale bonus (miracle) +10 (archcleric hat) [ +3
wisdom bump (Ea epic spell)*, +6 aid another (Nindumund*), +20 Epic
Harmony Miracle (Ninazu*)] * *during Redression
account only
=+197 Max 2603+197=+2800
Conclave of the Clerical Diocese, Redression Account 247 in March of 33 NY
Day 0 - Pre-sessional
Church of Tiamat will cast
Dragon Flight Vigil of the Church of Tiamat summoning 10 mature adult
dragons to protect the mountain.
All clerics pray and study for Day 1 Miracles in respective Temples & Churches
All clerics under effects of incense of meditation,
Atonements cast
Day 1 Day of Purification
Pre-Dawn Invocation of Divine Wisdom by Cardinal of Ea (+4 unnamed bonus to wisdom)
All worshippers in each city pray at Dawn (Profession of Faith / Theocratic Creed)
Abjurement of the Divine (5th)
- Cast at Dawn by Archcleric. No creature with divine levels may enter
the pale mountains
Warding of the Clerical Dioces
(4th) - Wards up to 9th level spells, 100 hp/round, DR 300 to energy
types
Fortification of the Clerical Diocese (3rd) - +71 enhancement bonus to saves
Communal Feast / Meetings
Hearing of Motions & Disposition of Writs & Edicts
Adjustments to Agenda
Day 2 Day of Enummeration, Investiture & Blessings
Summmoning of St. Nindumind by Church of Anshar
Performance of the Redression Account - Ennumeration (5th) - Lead by St Nindumind
Performance of the Redression Account - Investiture (4th) - Lead by Archcleric,
Performance of the Redression Account - Blessings (3rd) - Assignments of City Spells
Vote 1 Cardinal of Rel Mord (2/3rd majority needed)
Habenus Cardinalus (2nd)
(Declaration, Investature, and Ascention of a Cardinal of the Council)
Day 3 Day of Miracles and Petitions
Hearing of Motions & Disposition of Writs & Edicts
Petitions of the non clerical diocese to the Archcleric
Archcleric's Miracle of the Vision
of the Perfect Order save or recieve minor quest (fill your cities
aquafors, make a one time 5% donation of your wealth to Church of Anu,
collevct aloe leaves)
Vote 2 Cardinal Tam Al'Thor (2/3rd majority needed)
Day 4
Hearing of Motions & Disposition of Writs & Edicts
Vote 3 Cardinal Krestor (2/3rd majority needed)
Day 5 Hearing of Motions & Disposition of Writs & Edicts
Vote 4
Day 6 Day of Fasting & Penance
Hearing of Motions & Disposition of Writs & Edicts
Writ of Vengence vote
Venegfull Gaze of the Theocracy (5th) - destroys enemy on continent
Summoning of the Theocracy (4th) - summons enemy as ghost
Consignment of the Theocracy (3rd) - consigned soul to hell (damnation)
Ansharians open Gateway to the Pits & Paladins may attack
the damned (gain retributive blood on weapons; weapons do additonal 2d6
holy damage until bloodstains gone (amount of hp you did)
Vote 5 on Ammendments to Miracles (Doctrine)
Day 7 Day of Deliberations of Doctrine & Dogma
Hearing of Motions & Disposition of Writs & Edicts
Pronouncements of Council of Cardinals
Vote 5 on Ammendments to Miracles (Doctrine)
permanent durationx5
duration increased 1 day to 100 years +30
________________________________________________________
In Year 30 ---- Tiamats block --- shamash (21). tiamat (51) Girru (13) Nusku
(16) total (101) Benardo Gui can command 20% of the remaining
clerics, giving an additional 40 votes from other churches not in the
coalition, total: 141
The Church of Ishtar under the
leadership of the Cardinal Alvere
can regularly gain
the support of 5 cardinals, 19 archbishops, 36 bishops (all liberal
churches plus the church of Anshar).
Additionally, Rahasia may call upon favors from Ninurta for the
Winterstaff, friendship from Irra for work during the Dark Times,
friendship from Nabu (Madeline's love), Anu (friendship with archcleric
and Anu's favoritism for Ishtar),
and the 6 archbishops and cardinals
saved from the Cenobytes in Hell during Rhavin's
reign in the Theocracy .Rahasia personal please can add Anshar and 20% of
Ninurta, Nabu, and Kishar (22) (total: 77+22 =99)
Desert cities
Babylon (Isthar)
Tyr _kalack (Ishtar)
Balic - Andropinis slyer of elves (Anshar)
Nibenay - Nibenay (Apsu)
Guistenal - Dregoth (Ishtar by yr 30?)
Gulg Lalali-Puy
Raam Abalach-Re sorcere queen of raam
Draj - Tectuktilay
Urik - Hamanu
Eldarich - Daskinor
Miracles
Restricted by Church
Some miracles are only
accessible by clerics of a particular church.
It is possible for any Bishop to purchase scrolls of these (or any
other
miracle) from the clerics of Nabu in the theocracy.
| Church |
Spheres |
Miracles
Unique to Church |
| Anshar |
Astral,
Guardian, Wisdom, Conversion |
Gate,
Astral Projection |
| Anu |
Bureaucracy,
Law |
Revelation
of the Perfect Ruling of Society |
| Gibbil
& Girru |
Fire,
Weaponsmithing |
Fire
to make magical weapons |
| Gula |
Healing, Clay |
Resurrection,
Regeneration |
| Irra |
Disease,
Necromantic |
Plague
(Wrath of the Theocracy) |
| Ishtar |
War,
Love, Combat, Fertility |
Holy
Sword, Sword of Power, True Marriage |
| Kishar |
Maps,
Earth, Earthpower, Travel |
Build
Road |
| Marduke |
Cities,
Trade and Commerce, Money |
Minting,
Trade War
|
| Nabu |
Scroll
keeping, Written Word |
Scrollkeeping
|
| Ninurta |
Weather,
Hunting |
Call
of the East Winds, Control Weather |
| Nusku |
Sacrifice
& Sacrificial Flames
|
Sacrifice
of the Nyrundian Theocracy
|
| Shammash |
Law/Judgement, Sun |
Final
Judgment |
| Sin |
Outerplanar
Combat, Anti-Demon,
Banishment |
|
| Tashmetu |
Meta-cleric |
Meta-clerical |
| Tiamat |
Salt
Waters, Dragons, Boats, Time, Creation |
Dragon
Spells, Age Dragon |
Hierarchy
of the Theocracy
Archcleric
The
chief cleric of the Theocracy of the Pale, center for the Nyrundian
religion. Attended by the Council of Cardinals. According to the
religion, the Archcleric must be a cleric
to Anu who then grants them the grand vision of how society could be
perfect. Issues Archclerical
Bulls.
The Archcleric must be at least
21st level and have maximum ranks in spellcraft and knowledge religion
(min. 24 ranks each). The archcleric must be able to cast
epic, 9th level divine spells and have the Epic Spell Casting feat.
Other feats like Epic Skill Focus-Spellcraft and Epic Skill
Focus-Knowledge Religion help with casting and the number of epic
spells cast per day respectively. The Archcleric's hat
offers +10 to spell craft.
The
Council of Cardinals
It is the role of the council
of cardinals to make rulings on Dogma
(as opposed to doctrine, which the diocese does). They decide which
spheres of a god are recognized by a church, including which miracles
that diocese is even allowed to consider for a God, and they direct the
interactions with the god (through Tashmetu and/or Nusku)
that delivers the prayers to the god's
ears. Crafts Edicts.
| Member |
Church
Affiliation |
Disposition |
| was Bernardo
Gui (dead) |
Shammash |
Ultra-conservative
|
| Cardinal Una of Babylon |
Ishtar
|
Liberal |
| Cardinal Elantra Elodia of Womtham, |
Ea |
Liberal |
| was Cardinal Balthazar Zarpanitu of Leukish (dead) |
Marduke |
Ultra
Conseravtive |
| Cardinal of Redspan, Kaleb Induri, The Windforger |
Ninurta |
Neutral,
Calls East Winds |
| Cardinal Ennugigi
Siduri of the Black Mountain |
Tiamat |
Conservative |
The Clerical Diocese
The Clerical Diocese is comprised of all bishops, archbishops, and
cardinals with representation of each church determined through the Redression Account.
The main role of the
Clerical Diocese is to vote into existence the rules that govern the
casting of miracles--their casting components, durations, effects,
etc.--and to petition the Council of Cardinals and/or Archcleric for
church-wide action on major issues. See the Edits,
Writs, and Declarations for
specific powers of the Clerical
Diocese.
In terms of the power of the Clerical Diocese working in concert under
the leadership of the Archcleric, if the
entire assembly took
10 minutes to cast a spell (lowering the DC of the spell by -20
for 10 minutes, -2 to DC for each minute), 100 casters of 12th level
could also each contribute a 6th level spell for the casting (-11 each
or
-1100). Every caster present would have to make a concentration check
as
casting
a 6th level spell, failure or a non consenting caster would not
contribute to
the spell (epic book pg 92). Without
spending experience or taking damage during
casting, this means the Theocracy could cast a spell with a DC of
1171. Development of the spell would cost 9000 x DC =
10,566,000 GP, take 212 days to research,
and cost
422,640 xp to develop, but it would be possible to Resurrect a City (DC
1154).
Relics
of the Theocracy
| Relics of the
Theocracy |
Location |
| Cup
and talisman of Al
'Akbar |
Red
Mountain |
| Teeth
of Dalver'nar
(Midmeadow, Grey
Mountain, |
Womtham |
| Chains
of Orakesh |
Beer |
| Kuroth's
Quill (Haburabi's
pen, Baalice's tool) |
Red
Mountain (Archcleric) |
| High
Seat of Anda,
Seat of the Theocracy, |
Red
mountain (Archcleric) |
| Pale
coin minting press |
Grey
Mountain |
| Soulcutter,
Sword of despair |
Lod |
| The
Stone Obelisk, Codes of Hamurabi |
Rel
Mord |
| The
Rod of Anzu |
Black
Mountain |
| Bridle
of the Third Horseman |
Riftcrag |
| The
Flood Bible |
Black
Mountain |
| Heart
of Rasha |
Nevrond
Nevrond |
| Marduke's
Net of Fire |
Rel
Mord (Gilgamesh) |
| Rasha's
Urn |
Red
mountain |
| Ring
of St. Eibon |
Red
mountain (cardinal) |
| Dome
of Truth |
Critwall |
| Minting
Presses of Nyrond and the Urnsts (Leukish, Rhadigast) |
Rel
Mord |
The Swords
of Power
(mercy, justice, wisdom, stealth,
vengeance, shieldbreaker, siege) |
Babylon |
| Dragonslicer,
Sword
of Heroes |
New
Evermore/Babylon
(Finerio McBane) |
| Rods
of Dominion (barriers, portals,
distance, spirit, ???) |
Babylon |
Creatures
of the Theocracy
Anzu
The Anzu Bird, storm bird, son of Anu. This bird guards the Tablets of
Destiny and threatened the very existence of the gods. Later the Anzu
Bird was imprisoned by the Demon Lord Fres Uglu with the Nyrundian
Circlet of Binding so that the tablets could be stolen. The two statues
that guard the way to the Demon Lord's keep wear crowns and have the
face of Uptananishiptim who
lives at the mouth of all rivers.
Rahasia
Alvere located the Circlet of Binding in the Realm of the Prince of
Deception in the Abyss,
removed it from the Anzu Bird, and used it to imprison the dragon,
Khalak of Tyr.
Dahak
Dahak, the three-headed dragon spirit of Death (blue, black, and green)
surrounded Ismelda’s Grove,
the paradise created by Innana/Ishtar
for her servant from Kale in the year 75, with evil and ugliness, taken
out of jealousy of life. Ismelda's Grove holds a blessed mango tree
created to carry on the beauty of Ismelda's line. The fruit of the tree
passes on that unreal beauty, but the fruit must be given freely,
cannot be taken.
Dru’aga
This vengeful spirit never appears in the same form twice, but always
has some aspect of a young, blond, male child. He has the ability to
call devils, and his mace has both a powerful poison and the ability
permanently to turn anyone he hits into a devil under his command. He
has 8 hearts, all of which must be destroyed to kill him. He also has a
soul object, hidden in a person, so he cannot be permanently destroyed
without destroying the soul object as well. Taran Soothra and
Gilgamesh
faced him with Yan See
Bin, Devil Ruler of the Elemental Plane of Air who appears as a huge
whirlwind which is alive (and takes double damage from fire but is
immune to electricity).
