Fantasy RPG Forum - Standing Trials

The Thunder Priesthood is one of the three most powerful factions in the city of Rharne. This women-only faction was created by Ilaren’s first female Champion during the 280th arc to unite the Immortal’s supporters. Their overarching directive is to govern religion in Rharne, gather intelligence across Idalos, and advance Ilaren’s goals in the Immortals War. There are between 1500-1600 active Priesthood members spread throughout Idalos at any one time, with about 600-700 of those living in Rharne. In the Hot Cycle of 722, men were allowed to enroll in the Thunder Priesthood, in response to a low recruitment rate.

Within Rharne, the Thunder Priesthood are viewed as Ilaren’s eyes and ears. It is rumoured that they see all and know all through their network of sisters spread across the many regions of Idalos, and many Rharnians see them as the city’s champions and protectors. If the Lightning Knights are the city’s sword, then the Thunder Priesthood are the city’s shield.

The sisterhood is split into four branches, each with its own specialization. The Clerics oversee religion, the Healers provide medical aid to their sisters and the city, the Emissaries act as ambassadors for Rharne, and the Monks act as Ilaren’s personal agents. While the Priesthood in each branch have varying skillsets, the faction is widely known for its prowess in Unarmed Combat, regardless of specialization. All sisters are taught defensive combat skills in order to protect themselves and each other should the need arise.

A Thunder Priesthood can usually be recognized by her attire. Novitiates wear white robes, while Priesthood and above wear dark purple robes. Inside the Lightning Cathedral, the robes are always worn unless one is visiting or leaving. Outside the Lightning Cathedral, the robes are sometimes traded in for more practical clothing. Emissaries often choose to wear attire that aligns with the city they are visiting, whereas Monks tend to dress in leather armour and gear.

The Oath: Upon joining the Thunder Priesthood , a new member must swear an oath of allegiance to Ilaren and the sisterhood, in which she promises to place the mission and goals of the faction above her own self-interest. After the oath is sworn, the new member is required to complete the ritual with a shot of whiskey.

The oath is repeated as follows:

“I pledge an oath of loyalty to Ilaren and the Thunder Priesthood .

I swear to place the interests of my sisters and brothers above myself, to serve Ilaren with integrity, and to show bravery in times of fear. I further swear to faithfully support, protect, and defend my Priesthood and the citizens of Rharne against those that wish us harm.

May I always find courage in myself, strength in my sisters and brothers, and faith in Ilaren.”

Priesthood members are allowed to marry, though this is discouraged since a partnership and/or family is considered a distraction from the faction’s directive.

Name: Lena A'stril
Status: Inactive
Initiation Date: Arc 702
Aspiring Branch: Healer
Name: Sabine Qe'azour
Status: Inctive
Initiation Date: 30th of Zi'da, 716
Aspiring Branch: Warrior
Name: Zvezdana Venora
Status: Deceased
Initiation Date: 30th of Zi'da, 716
Aspiring Branch: Emissary

Name: Lynessa Deveri
Status: Inactive
Initiation Date: Arc 711
Rank: Priestess

For Joining:

• Your character must be at least 16 arcs old
• Your character is required to join the faction as a Novitiate, unless special permission is granted by a Prophet to begin as a Priesthood member. No character may begin as a High Priestess/Priest, Head Priestess/Priest, or Matriarch/Patriarch.
• Your character must not be marked by any of Ilaren’s enemies, specifically Faldrun, Chrien, and Edasha.
• Your character must swear an oath of allegiance to Ilaren and the Priesthood, in which they promise to place the mission and goals of the faction above their own self-interest.

For Remaining an Active Member:

• One Thunder-Priesthood specific thread per season detailing your character’s work as a Thunder Priestess/Priest
• One additional specific thread per season if your character has chosen to reside within the Lightning Cathedral

1. All Priestesses/Priests earn Renown for their membership in the Priesthood. On achieving the rank:
   • Novitiates earn +5 renown
   • Priestesses/Priests earn +10 renown
   • High Priestesses/Priests earn +15 renown
   • Head Priestesses/Priests earn +20 renown
   • The Matriarch/Patriarch earns +25 renown.
   Renown is stacked (ie.if a character starts as a Novitiate and gets promoted through the ranks to Matriarch/Patriarch, they have the potential to earn a total of +75 renown).
2. Faction-sponsored travel is free, though personal expenses must be paid for by each character.
3. Sisters/brothers have access to a world-wide network of Priestesses/Priests and safe houses. They tend to be welcomed at almost any tavern.
4. The Lightning Knights are closely allied with the Thunder Priesthood. Each Priestesses/Priests (L2 and higher) is usually paired with a Lightning Knight for protection, though the Knights tend to go above and beyond their role as bodyguard and frequently become one of their most trusted partners.
5. Each character is awarded the following knowledge upon joining the Thunder Priesthood: “Faction: Thunder Priesthood,” “Thunder Priesthood: The Oath,” and “Immortal: Ilaren”. For newly-made characters, these are in addition to the starting knowledge.
6. All sisters/brothers are given access to free Unarmed Combat lessons (held every morning at the Lightning Cathedral), as well as any training that aligns with their chosen branch.
7. Characters may choose to take up residence within the South Wing of the Lightning Cathedral. Living within the Cathedral is free, though players must write a second job thread detailing their PC’s work as a Thunder Priestesses/Priests. Novitiates share a windowed, semi-private room with one other Novitiate. Semi-private rooms are 400 square feet and contain two beds, two desks, two chairs, two chests, and a fireplace. Priestesses/Priests and High Priestesses/Priests have their own 300 square foot private room with a window. Each private room comes with one bed, two chairs, one desk, one chest, and a fireplace. Head Priestesses/Priests and the Matriarch/Patriarch reside in 600 square foot rooms. The bathing chambers, kitchens, and dining areas are all public.
   
   
   
   
   
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Credit: Rumour & Zenith

Four distinct branches lie beneath the Thunder Priesthood banner, each with its own specialization and mission. The Clerics govern religion, the Healers provide medical aid to their sisters/brothers and the city, the Emissaries act as ambassadors for Rharne, and the Monks act as Ilaren’s personal agents in whatever capacity she sees fit to employ them.

Once a Novitiate completes their training, serves at least one season within the Priesthood, and meets the minimum skill/knowledge requirements to advance, she may select one of the four branches to join and is promoted to the role of Priestess/Priest. This choice is usually made by each Novitiate depending on their individual skillsets and interests. On occasion, however, Novitiates may find themselves directed to join a specific branch based on the faction’s needs. Priestesses/Priests rarely change branches once a choice is made, but making a change is not unheard of.

1. Clerics: The Cleric branch governs religion across Rharne and is the first point of contact for Ilaren’s worshippers. Theses Priestesses/Priests are the caretakers for the Lightning Cathedral and the face of the faction at all public events in Rharne. They often volunteer their time to support the city in good works projects. Since the Clerics’ ultimate mission is to spread word of Ilaren and increase her mortal followers, they also send out missionaries to cities across Idalos.

2. Healers: The Healer branch provides medical aid to their sisters/brothers, to the city of Rharne, and to allied cities across Idalos. Healers, like all Priestesses/Priests, are well-versed in Unarmed Combat, but they tend to be defensively-focused. While many of these healers are also members of the Order of Adunih, their primary loyalty is to Ilaren and the Thunder Priestesses/Priests. They sometimes support the Emissary branch as ambassadors or the Cleric branch as missionaries, and may travel to disaster-stricken or war-torn regions in order to provide their aid.

3. Emissaries: The Emissary branch acts as ambassadors for Rharne. These Priestesses/Priestsare often spread throughout Idalos and are tasked with strengthening ties with Rharne’s allies, keeping up-to-date on any changes in global politics, and gathering intelligence on other cities, factions, and events that could potentially impact Ilaren and Rharne.

4. Monk: The Monk branch is the most secretive of the four branches, and their existence is not widely known outside of the Thunder Priestesses/Priestsand the Lightning Knights. Monks act as Ilaren’s spies and agents, and they are frequently sent on missions with the specific intent of advancing Ilaren’s interests in any capacity seen fit.

Credit: Rumour & Zenith

Novitiate is the first rank within the Thunder Priestess/Priest faction. The newly initiated Novitiate wears white robes to denote their status. They are expected to attend training in the form of classes and tutoring in order to learn about the Priesthood’s goals and branches, as well as the skills needed to advance. They are also expected to complete daily chores within the Lightning Cathedral so as to help with its upkeep and test their devotion.



Each Novitiate is assigned a Priestess/Priest as their mentor, who guides them through their daily activities and is available to answer any questions that may arise. The Novitiate’s mentor often helps them select a branch that best aligns with their skills and attends their graduation ceremony. Many Priestesses/Priests continue to interact with their mentors even after they’ve been promoted from the Novitiate rank.



Once a Novitiate completes their training, serves at least one season within the Priesthood, and meets the minimum skill/knowledge requirements to advance, they may select one of the four branches to join and is promoted the role of Priestess/Priest. This choice is usually made by each Novitiate depending on their individual skillsets and interests. On occasion, however, Novitiates may find themselves directed to join a specific branch based on the faction’s needs.



A ceremony is held to commemorate each Novitiate’s graduation. Here, the Novitiate trades in their white robes for robes in a dark purple shade and completes a short ritual. The ceremony is open to anyone in the faction, but, at very least, their mentor and a Head Priestess/Priest representing their chosen branch will be in attendance. The graduation ritual varies depending on the branch:

• Clerics light a candle to signify that they will lead Ilaren’s followers through the darkness.
• Healers re-pot a small plant to symbolize renewal and continued growth.
• Emissaries write the Oath on a piece of parchment before burning the paper to ash. The action symbolizes their loyalty to Ilaren, as well as the ever-changing nature and relevance of knowledge.
• Monks cut a thin line into the palm of their non-dominant hand with a dagger to symbolize their willingness to bleed for Ilaren’s cause.

After the ritual, the Head Priestess/Priest pronounces the Novitiate an official Priestess/Priest and may introduce them to the Lightning Knight Liaison who they will be partnered with. The pair each throw back a shot of whiskey and, with that, the graduation ceremony is complete.



Skill Requirements: N/A

Mark Requirements: N/A

A Priestess/Priest acts as a representative for their branch, and they wear a silver chain-linked bracelet as a reminder of the connection between theirself and their sisters/brothers. Their trials consist of improving their skills, mentoring Novitiates, and accepting low- to medium-profile assignments. They will often be assigned a Lightning Knight as a guard, and so some of their time is also spent building trust with their partner.



Priestesses/Priests are given assignments from the High Priestesses/Priests and Head Priestesses/Priests, and are expected to accept their orders without argument. Depending on the branch and the assignment, they may find themselves asked to travel to other cities. Though they are given as much advance warning as possible, they must always be prepared to leave Rharne should the need arise.



Branch: Cleric

Skill Requirements:

• Unarmed Combat (Competent)
• Meditation (Competent)
• Socialization (Competent)
• Teaching or Storytelling (Novice)
• Leadership (Novice)

Mark Requirements: N/A



Branch: Healer

Skill Requirements:

• Unarmed Combat (Competent)
• Medicine (Competent)
• Caregiving (Competent)
• Resistance (Novice)

Mark Requirements: N/A



Branch: Emissary

Skill Requirements:

• Unarmed Combat (Competent)
• Politics (Competent)
• Socialization (Competent)
• Intelligence (Novice)
• Leadership (Novice)

Mark Requirements: N/A



Branch: Monk

Skill Requirements:

• Unarmed Combat (Competent)
• Weapon (Competent)
• Intelligence or Investigation (Competent)
• Tactics (Novice)
• Deception (Novice)

Mark Requirements: N/A

In order to advance from Priestess/Priest to High Priestess/Priest , a sister/brother must have Ilaren’s trust and are sometimes asked to complete a test of loyalty. All High Priestesses/Priests are given Palenon’s blessing, and must show a high level of competence in the skills required by their branch. Much like a Priestess/Priest , a High Priestess/Priest acts as a representative for their branch and spends their time improving their skills, giving assignments to Priestesses/Priests, and accepting medium- to high-profile assignments. High Priestesses/Priests wear two silver chain-linked bracelets to represent the increase in responsibility that they have accepted.



Branch: Cleric

Skill Requirements:

• Unarmed Combat (Expert)
• Meditation (Expert)
• Socialization (Expert)
• Teaching or Storytelling (Competent)
• Leadership (Competent)

Mark Requirements: Mark of Palenon (Favored or higher)



Branch: Healer

Skill Requirements:

• Unarmed Combat (Expert)
• Medicine (Expert)
• Caregiving (Competent)
• Resistance (Competent)

Mark Requirements: Mark of Palenon (Favored or higher)



Branch: Emissary

Skill Requirements:

• Unarmed Combat (Expert)
• Politics (Expert)
• Socialization (Expert)
• Intelligence (Competent)
• Leadership (Competent)

Mark Requirements: Mark of Palenon (Favored or higher)



Branch: Monk

Skill Requirements:

• Unarmed Combat (Expert)
• Weapon (Expert)
• Intelligence or Investigation (Expert)
• Tactics (Competent)
• Deception (Competent)

Mark Requirements: Mark of Palenon (Favored or higher)

The Head Priestesses/Priests lead each of the four branches. There is one Head Priestess/Priest per branch, and each wears a gold chain-linked bracelet to symbolize their leadership over their branch. The Head Priestess/Priests’ role is to organize missions for their specific branch, to resolve conflicts between sisters/brothers, to oversee the recruitment and training of Novitiates and Priestesses/Priests , and to communicate key information. Each Head Priestess/Priest is also expected to liaison with the other three Head Priestesses/Priests , the Matriarch/Patriarch, and Ilaren in order to understand the current and future state of the Priesthood and Rharne.



To become a Head Priestess/Priest, a sister/brother must meet the skill and mark requirements and be voted into the role. When a Head Priestess/Priest position opens up, any High Priestess/Priest within the branch may be nominated or self-nominated to run for the position. Branches typically groom 2-3 High Priestesses/Priests to take over the role of Head Priestess/Priest should the opportunity present itself, but even those who have not been groomed for the role may be nominated as long as they meet the selection criteria.



Each nominee must have at least two sisters/brother who second the nomination, as well as the approval of the Matriarch/Patriarch. All of the Priestesses/Priests and High Priestesses/Priests in the branch will then participate in a ballot vote. The sister/brother with the most votes will become Head Priestess/Priest of the branch unless, in extremely rare circumstances, the Matriarch/Patriarch overrules the selection.



Branch: Cleric

Skill Requirements:

• Unarmed Combat (Master)
• Meditation (Master)
• Socialization (Master)
• Teaching or Storytelling (Expert)
• Leadership (Expert)

Mark Requirements: Mark of Palenon (Adored or higher)



Branch: Healer

Skill Requirements:

• Unarmed Combat (Master)
• Medicine (Master)
• Caregiving (Expert)
• Resistance (Expert)

Mark Requirements: Mark of Palenon (Adored or higher)



Branch: Emissary

Skill Requirements:

• Unarmed Combat (Master)
• Politics (Master)
• Socialization (Master)
• Intelligence (Expert)
• Leadership (Expert)

Mark Requirements: Mark of Palenon (Adored or higher)



Branch: Monk

Skill Requirements:

• Unarmed Combat (Master)
• Weapon (Master)
• Intelligence or Investigation (Master)
• Tactics (Expert)
• Deception (Expert)

Mark Requirements: Mark of Palenon (Adored or higher)

There is only ever one Matriarch/Patriarch at a time. They governs all four branches, and represents the Thunder Priesthood faction as one of the four mortal members on Rharne’s Council. Their role is to lead the Thunder Priestesses/Priests , to set the tone and vision for the faction, and to work directly with Ilaren to help achieve the Immortals’ goals. They have the final say in all matters related to the faction, and their authority is exceeded only by Ilaren herself.

The Matriarch/Patriarch wears a gold necklace with a lightning bolt charm, along with four gold chain-linked bracelets to symbolize their leadership over all of the faction’s branches. They are selected by Ilaren from the small group of Head Priestesses/Priests who lead each of the four branches and remains in their role until they either retire due to age, pass away, or, in extraordinary circumstances, is removed from their post by Ilaren.

Skill Requirements:

• Leadership (Master)

Mark Requirements: Mark of Palenon (Exalted)

Credit: Rumour & Zenith

Lightning Cathedral: The Lightning Cathedral is the Thunder Priestess’ headquarters. It is located at the very top of the city of Rharne, and is often a point of focus for visitors due to its immense size and beauty. The Cathedral houses a variety of public, private, and secret locations, and even sisters/brothers who have been part of the faction for several arcs don’t know all it contains.

Sisters/brothers often choose to live within the Cathedral during their time in Rharne due to its convenience, as all education, training, and meetings take place here. The Immortal Ilaren also resides within the Cathedral when she is in the city, which adds to the location’s allure.

The Cathedral is broken up into wings. The North Wing contains the training grounds and classrooms, while the South Wing contains all residential quarters (including Ilaren’s) and living amenities. The East Wing contains a large number of meeting rooms for both public and private events, as well as a public space for meditation and prayer, and the West Wing hosts the command centers for the Matriarch/Patriarch and each of the four branches. In the center of the Cathedral is the faction’s ever-expanding library, which leads outside into a circular courtyard and garden.

Safe Houses: The Thunder Priestesses/Priests have safe houses scattered across Idalos in each region where their members work. The location of these safe houses is known only to Ilaren, the Matriarch/Patriarch, the Head Priestesses/Priests, and those who may have a need for them (primarily the sisters/brothers belonging to the Emissary or Warrior branches). Occasionally, in dire situations, a Lightning Knight may be allowed knowledge of or access to one of these safe houses - though they will find that the house’s location swiftly changes soon after the Knight’s need for it disappears.

Every safe house appears non-descript to outsiders, and is often so common-looking that even those living nearby may forget its existence. There never any markings or indicators of the house’s connection to the Thunder Priestesses/Priests, save for its caretaker. Each house has a caretaker - a Priestess in the region - who ensures it remains livable. She may or may not reside in the home herself. Caretakers are chosen based on their combat and medical skills, their ability to be discrete, and their capacity for withstanding interrogation and/or torture.

Credit: Rumour & Zenith