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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)

Divine The Enuma Elish (Epic of Creation) Annunaki (First Generation Gods) The Gods Legendary Creatures of the Theocracy
History Religious Treatise of Nyrundian Split from Aerdianism
 Nyrundian Charter The Saints Relics of the Theocracy
Institution Hierarchy of the Theocracy
 Church Representation in the Theocracy
 Edict and Writ Powers of the Theocracy Knights of the Pale
Locations The Red Mountain The Gray Mountain The Black Mountain The Blue Hills
Wintershiven  Ogburg
Powers God Granted Powers Miracles Restricted by Church

Lay Practice Dogma and Teachings The Churches Holy Days Akitu Festival
Clerical Known Clerics Cleric Domains Miracles Cleric Class

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, Sin asks 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.

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 (conservative belief).

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 go so far as to call elves demons, but other churches, and even the archcleric, have made exceptions for elves and half-elves who have served extraordinary service to the Nyrundian church. The Church of Anshar believes 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. However, 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. The interpretation and practice of this teaching is a current debate in the church. Conservative churches do not tolerate any demi-humans.

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.

Helping those from without Oerth (other shadows, other dimensions) is to be discouraged, and 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.  

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

Theocratic Epic Ritual - DC calculation
All clerics under effects of incense of meditation, +4 unnamed bonus to wisdom,
controbute 5th lvl spell : +9 per participant  287*9= +2583 unanimous,, +1719 2/3 majority, +1296 majority,
Archcleric
+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 2511+197=+2780

permanent duration,x5
duration increased 1 day to 100 years +30

Vengefull gaze of theocracy
bumped caster level by +83 ( to +143) for purposes of dispelling = +166 DC 
bump caster level check by +83 (to +143) for purposes of overcoming SR = +166 DC
dispell effect caster level boosted by +83 (to +143) = +166 DC
increase damge to 390d6    +740 DC  (d6/+2)
increase DC of save by +1/+2DC   40 base+60 == Save DC 100 (+120 DC)
continent wide range, 1 target (+40 DC)
---+1398 DC

at 2780 (with 90 for seeds) damage could be 1036d6

________________________________________________________
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

 
Relics of the Great Kingdom
Hamurabi's Tablet (taken to Rel Mord)
The Overthrone  
The Rod of the Great Kingdom  sacrificed to Ishtar (heaven)
Blood of Orakesh  

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).